What I know that I didn't know then.

I have just completed and published for the first a WebQuest. I have previously lacked in technology skills as advanced as developing a WebQuest page. Consequently, I was very apprehensive about being able to complete this project. I did not really understand what I was supposed to do, which help create much anxiety throughout this endeavor. That is until the sky opened up one day and much like having been struck by a bolt of lightning, I was suddenly able to see the big picture and the light at the end of the tunnel.

          The strategy I used to help me develop my WebQuest was to first acquire and read instructions I found in the Internet on how to build a WebQuest—such as what was supposed to go under each section, etc. Then, QuestGarden software was recommended by a friend who is well versed in this type of technology. Next, I asked an experienced classmate to allow me to see her product. She was gracious enough to give me the link to her WebQuest. Although her WebQuest was on a subject totally different from mine, I was able to observe her design pattern and see where she placed the different information, etc. All these things combined allowed me to fill in all the wording—section by section of my WebQuest. I was only lacking in the knowledge as to the process by which I could embed the rubrics, graphic organizers and videos I planned to include in my WebQuest. Finally, I was fortunate enough to receive one-on-one instruction from another teacher—not in my school—who took time from her busy schedule to show me exactly how to embed rubrics, graphic organizers and videos into my WebQuest in order to finalize and publish it.

          I learned by means of this WebQuest assignment, that technology is very intimidating when you don’t know the “how to” portion, but that once you get to play with it and receive guidance from kind souls who show you their work and take you by the hand and walk you though the process, everything about it suddenly becomes clear and much less intimidating.

          I was also exited to have learned how to create a WebQuest, since I truly believe that this will be an exiting and beneficial assignment for my Spanish I student during this coming school year 2011-2012. Good luck to my student and me in the future implementation of my newly developed WebQuest! It’s really not that difficult using the QuestGarden software. I believe that my students will really enjoy it, as will I.

Emerging Technologies--BrainPOP

BRAINPOP

·         Just the Facts

o   Founded in 1999, BrainPOP creates animated, curriculum-based content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement. Their award-winning online educational resources include BrainPOP Jr. (K-3), BrainPOP, BrainPOP Español, and BrainPOP Educators. Within their resource, you find movies, quizzes, experiments, timelines, activity pages, and much more covering hundred of topics within Math, Science, Social Studies, English, Technology, Arts, Music, and Health. All content is aligned to and searchable by state standards.

o   Their teacher community is over 125,000 members and they feature free lesson plans, video tutorials, graphic organizers, best practices, and much more. BrainPOP Educators is a new, free resource that supports teachers with shared tips, tools, and resources for teachers. Access to BrainPOP Educators is entirely free. Register for BrainPOP Educators at www.brainpop.com/educators.

o   Teachers can sign up for a free trial. However, it’s very likely that once you’ve tried it, you will want to subscribe.

o   Subscription cost varies depending on whether the subscription is for a classroom, an entire school, or a district. Subscription cost, however, for one-year subscription for classroom access  used by a teacher and students in s single classroom on up to three computers, projectors, or interactive whiteboard is as follows:

§  Classroom BrainPOP, $195

§  Classroom BrainPOP Jr., $125

§  Classroom BrainPOP Español, $150

§  Classroom Combo (All three products above), $265

§  Classroom BrainPOP ESL, $115

§  Classroom Combo plus BrainPOP ESL, $380           

·         In the Classroom

o   BrainPOP is ideal for both group and one-on-one settings. BrainPOP may be used in numerous ways, from introducing a new lesson or topic to illustrating complex subject matter to reviewing before a test. Content is aligned to academic standards and is easily searchable with their online Standards Tool.

·         Help, I’m Stuck

o   BrainPOP is suited for 21^st-century learning. All products are fully compatible with interactive whiteboards, learner response systems, projectors, Macs, and PCs. No downloading, installation, or special hardware is required.

o   To ensure that you’re able to receive assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible, BrainPOP has a “Help” page where you can select a help topic and receive answers immediately. If you don’t receive an immediate answer to your question, you can click on the contact us link, explain your problem or ask your question. They promise to respond shortly.

o   BrainPOP provides teachers with training via Webinars, Video Tutorials, Ideas for Integration, Professional Development, and Conferences.

·         Check it out

o   Here are the links to BRAINPOP and BRAINPOP Educator

§  https://brainpop.com

§  http://www.brainpop.com/educators/home/