History – Page 14 – iLearn Technology

The Secret in the Cellar

July 16, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2375 views

What it is: A few days ago I wrote about the awesome interactive Smithsonian Museum, today I found another great activity on the Smithsonian website called The Secret in the Cellar. The Secret in the Cellar is an interactive web comic that is based on an actual forensic case of a 17th century body that was recently discovered. Through graphics, photos, and activities, students begin to unravel a mystery of historical and scientific importance. Students can analyze artifacts, and examine the skeleton for clues to determine a cause of death. Because of the subject matter of this web comic, this activity is best suited for middle school or high school students.

How to integrate The Secret in the Cellar into the classroom: The Secret in the Cellar activities and web comic are a fantastic way to excite students about the history of Colonial life in America and the science behind archeology. This site takes students on a journey of discovery and critical thinking. Throughout the web comic, students will find links to additional articles about the actual forensic case and the display at the Smithsonian Museum. This activity would be best in a computer lab setting where each student can explore at their own pace. Along the way, encourage students to keep a record of their inferences about how the boy died. Before students complete the web-comic, discuss what conclusions students have come to based on the evidence.

Tips: Students can dig deeper into this site learning about bones, the lives of colonists, forensic anthropology, and learn more about the related exhibit at the Smithsonian.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using The Secret in the Cellar in your classroom.

Smithsonian Virtual Museum

July 6, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment2487 views

What it is: I learn about great websites for the classroom from a variety of sources, I heard about the Smithsonian Virtual Museum from my dad. This is the most amazing virtual look at a museum I have seen. Students can take a self guided tour through the whole museum. They can navigate room by room using their mouse to “walk” through the museum, or navigate by clicking on the room or exhibit they would like to visit on the museum map. Camera icons throughout the museum show students hotspots where students can get close to an object or exhibit panel. This is a truly amazing way for students to learn about natural history. Students can explore the ocean hall, ancient seas, dinosaurs, early life, fossils and plants, mammals, African cultures, ice age, western cultures, reptiles, insects, butterflies, plants, bones, geology, gems, minerals, and the hope diamond. As students explore the museum, the map will show which exhibits have been visited and which have yet to be visited. I am completely amazed by this site and could spend hours going through the exhibits myself, students will love it! THIS is what virtual field trips should be!

How to integrate Smithsonian Virtual Museum into the classroom: Not all schools have the luxury or the funds to take a field trip to the museum. Not all cities have great natural history museums like the Smithsonian. This virtual tour is the next best thing to taking an actual field trip. The museum can be viewed full screen which would be outstanding for an interactive whiteboard or projector. The museum and exhibits will be life size for students to explore. Allow students to guide the tour using the map and navigation tools. As you “walk” from exhibit to exhibit take the time to stop and discuss what students are seeing and how it relates to what they are learning in class. Students can also explore the Smithsonian individually on student computers.

It would be a neat assignment for a group of students to study the different exhibits in the museum. The groups could explore and research the exhibit and then give classmates a ‘tour’ of their exhibit acting as exhibit guide with an interactive whiteboard or projector.

This is an incredible FREE resource that every classroom should use. Even if you have access to a natural history museum for field trips, this site is still incredibly useful. Prepare for the field trip before hand by visiting the Smithsonian Virtual Museum or follow a field trip with the site. Compare and contrast your local natural history museum with the Smithsonian.

Tips: Make sure that you have all the appropriate plugins required for this site before using with students.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Smithsonian Virtual Museum in your classroom.

Creaza

June 4, 2009Kelly Tenkely2 Comments4431 views

What it is: Creaza is a suite of web-based creativity tools. There are four tools in the Creaza toolbox that will help your students organize knowledge and tell stories in new creative ways. Mindomo is the mind mapping tool. Students can use this tool to organize thoughts, ideas, links, and other information visually. Mindomo is the perfect tool for exploring new material, looking at connections, and organizing thoughts for further development. The mind map topics can contain media files, links, and text. Cartoonist is a cartooning tool that students can use to create multimedia stories. Cartoonist can be used to create comic strips or more personal digital narratives. The finished product can be viewed online or printed out. (Check out the video demo to learn how to use this tool.) Movie Editor helps students produce their own movies based on Creaza’s thematic universes, video, images, and sound clips. Students can use the Movie Editor to edit a short film, create a news cast, a commercial, a film trailer, etc. Movie Editor can import film clips, sound clips and images to tell a story. Audio Editor is the final tool in Creaza’s creative suite. Audio Editor is a tool that allows your students to produce audio clips. Students can use Audio Editor to splice together their own newscasts, radio commercials, radio interlude, etc.

How to integrate Creaza into the classroom: Creaza is a great suite of online tools that allow students to display learning creatively. The Media and Audio editors follow established conventions for sound and media editing complete with timelines. Using this online software will be a nice introduction to more robust media and audio editors. Mindomo is a great way for students connect new and existing knowledge. It is also a nice place for students to plan out a story. Cartoonist and Movie Editor are great tools that provide students with a creative outlet for telling a story. Allow students to show their understanding of a period in history by creating a cartoon about it. Display a new science concept in Movie Editor complete with voice over. Students could create a short video or radio type commercial for a book that they read in place of a traditional book report. The uses for are limitless, you will think of many ways for your students to use this creative suite to display knowledge.

Tips: Cartoonist is the only tool that has a video demo, this is a great way to teach your students how to teach themselves. Encourage students to learn how to use this tool by watching the video demo first and working with the tool. Movie Editor does take a little bit of playing with to figure out how to use it, give your students a day to play with the tools so that they get a handle on how it all works.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Creaza in your classroom.

Newseum

May 13, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment3404 views

What it is: Newseum is a neat way for students to see the news from around the country. Front pages of newspapers from around the US are displayed on a map. Scroll over the map and the front page of the newspaper pops up. Click on a different country to display newspapers from around the world.

How to integrate Newseum into the classroom: Newseum is a great site to visit for current events. This is a great way to find out what is happening state to state or around the world that is news worthy. Have students compare and contrast front page events around the country or around the world. Is there a particularly news worthy subject that seems to pop up in multiple states, multiple countries? Newseum could be a great discussion starter about newspapers, should they be saved or will they eventually be totally replaced by the Internet? Use Newseum each morning to get an update of current events using an interactive whiteboard. Have students choose 3 or 4 states or countries each day to check on (also great geography practice). This site is like a virtual field trip around the world for newspapers.

Tips: Because these are actual front pages from around the country, some material may not be appropriate fo your students. Always preview before you let your students loose!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Newseum in your classroom.

Xtranormal Text-to-Movie

May 13, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment4562 views

What it is: Xtranormal Text-to-Movie is another outstanding site that I learned about from @danreeve on Twitter. This site lets students create and direct their own animated movies. Students can choose a set, actors, and music for their videos. Xtranormal allows students a huge amount of control of exactly how their movie will look, they can choose camera angles, animations, expressions, looks, points, and sounds. The site is very intuative and user friendly for students in third grade (with a little guidance) and up. I was able to create a movie without reading any instructions in about 5 min.

How to integrate Xtranormal into the classroom: Xtranormal is a great way for students to express what they know creatively. Students can use Xtranormal to create mocumentaries on any subject, students could interview historical figures, report on geographical occurances, or create public service announcements. Xtranormal would be an excellent alternative to the traditional book report. Students could interview one or several characters from the book or create a little review show about the book. The Xtranormal interface is intuative enough that the focus will be on the learning, not on the tool.

Tips: Xtranormal is a great way for students to create movies. Many times schools are restricted from putting videos featuring students online, this is a great way for students to put their creations online without their actual picture being out there.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Xtranormal in your classroom.

Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime

May 12, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment2248 views

What it is: Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime is an incredible look into the life of Benjamin Franklin. I learned about this awesome site from @kylepace on Twitter (a great educator to follow if you aren’t already). Students can play, listen, watch, observe and have fun learning about Benjamin Franklin’s life and legacy. Students can explore Franklin’s life by different themes such as Franklin’s character, B. Franklin Printer, Franklin at Home, Doing Good, Franklin at Home, and World Stage. This feature breaks Franklin’s life down into manageable pieces for students and provides a well rounded understanding of who Franklin was and why he is an important figure in American history. As students explore the timeline, they will find quotes, stories, videos, and audio about Benjamin Franklin. I wish there was an interactive timeline of every historical figure like this one! History would have been so much easier for me to understand.

How to integrate Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime into the classroom: This interactive timeline would be great for use with a whole class and Interactive whiteboard. Students could take turns visiting the whiteboard to ‘discover’ a new fact about Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime could be set up on classroom computers for students to visit as a center during a unit on Franklin. In a computer lab setting, students could be assigned a theme or time period of Benjamin Franklin’s life to explore and share later with the class. Make it even more fun by creating a time machine atmosphere where students can travel back in time to learn about Franklin…stamp their time travelling passports as they ‘journey’ from one period of Franklin’s life to another. This site is an outstanding way to capture students interest in Franklin and American history.

Tips: Show students the help/tips section for a key to understanding the different symbols on Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Franklin’s Interactive Lifetime in your classroom.

Artopia

May 10, 2009Kelly Tenkely4 Comments3394 views

What it is: Artopia is an interactive website that lets students learn more about and interact with different mediums of art virtually. “Students can closely examine important works of art and take part in activities that teach about styles, principles and processes of each art form. They can write about the artworks online, collect art cards in a virtual portfolio and view videos of professional artists at work. Teachers may exhibit their students’ artwork in a virtual gallery and both students and teachers can communicate with other artists in an online message board.” Artopia teaches students about dance, media arts, music, painting, sculpture, and theater. This is an outstanding addition to an art classroom!

How to integrate Artopia into the classroom: Artopia is a nice addition to any classroom. The site can be used to develop a greater appreciation for the arts. Students can be recognized and encouraged in their own art in the sites online art gallery. Artopia introduces students to important works of art and teaches them how to think about art. This site would be wonderful for working on critical thinking skills, creativity, and innovation.

Tips: Check out the Teacher Resources for lesson plans using Artopia in your classroom. Pass this site on to an art teacher, they will be thankful you did!

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Artopia in your classroom.

Gullah Net

May 8, 2009Kelly Tenkely1 Comment2003 views

What it is: Gullah Net is a site that was designed to introduce students to the Gullah culture and language.”Located on the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia are communities of people who are the descendants of enslaved Africans. They have a unique culture that is directly linked to West Africa. In South Carolina, this group of African-Americans and the language they speak are referred to as Gullah (Gul-luh). In Georgia, they are called Geechee (Gee-chee). Native Islanders is another term that refers to the Gullah and Geechee people. Many historians believe that the word “Gullah” comes from Angola, a West African country from which many of the slaves came. Another idea is that “Gullah” is from the Gola, a tribe found near the border of Liberia and Sierra Leone, West Africa. Although the exact origin of the word is not known, most historians agree that the Gullah people and their language have African roots.”

In addition to a history of Gullah, students can listen to and read along folktale stories read by Auntie Pearlie Sue. These are fun little stories with a great message. Gullah music introduces students to the evolution of African music in America. The site is set to have a Gullah cooking section soon.

How to integrate Gullah Net into the classroom: Gullah Net is an excellent place for students to learn about other cultures within the United States. The read along folktales are excellent and would be a good place for students to practice reading skills. Gullah music would be a nice tie in for Black History month (in fact the entire site would be great for this). Gullah Net has some great teacher resources and lessons to use in your classroom. My favorite section on Gullah Net is Gullah Tales, these are colorful, fun stories that will keep your students engaged in reading!

Tips: Gullah Net has field trip resources for those of you in South Carolina.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Gullah Net in your classroom.

The Children’s University of Manchester

April 30, 2009Kelly TenkelyLeave a Comment1979 views

What it is: The Children’s University of Manchester is a site created by the University of Manchester that has some excellent mini-lessons and interactive lessons for students on a variety of science, history, literacy, and art topics. Topics include the body and medicines, energy and the environment, ancient Egypt, the earth and beyond, teeth and eating, micro organisms, the brain and senses, talking textiles, and words. Each lesson is like an interactive text book where students are engaged in and discover learning. Each lesson includes an interactive lesson, downloadable resources, educational games, and videos. The level of interaction is outstanding for helping students to learn about each topic.

How to integrate The Children’s University of Manchester into the classroom: The interactive lessons on this site are perfect for instructing whole class using an interactive whiteboard. During the interactive lesson, students can be called on to interact with the material. Most lessons will have enough opportunities to involve the whole class. The site is also ideal for individual instruction in the computer lab setting. Introduce students to a new topic with these mini lessons, videos, and educational games that can be expanded on as part of a larger unit. These mini-lessons begin with a bio of a scientist, historian, etc. in the field of the topic. Read these bio’s together as a class and discuss these real-world applications to the topic being studied.

Tips: Computers will need Flash installed to display The Children’s University of Manchester lessons, games, and interactive activities.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using The Children’s University of Manchester in your classroom.

Popling

April 28, 2009Kelly Tenkely2 Comments3190 views

What it is: Popling is a free website and desktop application. Their motto is “Learning without Studying”. The idea is to make your own Poplings (flash card sets) and every few minutes (you determine the amount of time) while you work at the computer, a window pops up on the screen with your question. Click on it to see the full question. That is all there is to it, studying without really studying.

How to integrate Popling into the classroom: Popling is a little goodie that could help students in their learning. Set up classroom computers with Poplings about any subject. As students are working they can also be practicing math facts, vocabulary, geography, etc. Better yet, have students create the Popling sets! In the computer lab setting, create Popling flash cards that will quiz students about Internet safety, terminology, or short cuts while they work. It is like sneaking in extra learning, gotta love that! Encourage students to use Popling as a study tool at home…they can study for tests for weeks without it feeling like studying. Install Popling on your interactive whiteboard or projector connected computer. As you are teaching, have related questions popup. This will keep your students engaged watching for the next Popling.

Tips: Tell parents about Popling, they are always looking for great ideas for helping their kids with studying.

Leave a comment and tell us how you are using Popling in your classroom.