Transcript So What About Mindtools??? - Appalachian State University

So What About
Mindtools???
Project Team Members:
Kristen Hull
Jennifer Fulmer
Lesson Titles
• So What About
the United States?
• So What About
Europe?
Unit Focus
5th Grade: United States
6th Grade: Europe
For both unit plans we will be focusing on The
Five Themes of Geography.
Mindtools Incorporated
• Databases (Semantic)
• Microsoft Word (Knowledge Construction)
• Internet (Interpretation)
• Epals.com (Conversation)
• Microsoft Publisher (Knowledge Construction)
• Microsoft Powerpoint (Knowledge Construction)
• CD Rom software Packages (Interpretation)
• Kidspirtation (Semantic & Knowledge Construction)
North Carolina Standard
Course of Study Goals
5th Grade NCSCS
*Technology:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/5.html
*Social Studies:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/200304/033fifthgrade.html
6th Grade NCSCS
*Technology:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/computer.skills/6.html
*Social Studies:
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/socialstudies/200304/040sixthgrade.html
Objectives
5th Grade- United States
1)5 Themes of Geography
2)Use of the Internet
3)Databases
4)CD Rom Software Packages
5)Location of States/Capitals
Activities
6)Kidspiration- Concept
Mapping
7)Epals.com
8)Journal Entries using
Microsoft Word
9)Student created
presentations using
Microsoft Publisher &
PowerPoint.
6th Grade- Europe
1)5 Themes of Geography
2)Use of the Internet
3)Databases
4)CD Rom Software Packages
5)Edible Maps of Europe
6)Kidspiration- Concept
Mapping
7)Epals.com
8)Journal Entries using
Microsoft Word
9)Student created
presentations using
Microsoft Publisher &
PowerPoint.
So What Are We Gonna Do?
(Procedures)
1) Locate the countries/capitals on
a globe
2) Use KWL to activate prior
knowledge.
3) Introductry Activities
4) Create & explore databases
using Microsoft Access
5) Internet Research using a
variety of search engines
6) Use CD ROM Software Packages
7) Use Kidspiration to create
concept maps
8) Communicate with students from
other areas using Epals.com
9) Student created presentations
using Microsoft Publisher &
Powerpoint
10) Complete KWL Chart of what
each student has learned.
Closure
The Students…
1) Examined the similarities & differences among
(European Countries/ 50 United States) and
compared those differences and related them
back to our own (country/state)
2) Understood important issues of a technology
based society.
3) Demonstrated knowledge and skills of computers
and other technologies.
4) Accessed, analyzed, interpreted, synthesized,
applied, and communicated information using a
variety of technologies.
Things to Share
 KWL Chart
 Introductory Activities
* U.S. Bingo
* Musical States
* Edible Map of Europe
 Databases
* United States
* Europe
 Internet Searching
* Boolean Searching
* Fifty States Websites to Explore
*Evaluating Websites
*www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook
 CD ROM Software
 EPALS.COM
Student Work
Student Work
Kristen & Jennifer’s Goals
Goals:
 To explore the “mindtools”
 To increase personal knowledge
of how to use the various
“mindtools”
 To increase personal knowledge
of the features available when
using the various “mindtools”
 To implement the use of various
“mindtools” into classroom
instruction
 To reflect upon the
effectiveness of the manner in
which we incorporated the
mindtools into our instruction
Kristen’s Reflections
 Goals Met
 Unit Plan
 Implemented “mindtools” into instruction to develop
more understanding of things to consider when using the
“mindtools” with my students’
 Biggest Revelation:
Past: Specific guidelines for students’ to follow when
using technology
Now: Student Choice of “mindtool” to show learning
WHY?
(A) Students’ were more involved
(B) Projects more creative and interesting
(C) Collaboration with peers to “learn”
(D) More evidence of what student really
learned (as opposed to students’ just giving
me the “required information”)
Jennifer’s Reflections
 After It’s All Said & Done…
 I have a better understanding for myself how to use
each of the different mindtools so that I may
incorporate them into my classroom.
 I am now more confident implementing the different
mindtools I have learned to use in a variety of
activities my students participate in.
 I have an excellent unit plan that has been developed
with lots of technology integration to use next year to
start off the year.
 It’s obvious that using mindtools instead of textbook,
pencil, & paper allows for more student engagement and
success for learning.