Sunday, November 20, 2011

Ask a Scientist

As part of our Week 2 graduate work, we created a question to pose to a scientist via the "Ask a Scientist" website.  My question for the scientist was "How are receptors in cells able to identify and process “communication” in the cell?”

The website stated that it did not have an archival answer, so I forwarded the question to a real life scientist.

As of today, I have yet to receive an answer to my question.  While I am waiting, I believe that I will begin my own research.

In regards to the use of this website in my classroom, I can imagine that it would be very useful, especially in the realm of enhancing the inquiry process.  Many of my students have difficulty asking high order questions.  This would allow them to enrich their skills in a forum that is supportive and real.  Also, being able to ask a real scientist adds a sense of empowerment in their education.  Perhaps it will encourage them into pursuing a STEM career.

Nevertheless, this a valuable resource and look forward to using it - both as a teacher and as a student.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Web 2.0 Presentation Tools

Scattered amist the vast Internet are a variety of presentation tools, many of them free to use.  For my graduate work, I evaluated two presentation tools - Glogster and Prezi.  Each one had advantages and disadvantages, which I will now discuss.

Glogster is basically an online poster.  Found on Glogster.com, the presentation tool offers various "posterboards" on which to present your information.  A person can add text, graphics, pictures, and videos from personal computer files or from the Internet.  There is a choice to keep the Glog private, or to share it with others on the Internet.  I have used Glogster with my students at school, but did not my own private Glog.  I did create an account to invsetigate the platform.  Unfortuantely, I did not find any kind of tutorial program to show a new user the "ropes" of the program.  The glog can be linked or embedded into another Internet program, such as Facebook. 

Prezi is a new and different way of creating and presenting a PowerPoint.  The Prezi keeps the viewer engaged.  It is not flat, but allows for movement and clarification of the main idea.  A person can add text, graphics, pictures, and links to the presentation.  I haven't really used the tool before, but I did create an account and tried it out.  Prezi does offer tutorials, but I found the Walden University tutorial more comprehensive and useful.  Like the Glogster, you can embed the Prezi into other Internet programs.

For my course project, I believe I will use the Prezi.  While I have had experience with the Glog, I think that the Prezi will add more depth to the project.  After using the Prezi, the Glog seems a bit one dimensional and bland.  I enjoy watching my Prezi presentation, whereas I did not return to the Glog I began. 

Virus Prezi