Newsletter #2

Classroom Newsletter Mr. Choquette Sci-8 / SS-8

August 26th 2011 Contact Information: Email: cchoquette@kas.kh.edu.tw Phone: 07-5830112 Students enjoy opening day lunch in KAS’s beautiful new cafeteria.

Two weeks in and lots of good stuff happening!

It has been a quick two weeks here at KAS. The students seemed to have settled into their surroundings and I see lots of friendships developing. KAS’s wonderful new cafeteria opened up on Monday August 22nd and the students really enjoyed being in this new Wi-Fi equipped space. Superintendent Dr. Farrell and Elem./M.S. Principal Mr. Dery were present to offer opening remarks, an orientation, and delicious cake to all in attendance. If you have the time I encourage you to stop by and take a look at the new facilities.

Sci-8 Update: Class Moodle updated with link to digital textbooks In Science students have been working in groups to develop an information and graphic rich poster. Students were placed in groups and then “drew straws” to select their topics; the topics are: Earth Science, Life Science, Physical Science, and the Scientific Method. After completing their posters students presented their posters to their classmates by delivering an oral presentation in which each member was required to contribute.

I was pleased by the students’ ability to work together to analyze, synthesize and creatively display their group’s content.

I sometimes like to assign groups rather than let students choose because I like to play with the group dynamics, and motivating students to learn with and work with new people.

Prezi: The zooming presentation editor http://prezi.com/ Check it out!

SS8 Update: Using technology in the classroom to research Ancient Rome and make media rich presentations.

In Social Studies students have been learning about the Legacy of the Roman Empire. Students are currently working on group Prezi projects. Each class was given a digital space on my Prezi account. I allowed students to choose their own group members for this project. Each group drew a topic to research and present about the Roman Empire; the areas of focus were: Art, Architecture and Technology, Language and Culture, Philosophy, Law and Government, and finally Religion and Gods. What was nice about using Prezi for this project is that students were able to work collaboratively simultaneously to develop this presentation through “Prezi meeting.” I provided student with a list of useful links to informative websites about the Romans as well as the Encyclopedia Britannica and the New York Public Library’s repository of digital images.

Students have been working well together on this project. They have had to learn how to organize tasks, manage time, evaluate sources of information, and consider how to informatively and creatively display their primary source materials.

They also know that because this project is online it is available for anyone in the world to see and I think many of them “get a kick” out of that. Students are scheduled to complete this assignment on Thursday September 1st and then present their work on Friday September 2nd. I will include links to their completed projects in the next newsletter.

“… often students are inefficient and inexperienced with regards to making the most of the wealth of digital tools and information that are literally at their fingertips.”

I am an advocate of technology use in the classroom. I believe that it is very important for students to learn how to use technology as a tool to research, communicate and present information in an academic and professional manner.

Most students know how to use technology for leisure but often students are inefficient and inexperienced with regards to making the most of the wealth of digital tools and information that are literally at their fingertips. I took some time to discuss the importance of citing sources and explained that this is also important to do with digital media such as websites, pictures, movies, sounds etc. I also discussed evaluating sources and explained that all sources are not equal.

Students need to evaluate the source of a piece of information and learn how to search for and utilize “qualified” sources. We will continue to infuse technology with our learning in both Science and Social Studies throughout the year.

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Mr. Choquette / Newsletter #2 / August 26, 2011