Ms. Law - James I., Kim L., & Stacy M.
Teacher: Ms. Law (Science Department)
Subject Area: Science and Biology (all grades), University of Toronto Biology Competition, MSEO
Technology Used: Photoshop, Google Sites, Google Sheets, formCreator Add-On, Flubaroo Add-On, Adobe Reader
Description:
Ms. Law made four requests on her IDCICT placement forms at the beginning of this project. First, she wanted us to transcribe all past Biology Competition questions onto an interface where students can take past multiple choice questions, by unit, at random to practice on their own. We started with brainstorming on a Google Document of available technologies that would provide an interface to satisfy her requests. After briefly running through several programs, we came to the conclusion that Google Sheets was the optimal technology to draw questions at random based on unit and category. Each of us split up the 20 exams available and inputted the categories (which were provided by Ms. Law), questions, choices, and answer key.
An instruction sheet was created for Ms. Law to reference when needed (shown below). This document contains step-by-step instructions explaining how to filter the contest questions by category, creating the form using the formCreator add-on, and grading the responses using the Flubaroo add-on.
Subject Area: Science and Biology (all grades), University of Toronto Biology Competition, MSEO
Technology Used: Photoshop, Google Sites, Google Sheets, formCreator Add-On, Flubaroo Add-On, Adobe Reader
Description:
Ms. Law made four requests on her IDCICT placement forms at the beginning of this project. First, she wanted us to transcribe all past Biology Competition questions onto an interface where students can take past multiple choice questions, by unit, at random to practice on their own. We started with brainstorming on a Google Document of available technologies that would provide an interface to satisfy her requests. After briefly running through several programs, we came to the conclusion that Google Sheets was the optimal technology to draw questions at random based on unit and category. Each of us split up the 20 exams available and inputted the categories (which were provided by Ms. Law), questions, choices, and answer key.
An instruction sheet was created for Ms. Law to reference when needed (shown below). This document contains step-by-step instructions explaining how to filter the contest questions by category, creating the form using the formCreator add-on, and grading the responses using the Flubaroo add-on.
Both the instruction sheet and the Google Spreadsheet were shared with Ms. Law.
Second, Ms. Law wanted to change the appearance of her websites and make them look more aesthetically appealing to both herself and the students who would be using it as reference later on. On Google Sites, we adjusted templates and themes, creating a more modern website for Ms. Law’s grade 9 to 12 science websites. In addition, we created customized and colour coded headers for each of Ms. Law’s websites. These headers were colour coded according to grade and the colour scheme was incorporated throughout the rest of the site. The site can be accessed here.
Next, Ms. Law requested that we brainstorm different activities that can be used to further improve the learning for the Space unit in grade 9 science. After researching several activities that would align with the curriculum taught in the PowerPoints sent to us, we proposed four activities to Ms. Law. The objective, prep time, length of the activity, resources needed, and instructions were all included in the descriptions of these four activities and were sent to Ms. Law.
The final thing Ms.Law wanted us to do was access the functionality of the MSEO website. We browsed through the MSEO website and suggested the following changes: make the website more visually appealing, remove some pages with unnecessary and/or redundant information, and update all the information currently on the page.
Below is a presentation summarizing what we have done for this placement. It includes screenshots of the website and Google Spreadsheet.
Second, Ms. Law wanted to change the appearance of her websites and make them look more aesthetically appealing to both herself and the students who would be using it as reference later on. On Google Sites, we adjusted templates and themes, creating a more modern website for Ms. Law’s grade 9 to 12 science websites. In addition, we created customized and colour coded headers for each of Ms. Law’s websites. These headers were colour coded according to grade and the colour scheme was incorporated throughout the rest of the site. The site can be accessed here.
Next, Ms. Law requested that we brainstorm different activities that can be used to further improve the learning for the Space unit in grade 9 science. After researching several activities that would align with the curriculum taught in the PowerPoints sent to us, we proposed four activities to Ms. Law. The objective, prep time, length of the activity, resources needed, and instructions were all included in the descriptions of these four activities and were sent to Ms. Law.
The final thing Ms.Law wanted us to do was access the functionality of the MSEO website. We browsed through the MSEO website and suggested the following changes: make the website more visually appealing, remove some pages with unnecessary and/or redundant information, and update all the information currently on the page.
Below is a presentation summarizing what we have done for this placement. It includes screenshots of the website and Google Spreadsheet.
Possible Uses In Other Classes/Subject Areas:
Google Sites is a common website medium used by a majority of teachers as it proves to be a simple and straightforward interface. With a variety of different templates available to teachers for free, teachers are able to design a website that coincides with their subject of study and create a place for students to use as reference throughout the duration of their course. Many teachers can and already do post PowerPoints, worksheets, reminders, calendars, and other resources for students to find and access outside of the classroom.
Google Sheets is an online version of Microsoft Excel. It can be used as a database to store information and is accessible anywhere with Wi-Fi. It has lots of application in courses related to business where information such as budgeting, scheduling, account information, and graphical data. In classrooms, teachers can apply Google Sheets in organizing data, notes, and with Add-Ons, create online quizzes or surveys.
formCreator Add-On can be used to create a variety of different forms directly from the data on a Google Spreadsheet. With its option to classify a question type as either multiple choice, paragraph, text and more, teachers have the opportunity to create quizzes, tests, and surveys. What makes it different from using Google Forms is that all of the data on the spreadsheet is saved and can be reused in multiple forms. This allows teachers to store a large database of possible questions and pick and choose the questions that are suitable for the assignment they wish to give out.
Flubaroo Add-On is a tool that can be used to automatically grade assignments created through Google Forms. Because of this, it can be used in every class that assigns tests/assignments with multiple choice questions. Teachers can apply Flubaroo for online quiz marking and send feedback to students after completing the quiz. It is a quick and easy way for both teachers and students to find out if they understand the material and ultimately, how they are doing in class.
Photoshop can be used to design and create a variety of graphics that can be used to both beautify and enhance classroom materials and/or projects. Working with Photoshop may prove to be difficult for beginners as it requires practice and knowledge in order to build the skills necessary to create designs. Having said that, the wide range of tools on Photoshop gives you the ability to create complex designs at your disposal. Infographics, flowcharts, advertisements, and posters are just some of the possibilities that can be incorporated in other subjects. These pieces can provide a visual representation for concepts in class that is both informative, easy to follow, visually pleasing.
Adobe Reader is a document viewer and reader used for PDF files. Reader is easily accessible on all technologies and is used to share files where the information cannot be edited. Teachers can use Adobe Reader to share files with their classrooms without having the information changed and also allow students to view the file from any location. Not only does Adobe Reader does not require internet access, but after downloading the PDF file from the interface at which it was accessed, students have the ability to highlight and annotate specific passages within the document that will only show on their downloaded copy.
Google Sites is a common website medium used by a majority of teachers as it proves to be a simple and straightforward interface. With a variety of different templates available to teachers for free, teachers are able to design a website that coincides with their subject of study and create a place for students to use as reference throughout the duration of their course. Many teachers can and already do post PowerPoints, worksheets, reminders, calendars, and other resources for students to find and access outside of the classroom.
Google Sheets is an online version of Microsoft Excel. It can be used as a database to store information and is accessible anywhere with Wi-Fi. It has lots of application in courses related to business where information such as budgeting, scheduling, account information, and graphical data. In classrooms, teachers can apply Google Sheets in organizing data, notes, and with Add-Ons, create online quizzes or surveys.
formCreator Add-On can be used to create a variety of different forms directly from the data on a Google Spreadsheet. With its option to classify a question type as either multiple choice, paragraph, text and more, teachers have the opportunity to create quizzes, tests, and surveys. What makes it different from using Google Forms is that all of the data on the spreadsheet is saved and can be reused in multiple forms. This allows teachers to store a large database of possible questions and pick and choose the questions that are suitable for the assignment they wish to give out.
Flubaroo Add-On is a tool that can be used to automatically grade assignments created through Google Forms. Because of this, it can be used in every class that assigns tests/assignments with multiple choice questions. Teachers can apply Flubaroo for online quiz marking and send feedback to students after completing the quiz. It is a quick and easy way for both teachers and students to find out if they understand the material and ultimately, how they are doing in class.
Photoshop can be used to design and create a variety of graphics that can be used to both beautify and enhance classroom materials and/or projects. Working with Photoshop may prove to be difficult for beginners as it requires practice and knowledge in order to build the skills necessary to create designs. Having said that, the wide range of tools on Photoshop gives you the ability to create complex designs at your disposal. Infographics, flowcharts, advertisements, and posters are just some of the possibilities that can be incorporated in other subjects. These pieces can provide a visual representation for concepts in class that is both informative, easy to follow, visually pleasing.
Adobe Reader is a document viewer and reader used for PDF files. Reader is easily accessible on all technologies and is used to share files where the information cannot be edited. Teachers can use Adobe Reader to share files with their classrooms without having the information changed and also allow students to view the file from any location. Not only does Adobe Reader does not require internet access, but after downloading the PDF file from the interface at which it was accessed, students have the ability to highlight and annotate specific passages within the document that will only show on their downloaded copy.