S.+Heflin

=**Mr. Heflin's Wiki 8th Grade Mathematics:**= We are currently using Quia to explore new topics and practice material. I set up some websites on Quia for the students to access and read about slope. The students were then directed to back to Quia to practice what they learned about finding the slope of lines using 2 points or the graph. The students enjoyed playing the games while practicing finding the slope and were very engaged
 * QUIA - [|Bell 1 Quia Site]**

__**December 15**__ - Semester 1 Technology Project
Our latest project was trying to have the students connect tables, graphs and equations. It was a struggle to get the students working effectively in groups. There were complaints about who they were grouped with and issues with suspensions and absences in getting the roles set and following through. The numerous choices were also an issue in that groups had a difficult time choosing and sticking with their decision. Too many times, groups started one thing and then changes their minds later and had to start over.

Student work samples:

__**11/10/2010 Graphing Ordered Pairs**__:
We used the "Create A Graph" website to review graphing ordered pairs. Each student had to create a picture on the coordinate plane and write the ordered pairs used in the picture in the order that could be connected to make the picture. In "Create a Graph" the students could enter the ordered pairs and connect them to see what the picture would look like. It was interesting to watch the reaction when the students saw the picture and realized their points were off. I think they really learned the ipmortance of getting the oreder and location correct.

__10/20/2010 Balancing Equations:__
I was able to schedule time in the computer lab this week. We visited some sites that discussed balancing equations. It was a tutorial that the kids watched and then I directed them to NLVM (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) to practice balancing equations on virtual balances with weights representing x’s and constants. At first the students were confused on what to do, but after a brief explanantion, they seemed to do real well. They were solving equations that were beyond their knowledge base and seemed to do well. I also gave them time to play some games solving equations. I felt that the students got a lot out of the activities. I also pulled into class an online video on adding polynomials. When I showed it on the projector, the video was not clear and hard to see. It wasn’t as effective as some of the other things I’ve used. It would be better if each student had their own netbook to see and hear it with better quality.

**__10/3/2010 - Using Podcast and Mini WebQuest__**
Within the last 2 weeks I have been able to use some of the web 2.0 tools in the classroom. I downloaded a podcast that was created by another student in another part of the country that discussed the distributive property. Unfortunately, the sound was very poor and really hard to hear so I used it more as an introduction to podcasting that they might possibly create on their own. I also took my classes to the computer lab to do a kind of webquest on a very limited scale. They investigated a site that discussed combining like terms. I asked them to define some terms, do some practice problems and then play some games. The students were engaged the whole time with the activity and it seemed to enhance their understanding of the topic. Overall, it was pretty effective and I want to start planning more webquests for the future.

__**10/03/2010 - First Experiences**__
In the first two days of school, I showed the students a voice thread that I created over the summer when I misread the directions to the first activity in the class. It basically introduced myself and my family to them. They appeared interested and were excited to hear that they might do something like that this year. I did experience some technical difficulties though. I ran the feed through my computer so I had to disconnect the monitor. I turned off the monitor and in doing so, turned off the sound. Lesson learned. Need speakers for the computers.