Technology for a Science Classroom

Sean Macduff

Margaret Ashlee Tenorio

June 8, 2005

Table of Contents

Goal Statement- Page 2

Need Statement - Page 3

Curriculum Applications – Pages 4-5

TechnologyAcquisition - Pages 6-9

Classroom Floor Plan

- Plan – Page 10

- Description – Page 11

Evaluation – Page 12-13

Goal Statement

The importance of awareness in technology is growing each day. Our goal is to expose students to the different types of technological equipment available so that they are able to gain necessary experience in working with such equipment

Need Statement

At the present time our classroom has one desktop computer. The computer has been in this classroom for many years now. It is incompatible with the latest programs and software because of its speed and memory capacity. In addition to this, we do not have a printer and the computer frequently shuts itself down causing all unsaved data to be irretrievable. With the current situation, there is not much productivity coming from having one outdated, incompatible desktop computer. In order to meet our goal in working towards technological awareness we need the necessary equipment. They include desktop computers, laptop computers with wireless connection, a printer, a scanner, a digital camera, a video camera, and a projector. While gaining the experience in working with such equipment, the students will be able to use technology as a tool for communication, productivity, and problem-solving. Results can be seen by the use of email, participating in chat, discussions, and instant messaging services, putting together a class newsletter, producing pamphlets, developing multimedia presentations, working with various software, creating a database, and research.

Curriculum Applications

In order to completely explain how the addition of the requested technology will enhance student learning, let me go through the projects of theNature and Our Environment (Animals)portion of our curriculum, discuss sample activities, and possible student outcome with the equipment available in our classroom.

1. Research Project

  • Decide on a team leader for this project.
  • Based on the criteria, decide on responsibility for the different parts.
  • Your group needs to use the internet toresearch five different animals. (1) You need to classify the animals into their respective categories such as: mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles; (2) need to find out what kind of sound the animal makes (if any) and explain the sound by describing it and need to know where in the world is the animal found, (3) what kind of food does it eat, is it a prey to another animal, (4) and one interesting characteristic for each member of the group. After you have completed your research, you will need to write a one page summary of your findings for each of the animals, using Microsoft Word.

2. Database Project

  • Decide on a team leader for this project.
  • Based on the criteria, decide on responsibility for the different parts.
  • You are to use the information you have gathered in your research project to create a database using Microsoft Excel. (1) Your database needs to have a title and a heading. (2) Organization – the information you enter needs to be organized, for example: have a column for the animal name, another column for the sound, etc… (3) Your information needs to be consistent with your research project. (4) Use at least two different font colors.

3. Image Bank Project

  • Decide on a team leader for this project.
  • Based on the criteria, decide on responsibility for the different parts.
  • You are to use the internet to collect pictures of the animals that you have researched in your first project. (1) You need to collect at least five different pictures per animal. (2) Use Microsoft Picture It! Photo Premium 9 to edit your pictures – crop, adjust brightness, etc… (3) Save the original picture as well as the edited picture. (4) Organize your pictures in a file using subfiles.

4. Power Point Presentation

  • Decide on a team leader for this project.
  • Based on the criteria, decide on responsibility for the different parts.
  • Using the research project, the database project, and the picture bank project, you are to create a presentation using Microsoft Power Point. Your presentation should have (1) an introduction slide (2) one slide per animal you’ve researched, give an outline of facts (3) a reference slide and (4) a conclusion slide. Altogether you should have eight slides. All your slides need to have at least one image and one transition.

Technology Acquisition

  1. 830GM Minitower

Intel Pentium 4 processors 630, 3GHz, with Hyper-Threading Technology, 1GB RAM, 200GB Hard Drive, 16X DVD+/-RW and 16X DVD Drives, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

$879.99

  1. FPD1760 17-inch LCD Monitor, Silver

$299.99

  1. 4540GZ Notebook

Intel Pentium M Processor 715, 1.5GHz, with Centurion Technology, 512MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive, 15-inch XGA TFT Display, 8X DVD+/-RW Drive, Windows XP Home Edition

$1,199.98

  1. Back-UPS ES 350

$39.99

  1. Audio 90 Multimedia Stereo PC Headset

$9.99

  1. Cyber-shot DSC-P100 Digital Still Camera, 5.1 Mega pixels

$285.25

  1. Handycam DCR-DVD92 DVD Camcorder w/ Tripod & Bag

$574.99

  1. Office Jet 6210 Color All-in-One Printer, Print/Copy/Scan/Fax

$199.99

  1. Norton Internet Security 2005, 3 User Pack

$89.99

  1. Study Works! Teaching Pro: Science Complete

Version School2

$54.99

  1. 27-inch LCD TV

Next Vision N2750w

$899.99

  1. Projector,

EzPro 738 Projector

SVGA,1800 Lumens, DLP

$799.99

  1. Pull Down Projection Screen

Panoview PVS072P 72-inch Manual 4:3

$108.96

  1. DVD Recorder and VCR Combo

RV4000 Progressive Scan

$279.99

  1. National Geographic

Educational Video

Exploring the Animal Kingdom Series – Animals That Live in Groups

$49.00

  1. National Geographic

Educational Video

Exploring the Animal Kingdom Series – How Animals Get their Food

$49.00

  1. National Geographic

Educational Videos

Nocturnal Animals: The Night Shift

$69.00

  1. National Geographic

Educational Videos

The Great Cover-Up: Animal Camouflage

$49.00

  1. National Geographic

Educational Videos

Thinking About Animals Minds

$69.00

  1. National Geographic

Geokits

Geokit: Fish, Reptiles & Amphibians

Includes: 2 maps, 100+page teachers guide, 4 transparencies, student handouts, trivia cards, magazines, 3 videos

$219.95

Image / Equipment / Price (each) / Quantity / Total
/ GatewayMinitower / $ 879.99 / 6 / $5279.94
/ LCD Monitor / $299.99 / 6 / $1799.94
/ Gateway Notebook / $1199.98 / 2 / $2399.96
/ Back-UPS / $39.99 / 2 / $79.98
/ Headset / $9.99 / 6 / $59.94
/ Digital Camera / $285.25 / 2 / $570.50
/ Camcorder / $574.99 / 2 / $1149.98
/ All-in-one Printer / $199.99 / 2 / $399.98
/ Norton Internet Security / $89.99 / 2 / $179.98
/ Study Works! / $54.99 / 1 / $54.99
/ LCD TV / $899.99 / 1 / $899.99
/ Projector / $799.99 / 1 / $799.99
/ Projection Screen / $108.96 / 1 / $108.96
/ DVD/VCR / $279.99 / 1 / $279.99
National Geographic Video / $49.00 / 1 / $49.00
National Geographic Video / $49.00 / 1 / $49.00
National Geographic Video / $69.00 / 1 / $69.00
National Geographic Video / $49.00 / 1 / $49.00
National Geographic Video / $69.00 / 1 / $69.00
National Geographic Geokit / $219.95 / 1 / $219.95
$14569.07

Classroom Floor Plan

Blueprint

Classroom Floor Plan

Description

Classroom Floor Plan

Description

Students are seated in the center of the classroom in a heterogeneous group of five students per table. Our classroom is structured this way as we strongly believe in cooperative learning. The number of proposed computer stations corresponds directly to the groups. Also in the floor plan is a shared station. This is the area where the all-in-one printer/scanner/copier/fax machine as well as other shared items will be stored and displayed. Items such as digital cameras and camcorder will be strictly controlled by the teacher. Students will be able to check them out daily. The media area will be composed of a television, a video player, a DVD player, a projector, and a projection screen. This is where activities such as presentations will be viewed. This floor plan is the initial plan and may require modifications based on needs and activities conducted in the classroom in order for the classroom to be contusive to learning.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be conducted by using both a checklist and a rubric. The checklist will be used daily as the team works on their project. The checklist provided shows general material; a more specific checklist will be created as the project goes along based on student outcomes. The rubric will be used when a project has been completed. Specific details can be seen in the Curriculum Application page.

Checklist

Team members are complete.

 Team members are working cooperatively.

4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0 / Points
Research Project / Worked together as a team. Research project is complete and has met all the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Research project is missing one item from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Research project is missing two items from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Research project has three missing items from the criteria. / No team work and none of the criteria were met.
Database Project / Worked together as a team. Database project is complete and has met all the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Database project is missing one item from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Database project is missing two items from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Database project has three items from the criteria. / No team work and none of the criteria were met.
Images Bank Project / Worked together as a team. Image bank is complete and has met all the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Image bank is missing one item from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Image bank is missing two items from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Image bank is missing three items from the criteria. / No teamwork and none of the criteria were met.
Power Point Presentation / Worked together as a team. Power Point presentation is complete and has met all the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Power Point presentation is missing one item from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Power Point presentation is missing two items from the criteria. / Worked together as a team. Power Point presentation is missing three items from the criteria. / No teamwork and none of the criteria were met.
Total

 Team is using problem-solving skills to tackle troubleshooting issues, if any.

Team is working on goals to complete for today.

Team has completed all goals for today.

This is an evaluation that we will use to evaluate our activities that were conducted with the integration of technology. Students will complete this evaluation at the end of the lessons.

  1. How would you rate your experience with using computers?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience with using Microsoft Word?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate yourself in using Microsoft Word or another type of word processor in the near future?

AlwaysSometimesUnsure

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience using Microsoft Excel?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate yourself in using Microsoft Excelor another spreadsheet software in the near future?

AlwaysSometimesUnsure

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience in working with digital photos?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate yourself in working with digital photos in the near future?

AlwaysSometimesUnsure

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience in using Microsoft Power Point?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate yourself in using Microsoft Power Point or another presentation software in the near future?

AlwaysSometimesUnsure

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience with using the internet for research?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate you experience with using the internet for communication?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience in using digital cameras?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience in working with camcorders?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

  1. How would you rate your experience in watching educational videos?

ExcellentAveragePoor

Comment: ______

Overall comments on the integration of technology, what went well, and what can be I improved and how?

1