Non-blah #11: Five Tips for Using Webquests in the Classroom

Here are some tips/ideas I thought of regarding how to use the technology of webquests in the classroom/in teaching:
1. Use a Webquest to introduce a new unit of study, particularly if the unit has extensive support from internet resources (as many units do).
2. Have students create a webquest for an individual or group project.
3. Pair with a teacher in another subject to create a cross-curricular webquest that can connect related lessons or units.
4. Have student include a narrative aspect to give the webquest a plot/storyline if the webquest's subject lends itself to this.
5. It would be best to use .edu and .org (instead of .com) sites whenever possible.

Non-blah #10: Webquest on the Five Themes of Geography

TO BE USED IN A WORLD GEOGRAPHY (9TH GRADE) UNIT ON INTRODUCING THE STUDY OF GEOGRAPHY. . .

Webquest on Five Themes of Geography

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Non-blah #9: Five Tips for Using Videos in the Classroom

Here are some tips/ideas I thought of regarding how to use the technology of videos in the classroom/in teaching:
1. Encourage students to use videos as a part of group or individual projects, in part by offering additional points for video use.
2. To make sure that students are familiar with how to make their own videos, take a small bit of class time to show them how to edit video in a video-editing program such as Windows Movie Maker.
3. Within lessons, utilize relevant videos from TeacherTube, a site designed for educational use.
Also, in the social studies realm,
4. Have students film reenactments of historical scenes related to a unit of study. Include period-like clothing whenever possible.
5. Have students record a visit to a historical site—complete with narration or voice-over by the student—to then share with the class.

Non-blah #8: Video 2

Non-blah #7: Video 1

Non-blah #6: Five Tips for Using Prezi

Here are some tips/ideas I thought of regarding the use of Prezi presentations in the classroom/in teaching:
1. Since it so visual, and since it is relatively new in the realm of classroom technology, it should be used whenever possible in the place of PowerPoint.
2. Since some students may have sensitivity to motion sickness, the use of movement in Prezi should be used for emphasis and focus, not excessive movement for movement's sake.
3. Many suggestions that apply to PowerPoint presentations could be used with Prezis as well.
4. The program is ideal for stretching students' imaginations, and students should be encouraged to use it for both indivdual and group presentations.
5. The search capability at http://prezi.com can be used to find already-made prezis to use in the classroom, to avoid "reinventing the wheel" where resources already exist.

Non-blah #5: Prezi on Judaism

TO ALSO BE USED IN A WORLD CIVILIZATIONS (10TH GRADE) UNIT ON WORLD RELIGIONS . . .

Judaism, 2nd try on Prezi