Science

mindmaps

— David Richard

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.mindmaps.app/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Develop mindmaps and concept maps with this easy to use tool that works both on and offline. Follow the tutorial to start and learn the basic tools within the app. Use the site’s dashboard to select and change font size and color, add and move branches, and move your mindmap anywhere on the grid. When finished, save your mindmap to your computer or cloud storage sites like Google Drive using the provided links. Choose the Export as Image option to download your mindmap as a PNG file.

In the Classroom

Assign students to "map" out a chapter or story. Assign groups to create study guides using this tool. Use this tool for literature activities, research projects, social studies, or science topics. Use this to create family trees or food pyramids in family and consumer science. Have students collaborate (online) to create group mind maps or review charts before tests on a given subject. Have students organize any concepts you study. They can color code concepts to show what they understand, wonder, and question. Have students map out a story, plot line, or plan for the future. Students can also map out a step-by-step process (such as a life cycle or how to solve an equation). Include your mind maps with multimedia projects to create an online book. Book Creator, reviewed here, offers many options for creating digital books including video, images, text, and more.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): mind map, charts and graphs,

ClustrMaps - Free Website Map Widget

— ClustrMaps

-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.clustrmaps.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Add a real-time map of your website or blog’s visitors with this geo-location hitmap. Download then customize the widget with your preference of colors, size, and stats available for viewing. Follow the steps to create your customized code then place on your site.

In the Classroom

Students will love seeing the wide variety of visitors to their classroom website. Have a student share locations of viewers with other students, then research to learn more about those areas around the world. Challenge students to create an interactive map with images and videos using a tool such as Stepmap, reviewed here, for where the visitors to their blog live. With Stepmap students can colorize specific areas including national parks, or the city and neighborhoods of their visitors to their blog; additional options include latitude and longitude lines, and icons. Ask students to create an annotated image of any location including text boxes and related links using a tool such as Thinglink, reviewed here. Display a world map in your classroom and pin locations of viewers on the map for students to see at all times.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
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Tag(s): maps, blogs, computers,

Human Influence on Ecology Mapped

— Erle Ellis

7-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTUOHMkGa0Q Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

This short YouTube video describes a proposal to reconsider how earth’s biomes are mapped taking into consideration the effect of humans and urban populations. The discussions reflect upon the changing environment due to changes over extended periods of time. Also, the video points out some criticisms in this plan indicating that it may diminish the importance of environmental awareness and protection. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Share this video as part of your unit on biomes, conservation, or world populations. Use an online tool such as Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram, reviewed here, to compare and contrast the proposal to current definitions of biomes. Then have students debate the pros and cons of the proposal outlined in the video using a tool such as Thinkalong, reviewed here.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): biomes, conservation, ecology, population,

Infographics Showcase

— Infographics Showcase

4-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.infographicsshowcase.com/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Infographics Showcase collects the best infographics and data visualization from all over the web. Scroll through the site to view the latest graphics or use the keyword search to look for specific terms. Each one includes a short description, a link to the original, as well as links to download or embed the infographic.

In the Classroom

Although this site may be a little difficult to use when searching for specific information, it is worth saving as a resource for locating infographics with many different topics. Use this site to share examples of interesting and useful infographics. Have students explore the site on their own to find the various ideas used when creating infographics including design and content. When ready, have students create a simple infographic sharing their findings of creating infographics using Easel.ly, reviewed here, a simple to use infographic creator.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): posters, data, infographics,

Math and Science Concept Map

— CK-12 Foundation

9-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.ck12.org/conceptmap/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Math and Science Concept Map is an interactive, customizable concept map demonstrating the interrelationships between math and science concepts. Choose or search for an idea to open up the map. Expand the map further by clicking on an item. Learn more about individual terms by selecting a "details" box; those link to videos and reading materials providing further information. You may want to view the explanatory video before exploring the concept map to get an overall understanding of this map and how it works. In order to explore all the features for this concept map, it is best to use the FireFox browser. The explanatory video resides on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Display the concept map on an interactive whiteboard, or with a projector, and explore the complex interactions between math and science together. Focus on one specific topic, such as population growth patterns to find sub-topics for further exploration. Have students choose a topic for further research then present their findings using a tool like Zoho Show, reviewed here, which is similar to Powerpoint, but easier and free. This site is perfect for use with gifted students to find and learn more about specific math and science content.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): concept mapping, STEM,

Nature Video YouTube Channel

— Nature.com

7-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.youtube.com/user/NatureVideoChannel Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Nature Video YouTube Channel brings you the best and latest science news and information videos. Browse through to view the most recent and popular uploads or choose the playlists to view specific content. Playlists include topics such as technology, astronomy, and health. Be sure to subscribe to receive updates about new content. If your district blocks YouTube, the videos may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Flip your classroom and use a video as homework. Have students take notes on the material and write down questions they still have and topics that confuse them. Or, use a tool like playposit, (formerly eduCanon), reviewed here, for students to pause videos and ask or answer questions right on the video. These activities can uncover misconceptions. Show the video to the class, and then discuss the concept at length. To share a single video from this site without all the YouTube clutter, use a tool such as View Pure, reviewed here, and create a shortcut to the View Pure page directly on the desktop. For more advanced classes, provide time for students to choose a video to view and research the underlying concept.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
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Tag(s): climate, stars, planets, animals, anthropology, cells, human body,

The Open Video Project

— Interaction Design Labratory, Univ of N Carolina at Chapel Hill

5-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.open-video.org/index.php Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Open Video Project provides a repository of video clips from many different sources for use by researchers and educators. Choose from various genres or collections to find available videos. Find specific content using search filters to find keyword content, video format, the length of the video, and more. Download videos using the links provided with each video clip.

In the Classroom

Bookmark the Open Video Project as a resource for finding videos on many different classroom topics. Share this site with students for finding clips to include with multimedia projects. Have students make a multimedia presentation using one of the many TeachersFirst Edge tools, reviewed here.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): video,

Big Ideas Video Series

— Class Dojo

-7 0 favorites 0 promising practices https://www.classdojo.com/bigideas/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Big Ideas Series, offered by ClassDojo, provides nine video topics encouraging students to explore different ways to healthy social emotional development. The videos discuss concepts such as Empathy, Perseverance, Positive Thinking, Gratitude, Mindfulness, and more. Each topic has a series of short videos and includes a discussion guide to download for classroom use and a page with take-home questions for parent use. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

You may want to start your school year by sharing the three part video series on Empathy. Each video is five minutes and has a discussion guide. As a follow up use the Ripples of Kindness activity in small groups. Share younger students’ observations on a whiteboard or poster. Older students can share their observations using a tool like Dotstorming, reviewed here. Dotstorming allows participants to add comments Share other videos with a projector or on an interactive whiteboard to introduce a video each week and explore the discussion questions together. These videos could be very useful when preparing and motivating students for upcoming standardized testing or at the beginning of a school year to set a tone that everyone can learn. Include a link to videos on your class web page for parents to discuss at home with their student, and be sure to send home the take-home questions with topics to talk about.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
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Tag(s): learning styles, emotions, brain, social skills, social and emotional learning, empathy,

Plants Map

— Bill Blevins

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.plantsmap.com Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

Plants Map is an online resource for plant enthusiasts that allows you to create communities, personal plant libraries, and map personal gardens. Explore the site using a keyword search or by browsing through the home page to view different plants and information such as locations and type of growth. Be sure to click on the link "What is Plants Map?" just below the sign-up box to view a video or web page with full details about using the site to create collections and your private maps. If your district blocks YouTube, the video may not be viewable.

In the Classroom

Share Plants Map on your interactive whiteboard or projector to locate and discover different kinds of plants. Click the map to find species near you. If you are lucky enough to have a school garden, Plants Map is the perfect site for planning, documenting, and sharing your garden with your students and community.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
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Tag(s): plants, communities, maps,

Washington NatureMapping Program

— NatureMapping Foundation

3-11 0 favorites 0 promising practices http://www.naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/ Last updated: Fri, 08/27/2021 - 11:50 share

How It Works

The Washington NatureMapping Program provides information and programs to support environmental stewardship and the collection of data to inventory and monitor wildlife. Although primarily geared toward the states of Washington and California, many of the support materials include information of interest for all locations. Choose the Resources link to find educational materials, animal fact sheets, and more. Be sure to check out the Biodiversity Data that includes several modules with information divided into categories such as marine animals, plants, and wildlife.

In the Classroom

If you don’t live in a state included in the NatureMapping Program, use this site as a model to begin collecting data on wildlife in your area. You may want to share the video Leapin Lizards! found on the site on your interactive whiteboard or projector to inspire students to do their own field research. Have students create online posters individually or together as a class using a tool such as Web Poster Wizard, reviewed here, or PicLits, reviewed here, to show different animals and habitats in your region.

Technology Heads-up!
  • Find interactive ABC's, colors, etc.
  • Donec rutrum congue leo eget malesuada. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a. Curabitur aliquet quam id dui posuere blandit. Mauris blandit aliquet elit, eget tincidunt nibh pulvinar a.
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Tag(s): environment, data, animal homes, animals,
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