I need to write these things down before I forget them. I actually typed them first into a catchall Google Doc I’ve started called “Before I Forget.” (That document has notes on everything from books I’d like to read and music I’d like to check out, to what we’re having for dinner on Thursday night when friends come over.) So most of that list won’t be of any benefit to anyone but me (although parts would be interesting to some). But I digress…
Here are the things I’d like to follow up on after tonight’s #scichat (Tuesdays 9pm; Twitter):
- Using a Pecha Kucha model to help students work towards more effective presentations – 20 slides, 20 seconds each. It doesn’t work for every presentation, but I really like the model. You could modify it to fit your class or project (10 slides, 20 seconds each; 10×10; you get the idea). Several teachers mentioned that they limit the amount of text allowed on a given slide. I find this incredibly helpful for 7th and 9th graders.
- Revisit Prezi this year – good presentations, bad presentations; how to make a good one? I signed up for an account last winter and played around with a presentation to introduce Cell Respiration, but I ran out of time before the unit started. Revisit.
- Twitter #APBio chat for Mondays 8-9pm EST. I don’t teach AP Bio, but I might listen in.
- Read “The Visual Display of Quantitative Information” by Edward Tufte. Called “the Strunk & White” of visual design. Are there elements of this that could be helpful in teaching my students to communicate effectively with visual media? I think there might be. Added to the book pile…
- Add contact info to The Science Teacher’s Hub to broaden PLN – http://sciteachhub.wetpaint.com/
