Comic Life as a Technology Integration Tool......

This is the second time I have used Comic Life. I learn more about it the more I use it. It is fun to play with! Last time I created a math comic. This time I created a science comic. The students enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about the water cycle by reading, writing, and illustrating it. What amazed me most is that you can integrate so many standards by using technology. That is fabulous information considering fourth grade has roughly 120 standards to cover in a 7 1/2 month period that we have before CRCT. I have enjoyed looking at the other Comic Life submissions as well and now have more ideas on how to use the program the next time around. I even think it would be great to write a grant and see if I can get it purchased on the mobile computer lab so all our students could use the program. Has anyone purchased/received a grant for Comic Life for your students and used it with them?


My Comic Life Water Cycle Project

My Thoughts on Problem Based Learning...

Problem based learning or PBL is an integral part of education. Students have to solve problems in the real world and educators can teach them effective strategies for solving these problems. Technology is an important tool to use to teach this type of learning. We as educators have to be able to be facilitators and let the students be in control of their own learning. Does anyone struggle with this? I actually really enjoy when students construct their own knowledge and I am really there to assist and observe, rather than teach. I am excited to learn ways to use ComicLife, VoiceThread, MovieMaker, and other programs to enhance problem based learning. Here is a book I found about technology and problem based learning.   Technology and Problem Based Learning by Uden and Beaumont


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Blog Reflection

This blog experience has taught me a lot. This was my first time every using any blogging site so I still have a lot to learn. It is helpful to receive feedback from peers and also have exceptional examples of others' blogs to guide me in my blogging experience. I need to remember to always give credit to the pictures I am using in my blog. I have finally learned the difference between a follower and contributor! :) I also know that I need to work on communicating with others as several of us from the class have mentioned. It is hard managing time with another graduate class, teaching, and just daily life activities. I hope that by the end of this course that I have contributed to others' blogs and also have sparked communication through my blog posts.