PowerPoint Game

What did you learn from making a PowerPoint Game?

• I've always wanted to be able to make a Jeopardy PowerPoint game for my students. I think it's a great way to do a review. A lot of teachers in high school did this, and I didn't think it would be that difficult to do. I discovered that it may not have been difficult but it definitely took a good amount of time. I had to link all the slides to the number it was associated with and then back to the main page. I also had to think of all the different questions I would ask for each category. I didn't realize how much work was put into creating a game on PowerPoint.
  

What problems did you face while making your PowerPoint Game?

• I didn't face too many problems because the instructions were pretty straightforward. The biggest problem probably was just the amount of time it took me. I think if I keep practicing and make more that it won't be as time consuming as it was. Another problem I faced was thinking of good questions to ask.
  

How did you overcome them?

• I just had to set out different times when I would work on creating the game. I would sit down and start linking. I was able to become quicker towards the end of creating the game.
• In order to think of good questions to ask, I referred to previous lesson plans I have. When I am teaching, I will probably reference the test, and use questions similar to the ones asked on the test.
  

How might you use a PowerPoint Game in your content area?

• I could definitely use this PowerPoint game as a type of review. The specific one I created I used as a final review. I asked questions about each area that was taught during the semester and asked five questions for each. The questions I asked had the information I thought was most important from that unit. I think students would love to review this way because it is a fun way to go over previously learned material. I may also use this as unit reviews.
  
• Students could use this as well. I am considering doing different projects for the different units and using those as a grade. A student could create a Jeopardy game for what we learned in that unit and use it as their project. They would be required to have thoughtful questions and responses to show that they understood the unit.

I enjoyed making this PowerPoint game. I definitely think it is something I will use in my future teaching.

Social Network

What did you learn about social networks and the technology in particular that you learned?

• I've had a facebook for years and I think social network sights are incredible ways to pass information or for people to stay in touch. While setting up my social network I learned all the different ways that students could benefit from a social networking sight. I know it might be hard to maintain but I actually think the social network sight would be easier to maintain than a classroom website because all my students are allowed to comment, add pictures, add videos, add blog posts, so the students could keep the social network sight running if I struggled to do it. I like WallFM as a website to use because as the teacher I have complete control of the social network. I can delete unwanted members or I can email my students all at once. I also have set up different groups for each period of my classes, and I think this will be helpful because sometimes we'll be doing different things in different classes.
  

What instructional problems could you use this technology for?

• I think having the social network site will help students greatly when they have out of class group projects. I am not a huge fans of tests and instead I like projects that will test students knowledge. Students can create their own group on the website and communicate through the social network. I can also watch them on the social network to see how the project is going and how it is progressing.
  
• I can use the social network to access my students through mass email. I can also alert them of any assignements I've put on the social network. If I want my students to read an article, I can post the article to the social network instead of giving them the article in class to take home.

What are 2-3 activities you could use this technology for in your own teaching? List the instructional standards if you can identify them.

• 1. Share on our social networking wall ways that you stay physically active. Include how you feel when you've been active.-9th-12th grade standard 2:1:a
• 2. Group project: Create a video showcasing refusal skills. Upload to our social network. -9th-12th grade standard 3:2:b and standard 6:3:c
• 3. Blog post prompt "What are some strategies to avoid unhealthy or potentially dangerous situations?"-9th-12th grade standard 4:1:a

Mrs. Evans Health Social Network