ACTEM Confrence Top 10

10.) I liked the presentation on Apple Products. I learned that you can get certified in different apple programs, all of which fitting under the umbrella of iLife. With this certification you can teach others to be certified as well. This includes garage band, imusic, etc.

9.) I saw the new products that apple is introducing and why they are making changes to different products. It was helpful for me to hear the basics of a Mac computer from a professional in the business.

8.) I learned how school friendly Apple Computer is, (i.e. http://www.apple.com/education/k12/curriculumsolutions/collections.html)and that the Maine Laptop Project has really been a catalyst for a lot of new development at the company.

7.) I learned that design can play a very significant role in how a product does. This includes the creation of teacher handouts. A good design on a handout will aid student comprehension of the assignment as well as better understanding of the concepts.

6.) I learned the the font type serif means that the tops and bottoms of the letters lie in line on the page, drawing the eye in a direction. It is the best font type for long things.

5.) I learned that much of the success of the company FedEx had to do with the appearance of it's brand. There is also a arrow in it, that I had never seen before yet a non-English speaker would see it immediately. Subconsciously it tells the consumer that this is a forward moving and professional company.

4.) I learned that clip art can be more of a distraction than a helpful tool. Often times the best solution is to create word art that is functional as well as visually appealing. It can all be done with Microsoft Word.

3.) I learned about a number of really quality websites from The Best of the Web. www.iknowthat.com is a great resource for teachers and parents alike. It is interesting and offers legitimate information.

2.) I learned about the website emints.com that is a powerful search engine for teachers and education professionals.

1.) I learned that many times the most effective way to find what you are looking for on the web is to be sure that you have the right words to search for. For example, when looking for information on Native Americans, search for native American qtvr.

Webquest Ideas

My overall goal for this webquest is to teach students what is in their local surroundings and greater world.

1.A Day in the Life…
a. Topic: Students will explore the history of their town from many different viewpoints
b. Grade Level: 6
c. Task: After researching what lives was like students will recreate in small groups 3 structures and explain their use.
d. Roles:
1. Colonial Americans- You like your new land and look forward to finding new uses for its many resources
2. Native Americans- You are a strong and knowledgeable people but seem to be having trouble trusting your neighbor
3. The Earth- The more people come, the more you change. How have you changed and why?


2. The Water Cycle
a. Topic: Students will explore the cycle of water both on a global and local level
b. Grade Level: 5
c. Task: Students will research the cycle of water on earth and then as a class create a terrarium and observe it throughout the year.
d. Roles:
i. The Chemist: Is interested in the chemistry of the water cycle and how it physically changes and why
ii. The Physicist: Is interested in how it gets to where it is and why
iii. The Botanist: Is interested in how the water effects the plants on earth and vice versa


3. King Tut and Egypt
a. Topic: Through studying what is known about King Tut and other ancient Egyptian rulers, students will learn about Ancient Egypt, including contributions and how these facts translate today.
b. Grade Level: 7
c. Task: Students will research the life of ancient Egypt though the lives of some of their most famous characters. Students will create a diary/scrapbook from their character in small groups
d. Roles:
i. King Tut- Why am I so famous? Why is there a curse on me?
ii. Cleopatra- What am I famous for? What was my life like?
iii. Ramses II- What contributions did I make in Ancient Egypt


4. Ancient Greece
a. Topic: Students will study ancient Greece and find ways that their culture and our own might be similar or different.
b. Grade Level: 7
c. Task: Students will research their topic and create a visual representation along with written explanation of their group
d. Roles:
i. Mythologist- Creates a myth
ii. Geologist- Creates a map
iii. Art and Architectures- Creates a structure or art piece