Students as Scientists

Posted on November 18th, 2008 in Problem-based learning, Project-based learning, Science, Technology, Wiki by wssmith  Tagged

11 students in grades K-5 will be presenting, “Students as Scientists” on Monday, November 24th at the NYSCATE Annual Conference.  They have spent numerous hours afterschool and during their lunch time  brainstorming and organizing their ideas, writing their scripts, creating a PowerPoint, and rehearsing their presentation.  Their session will be “hands-on” with audience members learning how to collect data on water quality and identifying macroinvertebrates that the students will be collecting at three different stream locations on the morning of the presentation.  Check out their Stream Team Wiki to learn more and don’t forget to read the incredible discussions taking place on the wiki pages!  They’d love some outside voices added to the conversations taking place. 

We plan on streaming the session at http://www.ustream.tv/mstportal starting at 10:45 EST on Monday.

Working on a Wiki

Posted on November 12th, 2007 in Collaboration, Constructivism, Wiki by wssmith

Brian and I hosted a parent meeting last Thursday to introduce the Pond Partners Wiki. Our goal was to provide parents with information about what a wiki is, how it is used, why we choose to create one for the project, and how their child can contribute and collaborate from home. If you want to see and hear more, check out the ustream.tv video of the meeting.

I checked the wiki last night and two students have already worked on it from home. This is exactly what we were hoping for – to have students add their own knowledge, reflections, and questions to this shared space independent of their teacher and school. For this first attempt with using a wiki, so far I’m pretty excited. I’d love to hear more ideas about ways to continue to foster this experience for the students.