Assignments to date:

At this point in time, I thought it might be a good idea to share obne of my assignments. This is my "top 5" websites for a given subject matter. The latter was a bit more difficult. This activity caused me to reflect on the fact that although I have only been away from my classroom for less than 2 years, the jump in technology has been incredible. When I left my class on Maternity leave, I had a desktop computer and limited access to 2 tech labs. Presently, there are infocus machines in every classroom and each teacher now has a notebook computer. 6 grade 8 classes are working on their second year with their notebooks and the grade 7s will receive theirs by the end of this month. Due to this advancement, the strain on the tech labs has been tremendously decreased. There are also 7 new SMARTBoards in the school and at least 3 Mimios floating around. We are also using learning platforms (last year-Classerver and this year-Learning Gateway) to deliver curriculum and provide the link to parents. WOW! Incredible, isn't it?


Top 5 Websites for Teaching Middle Level Science

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/forcesofnature/interactive/index.html?section=h


Author or Source
The site is maintained by National Geographic.com. Contact information is provided to the website editor.

Accuracy
The site is comprehensive and includes up-to date information that coincides with what is taught from the Science Power text and the NB curriculum.

Currency
Although the copyright states 1996-2007, there is no indication of a recent update. Information on disasters such as Katrina or the Tsunami in Indonesia are not mentioned, however, upon competing a search of the rest of the site, we find what we need.

Objectivity
There is advertising for National Geographic, but it is tasteful and not distracting.

Coverage
This site covers 4 major forces of nature. The two focused upon in Grade 7 Science are volcanoes and earthquakes. The coverage echoes what is taught in the curriculum nicely, including video and simulation. Additional information such as history, images and cases studies (also mentioned in the school’s text) are included.

Purpose
This website clearly focuses on informing the public of the history, formation and damage caused by various “forces of nature”. The information is suitable middle and high school.

2. http://www.udel.edu/biology/ketcham/microscope/scope.html


Author or Source
The site is authored the University of Delaware. There is no contact information on the microscope page, but the url allows an easy trace to university contatcts.
Here is a page that offers further information: http://www.dlese.org/library/view_resource.do?description=DLESE-000-000-008-751

Accuracy
This site echoes what the students are learning with the Science Power text and is consistent with the microscopes we use in the lab.

Currency
There is no date specified, but this information is fairly classic and stands the test of time.

Objectivity
Information is provided in an objective manner. There are no advertisements on the site.

Coverage
The site provides a conclusive overview of the parts and workings of a microscope. It provides students with a great tutorial and video to aid in use.

Purpose
The purpose of this site is to educate middle and high school students of the working of a microscope. In today’s age of budget cuts, it is quite difficult to provide access for all students to such equipment. This site can be used by individuals, or as a presentation by the teacher.

3. http://www.brainpop.com/

Author or Source
The Brain Pop company is the author for this site. Contact information is provided.

Accuracy
All information I have viewed, to date has been accurate. The videos and activities included in this site tend to deal with basic concepts and information.

Currency
Only a copyright date appears on the main page. No other dates are provided.

Objectivity
This site contains no external advertising. It does not appear to have any bias, but the information does have a greater correlation to the American curriculum.

Coverage
This site covers such a broad range of topics, even with only the free trial, there is so much to see and do. I am looking forward to the broadening of the content to include French.

Purpose
The purpose of this site is to provide students, educators and parents with resources to help students learn.

4. http://www.cgq-qgc.ca/tous/terre/index.cfm?flag=8&CFID=289003&CFTOKEN=51404256

Author or Source
The site is copyrighted by National Department of Resources . Contacts are listed.

Accuracy
I particularly took note of the section on volcanoes. The information provided seemed to correlate with the Science Power text.

Currency
This site is updated weekly.

Objectivity
The site does not contain advertising and seems objective in its presentation of information.

Coverage
The site has comprehensive coverage of the topic with extra interesting information thrown in for interest.

Purpose
The purpose of the site is to provide information to young people about the earth and its resources through a valid government funded site.

5. http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/mvc/integration/content.html

Author or Source
Montreal’s Biodome. High speed required.

Accuracy
The information appears accurate. Contact information is provided and it is easy to find your way back to the main page for further contact information.

Currency
The copyright information indicates 2005 for the virtual tour. The main page for the Biodome is updated weekly.

Objectivity
No outside advertisements are present on this site.

Coverage
This site covers information about the various ecosystems existing within the Biodome. Great for having students identify various adaptations. Available in English and French!

Purpose
The site is designed to allow students from other locations to experience the wonders of the Biodome without leaving the classroom. Many students will never see Montreal or have any idea about the varied environment that exists in our country. This site possesses a great deal of valuable and interesting information.

The End!