Week 8 Reflections - Online Tools

Our focus this week was on online tools to integrate into curricula. The readings offered a host of online tools and data sets for our consideration that teachers can use in their classrooms. We also experimented with a novel offline application of Microsoft Excel, using it to build a crossword puzzle. This approach offered a learning opportunity both in the use of Excel, and in content specific vocabulary. Already familiar with Excel, I used the assignment to give my 6th grade daughter a chance to have some fun while strengthening her understanding of terminology associated with cellular organelles. With just a bit of guidance from me, she built the crossword puzzle shown. (The answer key is at the bottom of the page.) I also used the online tool, Edhelper.com, to build another crossword puzzle, this time on the terminology associated with the study of waves. Reflections on the two assignments are included near the end of this blog.
Next, we were asked to search and identify an unlisted online tool set that we might recommend to others. I've often admired the approach taken by Ron Eglash in the Culturally Situated Design Tools he created for learning math through various subcultures. A teacher using these tools may need to drop some cultural bias to apply these tools which connect math to elements of African, African American, Latino, Native American, and Youth subcultures. These tools not only blend the learning of math, and software, but also cultural background and insight that students (and teachers) might not otherwise appreciate. The suite of Java enabled online tools use examples such as Alaskan basket weaving to learn the Cartesian coordinate system, Latino rhythms to learn least common multiples, African American cornrow hair braids to learn transformational geometry, and breakdancing to learn about rotation and sine functions. In addition to the cultural component the tools tap into different learning styles students may have. How great to learn about least common multiples through creating syncopated musical rhythms!
I want to comment on the WiZiQ collaboration tool we've been using in our group meeting. This continues to be a frustrating and poorly functioning tool for us. It claims to offer the advantages of a collaborative whiteboard and online meeting features, without installing special software, and is free to use. After our group of 4 graduate students have spent over 10 hours using this tool, it continues to be a poor performer. Poor audio quality, difficult connectivity, intermittent compatibility issues with standard browsers, awkward editing, and more. Our team has decided to pursue a better collaborative meeting tool. We'll keep you posted.

Now for the assignment reflections:

Reflection on Assignment A4
Excel Crossword Puzzle: Cellular Organelles

In assignment A4 we were asked to create a crossword puzzle using Microsoft Excel as an exercise teach both content related vocabulary words, and familiarity with the Excel software. I do believe in teaching software in the context which it will be used, rather than as an isolated topic. In this respect I applauded this approach. I am familiar with Excel, but in this particular case, I don’t believe creating the crossword puzzle did much to teach Excel. Spreadsheet software is a powerful tool for data organization and manipulation. This exercise trivialized Excel as a mater of formatting cell shapes, outlines and fonts. I have used Excel with my daughter in 3rd grade to create a multiplication table, to create a chores check-off list, and to teach input-output functions. I believe using and teaching Excel in the context of those applications reached more meaningful capabilities of the software.
That said, this week I asked my daughter who is now in 6th grade to make the Excel crossword puzzle using terms she has been learning in her science class. With a little guidance she created the puzzle, first on graph paper, then on Excel. She seemed to enjoy the project including formatting the cells, and I believe the project helped her learn the vocabulary better. The posted Excel Crossword Puzzle “Cellular Organelles” and the associated answer key were created by her, with my guidance. She enjoyed the learning experience, and hence learned the vocabulary better as well. While this was a fun project for her, if I really wanted to teach her some of the Excel capabilities, I would choose examples closer to those mentioned in the first paragraph.

Reflection on Assignment HA4
EdHelper.com Crossword Puzzle: Wave Terms

For the extension assignment, HA4, I built a crossword puzzle using the web-based puzzle making software, EdHelper.com available on the Puzzle-maker website. The crossword puzzle focused on terminology associated with the study of waves. There were both advantages and disadvantages compared to creating a crossword puzzle using Microsoft Excel.
The advantages with EdHelper.com included the ease and speed with which I created the puzzle. It was also possible to keep the cell numbers in the answer key, quickly create multiple puzzles from the same list of terms, have access to the puzzle and key from any computer with internet access, spell check, and use a built-in definition checking tool.
The disadvantages included a poorer quality of puzzle. That is, there were many connected boxes that did not form words. I also had to over-ride system generated definitions where I wanted to use my own clues. Moreover, EdHelper.com required a $20 annual subscription fee. (Fortunately a classmate allowed me to use her account for this assignment.) While much faster, the EdHelper.com program did not offer the creativity that the Excel method did in crafting the puzzle.
As a teacher creating a quick crossword puzzle for students, I would likely use the EdHelper.com puzzle maker. On the other hand, if I were facilitating a project for students to create their own crossword puzzles, I believe the Excel method would lead to a deeper learning exercise for students, and a puzzle that would be more fun for students to give to each other.

And finally... those crossword puzzle solutions!