[Year 12 IPM] Digital textbooks

[Cameron]

Good luck with that Keith, I think we can picture how much work went into 
constructing something like that. Look forward to a report on how it goes!

In the past I have simply given a small introduction to a concept via a 
webpage and a powerpoint that the students could download and annotate on 
their laptops. Then we got straight into the pracs.
One of the most useful things I did was set up a template of a prac-report 
based on what I had learnt from working with Professional Scientists a couple 
of years ago. They were scathing of textbooks in general and how the concept 
and format of a prac report hasn't changed for many many years. I set up one 
based on how scientific papers are presented and got the students to simply 
insert their observations and results etc into the appropriate section. That 
way they didn't leave bits out (although many of them forgot to delete my 
examples and I had a million documents sent to me with the filename 
"how_to_write_up_an_experimental_report.doc"  :(   )
I cannot see the point of having students start prac reports from scratch each 
time when I would rather they spend the time on more considered observations 
and conclusions. It also helps that if I set the formatting, I don't have to 
put up with "pretty" reports -if you get my drift.
I highly recommend setting up a report template. When we surveyed the students 
about Science, the kids generally loved doing the prac, but hated doing the 
report this approach can help. They can see the rational behind it which 
helps.

Cheers
Cameron

On Tuesday 05 September 2006 18:26, Keith Richardson wrote:


> As an experiment, this coming term, I will be teaching my Yr7 Science
> class their Simple Machines chapter via a unit I have developed using
> the "Lessons" module of Moodle.
> What the kids see is a screenfull of information (text plus suitable
> illustration) and a multiple choice question at its bottom. If they
> choose the wrong answer, they are given an explanation (usually me
> saying something 'wise') and returned back to the page. Once they get
> the answer correct, they are moved onto the following page.
> It took me quite a while to set it up, so I hope it works OK.
> They can access it from home as well. I ask them to write a few multiple
> choice questions and submit them as an online assignment. I put the
> suitable ones of these into a question bank (also part of Moodle), and
> from this set up a practice quiz (inviting the kids to join the 95%
> club), and also reuse them plus new ones for their official
> end-of-chapter test, also done on computer. It gives them immediate
> results, and allows the number of re-takes I happen to set. (The quiz &
> test aspects I trialled with the chapter on Forces.)
> It will be interesting to see how reading on screen goes.......
> Cheers, Keith
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, 5 Sep 2006 10:33:24 +1000, "Diane Peat"
>
> <dpeat at firbank.vic.edu.au> said:
> > Our school introduced the digital textbook a few years ago too. I thought
> > it
> > would be wonderful - screens with limited text so it was easy for
> > students
> > (particularly NESBs) to understand, well explained concepts, good
> > worksheets, etc. It was a total failure - students like something
> > tangible
> > on which to scribble their own explanations of words comments/theories
> > they
> > don't understand. I spent the entire year photocopying! Never again. They
> > are a great resource, but for us, the textbook was much better.
> >
> > Diane Peat
> > Firbank Grammar School
> > 51 Outer Crescent
> > BRIGHTON   VIC   3186
> > Telephone  9591 5188
> > Email         dpeat at firbank.vic.edu.au
> > Web           www.firbank.vic.edu.au
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]On
> > Behalf Of Jim Bunn
> > Sent: Tuesday, 5 September 2006 9:58 AM
> > To: 'Year 12 Information Technology Processing and
> > ManagementTeachers'Mailing List'
> > Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> >
> > We did that here as well, and had to endure it for three years, because
> > at
> > our school, once you introduce a new textbook you can't change it for
> > three
> > years (unless the study design changes). Our kids much prefer a real
> > textbook, as do I.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> >
> > Jim Bunn
> > CCNA CCAI ITE1
> > Technology Coordinator
> > Hampton Park Secondary College
> > Victoria  Australia
> > 8795 9400
> >
> > bunn.jim.c at edumail.vic.gov.au
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On
> > Behalf Of Keith Richardson
> > Sent: Monday, 4 September 2006 6:08 PM
> > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> > Teachers'Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> >
> > we did that for one year in IP&M and the kids hated it (and they are
> > very computer literate - long live paper!
> > Keith
> >
> >
> > On Mon, 04 Sep 2006 17:26:14 +1000, "Sam Denniston"
> >
> > <samdenniston at iprimus.com.au> said:
> > > I can think of no greater torture than being forced to navigate through
> > > and
> > > read a textbook on a laptop.
> > >
> > > On 4/9/06 3:18 PM, "Mark Scott" <msc at staff.luther.vic.edu.au> wrote:
> > > > Royce
> > > >
> > > > In the words of the immortal Billy S
> > > >
> > > > ³Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
> > > > Or close the wall up with our English dead.
> > > > In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
> > > > As modest stillness and humility;
> > > > But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
> > > > Then imitate the action of the tiger:
> > > > Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.²
> > > >
> > > > To be short, you have no idea what you are talking about.
> > > >
> > > > They said the same thing about calculators back in the early
> > > > seventies.
> > > >
> > > > Cordially yours
> > > > Mark Scott
> > > > Luther College
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> > > > [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> >
> > On
> >
> > > > Behalf Of Royce Williams
> > > > Sent: Monday, 4 September 2006 2:51 PM
> > > > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> > > > Teachers'MailingList
> > > > Subject: RE: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> > > >
> > > > Where to start
> > > >
> > > > The theory that every student should own and bring to class a laptop
> > > > is
> >
> > of
> >
> > > > course one of the biggest educationalist crap shoots ever. With
> > > > changes
> >
> > in the
> >
> > > > Internet / increased home ownership of computers /increased home
> >
> > broadband
> >
> > > > /USB memory down to 59$ per gig /pod casting/ VCE and drafting ...
> >
> > Remember
> >
> > > > that  ... I think student carried lippies should be well dead by now.
> > > >
> > > > However Pods ?COWs individual laptops taken into classes is very
> > > > valid. Particularly in science .. Which not only has specialist rooms
> > > > but have
> >
> > a huge
> >
> > > > amount of simulation and other programs that can be used.
> > > >
> > > > We have for student use here about 150 laptops that can be borrowed
> > > > by
> >
> > classes
> >
> > > > and individually. We don't use trolleys here due to physical layout
> > > > of
> >
> > school.
> >
> > > > But bringing technology to students is better than making them
> > > > lockstep
> >
> > to a
> >
> > > > "special" room .. Not withstanding that we have specialist computer
> >
> > areas
> >
> > > > (music/multimedia/art) and two full size computer rooms for when they
> >
> > are
> >
> > > > appropriate.
> > > >
> > > > Laptops do cost more than equivalent desktops because of more
> > > > expensive
> >
> > PSU's
> >
> > > > / batteries and LCD screens .. Tho the difference is rapidly falling.
> >
> > However
> >
> > > > you also need a better constructed laptop to survive the rigours of
> >
> > school
> >
> > > > life than you do a desk top. So hopping to get several years out of a
> >
> > sub
> >
> > > > $1000 laptop is a forlorn hope.
> > > > E.G. you might run DELL or Acer in your labs but you need the IBM or
> > > > HP
> >
> > in
> >
> > > > your laptops.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Here students are not allowed in Computer rooms without supervision
> > > > (in theory) .. In Middle school it leads off the Library .. No
> > > > problems ..
> >
> > But
> >
> > > > senior school is really a problem with damage .. I need to put a
> > > > teacher
> >
> > on a
> >
> > > > couch in there ... Rofl.
> > > > However there are 12 computers in the senior Library for student use
> > > > as
> >
> > well.
> >
> > > >  Royce Williams
> > > > Manager Information Technology
> > > > Billanook College
> > > > 197-199 Cardigan Rd
> > > > Mooroolbark 3138
> > > > Victoria Australia
> > > > Tel: 61-3-9725 5388; Fax: 61-3-9725 8556
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> > > > [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> >
> > On
> >
> > > > Behalf Of Cameron
> > > > Sent: Friday, 1 September 2006 10:22 AM
> > > > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> >
> > Teachers'Mailing
> >
> > > > List
> > > > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Apologies if this appears more than once - forgot to change identity.
> > :
> > :(
> > :
> > > > Let me say that Laptop computers are not a fad. Once seen as a way
> > > > that private schools could "show off", they are now very mainstream
> > > > in
> >
> > schools,
> >
> > > > business and homes. Laptops are a superb solution to mobility and
> > > > "where
> >
> > are
> >
> > > > we going to fit in some more computers?". They have a role to play
> > > > where appropriate.
> > > > I would give my right arm for the ability of my Science classes to be
> >
> > able to
> >
> > > > wheel in a set of notebooks to record prac results and create reports
> > > > in
> >
> > real
> >
> > > > time *in the lab*.
> > > > Each of our Yr 7 classes have their own trolley of 12 notebooks (1
> >
> > between 2
> >
> > > > model) that they take to each class. They are responsible for their
> > > > own trolley which has helped reduce damage as they have a sense of
> >
> > ownership. The
> >
> > > > notebooks have helped many teachers transform the way they teach.
> > > > Having immediate access to the technology without need to organise
> > > > room-swaps
> >
> > or
> >
> > > > book computer rooms allows teachers to teach and students to learn
> > > > "on
> >
> > the
> >
> > > > fly" if needed. You don't need to plan to have "a computer lesson",
> > > > you
> >
> > just
> >
> > > > integrate the ICT as needed. The change we have seen in just 8 months
> > > > is astounding.
> > > > As mentioned the "bang for your buck" works out well in favour of
> >
> > desktops,
> >
> > > > but only if you think in terms of hardware costs. I would place a
> > > > great
> >
> > deal
> >
> > > > more weight on "educational bang for your buck" when considering
> > > > between
> >
> > the
> >
> > > > two and notebooks rapidly catch or even surpass desktops when that is
> > > > factored in.
> > > > Given the amount of use the laptops have had, they are holding up
> >
> > remarkably
> >
> > > > well. We have had one badly damaged case that will cost in the region
> > > > of
> >
> > $800
> >
> > > > to repair. OUCH! - may as well buy a new one. We have had a bit of
> >
> > trouble
> >
> > > > with some keys being removed, but when you think of the amount of
> > > > time
> >
> > they
> >
> > > > are used for, it isn't too bad.
> > > >
> > > > We are probably looking at a bit of both. We are having trouble
> > > > deciding
> >
> > where
> >
> > > > we can store the trolleys securely and at the same time, where we can
> >
> > fit in
> >
> > > > more desktops. It is great to have the technology out of sight until
> > > > you
> >
> > need
> >
> > > > it and then you can place it on the same desks without the need for
> > > > additional furniture or desks.
> > > >
> > > > If it is foreseen that students will one day have their own personal
> >
> > computers
> >
> > > > in whatever form they may take, we may as well start now and develop
> >
> > teaching
> >
> > > > methods and courses that use the current mobile technology. I believe
> > > > a graduated development of teaching pedagogy will be more useful than
> >
> > waiting
> >
> > > > and trying to shift over to a new style once it has been deemed that
> >
> > enough
> >
> > > > students have access to make it worthwhile.
> > > >
> > > > Cheers
> > > > Cameron
> > > >
> > > > On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
> > > >> > Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
> > > >> > recomendation.  Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I
> > > >> > have had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than
> > > >> > twice the price (esp. including more frequent amd much more
> > > >> > expensive repairs); last less than half service life (include
> > > >> > downtime); less classroom efficiency for teacher (get trolley,
> > > >> > supervise handout, supervise
> >
> > use,
> >
> > > >> > wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
> > > >> > correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
> > > >> > "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
> > >
> > >========================================================================
> > >===
> > >
> > > >> >= ==========
> > > >> > Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
> > > >> > mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
> > > >> > Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
> > > >> > <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/>  Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555
> > > >> > 8617
> >
> > =========================================================================
> >==
> >
> > > >> >= ==========
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> > An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
> > > >> > Albert Einstein
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> >   _____
> > > >> >
> > > >> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> >
> > [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> >
> > > >> > On Behalf Of Robert Minato
> > > >> > Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
> > > >> > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> > > >> > Teachers'Mailing List
> > > >> > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
> > > >> > teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
> > > >> > computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
> > > >> > library computers whenever library is open.
> > > >> >
> > > >> > We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
> > > >> > (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
> > > >> > laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows
> > > >> > and can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with
> > > >> > the cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all
> > > >> > students need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing
> > > >> > prac tasks.
> > > >
> > > > On Thursday 31 August 2006 20:12, Stephen Digby wrote:
> > > >> > Just got a single notebook trolley with 10 ACERs much against my
> > > >> > recomendation.  Hope that the machines last..... In the past, I
> > > >> > have had bad experience with notebooks in classrooms - more than
> > > >> > twice the price (esp. including more frequent amd much more
> > > >> > expensive repairs); last less than half service life (include
> > > >> > downtime); less classroom efficiency for teacher (get trolley,
> > > >> > supervise handout, supervise
> >
> > use,
> >
> > > >> > wait till students start them up, supercvise return to trolley c
> > > >> > correct connections to chargers; return trolley and plug in)
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Think that this is a very temporary fad until students all have
> > > >> > "personal" computers as seamlessly as they have phones.....
> > >
> > >========================================================================
> > >===
> > >
> > > >> >= ==========
> > > >> > Stephen Digby, Learning Technology Manager
> > > >> > mailto:admin at cheltsec.vic.edu.au
> > > >> > Cheltenham Secondary College www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au
> > > >> > <http://www.cheltsec.vic.edu.au/>  Ph: 613 955 55 955  Fx: 9555
> > > >> > 8617
> >
> > =========================================================================
> >==
> >
> > > >> >= ==========
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> > An empty stomach is not a good political advisor.
> > > >> > Albert Einstein
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> >   _____
> > > >> >
> > > >> > From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au
> >
> > [mailto:ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> >
> > > >> > On Behalf Of Robert Minato
> > > >> > Sent: 31 August 2006 03:37 PM
> > > >> > To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management
> > > >> > Teachers'Mailing List
> > > >> > Subject: Re: [Year 12 IPM] Computer Lab usage
> > > >> >
> > > >> >
> > > >> > Our school does not let students into computer rooms unless under
> > > >> > teacher supervision. We have three computer classrooms and another
> > > >> > computer room attached to the library. Students are allowed to use
> > > >> > library computers whenever library is open.
> > > >> >
> > > >> > We have recently gone down the path of setting up three cows
> > > >> > (computers on wheels). The library staff take bookings for these
> > > >> > laptop trolleys; nine laptops per trolley. Teachers book the cows
> > > >> > and can use them in any classroom. The advantage I have found with
> > > >> > the cows is that you can sometimes just book one cow as not all
> > > >> > students need a computer at the same time; ie others are doing
> > > >> > prac tasks.
> > > >
> > > > _______________________________________________
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> > Teachers
> >
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> > Keith Richardson
> >
> >
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