Engaged Learning and Technology   Engaged learning combines many important elements. Explore each of these aspects to learn how you can activate the learning environment. Problem Solving Information Processing Collaboration Communication Authentic Resources Real-World Activities Project-Based Learning Problem Solving   Activity #1: Data Analysis Explore the following sites. Discuss how you might use the information or resource in a problem-solving project. How could you use productivity tools such as a word processor, database, spreadsheet, or graphing software in this project? Science Experiments Data and Information Sites: Younger Students Ecology: http://alienexplorer.com/ecology/Ecology.html Countries: http://www.un.org/pubs/CyberSchoolBus/Infonation/e-infonation.htm News: http://www.yahooligans.com/content/news News: http://www.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/index.htm News: http://www.yakscorner.com/ Quotes: http://www.bemorecreative.com/ Explorers: http://tqjunior.advanced.org/4034 Zoo Animals: http://www.lpzoo.com/animals/mammals/mammalist.html Weather: http://weather.com Data and Information Sites: Older Students Starting Point: http://nilesonline.com/data/ Immigration Stats: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/stats FAA: http://nasdac.faa.gov/internet Food Safety: http://www.foodsafety.org Earthquakes: http://smdb.crustal.ucsb.edu Find a Grave: http://findagrave.com Sea Temperatures: http://dcz.gso.uri.edu/auhrr-archive/archive.html Bach: http://www.jsbach.org Ecology: http://alienexplorer.com/ecology/Ecology.html Classics: http://classics.mit.edu Countries: http://www.un.org/pubs/CyberSchoolBus/Infonation/e-infonation.htm History: http://www.hyperhistory.com Newspapers: http://usnewspapers.about.com/index.htm Quotes: http://www.cc.columbia.edu/acis/barteby/bartlett Exploreres: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/educate/explore.htm Issues: http://www.gallup.com/index.html Statistical Information and Calculators Postal Service Rates: http://ircalc.usps.gov/ Salary Calculator: http://www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html Distances: http://www.indo.com/distance Time: http://tycho.usno.navy.nil/time.html Construction Calculator: http://www.bhglive.com/homeimp/docs/ Food Finder: http://www.shapeup.org/sua/ Heath Data: http://www.who.int/whosis Labor Statistics: http://stats.bls.gov Math Formulas: http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/appe.html Information Processing   Activity #2: Information Processing Information processing involves students in gathering, selecting, evaluating, analyzing, creating, and communicating data, resources, and ideas. Consider a project you already do in your classroom. How could you enhance a step in this process? Watching: CNN, USA Today Wondering: Biography, Yahooligans Webbing: Inspiration Wiggling: Ask An Expert, Cyberbee Evaluation Wrapping: Nonprofit Prophets Waving: Young Composers, Switchboard Wishing: Kid Link   Collaboration Collaboration involves working together to address a problem, simulate an event, or answer a question. For example at Virtual Congress, students across the nation collaborate like the real government.    Activity #3: Build a Chain There are many areas where chaining can be fun. Try a chain story or timeline. Writing - add a paragraph Timelines - add an event Drawing - add to picture Experiments - along a river   Communication The TESAN project involved students from throughout the world. This Science Fair Project involved a real scientist as part of the project.   Activity #4: Communication Think about ways that you could add a communication component to an existing project. Brainstorm an activity that would involve sharing information using technology. Considering finding class or student Epals! letters email web pages videos   Authentic Material Authentic resources are important in learning. Some examples are shown below: Letters Diaries, Journals, Logs Data Documents Speeches Videos Activity #5: Use Authentic Resources Explore authentic information resources on the Internet. Brainstorm a simple activity that would incorporate authentic resources. Remember, you can always find good resources in the news at CNN or USA Today. Government Information Great Speeches Documenting the American South Douglass Speech New Deal Authentic Resource Links 42eXplore: Oral History 42eXplore: Journal Writing 42eXplore: Poetry 42eXplore: Historical Maps Real World Fun!   Activity #6: Real-World Applications Think of ways to link your activities to the real world. Use real-world resources, materials, and experiences. Don't just read about it. Do it and share it with others. For example, kids in Hawaii learned about the Green Sea Turtle and shared their experiences in a ThinkQuest adventure.   Project-Based Projects are a wonderful way to engage learner. There are many types of projects. Classroom Projects Cross-Grade Projects School Projects Community Projects Online Projects Activity #7: Evaluate a Project Explore the following project. What do you think? Would this kind of collaborative, online project engage your students? Why or why not? CyberSeason Fall Project Use the following sites to explore some other project possibilities. Global Schoolhouse EduPlace Kidlink Projects Chemistry Projects CLEO Projects Online Science Projects Ollie Online - Weather Project Ask An Astronaut