Tools+and+Resources+-+Discussion

Discussion -Various Types of Resources and Tools
(please add any other subtopics we need)


 * __Tools (Equipment)__**
 * Tracye** - iPod Touch would be a nice finishing touch for both our projects. Students could record each other reporting out on their projects (podcasting). The iPods would serve as a visual example to use in the upcoming years as well as an accommodation to multiple learning styles.
 * Pam -** I am jealous (LOL) if your schools have access to the iPod Touches. I agree, this would be a very motivating tool for them to use. Another option is a Flip video or other usb video camera which would serve the same purpose.


 * __Subscription Databases for Research__**


 * Tracye** - [|PebbleGo] is a wonderful animal database for grades K-3 emergent readers and researchers. It’s an excellent site for introducing younger students to databases and research with the user-friendly searching tools. The database is readily available because students can access the site from school or home. The database has audio and video, educational games, read-aloud text and the database is aligned with the Life Science standards.
 * Pam** - I have never heard of or seen PebbleGo, but just watched their demo video. What a phenomenal source for research at the primary grades! Does your district provide the subscription to this or is this something that you purchased for your school? Just curious....and wishing that I had it when I taught in elementary school. They mention citation assistance or some way of handling citations. I'd be curious to hear a little about that. This sounds like it would be a great resource for your project.
 * Tracye** - Yes, the district provided the subscription to each elementary school. For the past three years, I've collaborated with third grade teachers on their animal unit using different animal links I bookmarked on the portal for research. That worked well enough, but students were constantly losing their way back to their starting point after clicking on several links. After the demo I used at the end of last year with my first graders (as an enrichment lesson on a four day rotation), I was sold on purchasing it to help with the third grade unit. The media director purchased the subscription, so this would be my first year using PebbleGo.


 * Pam -** I plan to use our **subscription databases** and **online research tools** for a lot of the student research. Our system subscribes to the **Gale Group** and **ProQuest** set of databases. I like to start the research with online encyclopedias, such as Grolier or World Book (also subscriptions we have), where students can get basic background information. In this case, basic information about the soil mineral that's causing the concern in their scenario.Then I plan to direct them to the more specialized databases where they can research the specific benefits or problems that have been documented with the mineral in the soil.


 * __Websites for Research__**


 * Pam -** I strugged with finding an online note-taking site for research. I found the site called Stixy and it has great features. It supports typed text, images, document files, and a to-do list w/calendar. Best of all, it's free and work can be shared with partners or the teacher. I think the middle school students that I teach would love to use a site like this for research notes and citations.
 * Tracye** - I think the student will like it as well. Online note-taking helps the students refocus their attention, think critically and analyze the information researched.


 * __Websites for Final Products/Presentations__**


 * Pam -** I am considering the use of Museum Box for student presentations/work for this project. It's visual web 2.0 tool that supports text, images, and video. I'm also thinking of GlogsterEdu web posters, which are more visually interesting for the viewing and allow for more creativity for the student. I've used Gloster myself, but not Museum Box. Do you have any experience with either one of these tools?


 * __Video Tutorials__**
 * Pam -** I completely loved the Flash tutorial we had in the class about Doing Research. I'd like to use that, too, to help the students learn how to more effectively search.