capturing your students’ interest

Capturing Your Students’ Interest

By Wade ThaxtonAcademic Technology Coordinator

The de Paul School

Things to Ponder

• Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

• If Fed Ex and UPS were to merge, would they call it Fed UP?

• If 4 out of 5 people SUFFER from diarrhea...does that mean that one enjoys it?

Who am I?• BA from Wabash College & MAT Spalding University

• Trainer and Customer Support

• Academic Technology Coordinator

• Facilitator Grief Share

• Passion for Outdoors

Audience Inventory1. How many own/use a Tablet?2. How many own/use a projector?3. How many of you feel technology

oriented/competent?4. How many new teachers…veterans do

we have?5. How many are here just for a break

from their classroom?

Why use a projector and Laptop

Putting it to use Examples

• Which is a better buy? • What does a stick of gum cost for each purchase?

• Math Lesson idea borrowed from Dan Myer blog

The Math & More

• 5 x 10 = 50• 50 / $1.50 = $0.03

• 15 x 1 = 15• 15 / $0.99 = $0.15

Conclusion: Buying in bulk can be cheaper.

Discussion of other items.

Price check other items on internet and do the math

Student lead and controlled Brain storming

Journaling or Response Write• Show a pic and have written responses

Use pictures/images to enhance discussion of historical event or some other subject you are studying

Use images to show differences in culture, architeture, 50 years later picture…

Some More Examples

• Windows Journal Science Quiz– Click here to view the Moon quiz

• Photostory Journey to another land– Click here to view

• 4 Slide Power Point Presentations– Click here to see them

And a few more things…

• That Quiz– Example One :

http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/classtest?BFLO7488 – Example Two :

http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/classtest?IUOG0454 – Example Three :

http://www.thatquiz.org/tq/classtest?FHJU3910

Wrap it UP

• Things to keep in mind when creating digitally visual lessons– Your digital lesson gets you to your goal(s)– Think from the students’ perspective– Evaluate and alter (if necessary)

• Make it stimulating, clean, and be into it. • Don’t feel like you have to master the tech before

you use it.

Contact and Resources

• Wade.Thaxton@depaulschool.org

• Wiki: http://mrtsroom.wikispaces.com I’ll include other applications I’m working on as well as this power point and all it’s material

• I’m also on Linkedin, ISENET.ning.com, Facebook (coming soon)

Changes-Ideas for next time

More slide ideas please:• Show Google Earth

(Pyramids in Egypt)• More lessons using

visual/digital technology• A picture speaks a thousand

words – so let them speak.