READ THE ENTIRE ASSIGNMENT BEFORE COMPLETING THE ACTIVITIES This week, we are going to be exploring the Thinkfinity Web Site at http://www.thinkfinity.org . Thinkfinity, formerly known as “Marco Polo” contains curriculum units, online activities, lesson plans, and educational multimedia. The site is sponsored by Verizon and is supported by nationally known content partners. It features many activities that are example of Web 2.0 technology. 1. Thinkfinity Sample Activities Let's look at some sample Thinkfinity Web activties. Sustainability is an important Scarsdale goal. Complete this Thinkfinity interactive activity to help you learn about energy and the environment: Power Up! Some Thinkfinity activities consist of lesson plans. Download and read this example from the Expeditions site: Degrees of Change: Conservation in My Community 2. Searching for Thinkfinity Resources The Thinkfinity Search Engine is flexible and powerful. You can search by keyword, subject, grade, resource type, or content provider. Use the search engine to look for three resources for your students. 3. Exploring a Thinkfinty Content Partner Thinkfinity Content Partners are national leaders, providing the most appropriate and authoritative content for students. Select ONE of the consortium partner Web sites from the Thinkfinity Web site (ARTSEDGE, Xpeditions, etc.) and explore several areas of the site. Assignment: This assignment has two parts: 1. Write a short review of the Thinkfinity Search Engine (oe or two paragraphs). Was it effective? Did it provide appropriate resources? What was the quality of the results? Include at least one of your searches as an example. 2. Write a full review of the Content Partner Web site that you explored. Your review should be at least 400 words and include both strengths and weaknesses of the content provider Web site. Post your assignment in our Google Group, in the DISCUSSION Area. Name your posting Assignment #1 - Your Name (for example, Assignment #1 - Jerry Crisci). Let us know of you have questions. |