9 Word Cloud Generators That Aren't Wordle The use of word clouds in the classroom is a powerful way to really get through to visual learners. The details about the following nine word cloud generators will give you a fair idea how, as an educator, you can get the best out of them. A quick note: Wordle is quite easily the most popular word cloud generator out there. It’s free and easy to use. It does require Java though so Chrome users might have some trouble. Tagul Several features that do not figure in Wordle are incorporated in Tagul .For example, you have the option of choosing personalized shapes and multiple fonts to be used in your cloud. ABC Ya This application is very much like Wordle and operates the way Wordle operates. Tag Crowd This application gives you access to see frequency of words. Word It Out Word It Out helps create word clouds from any text, similar to the way Wordle does. Make Word Mosaic This one is from Image Chef and is one of the best creative tools you can find for your classroom. Wordsift TagCloudGenerator
Free Technology for Teachers Catalogue of Life - 3rd February 2012 :: Search all names NH Field Investigation Models Using Field Investigations to Model Scientific Inquiry State and national science standards emphasize the importance of inquiry and problem-solving for today’s students. Field investigations offer rich opportunities for students to practice inquiry in engaging and authentic ways. Key steps in field investigations mirror the inquiry process. They are posing research questions, planning and conducting investigations, using evidence to describe findings, communicating research findings to target audiences, and asking new research questions based on findings. Beyond Data Collection Just as New Hampshire is gifted with abundant natural resources, so too do we benefit from plentiful scientific field investigations. Maximum and minimum air temperature data collected at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Field Investigation Model HB Max Min Air Temp.pdf HB Max Min Air Temp Data.xls Precipitation data collected at several rain gages at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Useful Links
We Don't Like "Projects" So I recently quit my job and started my own school with the support of a local media company, the second largest school district in Iowa, and a groundswell of community interest. Our philosophy boils down to a fairly liberal project-based learning environment. As I began the marketing push to enroll students, I uncovered some frankly stunning assumptions that many students have about learning: The word "project" is not a happy word. I'm not complaining -- in fact, these assumptions are the reason that I struck out on my own in the first place -- but I was flat-out surprised by their ubiquity. Let’s break each assumption down. 1. The word "project" gets thrown around quite a bit and literally could mean any person, place or thing depending on who's doing the talking. In short, we seem to have students who believe that projects are for assessment purposes only. To appeal to the concreteness of most teenagers, we've begun sharing examples, workflows and projects with potential applicants.
Tree of Life Web Project More Beta Cells, More Insulin, Less Diabetes Caption: Betatrophin, a natural hormone produced in liver and fat cells, triggers the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas to replicateCredit: Douglas Melton and Peng Yi Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has arguably reached epidemic levels in this country; between 22 and 24 million people suffer from the disease. But now there’s an exciting new development: scientists at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have discovered a hormone that might slow or stop the progression of diabetes [1]. T2D is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 95% of cases. Treating diabetes costs the U.S. a veritable fortune. The NIH-funded researchers set out to try to identify a signal that seems to be sent by the liver to the beta cells when the insulin receptor is blocked and blood glucose levels rise. Betatrophin sends the beta cells into a frenzy causing them to replicate as much as 30 times their normal rate! It’s not every day that a new and important hormone is discovered! References: Links:
50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one. While not totally comprehensive , here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. Check out these books for more ideas on pertinent life skills:
Solve Puzzles for Science | Foldit 15 Inspiring TED Talks Every Freshman Must Watch You've selected your classes and shopped for your dorm room. You've bought some new clothes and packed your favorite things. The new semester is around the corner and you're as ready as you'll ever be. Unless, that is, you want to get a tiny bit ahead. The TED speaker series features "ideas worth spreading." Did we miss one that inspires you for the new school year? 1. In need of a motivational pick-me-up? 2. According to Harvard psychologist Dan Gilbert, sometimes our notions of what will make us happy and what will make us miserable are way off. 3. There's a strong chance you'll have your fair share of group projects this semester. 4. Between dance team, ultimate frisbee club, volunteering and—oh, right—lectures, your life's crazy factor is about to go way up. 5. We humans have an excellent ability to make excuses for ourselves. 6. Does a cup of tea and a good book sound like a perfect Friday night? 7. College is the perfect time to try something new. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Extraordinary Adaptation 25 TED Talks Perfect For Classrooms The 50 Best Sources of Free STEM Education Online 12.05K Views 0 Likes Colleges, universities, and other educational forums in your community can be excellent places to learn more about a variety of STEM topics, but there is also a wealth of educational material available on the web for those who prefer to learn at their own pace or take a more individual approach.