JackieBilan

=Project: Advanced Placement Biology Web Page=


 * History:** After viewing [|Travis O'Hair]and Dave Title's web pages on virtual campus, I decided I had better move quickly into the 21st century for Longmont High and our AP biology class and create a web page as well. My revelation is, "this is easier said than done". I am a reluctant technologist-not because of desire or belief but simply due to the lack of skills. I have a daughter studying to be a mechanical engineer and a husband who is a systems architect, so for the past 30 years there has been little need for me to learn about my computer. When I got stuck I always have had someone to unstick me! At school, my unsung heros are Dick Martyr and Chris Chou-they always come to my aid. However, I had better become an independent technologist; here is my first [|attempt.]


 * Purpose:** As a pilot teacher this year for new biology texts, one of the ideas brought forth by our science coordinator is this may be our last pilot for texts. The future will bring on-line texts into the classroom and with more access to computers there becomes a need to help direct students to the correct information. This is the place for a class or subject web page. The Advanced Placement (AP) biology web site will be used by students, parents and staff to coordinate activities, inform, and help students stay current in biology.


 * Accomplishments to Date:** I have created the beginnings of a workable web page for my students and co-teacher, Chris Chou with moodle on virtual campus named very creatively, [|Advanced Placement Biology]. This is a work in progress and will continue to be so throughout the school year.


 * Future Plans:** With better technological competency, I plan to use more of the on-line opportunities in class. I am planning on wikis instead of Power Point presentations for their student project on biotechnology and will encourage my students to use their class web page by adding assignments they must do from the RSS feeds, blogging prompts which require a response, vocab cards made from their glossary list and reading guides which they must download and turn in hardcopy or electronically. As more of our kids are required to work on-line, I forsee availability issues. We have only one set of "sometimes work" laptops for the department and our computer labs are almost always at capacity. An option may be to write a grant for another set of science laptops or solicit private donations from parents. Also, I would like to see our library become a welcoming cyber place for kids with extended hours so students can access computers and printers easily.


 * Resources:**
 * [|Skills for the 21st Century]
 * Wikispaces.com
 * [|CollegeBoard for AP Biology]
 * Wiki page 2