Biology Standards Addressed: Ecology 3a

Objectives:

Students will create on-line blogs using photos, descriptive narratives from on-line research describing a particular biome from Alaska or beyond.

Students will understand the terms biome, ecosystem, climate, geographic distribution, and endangered species.

Students will gain mastery over their assigned biome and will learn from their peers about other biomes.

Students will use and develop their technology skills and protocols while using internet browsing and Blackboard (Bb) system for creating their blog.

Students can log onto their project via the on-line Bb system from their homes or library to continue working from their own location.

Procedures

Students begin by looking at a variety of photos and descriptions of biome from Alaska journey, including their own teacher's brand new levels of understanding by visiting a boreal forest, the frozen "desert-like" tundra, and more.

Students will upload and present on their blog the following items:

• At least 5 photos
• Describe vegetation, climate, wildlife, and geographic distribution of their biome
• Students are also required to read other students' blogs and leave academic constructive comments on at least 4 other blogs.
• Students will give a brief oral presentation in front of the class presenting their blog, demonstrating their academic vocabulary and responding to peer or teacher questions, demonstrating competency in their topic while learning from others as they listen to other projects.

Students will log onto Blackboard (Bb) to create their blog using their district issued ID's.

The activity counts towards a lab credit.

Students will work in groups of no more than 2.

Teacher Reflection: "I have been giving this lesson for the past two years in my biology Semester 2 classes. Students enjoy being on-line, and they enjoy the "social networking" aspect connected to it of being able to read other's blogs and leave (constructive, monitored) comments. Students develop their technology skills in the process by mastering the skill set needed to know how to successfully upload photos to the Bb system, how to format their text, how to go back into the Bb site and find their project as they continue working, and more." - Deborah Leance