Shelly PeretzI have FINALLY put together the ultimate Internet experience that promotes a model of engaged learning... Biology Project Home Page. Not only will my students use the Internet to explore the topic of human genetic disease... but my students will also be able to communicate with people that are impacted by a genetic disease, as well as the geneticists and ethicists that work in the field. In my biology class, students have created presentations on the discovery of the structure of DNA using the multimedia tool, Life Story, explored changes over time using the Web site at Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History, DNA to Dinosaurs, and shared the benefits of my on-line collaborations with other high school biology teachers. As a result of this collaboration, my students shared data with other students across the midwest on the color changes of sugar maple trees and submitted questions about the ebola outbreak for an on-line interview with Dr. Donald Francis. And in my spare time, I have a number of students that are collaborating with students at different locations to develop Web sites that use the Internet as a collaborative, interactive teaching and learning tool in the ThinkQuest contest. Spring 1996 Shelly, Thornridge High School Science Department Chairperson, has been a dynamic force working behind the scenes for many years to promote inquiry science and effective use of technology. Recently she has stepped out in front and is now leading the way. Her transformation began in 1995 after her participation in The Fermilab LInC (Fermilab Leadership Institute Integrating Internet, Instruction and Curriculum). Since that time she has demonstrated her leadership in engaged learning and technology by providing inservice to teachers within her district (Curriculum Academy Summer Workshop '96), in the LInC program and in the Chicago area (EnterNet This Summer). Her classroom has simultaneously undergone transformation as she has developed engaged learning projects for her biology and physical science students. Her physical science project is actually an integrated unit developed cooperatively with math and social social studies teachers. Shelly's efforts have resulted in greater student interest; better attendance and participation; improved test scores; and a state grant for technology infrastructure. In November 1996, Shelly's student placed second in the math and science category of the ThinkQuest national competition. The award for creating the Chem 101 Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Web site included a trip to Washington, D.C. for the student and teacher; a $12,000 scholarship for the student; and $2,000 each for the school and the teacher. |