Finding Information

Well, it's been two weeks and we are now finishing up our finding information phase of the exhibition.  During this time the students worked with their teachers and their mentors to create questions, lines of inquiry, and action plans to help focus and guide their investigations and research. The students have been using the Internet and books from the library to find lots of information!  In addition, the students learned the difference between primary and secondary resources, how to write survey questions and how to conduct interviews to find and collect more information on their topic. Whew! We are tired!

One of the best parts of this phase of the exhibition was how excitedly and responsibly the students have been using technology to find out about technology! We started using Edmodo to share information and resources across the classes for students who were investigating similar lines of inquiry.  It's been a great resource and one that the student have really seemed to enjoy.  In addition, the students learned how to create online surveys with Google Docs and collect the information with mobile technology such as iPods, iPads and iPhones.  Lastly, we've even had some students start their own blogs as a way to share what they are learning and create QR codes to encourage students in the school to visit their blog and take their online surveys!  The ways and uses of technology have been amazing!

All of the hard work has paid off as the students are now moving into the next phase of the inquiry cycle which is using information.  Over the course of the next week the students will be reviewing their information, sources and data and organising it all to come up with some general conclusions.  From these conclusions the groups of students will be thinking about what they learned and what they want to take action on as a result of their findings.  It's really going to get exciting now!

So, what has been the best part of this phase of our learning? Edmodo and the other uses of mobile technology? Finding information from interviews, surveys and websites? Balancing primary and secondary resources?

I look forward to hearing what you think!
Miss Jessica

Our Third Guest Speaker!

We were so lucky to have a third guest speaker this week! Yesterday we were visited by Tomás Berkovich and he shared his story of how he has used technology to become a business owner that creates "win-win" situations for everyone.

His talk included information about how he and his classmates first came up with some of their ideas by noticing situations that needed solutions in their daily lives.  After a few discussions around his kitchen table, they soon created their business called ZethaPricing.  Using technology and some creative problem solving, they found a way to encourage people to buy tickets for less money and earlier for movies which brought more business to the cinemas in Santiago.  Bascially a "win-win" for everyone!

Another of his businesses that he shared with us is called Cuponatic.  In this business solution he and his friends created a company that offers various products and goods at discounts when people agree to use the coupons on their site as a group.  The more people that use the coupon, the more discounts you can get.  Companies have been using his business because they can pay less money for advertising since the coupon discounts are spreading by people sharing the coupons with one another in their social networks.  Again, another "win-win" for everyone!

Here are a few of the catchy commercials that he shared with us that all the students liked!

It was a great talk and inspiring to see an alumni from our school be active in making his dreams and goals a reality!  All of the students were inspired to think big and follow their dreams!

What was the most important piece of information that you heard in this talk?  Which of the businesses do you think are the most useful to you as a grade five student?  How do you think we should be responsible while using businesses like these with our social networks?

I look forward to hearing your ideas!
Miss Jessica

Our Second Guest Speaker!

We had our second guest speaker for the exhibition on Monday and WOW did we learn a lot! Mr Claudio Cabrera visited us and give us an informative talk on the ALMA project in San Pedro de Atacama.  He began by giving us a little information about telescopes and we learned that there are two kinds: optical and radio.  We then watched a few slides explaining the number of systems that must work together to make the telescopes all work and function together.  From computer engineers and city planning engineers to transportation engineers all of the systems must work together to make all 66 telescopes work at the same time to produce pictures for studying outer space.  It was an amazing talk full of information that we are still talking about!

What was your favorite part of the presentation?  What was something new that you learned from this talk?  What do you think is our responsibility in thinking about the way technology is used in the ALMA project?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Miss Jessica  :)

Our First Guest Speaker!

Wow! On Friday we had our first guest speaker of the year and what a great way to start! Mr Cristian Mujica came and presented an interactive discussion on Telecommunications and the history of mobile phones.  We learned about the development of 1G, 2G, and 3G networks as well as some important points about telecommunications and how we use them.  He showed examples such as downloading music, playing games, medical information for doctors, and accessing the internet.  He reminded us of some important issues especially our responsibility in using telecommunications and transportation and how we should insist that people use hands-free sets while driving and talking.

Along with the history, he also showed some new developments for telecommunications in the future.  He showed a product called Gorrilla Glass and wowed us when he banged it on the wall and the floor and it didn't crack or scratch the glass!  He also showed us a new type of phone that could be put completely into water and still work!  Our favorite part of the talk was when he showed us a glimpse into our close future using phones with NFC or Near Field Communication abilities.  Take a look at the video he showed us:

Wow! Amazing ideas, no?!  We loved the presentation and are looking forwar to many more discussions to help us think about all the areas we could investigate for our exhibition projects!

What was your favorite part of this guest speaker discussion?  What was the most important point that you learned?  What did you learn about your responsibility in using mobile phones and technology?

Looking forward to hearing what you think!

Miss Jessica :)