Looking back at to the beginning of this class, it surprises me how long ago it seems. Granted, a full 6-week class with a break in the middle can be a long time, but some of the tools that I was experimenting with at the beginning of this class (Zoho Writer, GoAnimate, 280 slides) are now fully entrenched in my planning for next year. In fact, in a few weeks, I'll be teaching a class to my fellow staff members that will include Zoho Writer and TypeWithMe.
This makes me hopeful that students will be able to do the same as I infuse more technology into my classroom. As I've found the idea of technological literacy to be important, I think students will be more inclined to think that way if they have more tools at the ready.
All in all, this was the type of class I was hoping to take when I signed up for the program. I was able to take what I learned here and apply it in my classroom immediately, but it has also given me some things to think about in the long term. In 2011 and 2012, I'll be looking to use these programs more often, regularly giving students a choice in their presentation tool, and including a project-based assessment in more units.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
What Does It All Mean?
This class has lived up to its fairly straightforward title and has given me tools and ideas that I can immediately start using at school. Well, maybe not immediately, but in a few months when school starts again.
I used some of the presentation programs we discussed early on, and my students loved using them. As we move past classroom tools to things like Google Sites that can be used on a school-wide basis, the questions sort of change. I can picture what will or won't work for my classroom, what my students would understand, and what they would likely react to. But those things aren't true of every teacher's class. What is great for me might be a flop for someone else. Or it might be missing essential tools that I would never think of. This is why conversations between teachers are important. And as schools start to address budget cuts, these conversations are going to become more and more important.
My school currently uses School Fusion, which I don't really like. For creating a simple website where I can post announcements, leave links, and upload files, it works just fine. But as you try to do more, the interface becomes a little less than intuitive. And students seem to have a tough time with the blogs in School Fusion. A few co-workers swear by Edmodo, and seem to get their kids pretty interested. I had pretty good responses from students using Zoho Writer and Diigo to share links to share links and turn in their writing.
Ultimately, there are so many free tools out there that are just as good, if not better than tools that schools need to pay for. I have a feeling it will be a common conversation at my school, and being comfortable with some of the tools we've used in this class, I can help save space on the budget for the things we really need.
I used some of the presentation programs we discussed early on, and my students loved using them. As we move past classroom tools to things like Google Sites that can be used on a school-wide basis, the questions sort of change. I can picture what will or won't work for my classroom, what my students would understand, and what they would likely react to. But those things aren't true of every teacher's class. What is great for me might be a flop for someone else. Or it might be missing essential tools that I would never think of. This is why conversations between teachers are important. And as schools start to address budget cuts, these conversations are going to become more and more important.
My school currently uses School Fusion, which I don't really like. For creating a simple website where I can post announcements, leave links, and upload files, it works just fine. But as you try to do more, the interface becomes a little less than intuitive. And students seem to have a tough time with the blogs in School Fusion. A few co-workers swear by Edmodo, and seem to get their kids pretty interested. I had pretty good responses from students using Zoho Writer and Diigo to share links to share links and turn in their writing.
Ultimately, there are so many free tools out there that are just as good, if not better than tools that schools need to pay for. I have a feeling it will be a common conversation at my school, and being comfortable with some of the tools we've used in this class, I can help save space on the budget for the things we really need.
Monday, June 13, 2011
InTime
The InTime video that I chose shows a middle school that broadcasts daily announcements through one of the classes. In my school, we also have students broadcast announcements, but it is through our morning advisory period, and the kids are really only involved in that they read the announcements.
Next year, I will be one of the teachers starting a new remedial Language Arts program. As we are looking for new ways to engage students and give them a chance to practice communication skills, this seems like the perfect opportunity. Generally, students get pretty excited about reading the announcements and being on TV. I feel that this would be enough to engage the students and get them excited about what they're doing. Even if they are shy and don't want to appear on camera, I'd bet they would be excited to be able to say "I was holding the camera for this," or "I helped edit this."
Doing daily announcements through Language Arts classes, instead of Advisory, would give students a chance to interact more with the tools associated with putting a news broadcast together. We could also practice writing skills by asking the students to write the summary, not simply read it. This would be a good way to reinforce that good writing must give the audience all the details they need. Finally, it would also be a good way to practice speaking skills, as students would have to speak clearly enough for everyone to understand them.
Daily announcements, in some form, is something that every school has, but I would guess that very few use it as much of an educational opportunity. I think that this school is taking advantage of that opportunity, and I will definitely talk to teachers and administrators in my school to try to do the same.
Next year, I will be one of the teachers starting a new remedial Language Arts program. As we are looking for new ways to engage students and give them a chance to practice communication skills, this seems like the perfect opportunity. Generally, students get pretty excited about reading the announcements and being on TV. I feel that this would be enough to engage the students and get them excited about what they're doing. Even if they are shy and don't want to appear on camera, I'd bet they would be excited to be able to say "I was holding the camera for this," or "I helped edit this."
Doing daily announcements through Language Arts classes, instead of Advisory, would give students a chance to interact more with the tools associated with putting a news broadcast together. We could also practice writing skills by asking the students to write the summary, not simply read it. This would be a good way to reinforce that good writing must give the audience all the details they need. Finally, it would also be a good way to practice speaking skills, as students would have to speak clearly enough for everyone to understand them.
Daily announcements, in some form, is something that every school has, but I would guess that very few use it as much of an educational opportunity. I think that this school is taking advantage of that opportunity, and I will definitely talk to teachers and administrators in my school to try to do the same.
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