Goal #1 is from Standard 2a. “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE , 2010)
I went in this week to my classroom to see if my interactive whiteboard was installed yet. My biggest need right now to go forward in my goal was to actually use an interactive white board. After over eight hours of professional training this summer and many hours of searching reading and bookmarking, I need to physically use the Smartbaord. I spoke with the head custodian and he told me they are scheduled to be installed next Monday... stay tuned.
Goal #2 is from Standard # 3 Model Digital-Age Work and Learning- Indicator A . “collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation” (ISTE , 2010).
I was excited to learn about Caitlin Thompson’s use of a moodle account to establish a forum for her students (Laureate Inc., 2009). It left me with a feeling that students leave an electronic footprint on blogs that teachers can look at to see who participated and who didn’t. This is important since collaboration is a major factor for using my current events blog this upcoming school year. Students will not have to tell me that they forgot it at home or it is in their locker. I will not have to pack about 100 assignments with articles stapled (sometimes) which takes me two full nights to read, grade and record. I also learned about many educational networking tools this week and look forward to getting my feet when expanding to collaborative projects that engage students in authentic 21st century skills. as far as a team website I talked to my team leader and we will meet the week before school starts to plan a homework website.
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Spotlight on Technology: Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 2. Baltimore: Author
I was thinking about what you said in your comments about your second goal and how it will save you time grading all of their assignments. It reminds me of the Hargis & Wilcox (2008) article and their depiction of saving paper. I am curious, though, will you set aside time during class for students to create their blogs? I was considering those students who do not have access to technology at home. How much time would you give them in class to do this and would it be at the end of a lesson or as a warm-up exercise at the onset?
ReplyDeleteHargis, J., & Wilcox, S. M. (2008, October). Ubiquitous, free, and efficient online collaboration tools for teaching and learning. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9(4), 9–17.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteWow! As an English teacher, I definitely feel your pain when it comes to lugging piles of paper home for grading. Technology would make it that much easier.
Mack,
I know that I am going to have to allow some class time for blogging since many of my students do not have access at home...or take them to the lab during their study time.
Tonia
Mack,
ReplyDeleteI already plan every other wednesday for the old current event's discussion. I can let students go to the library if they don't have access. I surveyed students last year and about 15 said they did not have access. Of course many said they had to share time with siblings and Facebook obsessed parents. I also will be able to share a set of laptop computers from the previously mentioned grant. I hope by the Christmas break to have students routined into responding and have them working more independent with thier blogging. I will need to monitor and adjust as we learn together.
Tonia,
I imagine it will take me just as long at first but then become very efficient.
Jim
Jim,
ReplyDelete"Facebook obsessed parents"! That would be my wife. I feel for my daughter when she becomes interested in online social networking. Thanks. I needed that laugh.
Mack