It is exciting to find ways to actually implement the GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009) I posted two weeks ago. I think my students next year will benefit from more opportunities to use technology for learning.
Three classmates—Katie, Tracey, and Jewel—have provided some very helpful guidance for getting started with videoconferencing. I would still like to eventually get my whole classroom involved in an exchange with another classroom, but pairing students up for individual conferences via Skype may be the best starting point. It is easier and less expensive. Later I may be able to add the technology for a full classroom videoconference, but I think we can accomplish some valuable exchanges in a one-on-one format too.
Another step forward came today when I talked with our district’s technology director. He told me that our Moodle program is running again; that was encouraging. I had used it for two class projects during last year’s summer school session, but it kept crashing when we tried to use it with the larger classes during the regular school year. That glitch seems to be fixed now, so I’m looking forward to using that technology again. Last summer we carried on class discussions and created pages about a novel using Moodle, and the students responded well.
The technology director also mentioned that he would like me to try out new software that will let us set up blogs, wikis, and email for the students within the school. They still won’t have access to external blogs or wikis, but we could at least communicate with other classes within our district, which would be a good way for the students to learn more about the technology.
I have also decided to keep up a class website next year. The district provides space on its server for any teachers who want to create websites, but it’s not as intuitive as some of the free websites I could subscribe to. However, it would be more convenient for parents and students to be able to just click on my link on the school’s website, rather than needing to keep track of my individual site. I could post a link from my page on the school’s site to a different site, but that seems a little cumbersome. I’d appreciate feedback on this from anyone who has experience with maintaining a classroom website.
One of my colleagues in my school is looking to implement technology in new ways, just as I am. It is helpful to get her feedback, along with that from my Walden colleagues. Two, three, or several dozen heads are better than one. Right now, I am envisioning my students talking to another class about themes and personal connections to novels that both classes have read. If anyone has tried this, I would be interested to hear more about what went well and what we should try to avoid.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: a standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont , CA : Wadsworth
Posts
I am greatly impressed with the goals you have set to implement a variety of technology applications next year into your classes. I, too, have a class website that is connected to the district server. As you stated, the downfall is that it has limited capabilties compared to what is available online. However, I chose to use it because parents could easily find and access it, along with anyone from the school or district. I started off the year keeping it updated daily but quickly became overwhelmed and let it go. Out of the six periods I teach everyday, I have four preps, which caused a great amount of effort to keep the site updated for everyone. If you only have one class, I foresee no issues. However, if you teach high school, I believe I have come up woth a plan to try it again next year. I want to put the repsonsibility on the students who benefit from this website. It could be an extension assignment for an advanced student or an extra credit opportunity, but I am going to find a way to put students in charge. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteMy school has a website on wordpress, a blog website to be exact, and on this site the technical administrator makes it possible for individual classes/teachers to upload information at their own class sections for parents, students and even prospective parents to access.
ReplyDeleteDespite all of this, the element, time, has worked against most of us as teachers. In order to mitigate against this fatal occurrence, you could ensure that whenever your classes are doing anything technological, the final product is uploaded at the end of the class session, with the help of the students. As Katie also suggested, making the upkeep of the website an effort of all your classes/students may be a way out.
As it relates to sharing your students' ideas with other students who are reading the same text, perhaps you could start a discussion with another class in your school that is using the same text. You could use the opportunity to try out the feasibility of the school's website. Again, it is your students who will be assisting you in updating the site at each class session. Take note of the pros and cons of your efforts; this will be the background experience that you will need to guide you as you plan for your future project.
Jewel Meikle
HS English/Literature
I was wondering what kind of software does your district use for the wikis and blogs. My district is not exactly in favor of using external blogs as well, for they fear out students will misuse it. However, if I could use something similar to what you use, maybe they would allow it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I commend you on your accomplishments so far with your GAME plan. It sounds like you are well on your way. I think it is great that you have a colleague that shares the same passion, to incorporate technology. Good Luck!
Great job on your accomplishments so far in implementing your GAME plan. It sounds like you have identified steps you can reasonably carry out.
ReplyDeleteI too started the year with a web page I updated at the end of each day with homework assignments and other relevant documents. However, about October I stopped updating it because I found no parents or students were visiting the page. I use Scholastic because it is relatively easy and it has a Visitor Report. After checking it a few times, I found no one was visiting so I let it fall by the wayside. I plan on starting again next year and hopefully encouraging the parents more to check the site.
Our school district has recently started using Moodle and I would love to find out more about it. I think they are offering some workshops this summer and I plan on signing up for one. Do you like using Moodle? Is it user friendly?
Everyone seems to find it difficult to actually keep up a website, but Katie has offered a practical solution: have the students do it. I think I will try that.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the other quesitons, we used Moodle last year to develop wikis and blogs, but that's not Moodle's main purpose. It's a classroom management tool, so it isn't as intuitive for students as I'd like it to be. The other program we're going to try this summer is called My Big Campus. I haven't actually used it yet, so I will have to write about it when I do.