Class Survey-Week 6

Test Survey

Using wikis in the class-week 5

I was beyond amazed with all that can be done with Wikis after checking several educational wiki sites.  The ones that I looked at were created by second grade teachers and were very inspiring to someone, like myself, who wouldn’t know what to do with a class wiki.  I could now see how creating a class wiki could do wonders for the students and parents and especially teachers. 

I would like to include hyperlinks of my students work samples.  I think that students would love the idea that they can click on their name and see all their hard work pop up on the internet.  I think it would help them with work ownership and make them strive to do better with each project.  Creating student portfolio links would be one of my first tasks.  When I saw this on the wikis, I felt proud of each of those students and the teachers as well.  What a great way to show progress and growth for each student.  This would be a very beneficial educational tool because you can show students what they have learned and accomplished throughout the year.  Plus, their next year’s teacher would be able to click and view where the students are. 

            Another aspect I would introduce in my own wiki is uploading class videos.  This would be a great reflection tool for any teacher.  You would know how the lesson went and what you can do to make it better.  You can basically critique yourself.  Also, parents, community members, and other teachers could see what your class is learning.  These videos could also serve as reviews for your students. Let’s just say that your class is having a big unit test and you don’t have long to review.  All you have to do is play past videos to touch back on key concepts. 

            I was really inspired to create a class wiki.  I know it will take some time and lots of learning but seeing the benefits is priceless.  The end product is worth it. 

Using Blogs in the Class

After learning more about blogging in class, I now feel so comfortable introducing it to my students.  I’ve been talking with my CT at the school and he is so excited that I want to be a risk-taker and give it a go.  I am currently the 3^rd grade GT teacher this year and we do not have a GT pullout program so I was thinking to try it out with this small group first.   One of the things I would like to do is have this group create an educational blog of the various activities they will be doing over the year.  I would have them learn a new aspect of blogging each month such as posting a blog, adding videos, recording videos, etc.   They would be totally in charge of their blog, including design and everything.   I would also, post a problem-based learning blog and have them post on the overall experience.  For example, I would ask them to figure out our school’s demographics and see how their educational journey took place through the blogs.  If I didn’t have an activity then I would post brainteaser type posts or just reflection blogs.   If this whole experience works out then I would try with my whole class.  I’m not 100% comfortable with technology yet so I would have to do baby steps with it. 

Brain Overload-week 2

Okay so after a very exhausting training over our district's new curriculum, I took a quick break to go visit my daughter and then headed straight to class.  I honestly thought my brain was fried, but nope had to regroup and learn more about Blogger and Goggle Reader.  At first, I was like "No way!  I'm too tired."  Yet, as we continued, I started to realize how this was helping.  Last week with our work I was very frustrated having to log on to Blackboard and copy and paste everything. Each day I was having to log on, just to find that there wasn't anything new posted. With work and a daughter, I don't have all the time in the world to constantly log on.  All I was thinking was "Geez, there has to be an easier way."  And... there was!  So, yes, I'm happy my brain woke up.  I learned how to subscribe to all the members of our class blogs and to find ways to organize them by weeks.  This can come in handy since our CT wants some of us to start pilot blogging sessions with our kids. I have to admit that I did come in with a negative attitude, but once I saw the benefit and how much time it would save me, I began to want to learn more.  So now, I can  comment on our class blogs and still have time to spend with my baby! 

test link, video

Here is UTEP's link. 

Web 2.0

First and foremost a Web 2.0 class has to have the most current technology.  I’ve seen some classrooms that have computers that are more than 20 years old and are not up to speed with the current demands that new technology requires.  In addition, it has to have readily available all the other tools that go with it.  For example, if you want students to upload their own videos then flip cameras or recorders should be accessible.  If the child is working on SKYPE then there should be a Webcam or a built in one.  There should also be a class set or at least half a class set of computers within the class.  We should see more and more computers occupying space than textbooks. Yet, the most crucial thing about a Web 2.0 class is that the facilitator of the class should know how to use and ACTUALLY use it.  I can think of millions of times I walk by classes and see IPods in carts collecting dust.  In-services should start being geared towards technology and how to implement it in the classroom.  But the most important thing about a Web 2.0 is that students and teachers alike are utilizing it on a regular basis.  It’s about students really experiencing the technology and collaborating with one another to see the benefits of these tools.  Teachers would have to go from monthly technology use to daily technology use.

This leads me to my next set of ideas dealing with a creating a technology-rich constructivist classroom.  I have already mentioned certain requirements that must be present, which are having current technology, the accessibility to the technology, and teacher and student participation with the technology.  Creating a technology-rich classroom would require the teacher to learn and understand the various uses of technology other than for creating word documents.  Basically, it’s a class in which teachers and students learn together and embrace the ever-evolving influence of technology.