Evaluation of Progress
The goals in my game plan have moved in the right direction. I have added some 21st century skills to my teaching repertoire and this is wonderful news. As with any new strategy or technique an educator adds to the classroom there is a time of adjustment and seeing what works and doesn’t work with the students. Thus far, I have not run into any problems with my GAME plan but that doesn’t mean problems won’t arise at some point.
What I have learned so far is that having a class wiki is not only convenient for me but convenient for the students as well. I have learned that the generation of a wiki should be done at the beginning of the year so that it can be built upon during the year. I have learned that some students take to visiting a wiki for class resources like a duck to water and other students do not. Finally, I have learned how to construct the wiki and this was not rocket science which is good news for promotion of this tool to other educators.
The goal that I am still working on is to encourage other educators to see the efficacy of using class wikis so they too can incorporate 21st century skills into their classroom instruction. As I shared earlier, my experience of creating a class wiki was innocuous and I will have my wiki to show as an example for other teachers.
There are so many technology tools out there that I can avail myself of that I will be kept busy exploring the possibilities for a long time. I want to use epals, ning, ming, do a flat classroom project and try to always be cognizant of where in my instruction I could use a technology based tool as either a collaboration component or as a means to create a product.
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Hey there Ruth - I feel like I'm about to announce the arrival of my baby - Meza English 11 - my class wiki!!! I got it started and the unveiling will be on Monday 4/12.
ReplyDeletehttp://mezaenglish11.wikispaces.com/
I cut through the red tape and got it approved - my tech person said it's a good start :) My students will be baby stepping through it as I did an informal class poll of who knew what a wiki was and had they ever worked on one and the answer was (sadly but not surprisingly) an overwhelming no.
Very few (only 5) of my colleagues have web pages. I'm going to use it like that in addition to having students set up some pages. So like you, I'm looking forward to the convenience of it. And, I wish I could have had it up at the beginning of the year - I feel like there is not enough time left in the year to really get it going! You're right - it really isn't rocket science to set one up - I don't know why more people don't have one.
Good luck with the remainder of your year. Also, if you have any tips on uploading images, please pass them along - I'm having trouble and could only get one on there. When I look at our classmates' wikis, everyone has some cute picture on their PBLs.
Maria
Ruth,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have really done well with your GAME plan. I love how you have not really encountered any snares during this journey. I believe it might be due to the fact that you appear to be the type of learner your students are, flexible, open to ideas, and willing to play around with the tools you are investigating. That does help a lot.
I was not entirely sure about the "flat classroom project" you were discussing in your posting. Can you tell me more about that type of tool/assignment? How does it work? What type of technology does it require? Do you know if it addresses the general classroom along with the gifted and special needs students? I am excited to be exposed to what you have found.
Thank you for sharing!
Lacey Wilson
Lacey,
ReplyDeleteIf you google flat classroom project it will take you to the site that has all the information. I believe it is a project that you collaborate on with a class from another area. It sounds interesting. If there was a project that would interest my students then I would be up for it. Insofar as gifted and special needs, you would have to differentiate for them but it would probably be easy once you get your arms around the project.
You know, this is all so new and easy to walk away from and keep doing the same old things in the classroom that I think we need to stay energized by the prospects and keep trying new things.
Ruth,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have had some great experiences with wikis this year, and I think you definitely have the right approach and attitude. Like you, I think the important part of what we are doing with technology, is introducing it and using it in the classroom. As teachers, we really are on the first wave of using some of the technology tools. I think the key is that they offer more than just technology, they offer collaboration and access to people, each other, and information in new ways and locations that we have never had before. I honestly think what we are doing will change education. I think it will shift away from the classroom and teacher and move to students and be in various locations. Good luck with your wiki the rest of this year and in the future.
Dan Lollis
It is good when one can report progress. I am happy for you and all the new strategies you are currently incorporating in your classroom. Wikis are great, they don’t necessarily have to be introduce at the beginning of the school year. The key to success wikis are education and training. Our students should be taught how to handle
ReplyDeletea wiki, rules for posting and feedback should be set in addition proper internet usage. All the best in the implementation of your other ideas, it has been great reading your blog over the past weeks. I will be visiting your wiki.
Cordella Lewinson