This week I talked with my “team” of teachers, the Math, ELA and SS teachers and discussed trying to implement the use of blogs in our classrooms. We all thought that having a team blog with simple things for now, like classroom expectations, upcoming events, ect would be best! We will then have the opportunity for parent/student feedback to see how the blog works. I think this was a good way to go about bringing the blog “to life” because it is introducing the idea and I can see where it takes me.
I hope that with the feedback of parents and students I can get an idea of how I could use it next year in my classroom. Many students are thrilled that they are going to be given this opportunity to use the computers for blogging and sharing their ideas. As far as assessing students, I am not to that point yet since we are just doing the trial blog for now. Next year though when I want to use it in my class, I will need to come up with a good way to assess or grade students on participation.
The other part of my GAME plan was dealing with using technology more frequently in the classroom. My room is equipped with a SMART board and projector, so I have technology at my full disposal. However, the SMART board can be very tricky to use. Some of the applications are hard to follow and can be slow at times. I am attending a workshop on our next professional development day to try and gain some ideas on what others are using their SMART boards for. I have started using them for playing Jeopardy and other interactive games and students have loved it! I think I just need to continue to ask my colleagues questions about the program and continue to work at it until I feel confident!
Attending the workshops and installing the latest software on my SMART board will definitely make me feel better about using it. It’s my first year using it, so I am still “in training”. However, I know how important it is for student learning to have the use of technology in the classroom, so I am going to do whatever it takes to keep my students happy and engaged in the lessons!
I think starting your blogs in a simple manner instead of giving students a full blown assignment is very intelligent. Maybe I won't be afraid to give them a blog assignment if I start small. You and I have opposite problems this week when it comes to SMART boards. I don't have one, but if I did, I would love the hand on experience. There are many YouTube Video tutorials such as SMART Board Training in two parts located at, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCILbQGRDtQ&feature=related.
ReplyDeleteRodney
I have to agree with Rodney... Crawling first is probably better when starting out with a new program. Keep us posted on the "baby steps".
ReplyDeleteI also think the training and professional learning experience with the smartboard. If this Walden program has shown me anything--it is that technology is LEADING the way in 21st century learning.
Any way you approach blogging you will quickly find that the students will be 10 steps ahead of you and should enjoy the experience. It is how they communicant on a daily basis. I started off with a simple introduction post and posed a question on what they had been working on. Before long I had to remind them to stay on topic because they were having full blown conversations about everything on that one post. I made the mistake of allowing it to be an introduction so they got wrapped up in that instead of the topic. All in all though the kids ended class that day saying they loved the blog and wanted to use it often, even if the topic had to stay on school work!!
ReplyDeleteAs for your smartboard. once you learn how to use it you'll wonder how you ever taught without it. i had one during student teaching and wish I had one now!