I wrote a lesson called "Talk it Up" - students read books and then write book reviews. Students will record their review and possibly give a screen shot of the book to capture the audience's attention. One important key is to not 'spill the beans' about the book. The transfer from a 1.0 review (looking information up about the book, if necessary) to 2.0 would be a bit of a change for this project. The kids could use their school Google accounts to post videos on YouTube and then they can share/comment (interact) with each other this way.
I'm not positive that I would try this with just any class, but with classes that have earned trust and shown responsibility with tools. This year, I would never attempt using YouTube with my class. They haven't shown responsibility or respect (as a whole class) in the slightest amount... which seems terrible to me because they are one of the most technologically capable classes I've ever encountered! It seems like (for lack of a better term) such a waste. The constraints with time: constant testing and the amount of curriculum that is required of 5th graders; it's really a struggle this year (and every year) trying to fit technology that is genuinely authentic into the curriculum. I've done a better job than in the past, but it's still ridiculously lacking! Benefits, however - well... that's another story. They're getting exposure to a new form of technology, they're integrating technology with core curriculum, and they're interacting with each other. Since they're working with their school Google accounts, they can also be working within their firewalled environment, which is a safe environment to practice in, which is a great benefit to practice their skills.
I guess if time permits we can see if we can swing this 2.0 thing. ;o)
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Social Media - To Be (Real) or Not to To Be (Real)
Well, this year, I toyed with the idea of having a classroom Facebook page. I set it up. I joined Twitter. I figured it was time to get "with it." Now I have followers and occasionally I tweet. I pretty much fell off the wagon because I have to be on the computer 24/7 between work and school (school and class? - What the heck do you guys call it?... I usually just call it school and school and let people fend for themselves with context clues).
I'm glad I decided not to use the Facebook page. It was probably too real. I'm encouraged to use Blackboard at my school. We use discussion board and I've set up threads so the kids can respond on those and as the year progressed, I let them set up their own threads and let them respond to their own (and comment on each others), so I could monitor more and work a little less...That was nice. :)
[warning - ranting paragraph]
I've also been encouraged to use Google Docs. Double edged sword. Google Docs opens up into their county firewalled email accounts (which my class has rampantly hacked into each other's accounts and I officially received my very first HATE mail... not "from" my student, but from his sister's account.... so they were both in trouble, since it came from his fingers after he hacked her account). <--Hence why I am glad I opted not to open up the Facebook can of worms with this group. They're too Internet savvy for me to be trying it out on a group. WELL, I've completely digressed here.... Back to Google Docs - my students have set up Journals in technology class (my group is the only 5th grade class that has 1/2 of a special time (I repeat, HALF of a special... which definitely is barely enough time to log into the silly computers before they log back out and head to PE)) that they share with me. These journals are a way for them to receive feedback - they can share their documents with whomever they choose (actually, anyone in the district, if they like, but we try to keep it to students in the class, or at least in the grade, for class purposes). They can comment on each other's work and it shows time stamps, it shows edits/revisions, and if someone makes a mistake, we can go back to retrieve the work before the mistake was made. Everything works in "real tune," so it's the closest thing that we have to Social Media. They receive feedback from their peers, but they can also communicate privately if they like through messaging with peers and teachers, but the district Google Docs is a firewalled program, so they cannot send or receive messages outside of the cloud... I've tried :) It bounces back.
So - while the district pushes the Blackboard site - the Google Docs will probably win out, if they continue to partner. Hopefully Google will continue to improve so it becomes even more user friendly in the future.
I'm glad I decided not to use the Facebook page. It was probably too real. I'm encouraged to use Blackboard at my school. We use discussion board and I've set up threads so the kids can respond on those and as the year progressed, I let them set up their own threads and let them respond to their own (and comment on each others), so I could monitor more and work a little less...That was nice. :)
[warning - ranting paragraph]
I've also been encouraged to use Google Docs. Double edged sword. Google Docs opens up into their county firewalled email accounts (which my class has rampantly hacked into each other's accounts and I officially received my very first HATE mail... not "from" my student, but from his sister's account.... so they were both in trouble, since it came from his fingers after he hacked her account). <--Hence why I am glad I opted not to open up the Facebook can of worms with this group. They're too Internet savvy for me to be trying it out on a group. WELL, I've completely digressed here.... Back to Google Docs - my students have set up Journals in technology class (my group is the only 5th grade class that has 1/2 of a special time (I repeat, HALF of a special... which definitely is barely enough time to log into the silly computers before they log back out and head to PE)) that they share with me. These journals are a way for them to receive feedback - they can share their documents with whomever they choose (actually, anyone in the district, if they like, but we try to keep it to students in the class, or at least in the grade, for class purposes). They can comment on each other's work and it shows time stamps, it shows edits/revisions, and if someone makes a mistake, we can go back to retrieve the work before the mistake was made. Everything works in "real tune," so it's the closest thing that we have to Social Media. They receive feedback from their peers, but they can also communicate privately if they like through messaging with peers and teachers, but the district Google Docs is a firewalled program, so they cannot send or receive messages outside of the cloud... I've tried :) It bounces back.
So - while the district pushes the Blackboard site - the Google Docs will probably win out, if they continue to partner. Hopefully Google will continue to improve so it becomes even more user friendly in the future.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Podcasts... Pods...iPod?
I have an iPod. Most people have an iPod. When I got my iPod, I didn't really know how to use it. However, I was late in the game when I got one and I waited long enough to get one that looked like it "made sense" (I got an iPod touch...touch screen with pictures... looked like a little computer. It was functional.) However, I had seen the first few generations of iPods on commercials and in my friends' hands. There was a circle with a button and the circle was a spinny thing that did something. I knew if I played around with it, I'd be able to figure it out in a few minutes, but if I got my mom one, she'd be able to figure it out in a few years.
Podcasts. I've never downloaded a podcast (ON PURPOSE). I have, however, downloaded a podcast on accident. I thought it was a song.. it was free. It was Jason Mraz - I like Jason Mraz. So, I was like... where did my song go? I searched on iTunes and go figure... it went into this file folder called Podcasts. Well - I hadn't the slightest idea what that was, but, sure... I'll listen. Holy cow... the dude was just rambling. I don't care! I want to hear my favorite songs, man! Feel free to ramble at my concert, ok?! I like you, but not enough to download your "podcast" and listen to you talk about who-knows-what when I don't even know what the word podcast means.
So, my first "podcast" experience wasn't exactly a positive, memorable experience. Although, I absolutely remembered the word when my teacher told us we were going to make one in class. All I could think was - I can do that. I am perfectly capable of boring the stink out of someone. Then I realized (after doing a little reading... and reflecting) that I don't actually have to bore the stink out of someone to create a podcast - that's not the goal. For me, it can really just be an oral assessment tool - it can be formal or informal. If I choose to use it in my classroom, this could be a great tool for differentiation, especially for students who don't "test" well. I can have evidence of their understanding, while saying that they actually completed a performance task in class, or out of class. When I make one in grad school... well, I guess I'll just have to follow the guidelines!
The students will catch on pretty quickly when I teach them what to do. Me - well, I'm a middle-aged dog. I'll get it eventually. My mom... well, my brothers out-voted me. We got her an iPod Nano in 2009. I've loaded it for her twice (completely loaded it once and completely updated the music once) - twice a year I give her a tutorial on how to charge it...and turn it on so she could use it when she walks. She usually gets frustrated after she realizes that, in order to turn it on, it needs to be charged. This past summer, we spent about 6 hours together updating the music and playing around with it... Dad got her a docking station and she now uses her iPod. :) She's a happy camper, learning to use her iPod...I'm not going to mention Podcasts to her.
Podcasts. I've never downloaded a podcast (ON PURPOSE). I have, however, downloaded a podcast on accident. I thought it was a song.. it was free. It was Jason Mraz - I like Jason Mraz. So, I was like... where did my song go? I searched on iTunes and go figure... it went into this file folder called Podcasts. Well - I hadn't the slightest idea what that was, but, sure... I'll listen. Holy cow... the dude was just rambling. I don't care! I want to hear my favorite songs, man! Feel free to ramble at my concert, ok?! I like you, but not enough to download your "podcast" and listen to you talk about who-knows-what when I don't even know what the word podcast means.
So, my first "podcast" experience wasn't exactly a positive, memorable experience. Although, I absolutely remembered the word when my teacher told us we were going to make one in class. All I could think was - I can do that. I am perfectly capable of boring the stink out of someone. Then I realized (after doing a little reading... and reflecting) that I don't actually have to bore the stink out of someone to create a podcast - that's not the goal. For me, it can really just be an oral assessment tool - it can be formal or informal. If I choose to use it in my classroom, this could be a great tool for differentiation, especially for students who don't "test" well. I can have evidence of their understanding, while saying that they actually completed a performance task in class, or out of class. When I make one in grad school... well, I guess I'll just have to follow the guidelines!
The students will catch on pretty quickly when I teach them what to do. Me - well, I'm a middle-aged dog. I'll get it eventually. My mom... well, my brothers out-voted me. We got her an iPod Nano in 2009. I've loaded it for her twice (completely loaded it once and completely updated the music once) - twice a year I give her a tutorial on how to charge it...and turn it on so she could use it when she walks. She usually gets frustrated after she realizes that, in order to turn it on, it needs to be charged. This past summer, we spent about 6 hours together updating the music and playing around with it... Dad got her a docking station and she now uses her iPod. :) She's a happy camper, learning to use her iPod...I'm not going to mention Podcasts to her.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Wiki-wha?
Wikis. It's an interesting topic. I never ever considered using a wiki in my classroom (honestly) until, well, a couple weeks ago. Why would I want to take on that challenge? It sounds too difficult. What would be the benefit to my students anyway???
Well.... as it turns out, I guess there could be a lot of benefits. I'm not sure how on Earth I'll be able to swing it this year, so I may have to forgo the idea temporarily, while the hectic evaluation schtuff and interesting classroom behaviors are getting crazier, BUT I definitely want to try it next year. Who knows... maybe I can even try it with one guided reading group and they can do it on their own time, or during one of their centers, after they meet with me.
Students can write about a book that is assigned to them, at their independent reading level. If they are all reading the same book, they can then log on to the wiki and respond to prompts or questions. They can respond together (independently, together, that is.... they can use each other's responses and work off of each other's responses to continue their own response) or they can edit and revise each other's entries if they feel that more or less is needed. I imagine there would be some banter back and forth about what is accurate and what is inaccurate, but a little "healthy" debate is good and we can have a chat about what is an acceptable amount of debate. [And on top of it, I have an anecdotal record of their participation that I didn't have to do any work for.]
Using wikis in the classroom could be a multi-fold lesson on yet another internet-savvy (2.0) aspect, but also respect, common courtesy, responsibility, and working your fair share (among many other lessons that could come from this).
Maybe I'll try it - one group at a time. It probably can't hurt, right?
Well.... as it turns out, I guess there could be a lot of benefits. I'm not sure how on Earth I'll be able to swing it this year, so I may have to forgo the idea temporarily, while the hectic evaluation schtuff and interesting classroom behaviors are getting crazier, BUT I definitely want to try it next year. Who knows... maybe I can even try it with one guided reading group and they can do it on their own time, or during one of their centers, after they meet with me.
Students can write about a book that is assigned to them, at their independent reading level. If they are all reading the same book, they can then log on to the wiki and respond to prompts or questions. They can respond together (independently, together, that is.... they can use each other's responses and work off of each other's responses to continue their own response) or they can edit and revise each other's entries if they feel that more or less is needed. I imagine there would be some banter back and forth about what is accurate and what is inaccurate, but a little "healthy" debate is good and we can have a chat about what is an acceptable amount of debate. [And on top of it, I have an anecdotal record of their participation that I didn't have to do any work for.]
Using wikis in the classroom could be a multi-fold lesson on yet another internet-savvy (2.0) aspect, but also respect, common courtesy, responsibility, and working your fair share (among many other lessons that could come from this).
Maybe I'll try it - one group at a time. It probably can't hurt, right?
Monday, February 11, 2013
BlaBlaBlog
Blogs... They're like journal entries. They can be used in a variety of ways in a classroom or for personal use. Most of the blogs I've ever read or heard of are basically someone's journal of what their day was like. Ranting on what they dislike - raving about what they like - drooling over the food they just ate - giggling about what their kid just did - rhyming riddles regularly. I don't know. Blogs are blogs. They can be about whatever you want them to be about.
I don't currently ask my students to blog. However, I do have them "journal" in their Google Apps. They respond to a prompt that I give them in a Google Document that they have shared with me. I comment on their response to the prompt, they can comment back, add to the prompt, question me, etc. It's a little bit like a blog, but more private. They don't have to worry about the rest of the world (or even their classmates) seeing what they have written. They get their typing experience, which they need for their online writing state test. They get a chance to use available technology (hardware and Web 2.0). Blogging? Not quite... could this transfer easily into a blogging situation? Absolutely. Do I plan to do it for this exact purpose? Probably not. I think if I were going to have my kids blog, I would start out slow - blog on books. I feel that they would feel less vulnerable talking about books.
My blog is about a teacher's woes and wahoos.
My woe is that school, this year, is not at ALL what I expected or hoped it to be. My wahoo is that the school year is halfway over. My woe is that all of my free time is sitting at a computer, planning lessons and grading papers. My wahoo is that I love the people that I plan my lessons with. My woe is that my students are draining the life out of me. My wahoo is that they really make my day pretty interesting (even if I could probably be ok if a couple of them would be absent occasionally) and they make me laugh often.
I don't have a quote of the day to share. Kids don't say the darndest things. I teach 5th graders... 1st graders say the darndest [cute] things. 5th graders say the darndest [vulgar] things that make your eyeballs pop out of your face, make your face flush, then turn all white, and make you think.. 'Please take it back - I didn't hear that - you didn't say that - Now I have to send you to the office. Crap.'
This is my blog post on blogs.
Favorite quotes from 5th graders (6 years ago... see...they say things, but it's more rare):
"Miss C, you look really young today. [Student A] (Student B smacks Student A) What was that for???"
"You just told her she looks old every other day! [Student B]"
I don't currently ask my students to blog. However, I do have them "journal" in their Google Apps. They respond to a prompt that I give them in a Google Document that they have shared with me. I comment on their response to the prompt, they can comment back, add to the prompt, question me, etc. It's a little bit like a blog, but more private. They don't have to worry about the rest of the world (or even their classmates) seeing what they have written. They get their typing experience, which they need for their online writing state test. They get a chance to use available technology (hardware and Web 2.0). Blogging? Not quite... could this transfer easily into a blogging situation? Absolutely. Do I plan to do it for this exact purpose? Probably not. I think if I were going to have my kids blog, I would start out slow - blog on books. I feel that they would feel less vulnerable talking about books.
My blog is about a teacher's woes and wahoos.
My woe is that school, this year, is not at ALL what I expected or hoped it to be. My wahoo is that the school year is halfway over. My woe is that all of my free time is sitting at a computer, planning lessons and grading papers. My wahoo is that I love the people that I plan my lessons with. My woe is that my students are draining the life out of me. My wahoo is that they really make my day pretty interesting (even if I could probably be ok if a couple of them would be absent occasionally) and they make me laugh often.
I don't have a quote of the day to share. Kids don't say the darndest things. I teach 5th graders... 1st graders say the darndest [cute] things. 5th graders say the darndest [vulgar] things that make your eyeballs pop out of your face, make your face flush, then turn all white, and make you think.. 'Please take it back - I didn't hear that - you didn't say that - Now I have to send you to the office. Crap.'
This is my blog post on blogs.
Favorite quotes from 5th graders (6 years ago... see...they say things, but it's more rare):
"Miss C, you look really young today. [Student A] (Student B smacks Student A) What was that for???"
"You just told her she looks old every other day! [Student B]"
Sunday, February 3, 2013
My year... getting a peak inside...
So... I'm supposed to tell you a little about myself. I'm a 5th grade teacher, teaching in a K-6 building, except, we really have a program called "Bright Beginnings for Babies" which teaches kids as young as 2 years old (with hearing disabilities) life skills... so, we're really a 2 years-12 years building, I guess. This is my 3rd year teaching at this school (after 3 years in another state, same grade) and I genuinely love it. The peole are great, the school is great, and there's not much to complain about.
This year, we're all on a new evaluation cycle. It's a little stressful, but it's not just me - it's EVERYONE, and I can't even imagine what it's doing to admin. This year, we have a new principal, with Assistant Principals, who both started last year as new APs. I really like them all a lot, but I bet they're all pretty stressed with this whole eval system too. With the new eval system, my class has really kept me on my toes this year. The kids are incredibly bright, which is wonderful, but sometimes it makes me worry that I'm not meeting their needs accurately enough and they are going to get themselves into a little mischief. To say it in t he "PC" way... I'm exhausted at the end of the day. Luckily, it's still rewarding. Even though it's 5th grade... I still get hugs, I still get compliments and high fives, I still get the kids conspiring [which will start to concern me...] and then I'll ruin the surprise when I can't bear it anymore and learn they were going to take up a collection to replace the electric pencil sharpener they broke.
This year is my 6th year teaching 5th grade. Going into the year, I imagined that it might hopefully be my last as a classroom teacher and that I might become a technology teacher for the following year. As the year has progressed and as I've struggled... I know that I still have that goal, amongst others. My husband and I still have our plan (start grad school [x] get married [x], find/buy a house [x], graduate [SOON], new position [?], start a family...dog first [ ]), but I think I'm becoming stronger in my weak moments. If I can stay at my school and be part of the community that I really enjoy, I think I'd rather stay a classroom teacher than leave, unless it's the "perfect" job offer."
I wonder how I'll feel in a couple months...?
This year, we're all on a new evaluation cycle. It's a little stressful, but it's not just me - it's EVERYONE, and I can't even imagine what it's doing to admin. This year, we have a new principal, with Assistant Principals, who both started last year as new APs. I really like them all a lot, but I bet they're all pretty stressed with this whole eval system too. With the new eval system, my class has really kept me on my toes this year. The kids are incredibly bright, which is wonderful, but sometimes it makes me worry that I'm not meeting their needs accurately enough and they are going to get themselves into a little mischief. To say it in t he "PC" way... I'm exhausted at the end of the day. Luckily, it's still rewarding. Even though it's 5th grade... I still get hugs, I still get compliments and high fives, I still get the kids conspiring [which will start to concern me...] and then I'll ruin the surprise when I can't bear it anymore and learn they were going to take up a collection to replace the electric pencil sharpener they broke.
This year is my 6th year teaching 5th grade. Going into the year, I imagined that it might hopefully be my last as a classroom teacher and that I might become a technology teacher for the following year. As the year has progressed and as I've struggled... I know that I still have that goal, amongst others. My husband and I still have our plan (start grad school [x] get married [x], find/buy a house [x], graduate [SOON], new position [?], start a family...dog first [ ]), but I think I'm becoming stronger in my weak moments. If I can stay at my school and be part of the community that I really enjoy, I think I'd rather stay a classroom teacher than leave, unless it's the "perfect" job offer."
I wonder how I'll feel in a couple months...?
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