JOURNAL 1

Shifflett, R., Toledo, C. (2008) Extreme Makeover: Updating Class Activities for the 21st Century. (Electronic version). Learning and Leading, 34-35.

Web-based applications are more social and group-oriented than ever. Including the whole class in a project is now possible with free tools accessible on-line. Students now have access to these tools to work on the same project, at different times and from different computers. These social applications are more appealing and help to keep the students actively involved and to promote creativity. Allowing students to share their work in blogs helps them become more personally responsible, knowing it’s read by peers and can allow feedback. Social bookmarking can be in invaluable tool in organizing and sharing the infinite resources assembled. Collaborative writing sites such as Zoho, has built-in safeguards to prevent loss of work, a once common occurrence in group work. While there will always be those who will try to abuse or misuse these applications, this is a perfect opportunity to teach kids personal ownership and internet etiquette.

Question 1: Knowing not all students have home internet access, how will I give those students the equal opportunity and time to on-line projects? In addition, some students may have access but no parent or sibling support – how will I provide a similar learning opportunity to everyone? Two or three days a week, I will have an “After Class Workshop” for students who need project computer time as well help with homework. For days when my students outnumber my class computers, I will arrange for us to use the library or learning lab computers together.

Question 2: How will I continually come up with fresh ideas to keep the kids interested? It’s unrealistic to think the ideas will always come from me – that’s why we have “social networking”! There are so many websites now available where teachers (and students) can find inspiration. It’s impressive, and a little overwhelming, to see how many generous teachers have shared their lesson plans and ideas. The sky is the limit!

Mader, J., Smith, B., (2008) Blogging Right Along. (Electronic version)
Learning and Leading, 36-37.

Class blogging is an effective way for students to exhibit their grasp of lesson concepts and network with staff and fellow students. An ongoing class blog or journal can serve several functions for both teachers and students. It’s an effective way for teachers to lay out a timeline for assignments and detailed expectations for each. Photos of significant events and sample document images can also be posted and shared. Some of the many opportunities blogs offer for students are to request and provide feedback on assignments, ask for help, and share their ideas. Having access to a class blog from home helps keep students on track and up-to-date. Student comments are also a way for teachers to measure how well concepts were understood.

Question 1: What will be the most effective ways to use image posting in my class blog? I look forward to posting samples of how I expect assignments to look upon completion. Where there is room for creativity, this will be the perfect way to inspire ideas in students. I am visual and find it helpful to see samples of what is expected to get my creative thoughts going. I believe students will also appreciate seeing, not just hearing or reading what is expected. This will also be a chance for students to showcase their work.
Question 2: How can a blog be useful in math assignments? When students don’t understand the assignment, they can both put out a “help me out” message to fellow students, detailing where they’re hung up. Students can then respond with an explanation or with uploading a sample page showing how a problem is done.