Progress towards meeting the goals of my GAME plan is going slowly. My goals were to improve my confidence in technology skills and improve communication with parents through the use of various tools on my website- a blog, pod casts, and a unit calendar, plus any tools that are available to me that I am not aware of. Some issues, roadblocks, and questions arisen that I want to discuss.
Are you finding the information and resources you need?
For reasons unknown, "Tech Thursday" have been postponed. Without these tech sessions, I am unable to find out how to use some of the tools necessary to fulfill my game plan. I do not know how to link a blog or pod casts to my web page- we have a "program" specifically for this use, but I have not been able to figure it out on my own. I have turned to some of my tech-savvy colleagues, but they have not been unable to help. I know we are suppose to be getting a new program that will make all of this easier, but an ETA is also unknown. I believe the program is Microsoft Live. Has anyone heard of this?
Do you need to modify your action plan?
At this point, I do think I need to modify the GAME PLAN to address the lack of technical support at this time. I may need to put the communication with parents through technology on hold until we get access to this new program. However, I can continue posting my unit calendar to my website.
What have you learned so far?
So far, I have learned that I am not always able to figure out technology. I am usually pretty good at figuring things out- like our electronic lesson plan program or our new online gradebook. I am able to do this through trial and error. I am not afraid to click on links to see what they do or where they send me! I even figured out how to link the calendar from the lesson planner to my web page! However, I have been unsuccessful in figuring out the blog and podcasts. It is frustrating!
What new questions have arisen?
I had my "back-to-school" night last week and sadly attendance was not good. I informed that parents that did attend of my website and what I plan to do (a monthly unit calendar and a blog). They seemed interested. I am wondering what is the best way to get the information to that parents who did not attend. We have parent conferences next week. I can give out the information to any parents who show up then. From there, I may need to call home. It is always good to make positive contact with parents.
After some discussion last week, I questioned how often I want to post to the blog on my teacher web page. I was thinking that once a month might be good, or after we finish a unit (which usually takes about 3 weeks). I can discussion the next unit in the same blog. If parents or students want to comment, they are welcome to do so.
This GAME Plan has been a learning process, that is for sure!!
Linda
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Linda,
ReplyDeleteAs far as posting links on your school web page, you said you tried turning to your tech-savvy colleagues. Have you tried a reverse route, so to speak? Try looking at everyone's pages in your district. See if any have successfully posted links to their page. It may be teachers who you do not know that well and that is why you haven't gotten the help from anyone yet. Personally, our school district is huge and I do not know, personally, all of the teachers at our high school. Also, who runs the "Tech Thursdays?" We have a tech department, and there are people we can get in touch with if we are having problems. Can you reach out to anyone there? Good luck! I hope you don't have to abandon this part of your GAME plan altogether.
Hey Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry to hear about all of the roadblocks you are encountering. I wish I could help you with all of them, but I too lack the knowledge in most of the areas you addressed. You did mention that you were disappointed in the turn out for "back to school night". Trust me I have been there! I did come up with a solution however to getting the word out on my website even to parents who did not attend. At the beginning of the school year, I have my students take home a letter to their parents which needs to be signed and brought back (this is their first grade in the course). The letter addresses my website and gives parents who are unfamiliar with the school district's website specific directions for accessing all of the necessary information. I know this does not help you for this year, but I have found it to be quite successful and it can hopefully help you communicate your website to parents in the future regardless of the "back to school night" turnout.
Matthew,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your suggestions! I will take a look at my colleagues web pages and see if anyone is using any of the tools I want to use as well. I am in a small k-12 district, so I could easily contact anyone I would like help from. My tech department consists of three people- a director and two on-site technicians. There are five schools in my district, so they spend one day a week in each school. It is very difficult to get their help with matters like this. In fact, this is the very reason they started the Tech Thursdays- to give us help with the tech tools we have available to us. Sadly, it is not going as planned this year!
Megan,
I may still send home a letter this year. I do not think it is too late. I can start by handing out the letter at parent conferences next week and then send home the remaining letters. Thanks for your ideas!
Linda
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am having some difficulties posting to your Blog--I thought I did on Saturday, then I tried again this afternoon (Tuesday). I am going to try again now (later Tuesday), and if it still does not work I will send it to you via email.
Inger