I have spent more time than usual thinking about this week's topic. I wasn't exactly sure which way to answer the question- how might you use the GAME plan process with your students to help them develop proficiency in the NETS-S? Am I suppose to devise a way of teaching my students the GAME Plan and then guiding them through the process of making goals for themselves? Or, am I making another GAME Plan, but this time with my students and the NETS-S in mind? I decided upon the latter.
This year, I really want to focus upon the second standard of the NETS-S: communication and collaboration. I think starting with one standard and slowly adding more will be less stressful and overwhelming for all involved. If by chance, more standards are covered, then great! It is the same approach I am taking with technology in general- take it one "tool" at a time. Right now, I am in the process of creating a project that will use wikis. I think a project in which my students have to work together to create a wiki page would be highly motivating and would help my students strengthen so many skills- from writing to communication to critical thinking and problem solving. Next year, I hope to bring more technology in the classroom- maybe digital storytelling or blogs. At the same time I will incorporate more standards in the NETS-S.
Goal- Incorporate a technology tool that will help my students meet the Communication and Collaboration standard of the NETS-S.
Action- Plan a project that involves a group of students creating a wiki page based around a topic from their course textbook, the rbook.
Monitor- I can assess the students progress by looking at the history of the wiki, asking students to explain how they contributed to the wiki. Also, I can observe students while they are working on the wiki.
Evaluate- I can look at the finished wiki to determine how well the group worked together to present the information. Also, the students can write a reflection essay that describes their experiences with the wiki. I can make changes to the project based up my own observations and their reflections.
On one hand I hate how slowly I am proceeding with technology, but on the other hand I know that if I move too quickly, there is a good chance I will get overwhelmed and frustrated, and might abandon all ideas I had. Also, I don't want to overwhelm my co-workers!
This has been a fun experience in blogging this semester. I hope to keep up with it and keep in touch with all of my "blog" mates.
Linda
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Linda,
ReplyDeleteYou have such great goals! What will the class wiki be focused on? Also, I have a question about modifying for students... what are you thinking along the lines of? Every time I have to accommodate for technology I just brain fizzles out.
Thanks!
-Becca
I would also like to know if you have ideas for making modifications for students. I am planning on using wikis with my students as well. How do you plan on assessing students' group work?
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI love the wiki idea. If your school has strict regulations regarding particular website use through the district, I would suggest using wikispaces.org. It is a school friendly website which provides teachers free access and use along with their students. I too have been structuring my problem-based unit toward the use of a wiki to collaborate. I am a little nervous about trying something so new to me out in the classroom for the first time! It sounds to me like you and I are a lot alike when it comes to the feelings of uncertainty involved with trying out new things. Good luck with your future endeavors!
Great questions, guys!!
ReplyDelete1. Access to a Wiki page
I did set up a wiki through Wiki spaces and had to have several conversations with my director of technology in order to get the kids access. In the end, I have to create each wiki and then the kids get access to that specific wiki page. He would not give access to wiki spaces itself for fear of students creating their own wiki pages and problems arising. Anyway, problem is solves and I have the green light to go ahead with it.
2. The Wiki Project
The textbook we use in Read 180 is called the rbook. It has 9 different "workshops" with passages based around different topics- 7 of which are informational. Examples include "Survivors", "Killer Plagues", "Civil Rights", "The Brain", and "Juvenile Criminal Justice". We have 3 different Read 180 classes. My idea is have the kids choose their favorite workshop. They will grouped together by workshop (no matter which class they are in). Their goal would be to create a page that "goes beyond" the topic they chose. They might list books about the topic, list websites with more information, or write a "where are they now?" bio about people discussed in the workshop. The idea is to have them expand their knowledge on the topic and display that knowledge.
3. Modifications
I have not thought about modifications yet. To be honest, I find that when I do incorporate technology into class, even if it is a PowerPoint, I need to make less accommodations. One idea is to let students in the same class work together. Maybe they could help each other find books on the topic or check out websites together.
This project will not happen until the end of the school year after the rbook has been completed, so it is still a work in progress. I will try to give you access to the page I created for my co-workers so you can get the entire idea for the project. I really like it and my co-workers seem receptive to it.
Thanks for the questions, everyone! I will try to keep checking my blog for awhile, so if you have more questions or ideas, please feel free to comment!
Linda
Linda, I completely agree with your thought of taking it one step at a time. Especially if you are still learning the different technologies available, it makes a lot of since to take it slow and master each on at a time, to me this will benefit your students the most. I wanted to ask along with everyone else, what types of mods you are planning on incorporating into your blog and wiki projects.
ReplyDeleteChad