Blogging is a new skill for me, so I seek out my school's media specialist often. She explains the concepts in simple terms for my understanding. While presenting this "new tool" to my students, I will probably need her help to get us underway. After we're set up and working with fewer glitches, I would really like to invite other teachers to share in our blogs. My self-contained students see me ALL DAY long so having other teachers comment on their work could provide more plausible suggestions. In a previous course, I read a research article based on a collaborative blog for special education students and college students (Drexler, Dawson, & Ferdig, 2007). For my purposes, I would love to have our exploratory teachers comment and reply to my students blogs - a fresh, new voice in addition to my own. For this to work, I need to discuss the idea with those teachers. In addition, the media specialist's know-how would be needed again to set up blogs for those teachers. She really earns her money working with me!!
In order for my ideas to work, it's not going to happen by accident. This is going to take A LOT of planning on my part.
Reference
Drexler, W., Dawson, K., & Ferdig, R.E. (2007). Collaborative blogging as a means to develop elementary expository writing skills. Electronic Journal for the Integration of Technology in Education, 6, 140-160.
Hello Julianna, You end your post saying that your ideas will take a lot of planning. What I have gathered from my studies here with Walden, is that what all this takes is a lot of DREAMING. As teachers we need to dream up new and creative ideas for student centered authentic ideas, then not be afraid to dream them right into action. I think if we stop and plan too much we will always be waiting for everything to be perfect and our projects will never get off the ground. Don’t be afraid of starting with a pretty good plan and working out the kinks as you go along. I think that part is all about being a reflective practitioner.
ReplyDeleteHi Juliana,
ReplyDeleteI can see a lot of my thoughts reflected in your post. You not only recognize the need for unlimited technology use in order for your GAME plan to be most effective, but also the need to enlist collaborators to assist you in your endeavors. I too feel your frustration in not having access to technology; my school has a few laptop carts, but it is very difficult to ever get full use of those carts for an extended period of time. I have even had trouble getting the laptop cart on consecutive days for all of my four 7th grade English classes! Learning with technology is enriching but not if that learning is consistently interrupted due to lack of access to the technology.
However, the professionals around you, such as the Media Specialist and Curriculum Coordinator, can absolutely be valuable resources in carrying out your plan – if not some of the most valuable resources. In the video Promoting Self-Directed Learning with Technology, teacher Hull (2009) emphasizes that utilizing her peers/personal learning network helps her to funnel information, select best practices, and explore multiple sources (Laureate Education, Inc.). I think some teachers can underestimate the power of reaching out to colleagues, but since you are willing to do that, your plan may be even more successful! In the end, simply talking to them will give you additional support whether it is in conversation, technology, or educating.
Thank you,
Traci Audino
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Promoting Self-Directed Learning with Technology. [Video webcast]. In Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Traci,
DeleteTo be honest, I've had this blogging idea gnawing in my brain for a while now - but I've been hesitant (SCARED) to try it. It's becoming increasing clear that I need to get over it and just do it. When I was discussing the blog with my Media Specialist, I realized I was accomplishing what I needed and learning along the way. I am a control freak, but I now know that I don't need all the answers to get started.
My students have me all day for academic classes and selected exploratory teachers. I wish is for the exploratory teachers to aide me in this endeavor, and possibly learn how to create blogs with their other students. Maybe the idea could spiral...
Julianna,
DeleteI think it is great that you are trying something new. I too have been hesitant about trying to blog with my students, and it makes me feel better that other teachers are in that same position. I too have some of my normal English class students for what my school also calls exploratory classes (what a coincidence!), so I may consider trying blogging with them before all of my four English classes try it. Implementing it for the first time with a smaller group will still be a challenge, but it may feel more manageable.
Good luck!
-Traci Audino
Greetings Juliana,
ReplyDeleteI hear your frustrations/concerns about having (or not having) enough technology "devices" for each student to use. Technology is like a magnet to students, and understandably so. I think students impatience to wait for technology is great proof as to how influential it can be in our teaching.
Have you ever considered writing or applying for a grant that would allow you to have access to enough to iPads, computers, tablets, etc. for each student?
Here is a link to MANY teacher grants available, some of them geared specifically towards technology.
http://www.teachersfirst.com/spectopics/grants.cfm
I really like your idea of getting other teachers in on your blog. I think that would be a great experience for you students. Do you have any friends around your area that are teachers at a different school? It might be fun to set something up with that teacher and have his/her students access your blog and communicate with your students too. Maybe at the end of the year you could have the students meet face to face?
Stacy,
DeleteI appreciate the grant website, and I'll definitely look into it. At the beginning of the year, our school was told we would be receiving new technology for the students. I was mistaken in my understanding....the announcement meant eventually not this year. My heart was broken, but with this website maybe I can find my own path to technological advancements.
Since I teach the self-contained students, mostly Learning Disabled, they could benefit from the word processing and word prediction software when writing. With these assistive technologies, it would level the playing field for my students. "For many students with disabilities, access to the curriculum will require the use of technology, specifically assistive technologies. The effective use of these technologies can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful educational and social experiences for students with disabilities" (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integrationf for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc. custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.