Thursday, January 28, 2010
DIME my Game Plan update
So far I am able to find the information I need to accomplish my GAME plan. I recently had a conversation with my coworker who told me that there was a student who scanned their report card into the computer and changed the grade to show that the student was passing when in fact the student was failing the last two marking periods. That sanctioned my whole philosophy that we are not teaching the students in a way they can relate to. This student will never write an essay, never think through a math problem. He is tech-savvy and because the methods do not appeal to him he is disruptive. This is even more reason for my GAME plan. Resources to accomplish my GAME plan are readily available. I only need to create the podcast and/or a video. I thought of even having my students create their own podcast or video. I need to give the project more time though because I have not received all the permission slips from my students. My principal asked how will I monitor to ensure the safety of students and I told him about the privacy mode. As for when will I allow them to view the podcast. I figure that during class, right after I have taught the concept and they are practicing they can log on and listen to the podcast if they are having trouble remembering something. They can even use the podcast at home. It would be perfect for them to have created a Delicious account so that they can organize their information sites. They can also visit YouTube to see other videos. Delicious gives them the exact videos that relate to the topic. My new concern now is that each time I will have to send a letter home to parents to let them know what is happening. But then that is the purpose of the blog, to have parents view the work their children are doing in school. I have also learned that not many people are open to change. I probably will have to have my colleagues visit my class to see how I implement these tools and then maybe they will try.
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Now you are sounding a little frustrated. Take heart. Change is good. It just takes time and planning. Other teachers will follow the lead and in a year all of this will not seem like a big deal.
ReplyDeleteCan your parents and students not see the grades online? We have a software called Edline that is used for grades. As I put grades in for my students I can also send it to a site online that gives a report on the student. It also lists absences and tardies. The students have a password to their information and the parents also have a password to the information the student sees and more. It has worked well for our district.
The number one reason for dicipline in the districtg is cell phones. What if we made them legal and gave detentions if they go off in class or are used in school? Not just because a student is seen with one outside their locker. Many students use their phones as a watch. Our rules need redefined.
I am glad that you were able to explain to your principal about the privacy mode. However, I wonder if publishing on You Tube will invalidate that privacy option?
ReplyDeleteI agree that you will need to accommodate parents with open communication. If you can shift letters to emails or text messages it could save you a little time. Also it could guarentee parents are getting on line as well as actually getting the letter home. I see so many students "forget" to take home the newsletter or toss it in the recycle if I don't require a signature or email back from parents for credit.
Wade's comment about cells phones is a great question to pose. We have a similar rule at our school. I find it helpful when they have their phones on them. I have the yearbook staff spread out all over the school some days. Instead of having to come back to class or call me for an answer to a questions, they text me and I text back. It works. But if my principal knew I would certainly be in the principal's office. I think we can do a great job of teaching them appropriate uses and good decision making skills instead of telling "no" and "you can't".
Neclisha,
ReplyDeleteYou are right Neclisha, change is not easy. There needs to be a vision from the top to promote the use of technology and implementation into the curriculum. Unfortunately that is not the case in some school districts. Due to this reality, teachers who want to make a change have a hard time. I hope all your parents agree to their children’s use of the technology tools you are trying to incorporate into your lessons. I like the idea of having a podcast that can be accessible to students who need more review of the lesson. It is so important that all students understand the concepts we teach them but we know that some will need more resources to do so. The use of the podcast is a good resource for learning.
The use of Delicious is also a good idea as this site is a valuable tool to access their bookmarks from anywhere, not only one computer. I been using Delicious for a while and it really help me keep my sites organized. Even though I have a lot of sites in there I know how to find them because each one is grouped in their tag category. Good luck!
Yolanda