Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Delicious
I just learned how to use Delicious to store and categorize links. I can definitely see using this tool to help organize my whole life, not just my classroom.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Embedding Videos
I recently learned how to embed videos...so I'm embedding this awesome clip. It's Richard Burton reading "Leaden Echo & Golden Echo" by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Web 2.0 Tool: Google Forms
This week I was introduced to Google Forms as a classroom tool.
What went well or not well?
I have used Google Docs for several years, so I was familiar with the interface, but I had never attempted Google Forms before. I found it just as easy to use as the other Google Docs tools. Of course, it is a bit limited in terms of capabilities, but since it's free, I can't complain. The process of creating a form is simple. The only difficulty that I had was in trying to edit one that was already created, but it didn't take me long to figure out how to do that either. The form can be emailed to students (which can pose difficulties in schools without sufficient technology access) or it can be embedded in a website or blog...as I have done below.
How will you use this tool?
If I have a class with computer access, I could easily see myself using Google Forms once a week. It is great for pre-assessments. I might use it to survey student interests. I might survey my fellow teachers or even poll parents to get their thoughts about a particular topic. I would definitely use it for short quizzes. I might even open myself up to student evaluations using Google Forms (if the class is mature enough to give useful feedback). The spreadsheet function means that my data would be instantly graphable and easy to read. The limitations of using Google Forms is that a classroom would have to have sufficient computer access.
What will you do differently next time?
I am still trying to think of a good way to have students use this tool to create an artifact. I want them to create a survey or assessment themselves, so that they can begin to think about the nature of assessment and also gain valuable tech skills. I am sure that many businesses/organizations use Google Forms on a regular basis. If I can find a way for my upper-level students to begin using it, then they will have yet another tool in their professional toolbox. The opportunity is there; I just have to find a way to properly frame the task.
What went well or not well?
I have used Google Docs for several years, so I was familiar with the interface, but I had never attempted Google Forms before. I found it just as easy to use as the other Google Docs tools. Of course, it is a bit limited in terms of capabilities, but since it's free, I can't complain. The process of creating a form is simple. The only difficulty that I had was in trying to edit one that was already created, but it didn't take me long to figure out how to do that either. The form can be emailed to students (which can pose difficulties in schools without sufficient technology access) or it can be embedded in a website or blog...as I have done below.
How will you use this tool?
If I have a class with computer access, I could easily see myself using Google Forms once a week. It is great for pre-assessments. I might use it to survey student interests. I might survey my fellow teachers or even poll parents to get their thoughts about a particular topic. I would definitely use it for short quizzes. I might even open myself up to student evaluations using Google Forms (if the class is mature enough to give useful feedback). The spreadsheet function means that my data would be instantly graphable and easy to read. The limitations of using Google Forms is that a classroom would have to have sufficient computer access.
What will you do differently next time?
I am still trying to think of a good way to have students use this tool to create an artifact. I want them to create a survey or assessment themselves, so that they can begin to think about the nature of assessment and also gain valuable tech skills. I am sure that many businesses/organizations use Google Forms on a regular basis. If I can find a way for my upper-level students to begin using it, then they will have yet another tool in their professional toolbox. The opportunity is there; I just have to find a way to properly frame the task.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Wiki!
My mind is reeling with the possible applications of wikis in the classroom. This is the ultimate collaborative tool for class projects, and I had never considered it before. The creation of the wiki itself is surprisingly easy. Just a few steps and a whole network of pages appears, all easily navigable and incredibly flexible. As a secondary social studies teacher, I am envisioning how my students will create travel guides, historical bio pages, display cultural developments in several time periods and generally create or co-create artifacts, conceivably on a daily basis.
Of course, there are obstacles to the use of this technology. The wikis must be carefully set up by the administrator (teacher), students will need lots of step by step guidance to successfully participate, and they will require constant monitoring to make sure that the wiki is fulfilling its educational objective. Students will first need an education in the ethics of wiki collaboration and showing respect for each other on the wiki just like in the classroom.
The most exciting aspect of this technology is the way that it encourages collaboration. With mutual respect and the proper guidance from their teacher, students can use this technology to work together, even if they are not in the classroom, to create a very impressive product that they can be proud of and that can be easily assessed by the teacher, the principal, and the parents.
Of course, there are obstacles to the use of this technology. The wikis must be carefully set up by the administrator (teacher), students will need lots of step by step guidance to successfully participate, and they will require constant monitoring to make sure that the wiki is fulfilling its educational objective. Students will first need an education in the ethics of wiki collaboration and showing respect for each other on the wiki just like in the classroom.
The most exciting aspect of this technology is the way that it encourages collaboration. With mutual respect and the proper guidance from their teacher, students can use this technology to work together, even if they are not in the classroom, to create a very impressive product that they can be proud of and that can be easily assessed by the teacher, the principal, and the parents.
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