I find myself using the ‘monitor and adjust’ method as I go along with my GAME plan….
My website is the first item of business…. Setting up the site was the easy part – using an online site was very beneficial and user friendly. However, keeping it updated has been difficult, I need more hours added to the day to keep everything going the way I would like. I surveyed my classes and have found that the only class that has checked the website is my Applications of Algebra class. With this information I am trying to focus on adding notes and assignments to that class. I believe my other students are not using the site because of the lack of access to internet when they leave school. I do plan to update grades for all classes regularly and allow students to use my computer when they want to check their grades.
The second item is real world videos. I have found myself concentrating on learning the best way to use my new Promethean board and find activities that will work well for my classes. I have also been given the use on an ActivSlate to use with my board (more technology to get accustomed to). When I come across relative videos I plan to use them, but have found that my time is better spent on finding, creating and/or planning lessons to use with the board. Once again, video hunting is pushed to the back burner.
My colleagues have been a big help with Promethean Board questions and activities. One of my colleagues and I have been working closely together to create and find activities to use with our students. Having someone to share the load has been great!
Adjusting my GAME plan seems inevitable…..But I don’t feel like I have lost the ‘game’. I will continue to tweak my webpage to better serve my students and experiment with the Promethean Board to engage my students.
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Some colleagues and I were talking with our tech department yesterday about classroom websites. A few teachers have been wanting to set up a classroom site where they can not only post announcements, assignments, and newsletters, but also a place where students can respond to discussion postings and submit assignments. One suggestion was registering for a Moodle account. It came highly recommended because it involves each of those features, and the upkeep in minimal.
ReplyDeletehttp://moodle.com/
Good luck,
Magan
Unfortunately I don't know what a promethean board is so I can't comment on that, but I completely understand about setting up a website. It can be a very challenging process; even if you're just keeping up with it on a weekly basis. I recently had a meeting with all my parents and found out only a little more than half have internet access at home, which makes the process even harder. If you come up with any great ideas concerning your class website please post it. I am in great need of good ideas.
ReplyDeleteSam Grubb
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI have found that most of my students and their parents only check the website for grades. As I mentioned I also have quickly realized that many of my students only have internet access while at school. My students can even access their textbook online, I would have loved to have that ability instead of taking the book home every day. I post assignments, quizzes and tests on a board in my classroom and find that students are surprised when they walk in the room and 'see' we have a quiz that day.
I don't have any really great ideas at the moment. I have found that I like teacher web, because it is user friendly and keeps me from having to create a site from scratch, however there is a yearly fee.
Leilani
Magan,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestion! I definitely plan to check out the site you mentioned. I really like the idea of discussion posts and assignment submissions for the students.
Leilani
I maintained a website for quite a few years. It started out simple and grew over the years to include grades, contact information, handouts, and many other things. Changing schools and grade levels this year set me back, and I have not kept up. It is true that priorities sometimes dictate that we not do something.
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