So far, I have been able to accomplish part of my goals, and establish how I will be taking the actions I want. While working on making sure I assess using different technologies, I went through Chapter 10 (circles) in geometry and Chapter 10 (Quadratics) in algebra and took a look at my current assessments. In geometry I usually give a take home quiz over spring break that the students work on. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to add a question to assess the technology standards. With the students having a whole week to work on this, they have plenty of time to find a computer to do what is necessary to complete the question. I added a part that incorporates using technology to create a problem involving circles, and then finding or using technology to solve that problem. I think this is a great way to get the students to be both creative and use technology to further their knowledge of the properties of circles. I have not quite gotten to changing any algebra assessments other than the fact that I have integrated the calculators more and let them do all of the graphing of quadratics using them.
To reach my second goal of using technology to interact with the students and the community I have had to do way more planning. This is the goal that I need to really research the resources I need to accomplish it. The district has a fairly strict firewall and I need to get through many hoops to make sure that the wiki I want to use can be used by students in school because not all of them have access to the internet outside of school. I am currently working on this process now, and may be lucky to get the wiki in place for this year. I will be updating the blog as that journey progresses.
I am looking for any experience in the area of getting the district to accept wiki's as parts of educational learning. I have provided examples, but I am still getting some resistance. If anyone has gone through this I would really appreciate any help I can get. Thank you all in advance.
Paul
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Paul,
ReplyDeleteIn my own experience with getting websites approved within the district, I have found that if you can get several other teachers to back your idea, then it works better and faster. There was a fight to get access to YouTube on teacher computers last year in my district, and having multiple teachers send over rationales (with lesson plans) to the board office moved the process along, and we now have access on our computers to show video clips. It is crazy how many hoops you have to jump through to get something educational and beneficial approved to be place on teacher accessed computers alone; I can only imagine how difficult it will be to pursue approval of a website for student access.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteWhat about a webpage or link to a page for your class and what is going on in the class? This is something that students and parents at home can both access and you might be able to gain public support that way. Another way is to go before the school board to ask for permission, be ready though to present lesson plans and data that supports your needs.
Finally, what about asking the PTO for help in getting approval or publicity for your endeavors?
Good Luck Paul!!
You mentioned a program that allows your students to create and solve mathematical problems. What website or software are you using? I would love to share this with my colleagues. My school has adopted an online program for math called Carnegie Learning, and it is very engaging for the students but I am constantly searching for programs to keep me refreshed of new approaches and to keep my students engaged.
ReplyDeletePaul,
ReplyDeleteI didn't have to get my Wikis approved, but Wikispaces.com does give teachers a free upgrade that allows the Wikis to be private, unseen by anyone outside the class. They are accessible from home as the student can log-in with their password. There are SO many good things about these and they are almost "bomb-proof" from successful sabotage. They are private, in as much as only the students have access and their ID is stamped on ALL changes.