I must admit I have a bit of a problem with the title of this week's assignments - "Creating Student-centered Classes...". I think that we put too much emphasis on child-center, pupil-center, student-center. I am speaking (writing) only about the semantics. In the last few decades we shifted all our focus on children and sometime we forget that it can harm them in the long run. Our language changed according to that change.
Well, this is obviously not what I wanted to talk about, so I'll try not to be side tracked.
Robert - Thank you very much for "forcing" me to learn and create technology based lesson plans. Although it is not easy, it is so interesting and fun. I created, for the first time, a PPP (I suddenly feel so old ) and I think it will be of great help for me as well as for my pupils. I will try it on Thursday, when I have the computer class "booked". In addition, I will add it to my Nicenet class. I still have to see how I can save files in the school's computer.
I found the articles about teaching large classes with technology. Not every technology that suits small classes can be used in large ones, but I think that the other way around - is easier. I liked and will adopt some of the techniques. It is, obviously, something/s I have to try and see what fits and what don't - but it's part of the fun.
The only thing I regret about this week is that I didn't have the time to finish the WQ I have started and that I didn't master the online assessment yet.
"See you",
Nourit
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
WebQuest: My Neighborhood: an ongoing creation with Zunal WebQuest Maker - and more - week 5-6
I couldn't resist creating a WQ for my 8th graders although I'm short of time. I don't know if it will work but after my 10th graders enjoyed working with Nicenet, I felf that my ultimate challenge is the 8th grade class and how I can make it work.
I didn't finish it yet because I was also looking at all we have to do this week. I admit I was dizzy at first. There is so much to learn. Where to begin?
So, I decided to skim and scan everything first and then "dive in" . The first surprise was an answer to something I thought about in bed the night before - how can I test them and evaluate it on the net?
http://pages.uoregon.edu/tep/technology/assessment/onlineassessment.html
The answer is there but it seems so overwhelming.
I also never used power point presentation either. I always looked at this tool as a rather shallow one. I guess I was mistaken, Especially when it is a part of a long term unit.
Well - I'm going to study all of it (or untill I fall asleep).
"See you soon".
I didn't finish it yet because I was also looking at all we have to do this week. I admit I was dizzy at first. There is so much to learn. Where to begin?
So, I decided to skim and scan everything first and then "dive in" . The first surprise was an answer to something I thought about in bed the night before - how can I test them and evaluate it on the net?
http://pages.uoregon.edu/tep/technology/assessment/onlineassessment.html
The answer is there but it seems so overwhelming.
I also never used power point presentation either. I always looked at this tool as a rather shallow one. I guess I was mistaken, Especially when it is a part of a long term unit.
Well - I'm going to study all of it (or untill I fall asleep).
"See you soon".
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Technology related lessons and rubrics - Week 5
Since I last reflected on my 10th graders - WE DID IT!!
Instead of waiting for them to enter Nicenet, I took them to the computer room and we all went in, saw what I already prepared for them and experienced some of the links. They were excited about it and asked to continue working this way. It was also interesting to see the look of surprise on their home-room teacher when I told her what I plann to do. She had no idea language in school can be taught with computers.
I also tried to take my 8th graders and work with them. It didn't go well. I think that I need to plan it better and put some strict boundaries as to what they have to achieve in each lesson. Everything must be graded and very straitforward.
After giving it a lot of thought, I think that a Web Quest might be better suited for them. As a fairly heterogenous English student's class with a lot of behavioral problems, I believe that they need to be divided and given a chance to work in small groups. Although I didn't create one yet, I already explained to them that they will have a special project they will need to do, instead of a test. I did not go into details about what it would entail nor what it will be like but I started by explaining the method of assessment. I also told them they would be active participants in writing some of the rubrics. In addition to it all, I want to encourage them to work by telling them they were chosen as a model class to experiment this method and that we will present their work in class and show it to their parents.
Instead of waiting for them to enter Nicenet, I took them to the computer room and we all went in, saw what I already prepared for them and experienced some of the links. They were excited about it and asked to continue working this way. It was also interesting to see the look of surprise on their home-room teacher when I told her what I plann to do. She had no idea language in school can be taught with computers.
I also tried to take my 8th graders and work with them. It didn't go well. I think that I need to plan it better and put some strict boundaries as to what they have to achieve in each lesson. Everything must be graded and very straitforward.
After giving it a lot of thought, I think that a Web Quest might be better suited for them. As a fairly heterogenous English student's class with a lot of behavioral problems, I believe that they need to be divided and given a chance to work in small groups. Although I didn't create one yet, I already explained to them that they will have a special project they will need to do, instead of a test. I did not go into details about what it would entail nor what it will be like but I started by explaining the method of assessment. I also told them they would be active participants in writing some of the rubrics. In addition to it all, I want to encourage them to work by telling them they were chosen as a model class to experiment this method and that we will present their work in class and show it to their parents.
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