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As I work towards refining my GAME plan, I see that my actions have been partially effective in helping to meet my goals
I have gotten around some of my computer access by using the laptops. The kids were excited this week to be relaxing all over the library on the floors and chairs working on their research. It was gratifying to see these students from a title one school sitting by the "fireplace" (video of a fire on a big screen)in the library learning to navigate the vast information available world-wide. It was hard to keep lapping the entire library to help students- but I think that made them more prone to try and trouble-shoot a situation independently. At this point, I am feeling like my students are at a point where their toolboxes are open and they have many of the basics of digital and inquiry learning. I will continue to have large group mini-lessons on information literacy skills, and am on the run continuously with troubleshooting in the lab but my students' interest in learning and sharing has definitely been piqued. The glogs are going slowly as parents are slow to turn in the permission forms. I don't want to start until I get them all. Even though the glogs have a special division that is geared towards education and is secure, I think I might adapt my plan to do small group posters and posters as a class initially.
One thing that I have been forced to do through this class is to be more reflective. I realize that the techniques for reflection that we have used will make my life easier in the long run because I will be a more effective teacher.
I am finding that it is taking me longer than I realized to get these students confident and proficient in trying new tools and trying to locate information. I have adjusted my time-line to take this into account.
Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Seven Mind Mapping Tools to Try This Year
1 year ago
Did any problems arise that you had not accounted for? What length of time did you give for this research in the library? I know that with my students this year they get off task very easily and without my eyes on them they tend to make poor choices. Do you have any suggestions for and unstructured activity such as this that would take place in the library?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you that this time of year can be harrowing. In every other part of my day, I have been really having to pull in the reigns on these kids' behavior. Most are pretty focused on trying to complete their presentations because I have told them that I wanted them to present before the holidays. At some of my schools this will be no problem while others I will most likely have to extend the time I give them. Problems that have arisen are being kicked out of the labs for MAPS testing, and some days where the internet is not working. When the internet goes down, I work on basic word processing actions because it is suprising that the kids know so little about that area. It has been neglected with the skill and drill Compass Learning programs that take all computer lab time now.
I love that students have the freedom to lie on the floor and work in the library. At the high school level, these opportunities are lost. While I don't think it is always appropriate for a high school student to work in this fashion, there are times I wish I could tell my kids to get a carpet square and it in front of my chair for story time. They are stuck in desks all day, I would love to give my students to opportunity to work like this every once in while. And how wonderful your library has faux-fireplace! I'm sure it makes for a cozy learning environment.
ReplyDeleteIt is very nice to allow the kids to get comfortable with the laptops, but it made me nervous they would get destroyed!
ReplyDelete