Reflection # 4

• What are some specific challenges that you foresee in implementing the initiative you developed? How do you plan to overcome them?
The main stumbling blocks that I see have to do with internet safety. The legal issues that we discussed at the last session are the areas that I need to think about for implementing my initiative. I should be able to find out all of the different areas that I need to address before I am able to get the e-learning class up and running.
• Thinking about all we covered in this course, in addition to implementing your initiative, how will you continue to develop 21st century literacy skills in the students that you serve.
Oh boy, as you have witnessed getting my students to use tools (as well as learning what tools are out there for them to use) is my passion. I have been doing all that I can to get them ready to find more for themselves. I keep finding tools that they can use, like for free, and they are all over them. I have turned them on to the directory for web 2.0 tools and some of them have come to tell me about what they have found that they feel I might like or be able to use. I have some short term goals that include teaching technology classes. In preparing myself for this I have become “friendly” with some of the staff in the IT academy. I am not planning on trying to teach it classes next year but maybe a summer school class. Long term I have an interest in teaching all IT classes.
• What other thoughts and ideas do you have for developing future e-learning initiatives in your teaching and learning environment?
Next year the 12th grade curriculum is going to include using blogs. I am planning of presenting some staff development sessions on using the blogs and how many of these web 2.0 tools are vital to classroom use.

Reflection #3

To what extent did the team facilitation activities you and your team developed promote engagement?
The team seemed to really engage in the activity that we created for them. The outcome was up to par and there was no real trouble for the team in getting the job done. They gave feedback to the student that they were assigned and they collaborated with each other as well. The conversation was deliberately not centered on educational discussion and the team managed very well. There was no problem addressing the topic, Feedback, in relation to the posts that were being analyzed by each "teacher" who provided feedback. The high order thinking that was present came through in the thoughtful responses that the team members gave to each student and also in the use of the rubric. They explained their scoring in the feedback as well.

To what extent did the activities developed by the other team promote engagement and higher order thinking? Were their directions clear? Was there anything that you thought could have been improved?
The Podcasting Team Activity was a lot of fun. Becca and Ben and me were able to peer evaluate each other easily having worked together throughout the semester, being familiar -enough- with each other and our skills. I thought it was a great activity. I don't think that there is any thing that could have been improved upon.

Which of the two activities developed by the other team was the most relevant and meaningful to you, and why?

Both activities are relevant to daily use in my educational arena. I need just as much technology to add into my classroom practices as I need help with providing feedback. They were different enough so that I feel they are both useful and equally important.

Reflection #2

So far using the wikis and Google Docs has been the most beneficial to me. Each has made collaboration a new experience. The ELC is also a positive way to collaborate but there is something so ... assessing about it. Like I know that I am being assessed and somehow that changes it. The use of blogs to collaborate is not as smooth. I love using the blogs but it is more for stream of consciousness as opposed to chatting or exchanging information.

Oh my goodness, I am so excited about the tools that are available. Not only for me but also for my students. There are so many ways to get information and even the Web 2.0 directory is a great place to send students to look for all that they may need. I am also excited to know of the online schools that are already running. Not only are there several more than I had expected, there are many who are already working out the kinks. I think that I had a bit of a jump on the virtual schools thing because of my initiative so I am not sure that I can answer the part of the question in regards to the order that the information was presented it. However, I had no idea what to expect so I think that there was still an element of ‘unknowing’ present. I think that it worked just right because if I were presented with the virtual school idea before the web 2.0 stuff it may seem way too far out! Getting familiar with enough of the tools that seem so...Jetson's-like...was a good introduction. It gave me a sense of- oh I see, hmm so many tools, so little time.

I think that a traditional school district can learn from any of the virtual schools and how they deal with the safety and netiquette, etc. By seeing that is works may ease some of the many hesitations when it comes to using the Internet. So many of the fears are based on NOT using it and not getting passed the fears of the unknown. There are always going to be students that give us reasons for having policies in place. The need for legal aspects of areas like cyber bullying are necessary to have in place, it is just smart practice but if school districts would take a few risks they would see that it works to have students using the internet for online classes. They would be able to benefit from the results. The truth is that not that much has to happen for students to have online classes, safely. Once they are engaged they are engaged and the fear of misuse is not as founded, most of the time. Again having the legalities in place is a necessary factor but only, like anything, for practical reasons.

DDEL class "threads"

What have you found engaging and helpful to your learning based on your experience so far in this course? Where do you need additional support?

I have found that it is very helpful to have feedback from you as often as you have given it. I need to know when I am on the right track and when I'm not. It is one of the pieces I miss from f2f. It has also been helpful to have a checklist for each session. 

The area that I could use support with is in managing my assignments. I find that it is a bit confusing to have assignments in different places. It is also odd to have assignment #4 due out of order. 

This is the thing that I found hard to deal with when using the ELC in other classes, all the different places that an assignment could be. Is that because I'm a digital immigrant? 

I really like the teamwork and I like that there is a community feel to the class so far, thanks for asking.

J

I'm Baahack. 

I'll be posting for another class and checking in on a regular basis so...get used to it.

jb

Hi ladies and gentlemen,
today we are going to set up what is called a blog.

1. i want you to log into the computer.
2. next go to internet explorer
3. now go to google.
4. if you don't have a gmail.com account set one up at this time.
5. now go to blogger.com .
6. set up your blog from here.
7. link it to my blog.
8. put a picture of yourself on your blog.
9. put a message to new viewers.
10. complete your second assignment and post to my blog.