Little Bit

One main thing that I found out about using Web 2.0 tools is you are not alone.  There are many helpful websites available especially those with step by step directions.  But our Web group is never more than a click away.  When I reach the point where I can’t get it …. there is always someone to help me get over the hump. Thanks for assisting.

Now for the podcasts. The exceptional teachers and I are planning “Write, Read and Podcast”. Students who are struggling writers, readers and many have communication skills concerns will benefit from podcasting. We are planning to create a pilot before the year is over. We are in the process of writing grants to help us purchase more equipment. Our goal is that each student will create eight podcast (two every nine weeks). More details are found in my blog “Talk the talk and Walk the walk.” There is a change to this as of today. We have decided to have students write to the prompt, podcast, conference with teacher and speech specialist then podcast again. We believe that this process will assist students with the editing stage more.

The second grade teachers have a wikispace, Super Second. This site is for us to work collaboratively towards building a resource guide for math. I have placed all the math goals and objectives on pages. For each objective we are compiling a list of sites. We are trying to find an introduction site and different levels of the concept for each objective. We hope to continue wikispace with science for next year. I plan staff development for next year and hope to have each grade level wikispacing. The fifth grade teachers and I are trying Google Doc and Spreadsheets to compile social sites especially interacted sites to enhance their curriculum. I am trying to decide between wikispace and Google Docs. Both have pluses but both have their minues especially when it comes to student access.

It is amazing how fast the students grasp this new tool. They are very excited about learning and creating new and different blogs. When I introduced “blogging” to my students I was just in a state of shock. I had planned on blogging with one class per grade level (3-5) but the excitement of the students changed those plans. As the students were sharing what they were doing with thier peers and teachers word spread like wildfire. See pervious blogs.  Teachers are already planning their own blogs for next year.

 I used classblogmeister.com

to set up my accounts. I have kept the viewing of their blogs private as we are all learning and I don’t feel comfortable with the whole world viewing them yet. Staff development is a must for next year.

 I want to continue blogging next year. I want to focus more on enhancing and sharing of student’s writings. 

I also subscribe to many blogs from others in the feild.  I enjoy seeing what others around the world are having their students composing.  I maybe a “newbie” in this area but I am learning and will continue to strive to make a positive difference with my students and staff members.

That’s how I am feeling about all the Web 2.0 training that I received this year. Thanks for this opportunity. Having a laptop that I can take anywhere and can create new things has been a big plus for me. I can now work outside the four walls of the lab and my home. I can share ideas with students and teachers without having them come to the lab. I am the on the move-have laptop, will travel. I have attended grade level meeting with the laptop. I have used Inspiration software to map out curriculum ideas as they were bouncing around the table. I have been able to connect to the internet to share websites that will enhance student’s learning. The curriculum is just a click away now. Instead of carrying papers and trying to keep them all organized for each grade level, it is all stored on the laptop and is at my fingertips. I can’t say “Thank You” enough.

Wow as I reflect back on this year, I am just amazed. I have never considered myself as a writer. Now I have an educational blog, classroom blogs, wikispace and Google Docs page. With new adminstration coming next year, my possibilities are mind bogging. If I can do this then why shouldn’t my staff and students? Thanks again for the opportunity

That’s what exceptional teachers and I are going to achieve.  Together we are going to create a new program to use next year.  We will be using pocasts to increase the writing skills, build confidence and improve communication skills.  One teacher and I will run a test pilot this year. 

Here’s the plan:   

• Students will write to a prompt- just like the writing test.
• Teacher and student will conference
• Student will revise
• Practice reading into a tape recorder
• Create a podcast of  writing
• Evaluate the podcast

Our thinking is  to complete one podcast every nine weeks.  Then we would have 4 per students and can track the growth.

After speaking about podcast ideas with our Media Specialist, she gave me an article from LMC, Feb 2007 about Copyright Laws and podcasting.  It basically stated that reading a book for a podcast was the same as making a photocopy of the book. A Copyright violation. Placing a podcast on the internet is not safe under the “fair use” guidelines.  So what can we do?We will just step it up a notch.  Instead of reading a story, we will have the students write their own stories. Students will be the author, illustrator, and the narrator.  It will take more time but the final product will totally theirs. Why not go beyond stories?  What about a poetry podcast?  Students can write poems, illustrate and then narrate them in a class podcast.

Here are some ideas I have for podcasting for grades K-5.Have students who have family members aboard to read favorite book so that person can listen to their child read.  Students might want to draw pictures  to add to podcast.  I have thought about taking pictures of the student to add.  I have even thought about getting the whole family coming in and creating a family message for their love ones.Have students explain ”how to do” concepts in Math and Science.

Use podcasting as a way to share class plays and skits. 

Create podcast exploring character education elements.

Teacher could create one for Open House.

Right now I have some second grade teachers ready to start working with podcasting stories after the Easter Break.  Students will chose their favorite book and practice reading it over the holiday break.  They are already reading stories into tape recorders so this should not be that difficult to take them to the next step.  I will keep everyone inform on our progress.

Today a teacher came with her class to lab to find out what all the excitment about blogging was.  As students had no trouble logging into the site, she did.  Who also had trouble commenting?   She did.

She came in with such a postive attitude that these little stepping stones did not bother her.  She has decided to get her own class blog page.  Her attitude was just amazing.  Together, she and I, are combining forces to come up with higher thinking skills questions for her to post.  Another small step for both of us.  Her mind was just running wild on how she could use this new tool in classroom.

Take small steps.  I keep telling my self this.  But one small step in blogging has become several small steps.  I feel just like my one year grandson who is just learning how to walk.

This week I started with one third grade class.  Most students had heard of “Blogging” but had no idea what it is.  I made a very simple blog welcoming them to blogging.  I asked them what they wanted to learn in the lab.  Instead of adding a comment they clicked on their names and answered on their blog.    Take small steps.

There is more to this story.  While teaching this lesson two fifth grade classes were standing outside my door.  Of course they were looking and listening in.  Not just one or two students but their whole classes.  They were the quietest I ever heard them.  They begged to do this thing called blogging too!  Please!  So I changed their lesson plans for the next day to introduce them to Blogging.  It does not stop there.  They were talking at lunch and now the other fifth grade want to blog too.

Now, all the fifth graders are blogging too .  They all made comments to my same question.  I was very surprised to learn most want to know how to use cameras (video and digital), make a movie, use the scanners and create something cool and different.  The students were so excited.  They have now got their teachers interested.  I had to add them to the list.

Small steps lead to bigger steps.

The students are Ready. Teachers are getting ready.  Lookout Cub Bloggers have got the itch!