As noted last week, I am finding it difficult to achieve all the objectives I have set for myself! I do not want to get frazzled and begin viewing this integrative exercise as a chore, so I am putting my energies into my wiki. Although still awaiting the administrative go-ahead, as there is a waiting list, I am enjoying seeking out resources for my students. Some websites are interactive and highlight funny and silly poems that I know will appeal to my learners, but I am looking to also incorporate those with more advanced poetry, focusing on well-known poets like Robert Frost. In this way, I hope to engage all of my pupils. I am figuring that the success (hopefully) of my wiki will serve as the impetus for further use of, and investment into, technology, both on the part of my colleagues and administrators.
As I develop my lesson plans each week, I am keeping in mind Cennamo & Ertmer’s (2010) point in regard to technology being used to support learning, not merely as a novelty. The challenge to design activities and assessments that ask my learners to be creative, while illustrating mastery of both content and technology use, as encouraged by Cennamo & Ertmer (2010) is exciting. This exercise is helping me to develop a set of techniques that I have mastered and can readily pass on to my students, as suggested by this week’s video resources (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008).
A final thought is in reference to parental support, something I am struggling a little with. There are those parents who have contacted me with great enthusiasm, and others who do not seem to want to be bothered and whose first concerns were that they not incur any expenses in the way materials needed by their child, and worries that they would have to take the time to monitor their child’s involvement in the wiki. As a parent I can understand their not wanting added responsibilities in these tight and over-planned times, but I also feel sad at their lack of interest. I will take these concerns to my administrators and team and decide how best to address them. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Program number seven. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas [Motion picture]. Assessing Student Learning. Baltimore: Author.
November 25, 2009 at 12:44 pm |
Monica,
I have also found it difficult to follow through with my goals. This year my standards have completely changed except for a few. I feel the pressure of covering everything by April. I agree with about trying to incorporating technology into lessons no matter how small. I feel that material needs to be presented to the students in as many ways as possible. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Amy
November 25, 2009 at 3:45 pm |
I sent home a parent poll to see how much parent participation I would have if I created a blog and put links on my website. I am curious to see what thier reactions will be. I hope that your parents will see that this will help thier child. Good luck!
November 26, 2009 at 2:57 pm |
I also was going to suggest that you request parent feedback. Ask them about obstacles or concerns regarding the use of technology. I have found that in my district most of the parents feel they are not knowledgeable about technology and are concerned their students will need help they cannot give. If possible, maybe you can hold an open house of sorts in your district library and invite parents in. You could demonstrate the technology and help them overcome any objections.
Ginger
November 27, 2009 at 9:40 pm |
Monica
I think that it is wise to concentrate on one area or goal at a time. The whole intention of creating a GOAL plan is to help us to elevate our comfort levels with technology integration and to then be able to support the technology needs of our students. It should be a positive learning experience, not an exercise in frustration.
Your idea of creating a class wiki is such a great one. Interacting in this way will give your students exposure to both technology and skills that will be used in their futures. Perhaps some of your parents are hesitant to accept this idea because it is so new to them. If you have not already done so, you might want to send a note to parents explaining just what a wiki is and how your students will be using it. Any type of change is often initially met with hesitation, so try to be patient with parents who need some time to realize that this will be a good thing. Best of luck in securing their support and moving on with your wiki.
November 28, 2009 at 10:25 pm |
Monica,
Isn’t this the most difficult part of the process (getting approval)? It seems like any time technology is a factor in improving a teacher’s work, the process is similar to getting a mortgage! Many tools are available for our use, and it would be great to at least create some test runs so that administrators and school boards could see the usefulness of the tools we employ! Keep trying – it will be worth the wait!
I also applaud you for including some of the more well known poets, such as Frost. Another poet I have enjoyed is Ogden Nash, who writes some very short, funny poems. These could start some interesting conversations on a blog or wiki within your classroom.
-Stephen St. Georges
November 29, 2009 at 12:36 pm |
Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for your posts. It always feels good to receive support from colleagues who are generally in the same boat as you are! Ginger, I like your idea of an open house, but not to be pessimistic, only about one third of my team’s parents came to the open house we held to introduce the year, so I am uncertain as to how well it will be attended. I was thinking I might invite those parents with concerns to attend some of the classes we hold in the technology lab in order to get a better picture of what we are engaging in. I did include an explanation of the wiki, but perhaps an invite for parents to also take part in the wiki would go over well? Thanks for all your suggestions, they are most appreciated. Stephen, thank you for the tip on Ogden Nash. I love the wiki idea for poetry as it took me a long time to discover the joys of that topic myself, so I know where some of my students are coming from with their apathetic attitudes, and I am hoping this time of interactive discussion will help to dispel some of those misgivings. I hope you are all enjoying what is left of the weekend!
Monica
January 1, 2010 at 6:47 am |
Monica,
As a mother of four who cares very much about my children please do not get discouraged over what appears to be a lack of interest. When I was growing up and one of six, my Mom’s full time job was to be interested. Nowadays, as there are so many working parents and also single parent households it seems that “no news” from the school is good news and anything a little more can upset a delicate balance.
Please give the folks the benefi of the doubt, there are many carrying heavy loads nowadays. Good luck!
Mrs.Drewes
January 2, 2010 at 1:03 pm |
Dear Mrs. Drewes,
I too am a working mother of three, so I know just how crazy it can get out there. My concern is that with communication being so much quicker and easier these days, I still fail to see much interest on the part of many parents. My seventh grade team recommends that parents send us a blanket e-mail once a week or so to remind us to send them an update, but only about twenty out of 150 do so. Those parents who do check in have students who are aware of their scrutiny and therefore are on top of their responsibilities. In middle school this is so important, as students are grappling with being independent, but are still in need of guidance. I realize it is difficult to stay on top of things, especially for a single parent of multiple children, but I also know that action now could make all the difference for that child’s chances of success, now and in the future. Please don’t take my ramblings the wrong way – I just want parents to understand the huge difference a little interaction between themselves, their children, and the school can make. Thanks so much for your comments! Happy New Year!
Monica