Discuss ways schools can work with parents and community partners to guide students to wise, ethical, safe behavior when working, learning and socializing online. Suggest strategies for effective, continuous, meaningful, detailed and supportive communication with parents/guardians and the community.
Schools can work with parents and community by opening up the communication about the risks involved with children online. They can have professionals come in and discuss how to be safe online, as well as how parents can model good behaviour. The board should think about opening up a forum for parents to ask questions regarding online risks so that they could be answered in a somewhat immediate manner. I think the main thing is not keeping parents and community members in the dark because they need to be on the same page as the schools in order to keep students safe.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Benefits of social media in the classroom
What are the benefits of using social media in the classroom? What are the risks and challenges? How do teachers ensure a positive, equitable, accepting and safe learning environment? What other factors should teachers consider when planning for instruction that integrates social media?
I am a firm believer of using social media in the classroom. It is not only easy to get information to the students quicker, but it teaches them to practice proper use of social media.
There are many risks if social media is not used properly. Students are quite young to understand long term effects of using social media inappropriately. Even we as teachers are unsure exactly how posting inappropriate things on any website might reflect on a child's future. Students can do something silly and that one mistake can/might have a negative impact on future job prospects or might get them suspended for cyber bullying etc. What I try to do in my classroom, is model how to use social media for my profession and hopefully students will see that I too follow the rules of the school. I allow students to follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I do not post personal things, only professional ones therefore students will not be shocked or infringing on my privacy. It also means for the most part, that they don't keep searching for my other accounts. If you limit students from your accounts, they will be more motivated to hack in or try to find a loop hole to see what you post anyway. In addition, how will students know what to model if they don't have one to watch?
If a student does follow me, I always make sure I cannot access their accounts or that there are no aspects of their privacy that is public. I did an experiment a couple years ago where I found one student's Facebook profile which was public and from hers, I accessed 12 other students who did not have their profiles public. I showed students that just because they were private, it didn't mean people couldn't find them. They were very scared by this and that night each and everyone of them either added privacy to their accounts or deleted them. These are also aspects that parents don't necessarily know about or test out.
Going back to social media in the classroom, students create their accounts without their names and they input their profile information on a shared google doc. I use blogger for students to share their writing and so we practice what descriptive and positive feedback looks like. Since I know their profile information, I can see what is being written and cross reference who wrote it. If a comment is near crossing the line, I address it to the student. I explain how verbal communication has many other factors in finding meaning (body language, intonation etc) where as typing is harder to understand tone and therefore could be taken a different way from the original meaning.
I think its important to have a plan B when using social media sites because there are always unforeseeable things that come up so its better to have a back up plan in case your lesson doesn't go as planned.
I am a firm believer of using social media in the classroom. It is not only easy to get information to the students quicker, but it teaches them to practice proper use of social media.
There are many risks if social media is not used properly. Students are quite young to understand long term effects of using social media inappropriately. Even we as teachers are unsure exactly how posting inappropriate things on any website might reflect on a child's future. Students can do something silly and that one mistake can/might have a negative impact on future job prospects or might get them suspended for cyber bullying etc. What I try to do in my classroom, is model how to use social media for my profession and hopefully students will see that I too follow the rules of the school. I allow students to follow me on Twitter and Instagram. I do not post personal things, only professional ones therefore students will not be shocked or infringing on my privacy. It also means for the most part, that they don't keep searching for my other accounts. If you limit students from your accounts, they will be more motivated to hack in or try to find a loop hole to see what you post anyway. In addition, how will students know what to model if they don't have one to watch?
If a student does follow me, I always make sure I cannot access their accounts or that there are no aspects of their privacy that is public. I did an experiment a couple years ago where I found one student's Facebook profile which was public and from hers, I accessed 12 other students who did not have their profiles public. I showed students that just because they were private, it didn't mean people couldn't find them. They were very scared by this and that night each and everyone of them either added privacy to their accounts or deleted them. These are also aspects that parents don't necessarily know about or test out.
Going back to social media in the classroom, students create their accounts without their names and they input their profile information on a shared google doc. I use blogger for students to share their writing and so we practice what descriptive and positive feedback looks like. Since I know their profile information, I can see what is being written and cross reference who wrote it. If a comment is near crossing the line, I address it to the student. I explain how verbal communication has many other factors in finding meaning (body language, intonation etc) where as typing is harder to understand tone and therefore could be taken a different way from the original meaning.
I think its important to have a plan B when using social media sites because there are always unforeseeable things that come up so its better to have a back up plan in case your lesson doesn't go as planned.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
My E-learning strategy
Provide a brief overview of the princial e-learning strategy, explaining how aspects of the strategy can be used to respond to individual needs of students.
My e-learning strategy at the moment is most definitely a blended learning one. With my paperless classroom, my goal one day would be to have everything organized so that if I wasn't there one day, the class could continue as if I was there. I am away quite a bit because of my technology strengths and my love for learning and so when supply teachers come into my classroom, it is basically a wasted day because they are scared of the technology and the students this past year played "dumb" in that they would act like they weren't sure of the expectations and where to go to get resources even though it was clearly laid out for them the day prior or on the supply plan.
It would take some time, but to have a digital copy of instructions whether it be typed or on a vlog would be where I would like to go with my teaching. I know that grade 6 is early to be thinking about elearning on a permanent basis so that is why blended would be perfect because they still need the teacher there for structure, to solve drama issues and to boost confidence but that they start to learn how elearning works so that when they are older, they can fit right in with society (assuming society will be more elearning based by the time they are older of course).
My e-learning strategy at the moment is most definitely a blended learning one. With my paperless classroom, my goal one day would be to have everything organized so that if I wasn't there one day, the class could continue as if I was there. I am away quite a bit because of my technology strengths and my love for learning and so when supply teachers come into my classroom, it is basically a wasted day because they are scared of the technology and the students this past year played "dumb" in that they would act like they weren't sure of the expectations and where to go to get resources even though it was clearly laid out for them the day prior or on the supply plan.
It would take some time, but to have a digital copy of instructions whether it be typed or on a vlog would be where I would like to go with my teaching. I know that grade 6 is early to be thinking about elearning on a permanent basis so that is why blended would be perfect because they still need the teacher there for structure, to solve drama issues and to boost confidence but that they start to learn how elearning works so that when they are older, they can fit right in with society (assuming society will be more elearning based by the time they are older of course).
Monday, July 13, 2015
SAMR and TPACK Models
Discuss considerations for system adoption of one of the models (SAMR or TPACK). What do school or system leaders have to take into account when promoting adoption of one of the models?
I think that for my school, the SAMR model is a little easier to understand and implement at this time. Most teachers are not using their technology to the fullest extent and are really only using the Substitution area. By using the SAMR model to show teachers where they fall, it might force them to think about their pedagogy and maybe they will try to push themselves to Augmentation or Modification stages this year.
The leaders need to take into account what stages the teachers are at before they introduce the method so that they can have a plan in place in order to encourage staff members to go up to the next level.
I also think that leaders should be checking in at certain points during the year to assess the changes made to teaching practices. I think teacher should bring a lesson plan already taught to a meeting and have others give suggestions as to how to make it richer or to the redefinition stage. Only then, I can see teachers actually using the model in their planning and trying to make a difference.
I think that for my school, the SAMR model is a little easier to understand and implement at this time. Most teachers are not using their technology to the fullest extent and are really only using the Substitution area. By using the SAMR model to show teachers where they fall, it might force them to think about their pedagogy and maybe they will try to push themselves to Augmentation or Modification stages this year.
The leaders need to take into account what stages the teachers are at before they introduce the method so that they can have a plan in place in order to encourage staff members to go up to the next level.
I also think that leaders should be checking in at certain points during the year to assess the changes made to teaching practices. I think teacher should bring a lesson plan already taught to a meeting and have others give suggestions as to how to make it richer or to the redefinition stage. Only then, I can see teachers actually using the model in their planning and trying to make a difference.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
First post for my specialist course!
Question: What is your vision for technology use in education? How does this compare or contrast with the required readings?
I really liked the first quote in the Achieving Excellence required reading that read :
"We want schools ... where students will feel free to dream about their futures, where they are able to connect their passions with possible career options, and where the opportunities and resources needed to support these decisions are provided. "
This quote shares my vision for technology as it enables students to not only explore and find what really interests them but it seems more inquiry based as apposed to traditional teacher facilitated learning. I do envision students of the future to be the ones learning on their own because that is how they will develop problem solving skills which is pertinent for their future careers. No boss ever has liked someone asking so many questions because they are either too afraid to take risks or they do not have enough knowledge to work independently! I find students at the moment are used to the teacher directing their learning and when they get a chance to do something on their own, they are lost and overwhelmed. If they got used to this bit by bit in elementary school, I feel they will be great problem solvers and independent workers by their teenage years. This is a domino effect as if students are confident and engaged in their learning, they will be less likely to want to leave the education system too early thus our 83% high school diploma rate as mentioned in Achieving Excellence (although I find that a bit low, I account for the fact that in the area that I teach, there is probably a 99% diploma rate).
I also envision many teachers using technology in their daily practice. This would mean that they would have the budget to have technology in each classroom as well as the opportunities to teach PD around what teachers should know/use. I was pleasantly surprised in Achieving Excellence that it is a goal of the Ministry of Education to do so as outlined in the following quote:
"Provide new online learning and professional development opportunities for both teachers and students, particularly those in rural and remote communities, ..."
I do know that in my board, consultants are constantly engaging teachers to use more digital resources in their daily practice.
I also like the emphasis on digital literacies on the Digital Learning article and how it is important that we teach how to go online properly and what the implications are if we post/write/say negative or inappropriate things. Even if students don't have a computer at home, they have or will have a smartphone in the future, they already have access to computer at school and the library so they will need to know how to act appropriately online. The problem at the moment with this push for technology in the classroom is the bandwidth in the schools. It is not strong enough to handle soo many devices online at the same time. What ends up happening during class time are students not being able to connect and therefore becoming frustrated that they cannot go along with the class and end up missing important steps in their learning. What I would like to see is state of the art wifi/bandwidth so that these problems do not happen as often.
I really liked the first quote in the Achieving Excellence required reading that read :
"We want schools ... where students will feel free to dream about their futures, where they are able to connect their passions with possible career options, and where the opportunities and resources needed to support these decisions are provided. "
This quote shares my vision for technology as it enables students to not only explore and find what really interests them but it seems more inquiry based as apposed to traditional teacher facilitated learning. I do envision students of the future to be the ones learning on their own because that is how they will develop problem solving skills which is pertinent for their future careers. No boss ever has liked someone asking so many questions because they are either too afraid to take risks or they do not have enough knowledge to work independently! I find students at the moment are used to the teacher directing their learning and when they get a chance to do something on their own, they are lost and overwhelmed. If they got used to this bit by bit in elementary school, I feel they will be great problem solvers and independent workers by their teenage years. This is a domino effect as if students are confident and engaged in their learning, they will be less likely to want to leave the education system too early thus our 83% high school diploma rate as mentioned in Achieving Excellence (although I find that a bit low, I account for the fact that in the area that I teach, there is probably a 99% diploma rate).
I also envision many teachers using technology in their daily practice. This would mean that they would have the budget to have technology in each classroom as well as the opportunities to teach PD around what teachers should know/use. I was pleasantly surprised in Achieving Excellence that it is a goal of the Ministry of Education to do so as outlined in the following quote:
"Provide new online learning and professional development opportunities for both teachers and students, particularly those in rural and remote communities, ..."
I do know that in my board, consultants are constantly engaging teachers to use more digital resources in their daily practice.
I also like the emphasis on digital literacies on the Digital Learning article and how it is important that we teach how to go online properly and what the implications are if we post/write/say negative or inappropriate things. Even if students don't have a computer at home, they have or will have a smartphone in the future, they already have access to computer at school and the library so they will need to know how to act appropriately online. The problem at the moment with this push for technology in the classroom is the bandwidth in the schools. It is not strong enough to handle soo many devices online at the same time. What ends up happening during class time are students not being able to connect and therefore becoming frustrated that they cannot go along with the class and end up missing important steps in their learning. What I would like to see is state of the art wifi/bandwidth so that these problems do not happen as often.
Friday, December 12, 2014
The end of my Aq course
Hello all,
While I am sad to see the end of the course for the amount of useful/practical work that I have accomplished, I am happy to see the extra work be over.
This course really forced us to think more about how we are leaders within the school system and how to help the staff become comfortable themselves with technology.
One of our projects had to do with a parents night for technology. I have been meaning to do one of these since September but it has been so incredibly busy this year thus far that I let it slip my mind. This assignment was not only quite useful but it enabled me to be ready in case I need to do one in January. Being in a paperless classroom this year, parents are hesitant about the shift in learning and have lots of questions. By starting the year off on the right foot by introducing what the children will be learning and what tools they will be using, parents should have their minds at ease.
The only drawback I see to this type of night is that the school wifi requires students to log in so either we would have to open this night up to both parents and students to learn together or it would be more of a lecture format rather than a "stay to play" night. Another worry is that we may not have enough technology for all the parents who might want to attend. I would either have to limit it to my classes (54 students) or have two possible nights. I think parents would be very keen on knowing how their child's learning will be impacted/heightened.
I also had the pleasure of doing my first WebQuest! While fairly basic, I wanted to get the Hour of Code out there because there are still many teachers afraid to try coding in school. I myself don;t have any formal coding background having only dabbled a bit in html in high school but I was excited to see my students taking risks and making cool little programs! In the new year, I want to see how they react to making their own math app!!!
Well, this is my last official assignment and I have one more week until holidays... or I guess I should say marking season... I really need to catch up and start 2015 on a better foot!
See ya later!
Ashley
While I am sad to see the end of the course for the amount of useful/practical work that I have accomplished, I am happy to see the extra work be over.
This course really forced us to think more about how we are leaders within the school system and how to help the staff become comfortable themselves with technology.
One of our projects had to do with a parents night for technology. I have been meaning to do one of these since September but it has been so incredibly busy this year thus far that I let it slip my mind. This assignment was not only quite useful but it enabled me to be ready in case I need to do one in January. Being in a paperless classroom this year, parents are hesitant about the shift in learning and have lots of questions. By starting the year off on the right foot by introducing what the children will be learning and what tools they will be using, parents should have their minds at ease.
The only drawback I see to this type of night is that the school wifi requires students to log in so either we would have to open this night up to both parents and students to learn together or it would be more of a lecture format rather than a "stay to play" night. Another worry is that we may not have enough technology for all the parents who might want to attend. I would either have to limit it to my classes (54 students) or have two possible nights. I think parents would be very keen on knowing how their child's learning will be impacted/heightened.
I also had the pleasure of doing my first WebQuest! While fairly basic, I wanted to get the Hour of Code out there because there are still many teachers afraid to try coding in school. I myself don;t have any formal coding background having only dabbled a bit in html in high school but I was excited to see my students taking risks and making cool little programs! In the new year, I want to see how they react to making their own math app!!!
Well, this is my last official assignment and I have one more week until holidays... or I guess I should say marking season... I really need to catch up and start 2015 on a better foot!
See ya later!
Ashley
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Advantages and Disadvantages of Blogger
Now I am no where near new to blogging, having made over 7 blogs for all my different hobbies and classes but there are some things that I just don't understand with blogging.
Here are the advantages and Disadvantages in my opinion of Blogger:
Pros:
Some Bloggers in the technology world who I have bookmarked their sites are:
ICT 4 Kids
Brian Aspinall's Blog
Free Technology for Teachers
Here are the advantages and Disadvantages in my opinion of Blogger:
Pros:
- Easy and fast to post
- Fairly dummy proof to start up (gets more complicated when you change layouts)
- Visually appealing
- User friendly
- Can post pictures, videos and links
- A google app
- URL does not tend to be too long
Cons:
- You cannot upload documents so if using this site for a classroom, you need to have additional software to help you with that
- you are limited in the layout changes and designs do not always work out so they take time to master
- You are limited to the columns on the side and cannot always place items where you want them to go
- Pages which you can make are fairly 2D and cannot do much with them
Some Bloggers in the technology world who I have bookmarked their sites are:
ICT 4 Kids
Brian Aspinall's Blog
Free Technology for Teachers
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