Online Teaching,,,,

Online teaching I’ve implemented thus far…

As of today, I have implemented Edmodo into my classroom.  I have used this site as a platform for my homework and assessments. What is nice about some of the assignment/quizzes is that it will grade it for you!  It also keeps a grade book which you can export into an excel file.   These are the grades which parent can view if they sign up for a parent membership.  These grades and any updates can be sent to parents’ mobile devices, or just plain old email.  I’ve also used Edmodo for announcements, FYI’s, and to keep people updated with what’s been going on in my classroom.   I can post pictures, links to sites I want my students to see, and you can even allow your students to participate in an online poll.  It’s been a wonderful 3 months of using Edmodo in my classroom and I will continue to use it in the future.  Here is a link to a googledoc with some ideas on how to use Edmodo in the classroom: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NPih28ERE081q8feYUNwOKv3WVZim4H4mbd1a-PkLi4/edit

Online teaching and tool I hope to use in the future and why…

I see myself flipping my math class.  Flipping intrigues me!  As long as the majority of my classroom is connected to an internet source at home, I feel as though I could do some great things when flipping.  I’d love to have more one on one time with students who need the extra help.  I’d also be able to help my higher level students expand their knowledge.  If they get through all the lessons and assessments successfully—they can move to higher ability assignments.  This will in turn help move everyone along in the right direction.   I’ve already gone to a workshop about flipping the classroom and have been following some great stuff on Twitter regarding flipping.  I’ve joined groups on Edmodo with other teachers who have flipped to get ideas and to bounce ideas off of them. 

Finally, what are the barriers to online teaching/learning that you currently face?

A battle I face right now, and that I know I will face in the future is when kids don’t have internet access at home.  As of right now, I only have one student without access at home.  He does his work in the mornings, at lunch, or right before we go home.  I allow him time to complete his work online—or I give him a paper copy.  Another battle I face is how my students lack knowledge when it comes to using technology.  Of course they know how to google something, or go to wikipedia for something.  But what I need is for them to be digitally literate.  There have been times where I have great ideas and we put them into practice only to stop midway through and have to discuss issues that arise. I would love for my students to have a keyboard and digital citizenship class---but there is no money in our budget to pay for a teacher….  *sigh*

Blogging in my Classroom (269)

I first started a blog while in college. I started a www.Livejournal.com blog my freshman year to keep my family and friends up to date with what activities I was involved in at GVSU. During my senior year, I was looking for a roommate and posted about it on LiveJournal. Jenni Clark--a fellow 629 classmate--responded to my post and we became roommates for our super senior year of college. She is now a fellow coworker of mine here in North Carolina. Blogging was the beginning of our friendship! Presently, I do not keep up with my LiveJournal account--I honestly don't even remember the last time I posted on it. [[just checked: September 2009!]] Once Facebook took off--I didn't feel the need to continue posting on LiveJournal when I could post a status, pictures, notes, etc to people on Facebook. Farewell LiveJournal!

Screenshot of my old school LiveJournal

Recently I have already started to blog a little bit with my students using Edmodo. For those who are not familiar with Edmodo, it is a "Facebook" for schools. Students have a profile, can post on the classroom wall, can access articles, websites, etc. They can participate in online polls I create, and they are able to submit assignments and quizzes all online. Parents also have an account where they can see their students page, see any grades that have been entered, and can see messages from the teacher. The greatest thing about this site is that students are NOT allowed to direct message each other. Therefore bullying and inappropriate behavior is at a minimum.   It has been an awesome experience so far this year (I started using it in March). My students were beyond excited to start using this and their excitement and engagement is still very noticeable. This coming week we are about to take our End of Grade assessments that we've been preparing for all year. It's a huge assessment and it stresses EVERYONE out. So I posted on the wall a discussion question for my students to answer. "What are some strategies you can use to help yourself relax when it comes to testing day?" It is so great to see kids communicating, interacting, collaborating, etc! Edmodo has truly been a breath of fresh air! Check it out: EDMODO!

Screenshot of my Edmodo Teacehr page

Edmodo can serve as a space for my students to blog about anything they want. They can post their blogs right on the classroom page so all of their classmates can read it and respond to it. They can post photos and links as well. Currently my kids are obsessed with posting trivia facts for each other to research. They are so funny! We've also been watching the Decorah Eagles. Three eaglets hatched in late March and we've been making observations about their growth. See Decorah Eagles! You can make groups for students to join--examples--I have a Gifted group set up for those who need the higher differentiation. I post research questions for them to discuss as well as different examples of projects I'd like them to try to complete. Another group type of setting on edmodo would be fabulous for Literature Circles. One of my coworkers is trying to set up a summer book club on edmodo for her super readers.
Edmodo is a great place to network with other educators. You as a teacher can join groups that you are interested in. Some groups I am a member of: Flipping the Classroom, iPad Classrooms, Common Core Conversations, Freebies for Educators, etc. There are also communities that highlight different subject areas (math, science, language arts), as well as Project Based Learning, Computer Technology etc. GREAT for networking and finding classrooms to communicate and collaborate with from other cities, states, and even countries!
Some things I want to do in the future as it pertains to blogging: Photos and Videos. I want to document more of what is going on in my classroom so I can post it for all to see. I also want more parent involvement--but that may come from creating my very own website--since edmodo does not allow them to post anything on the site. I am also very interested in flipping parts of my classroom--allowing more time to help students and differentiate in my classroom.

Good things come to those who wait...

Thursday could not have been a BETTER day!

Around St. Patrick's Day I had set up my first Donorschoose.org project.  I am really interested in getting as many hand held devices into my classroom as possible.  So I wrote up the grant for 4 iPod Touches.  I sent an email asking for donations to everyone I knew--especially back at home in MI.  I had several great responses--but I was still needing another $500 or so to complete my project.  I waited and waited and waited and waited, and continuously posted my project link on facebook hoping that some kind soul would donate a buck or two.  I then received one of the BEST phone calls ever on Thursday morning.  Our receptionist at school had called and told me that Horace Mann Insurance Company had donated $500 to my project!  I screamed for joy and my students asked me if I had won the lottery!  Although they were disappointed that no, I had not won the lottery, they were SUPER EXCITED about getting 4 new technology tools!

On top of this wonderful news, my team teacher and I also received news that we were graciously given $2,000 by a local buisness man to use on technology for our school.  We purchased: 3 iPads, 2 iPod touches, protective covers for each of them, along with some iTunes cards.

WOW.  Patience...something I struggle with...definitely paid off in the end!  $2500 in donation in one week---can't get any better!!

SO thankful for all who have contributed to our technology needs!

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TEST POST FOR EDT 629