Blog post week # 4
This week I have been working on creating my Weebly website for my classes. I plan on having the basics set up by next week so I can get your feedback on it. I like the idea of placing a Blog on that site so that parents can communicate with me and each other. What I have found about Weebly, is that I can upload any document to it at anytime and then I have the power to open it up so others can see it. That has been a great tool to be able to work ahead. Also, I have been converting my Word documents to PDF files so that more people can look at them without worrying about any compatibility issues. Another thing that I will be doing more of when the school year opens is to convert my Smart Notebook files to PDF files prior to uploading them to my website. I have found that in the past, my students do not install the Smart Notebook software onto their own home computers. My school has licenses for the students to use, but they do not take the time to download it. I have also created a step by step how to list and posted it on my website. As I continue to reach my goal of having better communication I have seen that there are more opportunities today for me to be able to pass along information to families, but it will be up to them to want to hear from me on a regular basis. I have thought about creating a Twitter account for my classes and just posting the daily homework on it, but I am not sure of how well that would be received by parents. Have any of you tried Twitter for this yet?
My second goal of developing more enriching lessons is becoming a labor of love. I have been spending a bunch of time searching through Smart Exchange on Smart Board's website . I have found multiple lessons for both my Geometry and Advanced Algebra courses. I have also found quick assessments to use as well with the Smart Response systems (hand held clickers) that I have in my classroom. This searching has made me think about how a go about developing lessons to engage my students more. I have been looking through You Tube and Teacher Tube to find quick intro videos to show at the beginning of class while I am passing out papers or taking attendance. When the students are finished watching these videos, I will have quick questions for the class to answer as the warm-up for the lesson. I think that by continuing to find more interactive lessons, my students will become more engaged in the learning process, “Students need to have opportunities to experience well-structured, challenging, and worthwhile activities that address the important mathematics topics” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 247).
Jeff
Reference:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteIt seems like your plan is coming along nicely. I am also working on a blog for my parents, but with TeacherWeb. If you are interested, you can take a look at my website, www.mrshayn.com ,to see how I incorporated a blog into preexisting personal website. Converting all files into PDFs is a great idea. It is convenient for you and your parents because the formatting will stay how you used the document in school. I also enjoy using the SMART exchange. Quite often, I use that website to get a template for my lesson and then adapt to my standards. I also use this resource, http://www.ecarter.k12.mo.us/dept/elementary/fourthgrade/ccrites/etipslesson1.html, for great ideas on the SMART board. Great post!
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI think that using a website is a great way to communicate information to your students and parents. I use websites for all the sports that I coach and have found that information can be quickly and easily uploaded and posted for everyone to see. Smart move in converting all files to pdf's. I got into that habit about two years ago when working on my websites. Compatibility issues are no longer a concern with students and parents. I have not tried twitter as a means for communication, but several of my colleagues use Facebook. They set up class profiles on Facebook and communicate with students and parents that way. Having smart phones make it really fast and easy to upload to Facebook. Of course, always be cautious on what gets posted.
I took your advice from last week and I too started to create my class website using Weebly. I was first quite intimidated, but found out how user friendly the program was. I really like your idea about formatting all documents to a pdf file. I am one of those teachers who LOVE different font styles, and I sometimes forget that while I can see them on my computer, many others can not. Sadly, I noticed this using my blog as well. I surely thought since I was posting something on the internet that my fonts would always show; unfortunately this is not true. Back to my point...it is important to give parents the actual document isn't of having them trying to redo fonts, etc. You never know, something may end up getting lost in the shuffle when having to take those extra steps.
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was interesting that your school gives licenses to families to use SMARTboard. What kinds of activities are they asked to do at home? I am still fairly new to using this software and product but have found myself searching through exchange myself. There are some great activities out there and cannot wait to be able to fully utilize them in my classroom in the fall.
Amber,
ReplyDeleteIt is not that the students are doing any Smart Board activities at home, but they could, it allows them to open the Smart Notebook files. You need to have the software to open it. Also, each Smart Board comes with 1000 licenses for downloading. We have 10 boards in our department, so we will be fine for a few years....
Thanks,
Jeff
It sounds as though you are making great progress! Class websites, blogs, and wikis are sometimes difficult to get started. Once you have everything established and set a schedule for managing the site, you will be very pleased with your accomplishments. I know that your students and parents will gain knowledge and skills from utilizing these great tools.
ReplyDeleteI also found it interesting that your school district provides a license for the downloading of Smart Board software. If your students did take advantage of this wonderful tool, you could not only make home-school connections, but extend the learning at home. I know that my students would love to create presentations using interactive whiteboard software. They are always so anxious to use it in school. Good luck with all of your projects!
I like your plans. I am also working on a website using www.yola.com. I like the flexibility it gives me to be creative. When you are almost complete one idea I will share to involve to parents in this process is to send out email to them notifying them of the introduction of this site. Converting files for easy access is also a great idea. Have fun. (
ReplyDeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense. I was permitted to bring the program home and put it on my computer with the license number given to me. I am very excited to be able to create activities and use them in the classroom, however never thought about having my students use them at home as well.