Final Thoughts

This course has taught me to be patient with learning new technology to use in my classroom.  I have found that there are several ways to incorporate technology into my classroom without a lot of extra work.  Many of the tools we have discussed and practiced are now being used by my students in their free time rather than mindless computer games.  They enjoy sharing their new learning with the group, even when unrelated to what we are doing in class.  The new tools I have been sharing with them have allowed for more creativity in their sharing.

Literacy Project

My students used Animoto to create videos sharing their learning on a science topic of interest.  They were graded based on their ability to research student created questions on a topic of their interest, organization of their notes, and citations of their references.  While this was the first time using Animoto for all of my students, they were very excited to learn how it worked and have started to ask to create videos of their interests... just for fun!

I hope to be able to do this project again later in the year when their research skills are stronger to allow for more information to be included.  Some of my students joined the class late and were not required to include as much information as others.

****WARNING**** the last video is about snakes...

Updates

Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself sharing ideas that I have used or plan on trying out in my classroom.  I want to update everyone on the progress of some of my class projects as well as further learning based on what I have previously shared.

The first good news coming out of my classroom is our brand new fish tank! Within a couple of school days, I had a letter in my mailbox with coupons from Petsmart for a 10 gallon fish tank, the essentials, and the fish.  I am excited to bring it into school tomorrow for my students the help set up! We have been using this opportunity to use our free time during the day to research fish to possibly put in our tank.

We have also expanded our computer use for free time to include Wordle and Tagxedo.  Both sites create word clouds that can be specific to students interests for personal use, or based on a specific content.  I am still learning about Tagxedo, but information can be used from the internet to create word clouds on specific topics.  Next week, my class will be creating a word cloud to be posted in the classroom based on their brainstorm of "what it means to be American" from last week.

My last good news to share is that I have given Animoto access to my students to create independent study science projects.  Each student has their own science topic and is currently in the process of creating a video for their final project grade.  So far, they are very engaged and motivated to complete their work.  They will be finished up by the end of the week.  I can't wait to share them!

Art therapy

The students in my class work towards a weekly reward (Fun Friday) by earning points based on their effort, ability to follow directions, remaining on task, and being respectful of others.  In the past, students have chosen to use the computer to play games that are otherwise discouraged within my classroom.  This year, I have chosen to put together an art project for the students to work on that would span several class periods. 

Each Friday, I have several students who earn the chance to "skip" class time with me and complete an alternate, more enjoyable, activity.  Those students who have not earned the reward, use this time to complete unfinished work and organize their materials for the following week.  Since beginning the art projects, my students have had more of an incentive to earn the Fun Friday to see what the project would bring.

I use this time as an opportunity for my students to be more relaxed within the school environment, share information about themselves or their lives that otherwise would not be shared, and work together.  With students of varying ability in my small classroom, it is often a struggle to allow students to work together academically.  Although they do at times, the socialization of working together on an art assignment strengthens their skills to communicate their thoughts and create a final product.

Our first Fun Friday this year, we created yarn globes.  I found the directions on pinterest and tried it out.  Considering I am not naturally an artistic person, I did warn my students that this was a first attempt and opened the experience for suggestions.  We made group decisions about how to set up the classroom to hang our balloons, what our strategy would be, and eventually where to hang our final projects.

The experience was positive in that all of my students participated that earned the reward, some of them chose to sit out and help facilitate as those who had "clean hands" while others paired up to complete a globe.  We also had a student (paired with me) who abandoned his project because it became too frustrating for him.  Our globe was looking quite sad until another student joined the class and continued our work.  A true group effort!

Computer use

I'm looking for a way to allow my students access to the computer for free time when they are finished with their work, but keeping it school related.

Last year, I had a hard time keeping students off of social networking sites (that they found access to around our school's firewall).  This created several negative social situations within my classroom as well as the building.  They also played games that were ongoing and had no educational purpose.

This year, I have created a list of approved websites based on the links found on teacher pages within my building.  They cross the content areas and allow students to choose a subject to content area, but I'm already learning that my students strongly dislike my list :)

Science News
Free Rice
Student News
Sheppard Software
Arcademic Skill Builders
School Tube - Just added to my list after I was told this is accessible to my students as an alternative to YouTube.


Does anyone have any suggestions to add to my list for middle school students?