Technology Survey

Last week and this week, my class took a technology survey I created using Google Docs. Below are the results and the reactions of 4 of my students. You can tell that we had a lot of fun, but some were a bit nervous!
Enjoy!

21st Century Skills

When I first browsed the homepage of Partnership for 21st Century Skills I was a bit overwhelmed. Then I saw the wonderful “FAQ” section, which was quite helpful! (Perhaps they should put that on their sidebar). The part of the site that most interested me was seeing which states have been working with the “Route 21 project.” I was glad (and proud!) to see New Jersey was on the website. I was a bit surprised that more states were not a part of this project. I am not sure if that is because other states are incorporating the 21st century skills “unofficially,” or they just haven’t joined with this project…or what.

Another tidbit I read under New Jersey’s professional development plans is that they are “Recommending a plan for phasing-in 21st Century Skills into teacher preparation programs that includes a requirement for demonstration of competency in criteria for accreditation (Route 21, 2007).” I think this is a fabulous idea. Why not start teaching these skills to future teachers while they are still in school already soaking up a vast amount of knowledge! Sometimes it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks, so to speak, so teaching skills to potential teachers is a smart idea.

“A balance of assessments, including high-quality standardized testing along with effective classroom assessments, offers students a powerful way to master the content and skills central to success (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2004).” I was so glad this quote was on the site. I firmly believe that alternate assessments and informal assessments are key to finding out our students’ retention of knowledge. State testing can only show so much, never the whole child. I know that state testing will never go away, but at least this partnership is recognizing that we can’t rely solely on the state testing’s spreadsheets.

I am excited to learn more of these skills, especially now that I know my state is pushing them into the areas of professional development for all future and current teachers. I am more than willing to take courses to find out how to best prepare my students for life. My question is…how will they get these new computer (or perhaps in-person) courses out to all current teachers when some districts barely have any form of technology in their own schools for students? Perhaps the NJ Education Association, local superintendents, the DOE (and the many other collaborators listed on the site) are already figuring that out…

By the way…check this out it’s quite interesting: http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=185

Formal Blog Idea for my Class

Here is my formal writeup:

For my classroom blog I would like to use it for a writing aide. Once a week (building up to twice some weeks) I will post a simple writing topic for my fourth graders, along with a one-minute timer. They will have to write down a response to the prompt in one minute, using the full time (eventually the time would be extended). They would then post this, and it would be sent to me for my approval before I allow it to be formally posted on the class site. The students would sign only their first names so we would all know who they were, and I could give them credit.As class went on, I would change the requirement to post their 1 minute response, and then the next week comment on 1-2 of their peers. This way they get work peer editing (a big focus in 4th grade at my school). Blogs would be SO helpful for this because they would inspire more creativity in my students. I believe my kids would look at this as “fun not work” and be more apt to try harder. Since I have never actually done this before, I would LOVE for you to play devil’s advocate and tell me how to improve this idea.

Updated Blog Idea

Update to my potential blog ideas for my classroom:



1. 1 minute writing: 1-2 times each week post a 1 minute writing timer and a prompt. Students type their responses and leave them on my blog for others to comment on.

Negatives: Need email accounts…..don’t think parents would like that…one of my students recently created their own email account (secretly) and when the parents found out she got in trouble. Could have parents post w/their emails…I think parents will do their child’s response however, or might not like that.


*(Update: I just pretended to leave a comment on my own page, and found that you don't need an email address. I posted just with my name (I could have my students just do first names to protect their privacy, or even their class number). This is much better because they don't need email accounts! I have decided that I would like to choose this idea as my Application #2 idea....unless you all have a better one!)

Potential Blog Ideas

I have a few ideas on how to use this blog in my classroom but keep coming up with ways they won't work.
I would appreciate any input or even new suggestions!


(Keep in mind I teach 4th grade- all subjects).

Ideas:

1. 1 minute writing: 1-2 times each week post a 1 minute writing timer and a prompt. Students type their responses and leave them on my blog for others to comment on.
Negatives: Need email accounts…..don’t think parents would like that…one of my students recently created their own email account (secretly) and when the parents found out she got in trouble. Could have parents post w/their emails…I think parents will do their child’s response however, or might not like that.

Note: I saw http://www.gaggle.com/ which is a free school email service…I can monitor all accounts and turn filters on…parents might not ok it. Also, free version includes ads 2-3 times each month


2. Have students ask me questions on my blog
Negatives: TIME!!! (and email accounts)

3. Have parents communicate with each other/me
Negatives: Might turn into gab-fest or non-school related things, TIME!