Today’s teachers have access to many new tools that they can use in the classroom to engage and energize students. There are so many options available that it is easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices. Some internet tools are more challenging and better suited to older students. As I reach the end of this semester’s journey, a few items stand out as especially useful. At the same time, I’ve learned a few important lessons about implementing different tools in the media center. One important lesson I’ve learned this semester is to pick and choose just what works best for me in the library at one time– it’s not necessary to use everything at the same time.
Free productivity tools let students collaborate on documents and presentations without worrying about who has the jump drive. At the same time, their teachers can comment on their work in real time, and it is easy – too easy – to share work around the world whether you intend to or not. My students have helped push me to use Google Drive, and sometimes show me useful tricks. As our school transitions to K-8 over the next few years we will make even more use of all the Google apps for education, not just the productivity features.
My library website now includes a blog section, and I encourage students to comment any time they're hanging out in the media center. Some students don’t seem to understand the purpose of comments – they seem to be confusing writing comments with personal text messages, or they just want to be funny. I hope those students will soon realize how much power words have, and learn to use them more judiciously. Other students, however, are beginning to check the library blog page regularly and comment on whatever topic I have posted. Even if it’s only a few sentences, they realize that they have a wider audience that is limited only by their imagination. And, there are so many good reasons to use blogging in a class. One of my 4th grade teachers last week had students debating whether the tree in The Giving Tree (Silverstein) was a weak tree, or a strong tree. She got excited when I suggested how much fun it would be to extend this from a class discussion to a worldwide discussion on a blog, and headed back to the classroom to set it up.
Another fun and useful creative collaboration tool I have introduced this semester to teachers is Scribblemaps. I love maps – my father was a geographer by training, and I grew up with maps, so playing with Scribblemaps is natural for me. The more I play with it the more I realize how much we can use it in all grades to strengthen our relation to place. It’s not just for marking static features. Students can trace Lewis and Clark’s journeys, the migration of monarchs, or follow transportation patterns. We can even mark the route for our school’s annual 5K, and share the map with friends and other runners.
There remain a few overarching concerns, however. It remains challenging to remind kids about the importance of good digital citizenship and safe use. We will be expecting classes to embrace use of Edmodo starting January, and to kick that off our school is implementing Common Sense Media’s Digital Passport lessons with students in grades 2-5. This will help reinforce rules in a fun environment by requiring them to get their digital passports before they can set up their Edmodo profiles. Another challenge we face is making sure all students have the opportunity to develop technology skills. Although some are “digital natives,” new students come to us every week never having used a computer in school, or only using a computer for video games. However, I find that more and more, students step up and teach each other how to use our school computers. They are learning to be good school citizens at the same time they become good digital citizens.
This semester has been a whirlwind of effort learning trying out different tools. Academic learning, sharing with teaching colleagues, and participating in conferences and workshops has stretched my horizons and expanded my experience in many ways as I take on new challenges.
Free productivity tools let students collaborate on documents and presentations without worrying about who has the jump drive. At the same time, their teachers can comment on their work in real time, and it is easy – too easy – to share work around the world whether you intend to or not. My students have helped push me to use Google Drive, and sometimes show me useful tricks. As our school transitions to K-8 over the next few years we will make even more use of all the Google apps for education, not just the productivity features.
My library website now includes a blog section, and I encourage students to comment any time they're hanging out in the media center. Some students don’t seem to understand the purpose of comments – they seem to be confusing writing comments with personal text messages, or they just want to be funny. I hope those students will soon realize how much power words have, and learn to use them more judiciously. Other students, however, are beginning to check the library blog page regularly and comment on whatever topic I have posted. Even if it’s only a few sentences, they realize that they have a wider audience that is limited only by their imagination. And, there are so many good reasons to use blogging in a class. One of my 4th grade teachers last week had students debating whether the tree in The Giving Tree (Silverstein) was a weak tree, or a strong tree. She got excited when I suggested how much fun it would be to extend this from a class discussion to a worldwide discussion on a blog, and headed back to the classroom to set it up.
Another fun and useful creative collaboration tool I have introduced this semester to teachers is Scribblemaps. I love maps – my father was a geographer by training, and I grew up with maps, so playing with Scribblemaps is natural for me. The more I play with it the more I realize how much we can use it in all grades to strengthen our relation to place. It’s not just for marking static features. Students can trace Lewis and Clark’s journeys, the migration of monarchs, or follow transportation patterns. We can even mark the route for our school’s annual 5K, and share the map with friends and other runners.
There remain a few overarching concerns, however. It remains challenging to remind kids about the importance of good digital citizenship and safe use. We will be expecting classes to embrace use of Edmodo starting January, and to kick that off our school is implementing Common Sense Media’s Digital Passport lessons with students in grades 2-5. This will help reinforce rules in a fun environment by requiring them to get their digital passports before they can set up their Edmodo profiles. Another challenge we face is making sure all students have the opportunity to develop technology skills. Although some are “digital natives,” new students come to us every week never having used a computer in school, or only using a computer for video games. However, I find that more and more, students step up and teach each other how to use our school computers. They are learning to be good school citizens at the same time they become good digital citizens.
This semester has been a whirlwind of effort learning trying out different tools. Academic learning, sharing with teaching colleagues, and participating in conferences and workshops has stretched my horizons and expanded my experience in many ways as I take on new challenges.