Since establishing my game plan I have been researching local organizations, businesses, and conferences that can help further my knowledge of technology applications for student’s success. We were recently told our placements for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year and I will again be teaching in an inclusion fourth grade classroom. To ensure that I am able to help each learner meet their potential I found a local Assistive Technology conference and have filed the necessary paperwork to attend. I have also found valuable web resources and blogs to keep abreast of up to date research and methodologies at http://www.assistivetechnologycenter.org/ I also went on the New Jersey State Department of Education and found links to state sponsored sites as well at the following address: http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/divisions/operations/education/assistive.html
To meet my goal of using technology to increase communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community to nurture students learning I have paired up with a fourth grade teacher from another in district school. We plan to collaborate between classes by setting up a podcasting site. Students will create podcasts of content material covered and will share it across schools. The receiving school will then be the audience that will be able to provide feedback to the creators. Since this will be done using the internet, parents will also be provided the web address and will be better attuned to what their students are learning in school and will also be able to provide feedback.
The question that remains is when working with students and publishing work in a public domain how can I stay within the confidentiality parameters? I have tried to collaborate with my schools technology specialist, but have not been successful getting support. My next step is to venture out on my own by seeking clearance and guidance from my building administrator. I will keep you posted!
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Hi Courtney,
ReplyDeleteI think the podcasting is a great idea. My daughter was in fourth grade last year and her class used podcasts quite often, along with a lot of other forms of technology. Her teacher was really into using as much tech. with the kids as possible and they all loved it. When she moved on to fifth grade, she and many of her former classmates had so much more experience with these technologies, that they were often teaching their new classmates (and sometimes the teacher) how to do different things. They were so proud of what they knew how to do, and I was a little surprised how much they retained from last year. It was definitely a great experience for her whole 4th grade class and they gained skills that they will continue to use through out school, as they have already demonstrated.
Good luck with your podcasting! I hope you are able to get the permission you need to go ahead with it.
Alison D.
HS Biology
Courtney,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to stay on the right track and follow the rules,when the support is not there. Is there anyone else in your building that could help you? Sometimes you just have to seek out other help.
It sounds like you are on the right track :)
Katherine
Alison,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the feedback. Hearing that motivates me to definitely continue. I am hoping that with all routines if I spend some time at the beginning of the year directly teaching how to podcast, the students will develop into being able to do so independently.
Thanks,
Courtney
Katherine,
ReplyDeleteI sought out the technology expert and each time she sees me in the hall she now avoids me. I am looking to work with another 4th grade teacher in another school, so hopefully that will work out better for me.
Thanks for the support!
Courtney