Reflection #3: Web 2.0 Teaching AND Planning Tool

Hey guys!

For this reflection post, I wanted to focus on edModo as a teaching/planning tool. I think a tool like this can absolutely used for both teaching and planning. I know some of are probably familiar with this website, because we used it in Aaron's Culture of Middle School Class. But, we used it as students. I wanted to look at it from the prospective of a teacher (now that I am one!). Here is the link to the site:

https://www.edmodo.com/

To get started, I checked out a couple of web tutorials. Here is a quick one to give you an overview of what the website does:

Pretty standard and easy to follow. I'm sure you noticed, like I did, that this website is a lot like Facebook. Actually, that is what drew me to it. I know I've mentioned the trouble I had in my classroom with students and their phones. Well, if you can't beat them--why not join them!? I feel like edmodo would be a really great resource to keep in touch with students outside of class time, answer their questions, keep them engaged, and build community and healthy relationships between the students and even myself. Plus, students can "like" your posts like they would on facebook... pretty neat!

I really loved that I could write my students quick reminders, like to remeber when their essays are due. I also can post a poll. I could do an exit class this way after class to see where students understanding of the lesson is at, but I need to explore that a little more (hard without "real" students).

Finally, I really liked that I could upload all of the material I had for a unit (or beyond that) to keep safe or access quickly. I can share these files with students (if they lost a handout, they still could see it) or link it to the calendar so they know what I am referring to when I tell them such-and-such assignment is due. 

On the SAMR scale, I believe edmodo would be an M. There is some pretty significant task redesign. I can post assignments, quizzes, and even polls directly on our page and have students comment or message me with questions, as well as take and submit the assignment back to me. As far as planning, there is both an online calendar that I can plug in what we're doing for the week or month, and students can look ahead or back. I can also upload all of my material for a unit onto the site, or just material than can help me plan out the unit.

Ease of use: * * * * * (5 stars)

This website was SUPER easy to use, because it is SO much like Facebook. I don't think anyone would have a problem figuring out how to get around it. Plus, there were a ton of tutorials on youtube to watch if you do get stuck.

Versatility: * * * * (4 stars)

I felt that this tool could be used for so many things; even just a place where students can ask their peers a question. I believe this works as both a teaching and planning tool, and a communication tool as well. I like that students can access material quickly and easily, as well as get a hold of me. I think its fun and easy, and that's what students like. 

Liklihood of using it in my classroom: * * * * * (5 stars)

I absolutely plan to incorporate this tool into my someday classroom. I love how easy it is to use, and that the interface is so friendly. I really believe kids would enjoy using it because it looks so much like Facebook. Students can check it on their phones, and quickly ask for questions or submit assignments. I love it! And I hope you will too :)

Peace out!

Xtine

Reflection #2: SAMR

1. How can the SAMR model assist you in integrating with intention? 

I am so glad that we were introduced to the SAMR model because I really feel like it helped me think about the ways I can enhance my teaching with technology in a nonthreatening or scary way. I can easily integrate technology, easing myself and my students into the world of technology. By thinking through each "level" of the SAMR model, I can develop lessons that are intentional about how I am going about integrating media into my classroom.

I feel like this video was short and sweet, and helped me understand the model even further while giving me a visual as well. I think I could even have my students watch the video so they can see and understand the ways I plan to continually add in our ability to use technology into the classroom. That way, we are learning and growing together.

We have been talking a lot about when we should and should not use technology in the classroom. Although having students create a video on an author they are reading about, rather than writing a biography on them, would be incredibly engaging and fun--I want to be sure my students have their writing skills down first. The SAMR model allows me to think through this process. Maybe my students could write a script first (S) and have me revise/check them off, and then create their video (R). I am beginning to see how much technology can truly engage and enhance my teaching, while keeping it constructive and intentional.

2. Which analogy for the SAMR model do you find most helpful? Explain why. 

The analogy I found most helpful was the one I found on Kathy Shcrock's blog (here). I included it above, too! I am a huge fan of coffee, and it just allowed me to visually understand the ways in which each level builds on one another until you come up with ideas that may have at once been unimaginable to you.

3. Which level of SAMR can you see yourself using most? Explain why.

Although I have a feeling I will be using each level at various points throughout a school year, I would like to get my students (and myself) to a point where working in a redefinition level is happening more often. I plan on teaching at the secondary level, and believe many of my students at this point will feel at ease about using a computer and working with new platforms. They should also feel more confident and comfortable with writing essays. I imagine at the beginning of the year, we will ease ourselves into working with technology so I can see how we do, but I hope by the end of the year we can think about creating essays or projects in ways that may have seemed inconceivable at one point!

I want to aim at using the last level, because I think by the time students are juniors and seniors in high school, they are ready to explore literature in different ways, or try creating a Prezi that analyzes Steinbeck's use of symbolism in The Grapes of Wrath. I want my classes to be engaging and excting to students, so that they are continually asking themselves, "What are we going to do today?" I think that using technology intentionally in my classroom is going to help me achieve this.

Peace out,

Christine

Reflection #1: Media Literacy

Throughout my student teaching, I struggled with technology (particularly cell phones) and how I feel about it. 

Here is what I found: I think that digital media is essential, and as teachers, we have to integrate technology into the classroom. I just need to figure out how to engage my students more than their cell phones, and that seems nearly impossible at times.

My students were constantly on their phones. They were playing different apps while I was lecturing, or sending snapchats in the middle of class time. I mean, literally, sending snapchats. One of my juniors asked if she could take a "selfie," because the lighting was "perfect" and she wanted to add it to her story. Ughh. I know at times, I became very bitter towards cell phones and technology.

Although I love technology, I also really believe it can take away some of those important social interactions we need in the classroom and is making students more detached from one another. 

Sometimes it felt like my students just didn't know how to have a conversation with their peers. I know in the documentary we watched, Digital Nation, they argued the opposite... and it is true! We are more connected to people than we ever have been. I can FaceTime my best friend in Australia and catch up with her for hours. That is AMAZING! But, I believe students prefer to connect with their friends over social media than they do with the person sitting next to them.

In the end, this is me:

I think what I am realizing more and more is that there has to be a balance. Technology is not going away, and our students need to be media literate. As teachers, it is our job to prepare our students for the future––and I want to make sure I give them every tool possible to be successful. However, for myself, I think I will always love technology... but I'll probably love a lot of things a whole lot more.

1. Before these experiences how would you have defined media literacy and how 

has your understanding begun to change, develop, and/or deepen? 

Before exploring how media literacy is defined, I would have assumed it dealt only with social media platforms and our ability to use them. Media literacy is "the foundation of traditional literacy and offers new forms of reading and writing. Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers and makers, effective communicators and active citizens," (NAMLE.net). 

This really changed my understanding, and probably the way I view this class now. I believe there are so many platforms out there that can really enhance and engage my students to become better readers, writers, and critical thinkers. By combining technology with traditional forms of media, my hope is that students will start to use technology for good.... and not just for texting. 

2. What is the state of our “Digital Nation” and how do you feel about it? 

I talked about this a little above, but I think our "digital nation" is consumed and flooded by technology to an unhealthy point. I believe we are so attached and connected that we become almost desensitized to people around us. What I think is even more scary, or sad... or just beginning to happen... is that we begin comparing ourselves to people. We are constantly wanting the next thing. You get on Facebook and all of your friends are engaged, or having kids, or buying a house, or getting a new car, or traveling the world and you're like HOW CAN YOU AFFORD THAT (thats what I yell in my head anyway). And you find yourself wanting that life, a different life.  I know that social media makes everyones life look more exciting and glamorous. But kids don't understand that. In reality, life is what happens in between the instagram posts. The hurting, the pain, the real joy––the things and feelings that can't always be experienced in a status update. I think it makes us less excited for those friends who get engaged, or sympathetic to those friends who lost a parent to a serious illness. Sometimes, we just scroll on without a second thought.

I think that, again, there just needs to be that balance between using technology and even social media. I know we need technology, and I know how valuable it is. Yet, I don't want my life to be consumed by it. I don't want to be tethered to my phone. I want to use technology in a way that is healthy and can help me grow and learn. Hopefully, I will be able to transfer those same feelings to my students.

3. (Pose your own third question to yourself based on your research and respond to 

it—this is the heart of metacognition). 

I am more caught up with how social media and cell phones can be harmful, or just the "damage" that technology can cause, however; I believe there is SO much more to technology than Facebook and instagram. I believe there is so much we can use and do with technology. My question is:

How can technology be used in a secondary ELA class to enhance reading, writing, and critical thinking skills?

I could research this for hours. Here are a couple of cool things I found in my short research:

Students could watch this video and then work in small groups to come up with a campaign for change using social media. They would write a short reflective essay afterwards to discuss what they learned and their own thoughts on social media.

CLICK HERE

This article had a lot of really cool suggestions that went beyond just traditional essay writing, which I think could be great for students, especially those who struggle with writing. I really like the idea of having students doing an autobiography in a video format. You could have them write a script too!

NOW CLICK HERE

I also liked this article too. The only thing I did not like is that not all students have continuous access to a computer, and I felt like they made it sound like they do. There were some cool platforms on here that  I would be interested in trying, like Animoto (your students can make short videos for presentations).

I feel like based on what we have learned so far this year (in many of our courses in the MIT, and within my student teaching) I know and recognize there is so much out there for me to continually pull technology into my classroom in a healthy and engaging way. I DO love technology, and my goal is to show students there is a time and place for it, and that it is more important for them to rely on their brains than their phones... but it doesn't hurt to use their resources. Everything in moderation. The articles I read and some of the cool sites I found would help my students continue practicing their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills while also becoming more media literate. 

Signing off now,

Christine