Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Week 6 evaluation
This week has been fun watching my students create PowerPoints and podcasts on their own. Last week we each student did either a powerpoint or podcast on the story elements of a story we read in class-with a lot of guidance and support. This week, many have wanted to do it again but on a book they read on their own. I have given little help in this and I can't wait to see the final products! As for myself, I have moved on to wikis. I did not set up the wiki for my learning community group-I didn't know how-so now I have been playing around with that so I can set one up for my students to do their next project. I am finding it a little more difficult than I thought it would be but I'll/we'll figure it out. I am pleased with the progress so far-it has been enjoyable except for the fact the students are competing with each other to use the class computers. I definitely am going to have to make a schedule for when we don't get the computer lab-it's hard to fit everyone in when we only have three computers! I must say I have gained more confidence myself in creating a podcast and powerpoint. I'm sure there is more in-depth techniques I can learn with both, but that will come with more practice.
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It is really great when the students become excited to create projects, especially in something like reading which some students have difficulty with. I can sympathize with your computer shortage! I have two in my room, but one does not have Internet capabilities. Unfortunately the computer lab in my school is closed all afternoon and there are so many teachers waiting to use it we can only go once a week for about 30 minutes. Hopefully we'll be able to get more time in the future. It sounds like you are making great strides in your GAME plan!
ReplyDeleteThe computer shortage has definitely been an issue on a daily basis when we don't get the lab-so frustrating! But I love the enthusiasm and especially the engagement-less behavior issues except for the computer usage difficulties.
ReplyDeleteRebekah,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it is exciting for you as well to students to see and hear their completed products. And yes, there are a log of projects you can create using Powerpoint. There is a book called Print, Cut, and Fold by Jim Holland and Gaby Krumm that has amazing ideas on how to create multiple projects using Powerpoint. I highly recommend this book. It includes a CD with templates to create different projects.
You can order on line at www.toolsforteachers.com I'm not sure if on this site you could find a link for the free templates.
I hope you can fix your computer shortage. It is always a challenge to create projects using computers outside the computer camps. One thing I do is create groups of 4 or 5 so that way every group has a computer.
It sounds like you are well on your way to changing your teaching style to better your students. It is not easy learning new ways to teach your students, but seem to be taking on it with confidence. I think that the more you do, the easier in the future to integrate the latest and greatest learning styles. Congradulations, it sounds like you are doing a great job to motivate your students to learn.
ReplyDeleteMike