Challenging Elementary Students

I recently attended a workshop that really broadened my eyes and thurst of knowledge regarding the internet. I have not participated in blogging and didnt see a real way to bring it into my classroom. The thought of juggling paperwork, meeting the demands of the the "standards" and the limited learning experiences of my students didn't allow time for me to just figure it out. I am excited now about joining this site and am interested in talking to any of you out there who are willing to share with me your great ideas or practices that I might try in my classroom.

As I have been reading some of the blogs that I have been on, I noticed lots of collaborative sharing among middle school and high school educators, and while I love hearing what students have to look forward to, I have to spend some time in the here and now. Share with me please!!!!!!

Technology in my opinion is almost non existant at th elementary level and this is really when they are sponges, I am like a kid in a candy story at this point and I am so anxious to get my own children started as long as they are able to be responsible and understand that the internet has its benefits and pitfalls. I want my students to be excited about learning. What are some of the ways you all have introduced blogging or podcasting to your students?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin H. on March 13, 2008 at 6:38am

You ask some good questions and are on the right path to inquiry.
I teach sixth grade (11 and 12 year olds) and this is the second year that we are doing podcasting on a regular basis.
One of the venues is a site I set up last year to connect with other classrooms around the world.
It is called Youth Radio: http://youthradio.wordpress.com/

Podcasting has a lot of possibilities: voice, audience, writing for an authentic purpose.
It helps to have a blog but it is not always necessary.

This is an online workshop file that I use sometimes, if that helps get you started.

http://masswp.org/workshop/

It was created as part of the National Writing Project network.

Good luck on your journey
Kevin

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 13, 2008 at 6:29pm

Thank you for the connections. I am certainly going to continue my research and move forward with it. I plan on starting small with one class and build bridges with the teachers and other students.

I am so excited about the potentional. Thanks for the feedback and please when ever you have some ideas log on and share them.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 16, 2008 at 4:59pm

I checked out your youth radia site, it was really great. I love that the children are becoming aware of events that are going on around the world. Current events is a lacking area and such a necessary piece of knowledge our children need to learn to be very discriminate about. Especially when it comes to the sources of that information. Great job, Definately something I am going to keep in mind moving forward.

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Permalink Reply by Mathew Needleman on March 13, 2008 at 5:32pm

I've taught kindergarten, first, and second grades. I would suggest starting with one big project for the year. With the younger students, in particular, it's important to model whatever it is that you doing. You can see our video projects at http://www.videointheclassroom.com

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 13, 2008 at 6:39pm

Oh I enjoyed that podcast so much. Thank you for that. I am going to play with this technology at home and finetune what I want to do with a class of students in my building.

LOL. That was a lot of fun.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 13, 2008 at 6:54pm

I agree totally, I know that kids can handle a lot more that we give them credit for. My daughter so far has not gotten involved in blogging or podcasting, but she knows how the surfing the web and does the webkinz thing. She is going to be my guinea pig before I bring anything to my classroom. We have a webcam but I don't really use it. We definately have not been using our computers to it fullest potential, but we will in the future.

All of this excitement really got started with the workshop I went to that was given by Alan November and Will Richardson (r u familiar with either one of them?) really opened my mind and heart to intergrating technology more in my classrooms. Working in an inner city community is already difficult, but in the interest of differientating instruction to meet the needs of my very different students it is important that I bring these different persepectives to the classroom.

Thank you for you feedback It really is helpful. What are someof the projects you have done with your class.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on March 13, 2008 at 7:51pm

The best format for book discussions is a threaded discussion (like this without limited thread lengths) The option to respond to each comment is neccessary, you can't do that with blogs. I've used Moodle and Blackboard for book discussions. Reality check, I had 45 kids doing 2 different book discussions simultaneously---I post high level questions--they respond--I respond. It can take HOURS a week to respond to each kiddo.

I do think librarians have a great reason to blog--book reviews! Let me know if you want some ideas of good library blogs to read--if you don't already read some.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on March 13, 2008 at 6:27pm

Katy, I agree with you, few elementary teachers are great tech integrators. I teach elementary K-6 (gifted) and we've done tons of stuff over the years. Check out our blogs, wikis, websites, virtual fieldtrips, projects, online book discussions, and activities. I'd be glad to mentor you if you need help. N.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 13, 2008 at 7:02pm

WOW! I would love a mentor through this process. I just took a peak at your site, it is getting late for me and I have to get ready for my class tomorrow, so I will definately spend more time on your site tomorrow. Thanks again, I don't know what to say. I look forward to talking with you again.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on March 13, 2008 at 6:40pm

You didn't say whether you taught in a classroom but my top two suggestions are: start small (get 7-8 people blogging) and get written permission from parents after explaining to them your rationale for the project.

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Permalink Reply by Katy on March 13, 2008 at 7:04pm

Ok. This year I am the library media specialist in the building but I also cluster for Science. So I have lots of access to students but my library periods are great opportunities to work with small groups of kids and work on a project together.

I will start with the permission slips tomorrow and get those out to my first group.

Thanks again.