I am hoping there are people out there who are itching (!) to offer helpful criticism regarding our inquiry questions....so here goes....
I really appreciate any and all input. I am not entirely happy with how I worded the question, so suggestions on that would be helpful, too.
Inquiry: How and to what extent can my ELA classroom effectively go "paperless"?
Why paperless?
- I am on a cart and teach every class in a different room
- We now live in a paperless world and my students will be entering work fields that rely on technology to share information
- My students will be able to access and share information from anywhere (ex: hand in papers from home, access missed assignments in study hall, etc)
- Students can share work amongst themselves whenever they are
- Students can no longer use the “I lost it” excuse
- Access to extra copies of homework assignments are readily available so students won't fall behind
- Access to homework assignments is available for the special education team; instead of writing out and explaining any work that is missing, I can send them an email with titles of assignments that they can find online
- Hopefully students will be more engaged because of increased tech integration
- It’s my effort to be environmentally-friendly
Plan of execution:
1. Use Moodle to upload assignments, templates, graphic organizers, resources, etc
2. Use Google Docs and Pirate Pad (and perhaps other online document-sharing applications) to type, save, and share documents. Also use such applications for group projects.
3. Use Moodle or a similiar application for students to submit work for grading
4. Use NoteShare or similar application for students to have their ELA notebook on their computers.
5. Use Google “Forms” to complete student surveys and feedback forms
What do I need from the coaches?
1. Feedback….Suggestions….Redirection?!
2. Do the technology coaches know of any really easy and reliable programs to use for handing in material? I tried to use Moodle last year but it was unreliable at times. I will use it again if that’s my only option…
3. Are there any other interesting applications that may help me implement my inquiry?
4. Can anyone think of anything I am missing? As you are reading, did anyone find themselves saying, "Yeah, but what happens when..."?
Hi Kaili - Nice start to the question, and I like what you've done to start breaking things down. Your question under the "coaches" section: "Do the technology coaches know of any really easy and reliable programs to use for handing in material?" leads me to a quick yes, though you've mentioned some of the strongest ones: GoogleDocs, but blogs, Wikispaces, even Ning have potential as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking about your main question though: the how is a relatively easy answer. But this question gets a bit deeper: "What happens when my ELA classroom moves toward a paperless environment?" Then, what happens to teaching, commenting, revision, how about writing? Is the teaching harder? Are the teacher comments stronger, more pointed? Are students more engaged?
The trick, or maybe trouble, with a "How do I" question is that it leads to what could be the easy answer. Ideally, we're looking for glimpses of more the "what does this look like" or "how is this different in teaching, learning, or even content?"
Maybe your inquiry question comes in this thought you mentioned:
"Hopefully students will be more engaged because of increased tech integration"
I'd play with the wording of the starting question, then what you might find is that your inquiry focuses on some of these differences.
Hi Kali,
ReplyDeleteI've had some experience using google.docs in lieu of paper. I find it is effective is some ways - it's easier for students to share with others and I can give timely feedback. My feedback however is limited to questions about the message of the writing. It is difficult to give specific feedback on the mechanics of writing. My students who were very comfortable about using technology enjoyed sharing this way. My reluctant writers were still reluctant.
The social studies teacher on my team went entirely paperless last year. Students submitted projects produced using a variety of programs via a web portfolio. Students were not limited to a particular program as long as they met the criteria for the project.
I'm interested in hearing more about your ideas of sharing your notes. I try to keep descriptors and criteria on my class website. I find it a challenge to keep it all up to date.
I agree with Dave on the wording of the question.
Paperless is a great idea. Not only can you save resources, but pushing yourself to find new ways of getting info across can also lead you to discovering ways of communicating with your students that can be better. I have pushed towards being - if not paperless, than "less paper" and I find that using the web to disseminate info also opens up other avenues. Good inquiry idea, as it allows a wide range of possibilities to explore.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Wouldn't that be amazing? I'm sitting at my desk after just photocopying a huge stack of handouts. I felt guilty before I even got to the copier.
ReplyDeleteI think it is an all encompassing inquiry, which is wonderful. I too agree with Dave-as well as Jon. I can't wait to hear all about the start of your paperless environment. I bet this will be a very new form of classroom learning/communication for a lot of students!
Kaili,
ReplyDeleteI like that you already have a variety of reliable programs to assist you as you work through your inquiry. The article that we had to read"Living and Learning with New Media" described the "media ecology" as new media converges with traditional media: books, newspaper.. I'm wondering if your paperless idea could branch out into a service learning project with a focus on reducing the amount of resources used, while creating a learning environment that offers a variety of digital programs for communicating. Just a thought!
I've been thinking that Dave is right-- I already sort of know what will happen with this inquiry. I have been thinking in the last few days of differentiation and how digital media may help me differentiate more widely and across different sections of my ELA classes.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I recently set-up a blog for five of my "top" students to discuss Lord of the Flies while the rest of the 8th grade reads The Hunger Games. These 5 students are in 3 different sections of ELA and would never be able to get together to discuss the book in school hours. They all read The Hunger Games last year, and while they enjoyed it (who wouldn't??), they do need a challenge. I also failed my "top" student miserably last year....they just did not get the challenge they needed. Hence, the blog...we'll see how it works.
Anyway, this has all lead me to think that there has to be other ways that I can use digital resources to give all students what they need when they need it.
New tentative inquiry question: What happens when digital literacy/tech integration is used to differentiate in the 8th grade ELA classroom?...or something of the sort.
LOL...I am still struggling to know what ELA means?
ReplyDelete