What makes a GREAT classroom website?
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C.J. McHugh
Jul 15, 2011, 10:32:05 AM7/15/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
After some research, what do you find to be the key elements of a
GREAT classroom website? Again, please reply to this initial post and
then to peers under my original post. I want to see if that results
in a more organized threaded discussion.
GREAT classroom website? Again, please reply to this initial post and
then to peers under my original post. I want to see if that results
in a more organized threaded discussion.
JerryLangan
Jul 15, 2011, 11:17:47 AM7/15/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I believe that a classroom website should contain relevant as well as
fun elements. I would love to create an interactive website that can
be a welcoming place for my students to visit and be comfortable doing
so. From the highest levels to the lowest. I believe that my ideal
class website would not only help me with my planning, but also help
me with the grading of numerous writing essays that my curriculum
demands. I want my classes to be able to access class notes,
assignments, missed work, homework, handouts, and important everyday
procedures.
I hope to really get a website going and have e-mailed my schools
technology head.
Looking forward to interacting as we go forward!
On Jul 15, 10:32 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
fun elements. I would love to create an interactive website that can
be a welcoming place for my students to visit and be comfortable doing
so. From the highest levels to the lowest. I believe that my ideal
class website would not only help me with my planning, but also help
me with the grading of numerous writing essays that my curriculum
demands. I want my classes to be able to access class notes,
assignments, missed work, homework, handouts, and important everyday
procedures.
I hope to really get a website going and have e-mailed my schools
technology head.
Looking forward to interacting as we go forward!
On Jul 15, 10:32 am, "C.J. McHugh" <mchughcornel...@hotmail.com>
wrote:
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 17, 2011, 4:00:07 PM7/17/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
My goal is to create a classroom website that takes the "uggh!"
response out of the creative composition writing assignment.
When most of my classes co-write with me on a smartboard in the
computer lab, the attitude of the students is very cooperative. They
seem to
like to play off of each other's ideas. It seems to take the "pain"
out of the writing concept. Yet, ask them to write a paragraph at
home and there
are enough groans to leave me partially deaf! I'm thinking that the
wiki page or a google document is a great way to have them use
technology at
home and still feel like they are not alone during the writing
process. ("Misery loves company." )
Some of the key elements to a great classroom website are as
follows: (of course, this is just my opinion...)
*have a fun site with something that
will catch the students attention and draw them into wanting to use it
frequently
*have them feel a sense of success after
they co-create with their peers on assigned writing pages
*feel that they can read ahead to know
what to expect from future assignments and also be able to add and
make suggestions about
future assignments. If adolescent mind
feels that they have had some control and input, they are more apt to
do a better job on the assignment
The whole concept of a Wikispace is quite exciting and I am really
looking forward to putting into play come September. I feel that this
is just what I need to improve the writing process for my middle
school group.
CGrace
response out of the creative composition writing assignment.
When most of my classes co-write with me on a smartboard in the
computer lab, the attitude of the students is very cooperative. They
seem to
like to play off of each other's ideas. It seems to take the "pain"
out of the writing concept. Yet, ask them to write a paragraph at
home and there
are enough groans to leave me partially deaf! I'm thinking that the
wiki page or a google document is a great way to have them use
technology at
home and still feel like they are not alone during the writing
process. ("Misery loves company." )
Some of the key elements to a great classroom website are as
follows: (of course, this is just my opinion...)
*have a fun site with something that
will catch the students attention and draw them into wanting to use it
frequently
*have them feel a sense of success after
they co-create with their peers on assigned writing pages
*feel that they can read ahead to know
what to expect from future assignments and also be able to add and
make suggestions about
future assignments. If adolescent mind
feels that they have had some control and input, they are more apt to
do a better job on the assignment
The whole concept of a Wikispace is quite exciting and I am really
looking forward to putting into play come September. I feel that this
is just what I need to improve the writing process for my middle
school group.
CGrace
Douglas Sherman
Jul 17, 2011, 4:18:15 PM7/17/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I believe the key elements of a GREAT classroom website will be
different for every class. One universal feature of a classroom
website should be its ability to be live, and up to date. This is one
reason that wikispaces can be used very well for classroom websites,
information can be current and edited by multiple users. A student
should be able to access the site, and receive information about
homework, classwork from the day before, and a preview of what
tomorrow may look like. In my experiences I feel as if many teachers
tailor their websites towards the parents. Websites are a great way of
communicating with parents, but I feel as if the priority should be
the students. The website should also have some source of networking.
Using social media such as Twitter and Facebook can be controversial,
but if the features of these sites were used within a classroom
website the benefits could be extraordinary. If a student were able to
send and receive live tweets about homework they could get immediate
feedback from the teacher or other classmates. If there was a chat
feature much like Facebook has now, once again students could be in
contact with one another about homework issues. Classroom websites can
be extremely valuable. There is a reason why sites such as Twitter and
Facebook have millions of followers, so teachers should truly consider
using the features that make these sites so popular with their own
teacher pages.
Colleen Kingsbury
Jul 18, 2011, 7:30:42 AM7/18/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I think that a great classroom website has to be easy to use and
navigate, organized, and interactive. Not only should you post
important information but it should be interactive so that students
are more motivated to use it. Email, IM's, and classroom discussion
boards are a good way to get all of your students participating. You
want your website to appeal to all different levels of learning.
Videos and links to different websites or games could also make
learning more fun and interesting. I think it would be great if we
could move everything online so that we dont have to use paper
anymore, think of the money saved!
navigate, organized, and interactive. Not only should you post
important information but it should be interactive so that students
are more motivated to use it. Email, IM's, and classroom discussion
boards are a good way to get all of your students participating. You
want your website to appeal to all different levels of learning.
Videos and links to different websites or games could also make
learning more fun and interesting. I think it would be great if we
could move everything online so that we dont have to use paper
anymore, think of the money saved!
J.Cogan
Jul 18, 2011, 9:32:17 AM7/18/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
The ideas shared here are all excellent. I agree that a website needs
to have function and form. The site needs to be easy to navigate, easy
to read, and contain updated, relevant information, such as homework
assignments, upcoming tests, study guides, and school or classroom
functions. I also agree that there needs to be an element of fun, like
educational websites, or even student work. But ultimately, it needs
to be easy to use and navigate. Too much junk make a website is very
annoying, too much irrelevant stuff needs to be cut , and flashing
things need to be gone as well. The purpose is to present important
information.
After reading others’ responses, there are things I had not
considered, such as a chat feature, this is interesting to me, but I
worry about what could be spoken there. If it were possible to
chaperone the chat room , then I love the idea. Douglas mentioned that
many seem to tailor the site towards parents, and I must admit, I am
guilty of this thought. My initial thought was, “I need to make this
easy for the parent.” Maybe this is an elementary mentality because
students need the help of their parents more than in a secondary
setting (if only the parents would get involved). I also agree with
Jerry in that it should help the teacher to be better organized. If a
log of the day's happenings were online, it would be great for
everyone. Sharing future assignments is a super idea (again, I think
how nice for the parent).
However, after using the space provided by my district to create a
teacher website, I may prefer the use of a wiki. School district
provided space has certain limitations. Each element of the site
(except for homework assignments) needs to be approved by an
administrator (I have heard perfectly legitimate links not approved)
and the look of the site has limitations as well. However, the use of
a wiki would alleviate those limitations. Great ideas are being shared
here!!
to have function and form. The site needs to be easy to navigate, easy
to read, and contain updated, relevant information, such as homework
assignments, upcoming tests, study guides, and school or classroom
functions. I also agree that there needs to be an element of fun, like
educational websites, or even student work. But ultimately, it needs
to be easy to use and navigate. Too much junk make a website is very
annoying, too much irrelevant stuff needs to be cut , and flashing
things need to be gone as well. The purpose is to present important
information.
After reading others’ responses, there are things I had not
considered, such as a chat feature, this is interesting to me, but I
worry about what could be spoken there. If it were possible to
chaperone the chat room , then I love the idea. Douglas mentioned that
many seem to tailor the site towards parents, and I must admit, I am
guilty of this thought. My initial thought was, “I need to make this
easy for the parent.” Maybe this is an elementary mentality because
students need the help of their parents more than in a secondary
setting (if only the parents would get involved). I also agree with
Jerry in that it should help the teacher to be better organized. If a
log of the day's happenings were online, it would be great for
everyone. Sharing future assignments is a super idea (again, I think
how nice for the parent).
However, after using the space provided by my district to create a
teacher website, I may prefer the use of a wiki. School district
provided space has certain limitations. Each element of the site
(except for homework assignments) needs to be approved by an
administrator (I have heard perfectly legitimate links not approved)
and the look of the site has limitations as well. However, the use of
a wiki would alleviate those limitations. Great ideas are being shared
here!!
rmacey
Jul 19, 2011, 3:08:15 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Does anyone else feel like the biggest hick-up to maintaining their
teacher website or wiki is the time needed to update it and keep it
current? In the past I've had good intentions of using a website, but
found that keeping it current wasn't as high a priority as grading
test papers and imputing grades. I also became discouraged after
finding that very few students were using my website, either because
they weren't interested enough to look or because their computer time
at home was limited. Any insight?
Rachel
> > in a more organized threaded discussion.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
teacher website or wiki is the time needed to update it and keep it
current? In the past I've had good intentions of using a website, but
found that keeping it current wasn't as high a priority as grading
test papers and imputing grades. I also became discouraged after
finding that very few students were using my website, either because
they weren't interested enough to look or because their computer time
at home was limited. Any insight?
Rachel
>
> - Show quoted text -
paul naser
Jul 19, 2011, 5:38:45 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
What makes a great classroom website
1 - Organization - is it easy to move around and locate items
2 - Access - access to notes, classwork, and homework assignments
Kids forget everything - this would allows for them to get all the
items they need at home to be successful
3 - Enrichment
Parents always ask what can my kid do to practice
There are tons of free, and school recommended math websites that
practice, and enrichment
4 - Blog or a question wall
A place where students can talk about projects or homework - if
someone forgot what problems to do or etc..
This would allow ones peers to answer their questions
5 - Appealing to the eye
kids get bored easy - must be appealing to the eye
6 - Contact information
Teacher can place the appropriate contact information for parents to
get in contact with their child's teacher
1 - Organization - is it easy to move around and locate items
2 - Access - access to notes, classwork, and homework assignments
Kids forget everything - this would allows for them to get all the
items they need at home to be successful
3 - Enrichment
Parents always ask what can my kid do to practice
There are tons of free, and school recommended math websites that
practice, and enrichment
4 - Blog or a question wall
A place where students can talk about projects or homework - if
someone forgot what problems to do or etc..
This would allow ones peers to answer their questions
5 - Appealing to the eye
kids get bored easy - must be appealing to the eye
6 - Contact information
Teacher can place the appropriate contact information for parents to
get in contact with their child's teacher
paul naser
Jul 19, 2011, 5:40:53 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
keeping up with website is a huge battle b/c of all the items in a
classroom that must be kept up with as well
it almost seems that this could be an issue that a school district
will eventually provide time for b/c of how much time it really
entails
classroom that must be kept up with as well
it almost seems that this could be an issue that a school district
will eventually provide time for b/c of how much time it really
entails
paul naser
Jul 19, 2011, 5:42:53 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
This is also a way in which students can access anything they need or
get the help at home
On Jul 18, 7:30 am, Colleen Kingsbury <choloha access
get the help at home
On Jul 18, 7:30 am, Colleen Kingsbury <choloha access
Colleen Kingsbury
Jul 19, 2011, 5:56:54 PM7/19/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
Rachel,
I totally agree, I have good intentions to update and remain on top of things with my website but labs, tests, and grading always takes precedence. I often want to make everything paperless but there are still some students who dont have access to a computer or the internet.
Paul,
I also agree with your thoughts on how to make technology in the classroom work.
Organization is key and also open lines of communication with parents are also beneficial.
Malone, Hagar
Jul 19, 2011, 8:48:02 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Yes, Rachel, time always escapes me and keeping up a web page is not
my highest priority. I have a suggestion, although this also takes
some time. I'm going to use the schedule of one of my sixth grade
teachers. Year 1--concentrate on grammar for 6th and 8th grade--or
just one of those grades. Now you have the core for that subject.
Year 2--revise the grammar as necessary and concentrate on grade 6
Social Studies. Now you have 2. Year 3--concentrate on grade 6
Religion (it's a Catholic school). And so on.
It still takes discipline and commitment, but you build your resources
on a regular basis.
Hagar
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
my highest priority. I have a suggestion, although this also takes
some time. I'm going to use the schedule of one of my sixth grade
teachers. Year 1--concentrate on grammar for 6th and 8th grade--or
just one of those grades. Now you have the core for that subject.
Year 2--revise the grammar as necessary and concentrate on grade 6
Social Studies. Now you have 2. Year 3--concentrate on grade 6
Religion (it's a Catholic school). And so on.
It still takes discipline and commitment, but you build your resources
on a regular basis.
Hagar
On Jul 19, 3:08 pm, rmacey <rachelma...@hotmail.com> wrote:
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 19, 2011, 8:49:55 PM7/19/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
>
I agree, Colleen. It seems we live in an electronic age where kids and
computers are like magnets. I just tried to put a YouTube video on my
Wiki page today (unsuccessfully) but ended up getting other video's
attached that just came that I really didn't want the kids to get
involved with seeing. I guess I'll take another shot at that tomorrow.
One thing we ran into this year
at our school was the parents wanted to know what the homework was each
evening. At their request all the middle school teachers sent a separate
email to each parent listing the assignments for their respective classes
(e.g. English
6-8, Social Studies 6-8, etc.) We thought that this would cut down on
undone homework. Ha! By their own admission, the parents said that they
deleted them before they read them or read them and never told their kids.
A very few had access to the homework, since it was their parents email
address. A few parents (maybe 5 out 117) requested that we send it to
their child's address. They said they just wanted to know the
assignment-it was up to their child to do it. It took a lot of work to
set up the system and the homework situation didn't improve but all the
teachers sat everyday and wrote the whole thing out. So, I guess we
sometimes do end up writing stuff for the parents. But at least we are
covering our bases by letting them know.
Malone, Hagar
Jul 19, 2011, 8:53:28 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Do school districts do this? Even prep periods can be hard to come by
for me.
Hagar
> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
for me.
Hagar
Malone, Hagar
Jul 19, 2011, 9:00:57 PM7/19/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Do you really have time to keep up with all of this social
networking? I barely have time and energy to read my email some days
let alone to follow up with it.
Hagar
networking? I barely have time and energy to read my email some days
let alone to follow up with it.
Hagar
Paul Naser
Jul 19, 2011, 9:02:13 PM7/19/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
No real time but I think it could eventually go that way
Sent from my iPhone
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 19, 2011, 9:52:26 PM7/19/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
I find that I spend weekends playing catch up and now I'll be adding a
wiki page to the catch up. I guess that is why I trimmed my page today so
it wouldn't be extra, extra work-just extra work! I must admit it was fun
doing it but that is because I have extra time now. Come September, it's
back to the
grading treadmill. I really wish I could have a couple of extra hours each
day to really do justice to wiki. But I will try hard to keep it going if
it gets students motivated.
wiki page to the catch up. I guess that is why I trimmed my page today so
it wouldn't be extra, extra work-just extra work! I must admit it was fun
doing it but that is because I have extra time now. Come September, it's
back to the
grading treadmill. I really wish I could have a couple of extra hours each
day to really do justice to wiki. But I will try hard to keep it going if
it gets students motivated.
Claireg
rmacey
Jul 20, 2011, 8:34:18 AM7/20/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Thanks Hagar,
I guess the tendency is to want to jump right in and have the info up
for every class right away. I'll keep this idea in mind when the
craziness starts in September.
Rachel
I guess the tendency is to want to jump right in and have the info up
for every class right away. I'll keep this idea in mind when the
craziness starts in September.
Rachel
Drew Dymond
Jul 21, 2011, 12:52:18 AM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I guess I'm not exactly sure what makes a great classroom website. I
have never maintained a facebook page let alone a website. If I were
looking at through a student's point of view I would want the site to
be easy to navigate and information would be easily found. There
should be any notes that have been discussed in class and any video
clips that are relevant. Assignments and project due dates would be
available along with the rubric for grading. The teacher's email
address or extension should be on the site. If a student missed a
class or two there should be enough information on the site to get
them caught up. I guess I don't fully grasp the whole anyone being
able to edit the wiki concept yet. I'm going to have to get used to
that and learn the full capability of the site to become fully
comfortable.
have never maintained a facebook page let alone a website. If I were
looking at through a student's point of view I would want the site to
be easy to navigate and information would be easily found. There
should be any notes that have been discussed in class and any video
clips that are relevant. Assignments and project due dates would be
available along with the rubric for grading. The teacher's email
address or extension should be on the site. If a student missed a
class or two there should be enough information on the site to get
them caught up. I guess I don't fully grasp the whole anyone being
able to edit the wiki concept yet. I'm going to have to get used to
that and learn the full capability of the site to become fully
comfortable.
sinisko...@pvbears.org
Jul 21, 2011, 10:58:55 AM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I agree with almost everything that everyone else has said about a
great website. If we want kids to access the website on a regular
basis, it has to be updated frequently, and therein lies the problem.
I think that most of us have the best of intentions but then real-life
tends to get in the way. I always get questions from parents about
where they could get help for their child so a few really great links
for additional math help would be great. I would love to keep updated
homework assignments on the website. Unfortunately, I am still always
slightly revising assignments a few times a week so that would be
something I would have to be able to update on a daily basis quickly.
The website should look pleasing to the eye but not be too crowded or
too many bells and whistles so that it distracts from the purpose of
the website. It would be great to have some type of discussion
section where students could go to ask questions of each other and me
if necessary.
great website. If we want kids to access the website on a regular
basis, it has to be updated frequently, and therein lies the problem.
I think that most of us have the best of intentions but then real-life
tends to get in the way. I always get questions from parents about
where they could get help for their child so a few really great links
for additional math help would be great. I would love to keep updated
homework assignments on the website. Unfortunately, I am still always
slightly revising assignments a few times a week so that would be
something I would have to be able to update on a daily basis quickly.
The website should look pleasing to the eye but not be too crowded or
too many bells and whistles so that it distracts from the purpose of
the website. It would be great to have some type of discussion
section where students could go to ask questions of each other and me
if necessary.
Drew Dymond
Jul 21, 2011, 8:27:32 PM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
This question is for anyone who has a classroom website that they are
using. How often do students actually use the site?
On Jul 21, 10:58 am, "sinisko.ther...@pvbears.org"
using. How often do students actually use the site?
On Jul 21, 10:58 am, "sinisko.ther...@pvbears.org"
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 21, 2011, 9:34:45 PM7/21/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
> don't have one but will in Sept. I do know that the homework emails that
so many wanted this past year went unread.......
so many wanted this past year went unread.......
Can you help me with something? I can't get into the form that we were to
add onto and make changes to from week one. I'm kind of panicking since it
is due tomorrow. I never recieved an email at gmail about it like the
guideline said-is that the problem?
Thnxs
Claire Grace
Jason Smith
Jul 21, 2011, 9:49:16 PM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Hi Drew,
I've posted assignments and daily activities to a calendar on my
school website for two years now. Some kids utilize it, but its like
pulling teeth to get most kids to use it as a resource. I still get
the "we have a test today?" even though it's been posted on the
calendar on the website, and on the board in class, as well as verbal
reminders. I gues when they don't care.....well?.....they just don't
care.
I've posted assignments and daily activities to a calendar on my
school website for two years now. Some kids utilize it, but its like
pulling teeth to get most kids to use it as a resource. I still get
the "we have a test today?" even though it's been posted on the
calendar on the website, and on the board in class, as well as verbal
reminders. I gues when they don't care.....well?.....they just don't
care.
Jason Smith
Jul 21, 2011, 9:56:29 PM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I find that the simple, easy to navigate sites are the best. Too much
clutter can be confusing. However, in this digital era, kids may be
confortable with alot of information on a single page. I'm looking at
my screen right now and there is tons of info. When we used elluminate
for our online meeting there were many things going on at the same
time and I was OK with it....so maybe i'm wrong about the web page
needing to look simple????
I would like to ask my students what they prefer.
I think the following elements are important for a teachers website:
contact info such as e-mail address
assignments
quiz/test/project dates
resources
then i think interactive elements are also important such as
blogs
discussion boards
clutter can be confusing. However, in this digital era, kids may be
confortable with alot of information on a single page. I'm looking at
my screen right now and there is tons of info. When we used elluminate
for our online meeting there were many things going on at the same
time and I was OK with it....so maybe i'm wrong about the web page
needing to look simple????
I would like to ask my students what they prefer.
I think the following elements are important for a teachers website:
contact info such as e-mail address
assignments
quiz/test/project dates
resources
then i think interactive elements are also important such as
blogs
discussion boards
sinisko...@pvbears.org
Jul 21, 2011, 10:09:44 PM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Hi Drew. Although I do not currently have a teacher website (although
I will after this course), I have accessed websites of the teachers of
my own personal children. I can tell you that I accessed the teacher
websites once or twice in the beginning of the year and that was it.
I do believe that that is typical behavior. Unless the website is
able to have some aspects of the social media websites or some other
interactive feature or requirement, I would think that most students
will not access the site repeatedly. Having said that, I still think
a teacher website is expected by parents and students alike.
I will after this course), I have accessed websites of the teachers of
my own personal children. I can tell you that I accessed the teacher
websites once or twice in the beginning of the year and that was it.
I do believe that that is typical behavior. Unless the website is
able to have some aspects of the social media websites or some other
interactive feature or requirement, I would think that most students
will not access the site repeatedly. Having said that, I still think
a teacher website is expected by parents and students alike.
sinisko...@pvbears.org
Jul 21, 2011, 10:13:59 PM7/21/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Are you talking about the KWL concept map? You should have gotten an
email from CJ with a link to access it. I had difficulties as well.
First I had to change my email address on my google account because
the two email addresses were different (one used home, one used school
email)--they have to be the same. Second, once I opened the map, I
couldn't edit it until I upgraded my internet explorer browser to the
latest version (Internet Explorer 9) This was free to do. Good luck!
email from CJ with a link to access it. I had difficulties as well.
First I had to change my email address on my google account because
the two email addresses were different (one used home, one used school
email)--they have to be the same. Second, once I opened the map, I
couldn't edit it until I upgraded my internet explorer browser to the
latest version (Internet Explorer 9) This was free to do. Good luck!
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 22, 2011, 8:57:58 AM7/22/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
Wow! Thanks for that input Jason! I thought I was the only teacher who
had that problem. I often tell my husband that I must be speaking Chinese
or some other language in English class because No one understand when I
say a test is coming up!>
had that problem. I often tell my husband that I must be speaking Chinese
or some other language in English class because No one understand when I
say a test is coming up!>
JerryLangan
Jul 22, 2011, 11:43:17 AM7/22/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I agree that the websites will be different for each class and each
teacher as well.
One of the hardest things this past year for me was he ability to keep
it updated. We have a team
web page through scholastic.com and it really is sort of lame. I has
been exciting for me to start
creating interactive things for the beginning of the upcoming school
year.
teacher as well.
One of the hardest things this past year for me was he ability to keep
it updated. We have a team
web page through scholastic.com and it really is sort of lame. I has
been exciting for me to start
creating interactive things for the beginning of the upcoming school
year.
JerryLangan
Jul 22, 2011, 11:46:49 AM7/22/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
I never really thought about making games available through a class
web page.
That sounds cool and I know for a fact that there are Language Arts
games
by the hundreds that I could incorporate. Thanks for the idea.
On Jul 18, 7:30 am, Colleen Kingsbury <cholohankingsb...@gmail.com>
wrote:
web page.
That sounds cool and I know for a fact that there are Language Arts
games
by the hundreds that I could incorporate. Thanks for the idea.
On Jul 18, 7:30 am, Colleen Kingsbury <cholohankingsb...@gmail.com>
wrote:
JerryLangan
Jul 22, 2011, 11:53:47 AM7/22/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
No real insight, but I felt the same this past year. Our team has a
web page together and
it is very boring and straightforward. Only the parents were checking
it and that rarely happened.
Keeping it updated was extremely hard. We would set aside time on a
certain day where we all
would update the site and let each other know. The site would show who
did the updates and when they did them.
Jerry
web page together and
it is very boring and straightforward. Only the parents were checking
it and that rarely happened.
Keeping it updated was extremely hard. We would set aside time on a
certain day where we all
would update the site and let each other know. The site would show who
did the updates and when they did them.
Jerry
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 22, 2011, 12:07:10 PM7/22/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
Did I hear language arts games? Do you know what the links are?
Claire>
Claire>
cgr...@stjw.org
Jul 22, 2011, 2:54:37 PM7/22/11
to ciu-20-technolog...@googlegroups.com
My phone service is still out.
We can email. I'm here.
Claire>
We can email. I'm here.
Claire>
C.J. McHugh
Jul 25, 2011, 4:18:01 PM7/25/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Drew,
I've been using active classroom websites for years now. In my
opinion, it seems just like a lot of other things: responsible
students will probably access the website, while others may not. I
think a number of factors come into play. Is the website well
maintained by the teacher? From day 1 to day 180, the first thing
students see on the screen when they walk into my room is the "Class
Summaries and Assignments" page for that course. If the importance of
the website is emphasized, it is far more likely to become an
effective, integral part of the classroom. Check this out:
http://nahsphysicalscience.wikispaces.com/Class+Summaries+and+Assignments
If nothing else, the students know this is where I'm supposed to go to
figure out what I need from class and actually get it. Hey, I always
have a few extra copies of everything we use on hand, and I tend to
keep them for a few weeks in reverse chronological order on separate
piles immediately when you walk into my room. But that webpage is a
very good description of what we do from 1 to 180. I will also add
that after you begin using this method, it becomes like second
nature. Think of it like a virtual lesson plan collection that you
can make as vague or detailed as you would like. It also provides
quick reference and great flexibility over time. There are so many
times when I edit that page before, during, or after the school day as
plans change, things come up, etc. etc. And whenever I think of
something that could have been done better or something I want to add,
boom I can add it right where it belongs on that page.
I've been using active classroom websites for years now. In my
opinion, it seems just like a lot of other things: responsible
students will probably access the website, while others may not. I
think a number of factors come into play. Is the website well
maintained by the teacher? From day 1 to day 180, the first thing
students see on the screen when they walk into my room is the "Class
Summaries and Assignments" page for that course. If the importance of
the website is emphasized, it is far more likely to become an
effective, integral part of the classroom. Check this out:
http://nahsphysicalscience.wikispaces.com/Class+Summaries+and+Assignments
If nothing else, the students know this is where I'm supposed to go to
figure out what I need from class and actually get it. Hey, I always
have a few extra copies of everything we use on hand, and I tend to
keep them for a few weeks in reverse chronological order on separate
piles immediately when you walk into my room. But that webpage is a
very good description of what we do from 1 to 180. I will also add
that after you begin using this method, it becomes like second
nature. Think of it like a virtual lesson plan collection that you
can make as vague or detailed as you would like. It also provides
quick reference and great flexibility over time. There are so many
times when I edit that page before, during, or after the school day as
plans change, things come up, etc. etc. And whenever I think of
something that could have been done better or something I want to add,
boom I can add it right where it belongs on that page.
Malone, Hagar
Jul 26, 2011, 2:10:39 PM7/26/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
My students are told that I have a teacher page, but I know that they
almost never go there. We as a faculty have decided not to post daily
assignments in order to make students accountable for writing down
their work. My courses are considered minor subjects and are often
viewed as "not worth much." This makes homework accountability a
nightmare, especially when I see my classes once a week for Research
and once a week for Tech. This last year, I have used my page more to
address the long-standing parent issue of "We don't know what our kids
are doing in your class." After I do my lesson plans, I put a one
line description of what I will be doing in each grade that week.
With 15 different classes to prepare for this next year, that listing
is going to get pretty long.
almost never go there. We as a faculty have decided not to post daily
assignments in order to make students accountable for writing down
their work. My courses are considered minor subjects and are often
viewed as "not worth much." This makes homework accountability a
nightmare, especially when I see my classes once a week for Research
and once a week for Tech. This last year, I have used my page more to
address the long-standing parent issue of "We don't know what our kids
are doing in your class." After I do my lesson plans, I put a one
line description of what I will be doing in each grade that week.
With 15 different classes to prepare for this next year, that listing
is going to get pretty long.
Malone, Hagar
Jul 26, 2011, 2:13:21 PM7/26/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
There's simple, and simple, Jason. Simple as in easy to navigate and
understand is good. Simple as is talking down to the kids or posting
a lot of cartoony-type stuff is not so good.
understand is good. Simple as is talking down to the kids or posting
a lot of cartoony-type stuff is not so good.
Malone, Hagar
Jul 26, 2011, 7:36:31 PM7/26/11
to CIU 20 Technology in Secondary Ed
Gaming is another hot topic in educational technology right now.
University of Harrisburg has a group of courses for teachers that
teach how to create these games--the prerequiste skills are kind-of
steep. The collaboration, logical thinking, and organization that
students experience through games are those critical thinking skills
that have been missing in recent years. Like you said, there are many
games already online.
University of Harrisburg has a group of courses for teachers that
teach how to create these games--the prerequiste skills are kind-of
steep. The collaboration, logical thinking, and organization that
students experience through games are those critical thinking skills
that have been missing in recent years. Like you said, there are many
games already online.
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