One tool that is going to be incorporated into my teaching is Google Moderator. It is like an open forum (with voting). Sometimes it is very difficult for students to organize their thoughts when they say them, they might prefer to take the time to write them down before other students can look at them.
I think I am already very loaded with goals and activities currently. I can't see myself adding another goal and still being successful with the ones I currently have. I have been exponentially adding people and resources to my learning network. I feel at some point I am going to have to go back and look through everything to find some things to drop. Otherwise, I am going to spend my entire day looking through the new stuff.
For my next time of improving my learning I will start by looking at other people's concepts on learning. Otherwise I might stay too long in my own comfort zone of learning.
One of my ongoing goals is to encourage colleagues to develop and expand their professional reading. Not just abut technology (this happens naturally enough with best-practices reading), but all aspects of professional development. WARNING: this can become highly addictive and you will eventually feel the compulsion (if you haven't already) to give back to your PLN. Tools of choice = Twitter, Google Reader, LinkedIn, your blog, and listserves.
ReplyDeleteWhy not manage a wiki to encourage your peers at work to network ideas? This can be an ongoing project.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned Google Moderator. From what I understand, this application ranks or manages submitted comments and questions and makes it easier to provide feedback. This sounds like a good way to introduce a new topic or concept.If teaching lower grades, this application could also be adapted to enhance a KWL chart.
I will be checking out Google Moderator...I appreciate your comment about looking at other people's concepts of learning so as not to stay put in your own comfort zone. Its always a good idea to keep looking around. Admire and acquire and all that really does keep us motivated. Its too easy in our profession to close the door and assume we are doing the best we can. Good attitude.
ReplyDeleteI, too, will be looking into Google Moderator. I think this would be a good way to get ideas out to help students. I like your idea of having students type what they would like to say before sharing because this is a way, to not only give students think time, but also allow all students to respond to a question for prompt. I also feel very weighted down with goals I have been setting! I guess keep plugging away! :)
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