Project WRITE

hickstro

Spend a few minutes viewing posts on Youth Voices, then consider the following in your forum posts and responses

* How do newer technologies and literacies allow students to engage in more substantive conversations about topics of personal importance? In what ways can these technologies lead to distractions?
* In what ways do blogging, podcasting, and writing with wikis support higher level thinking? In what ways can these modes of digital writing support our curricular goals? In what ways do these modes force us to make decisions about curriculum, instruction, and assessment that (may) go against traditional teaching practices?

dhalstead66

Obstacles in using technology
I am having issues with technology in a sense that it is difficult to use all of these really cool things, but I do not have access to the computers and the ones I can get to are not able to handle all of the new things.

cperrydrama

I've actually just started using discussion boards with my Junior English class, and so far they seem to be asking very good questions, and responding well to it. I'm not confident that they are ENJOYING it, seeing as it's homework, but they're doing it. And it means that they are actually DOING the assigned reading, as there is a corresponding writing assignment. SO, that's good. It's helping me to keep track of their learning, and it helps them draw connections between the reading and the society in which we live.

Baby steps.

sequinnw

Using Weblogs and Wikis gives students real audiences for our young writers. They also offer ways for students to become published and allows readers to respond to their writing.

lstrick

My problem with technology is different, but still a problem. I have 26 computers in my room which sounds great. However, I can't keep up with all of the different sites that I have created. My classes are using google.docs, wikispaces, blogs, podcasting, and blackboard. I am overwhelmed. Yes, the easy fix would be to say, "Just use fewer at one time." Nice idea. But the problem is that now that my students have a taste, they want to use it all. Also, trying to get them to "extract their fingers from the keyboard" and write on paper pencil or, heaven forbid, read, it is like I asked them to chop off their left foot and run a marathon.

lewie73

I'm really beginning to think about how I can use the Blog as a forum for my students' Digital Portfolios. I've always done them, but we've created pages in Appleworks (yikes) and then converted them to web pages. It seems a blog would be a better medium. I'd like them to use their home page to write a letter to readers about who they are as a writer and how they've changed throughout the year.
Then, each page will be their chosen pieces!
I am sure the Blog is a valuable tool. However, I know starting with this at the beginning of the year is vital for maximum benefit.

lewie73

I'm really beginning to think about how I can use the Blog as a forum for my students' Digital Portfolios. I've always done them, but we've created pages in Appleworks (yikes) and then converted them to web pages. It seems a blog would be a better medium. I'd like them to use their home page to write a letter to readers about who they are as a writer and how they've changed throughout the year.
Then, each page will be their chosen pieces!
I am sure the Blog is a valuable tool. However, I know starting with this at the beginning of the year is vital for maximum benefit.

kshewitt

Another post mentioned baby steps.....
In my district we're still learning to crawl. I feel like the one kid in the candy store without any spending money. I certainly see the value of all the things we're being shown, but cannot do any of them.

My task starts with getting any of these things opened up to myself and to students. However, it's like talking to a brick wall.

I'd love to entertain your suggestions, thoughts, etc.

s412blanchett

Don't ever have to miss a session, it is too hard if computers are not a "natural" for you; but I've never been a quitter...so I'll plug along and keep trying. Are there tutors available that can work s..l..o..w enough for me to understand? I've learned so much, but I wonder if I'll ever make it!

msleedy

I agree that writing on a wiki or blog gives our students the important aspect of having a real audience. This makes their writing authentic, even if the audience is just their classmates. I have seen my students quickly become more interested in their writing when the KNEW someone else (besides me) would read it. And isn't that one of the goals - to get them to be interested in writing?! It seems the only way to get students to improve their writing is to get them to CARE about improving it first!

dhalstead66

Using technology to improve the literacy of students will allow for those students who are not comfortable writing in a journal or speaking in class an opportunity to write on the computer and have their thoughts expressed. I have quite a few students who love being on the computer, but do not like to write on paper. I think being on the computer will allow these reluctant students to feel comfortable in the classroom.

teacherpet

I have accomplished the task of creating my first podcast all on my own! What a feeling!

brosttl04

This is difficult to do with students when the school has everything blocked. I get so excited and start working on my blog and then the technology is not there for me to use. I do believe blogs will peak the interest of my students and their writing will improve. This will give them a reason to write and an audience to listen and respond.

ewaugh

I feel as though I have so much tonight. I am excited to go home and explore podcasts more.

mrslindemann

I am having just as much fun with blogs as the students are. I do not miss lugging home a bag of essays after a writing assignment.

robinpowell

I am glad that we got to play around with the blogs more today. I learned a little bit more about them and had fun attaching podcasts. The RSS was wayyyyyyyyyyyy over my head, but I think if I heard about it more next time I might be able to use it. I also would like to learn more about how to add people in this class to my blog, maybe we did learn tonight but I was just busy doing podcasts. But if not I would like to do that too!

dhalstead66

I agree about the blocking. Our district makes it very difficult to do a lot of these things as well. I was finally able to get into Nicenet.org and have set that up for my students and they have been very successful so far. But that is a very basic site, I really want to try some of these new and exciting things.

brosttl04

I think this would be better if we could actually complete a blog and then start the next project. When you can only work on this in class, it is hard to really understand it. But, I will keep working and hope that I don't just drop out.

brosttl04

I think this would be better if we could actually complete a blog and then start the next project. When you can only work on this in class, it is hard to really understand it. But, I will keep working and hope that I don't just drop out.

sequinnw

There are so many possibilities; it's hard to know which one will work best for our situation. I fear having too many to juggle at once. I want to be able to implement one well rather than three or four minimally. Additionally, I still want students to see the value in holding a notebook and putting pen/pencil to paper.