Group+A+Workspace

=Group A Workspace=

To add your VoiceThread:

 * 1) Click the **Edit** tab in the upper-right corner.
 * 2) Scroll down the page until you you reach the bottom of the Learning Activity 4-C-1: Create a VoiceThread section.
 * 3) Click under the last link of the Learning Activity 4-C-1: Create a VoiceThread section.
 * 4) Type your first name and last initial followed by "VoiceThread" (ex. TimF VoiceThread).
 * 5) Highlight your your name and VoiceThread name.
 * 6) Click the **Link** button on the Editor bar.
 * 7) Click the **External Link** tab, if you are not currently on it.
 * 8) Copy and paste your VoiceThread link in the Address textbox.
 * 9) Click the checkbox next to New Window.
 * 10) Click **Add Link**.
 * 11) Press **Save** on the Editor bar.

To edit the Overcoming Barriers table:

 * 1) Click the **Edit** tab in the upper-right corner.
 * 2) Scroll down the page until you you reach the Learning Activity 6-D-1: Overcoming Barriers section.
 * 3) To add a barrier, highlight "Enter barrier here." text and type in your barrier. To add a solution, highlight "Enter solution here." text in the cell to the right of the barrier and type in your solution. If another solution already exists, type your solution under it. Note: Be sure to add your initials at the end of your barriers and solutions so you receive the correct amount of credit for your work.
 * 4) Press **Save** on the Editor bar.

To comment:

 * 1) Click on the **Discussion** tab at the top of the page.
 * 2) Click the **New Post** button.
 * 3) In the **Subject** field, enter a descriptive title.
 * 4) In the **Message** field, type in your feedback.
 * 5) Click **Post**.

MikeW VoiceThread
AnnetteH Voice Thread [|JenniferF Voice Thread] [|Susan Scudere Voicethread]

Learning Activity 6-D-1: Overcoming Barriers
Barriers ||~ Solutions || It takes too much implementing time - JF. ||< Communicate with the administration about visions for increased student learning and the NETS-S that will be addressed with the project. - JF One of your suggestions you made below applie here as well. Maybe you can replace a topic you taught previously with this project and accomplish the same objective(s). - MW || Taking students on the Internet could pose a risk - JF ||< Use programs like Netnanny to protect class. DC I will have to check out Netnanny - JF Many schools already have filter software so students are blocked from certain sites. MS || Not enough computer lab time - JF ||< Partner with classroom teachers for additional computer lab time. - JF Can you utilize any laptop mobile labs? - AH || District firewall - JF ||< In our district you can bypass the firewall for a limited time period with a teacher code. Communication with the technology specialist will be crucial to understanding enhanced learning in the 21st century. - JF I agree, as with my IT guy, communication is so important! Planning well in advance may help you too. - AH || Taking students to internet could pose a risk. - AH ||< Closely monitor class as project is progressing. Communicate with parents and students about internet safety. - AH I agree, as we take students to the internet, it is a chance to really educate students and parents about internet safety - JF || Project takes too much planning and implementing time. - AH ||< Plan well in advance. Communicate to administrators and fine arts unit about the importance of project and for collaboration. - AH A project that meets so many standards is always worthwhile - JF || Too few computers available for large class. - AH ||< Project is designed in groups of 2 students. I have 50 students in class. Need 25 laptop computers for project. Only 20 available. May have to utilize the computer lab in library along with the 2 laptop labs. - AH || Need to get Finale Notepad program (free ware) installed or downloaded onto 20 laptops. - AH ||< Communication with IT guy is important! - AH I suppose the main thing to keep in mind would be to request this early so that IT can have time to implement. - MW || College Algebra has a lot of topics I am expected to teach. How am I going to get the approximately 2 additional class periods needed for the project? - MW ||< Can this project replace something that you already teach or incorporate information in a different method? JF I agree with the above comment, can you incorporate into another unit already being taught? AH I think you have good ideas. Some of the topics taught in College Algebra are not all that useful any more. Fortunately, there is a reform movement that is trying to make the course more relevant and up-to-date. - MW || Some students may be upset that the class isn't taught the same was as other math classes they have had in the past. - MW ||< Give the children an option of working the way they are comfortable with and using technology. Set aside a day they must work with those students who are learning using the new technology. They might just embrace the new technology after a while. (Susan S) Tell students that you are learning along with them. This puts both of you in the same boat, and they realize that changes happen, but you work together through them. -MS || What about students who are not comfortable with their computer skills? Is it fair to require math students to have computer skills? - MW ||< Have them work with students who are comfortable working with technology. Once they are introduced and the fear of using technology are gone, they will be able to produce work. (Susan S) I think you will find most students are comfortable with their computer skills, the only trouble you may run into is an older student who is returning back to school. Good suggestion from above, partner up with other students who are more comfortable and let the students help teach each other. AH Also, I think it IS fair to require this. Having a college education has to include some exposure to new technology, and this should happen throughout the curriculum. - MW || It is possible that my classroom will not be a smart classroom. If this is true, how will I demonstrate Live Thread in class, and how can groups show their final prjects in class? - MW ||< Ask another teacher in the building for use of her smartboard when her children are not in the room. Groups can present their work to other classes that have a smartboard. (Susan S) We sometimes change classrooms and borrow equipment to make it work in our district. We also don't have a smartboard in our room....but we have lots of space (sharing seems to work) JF Sharing is a great idea. Works at my school quite often. AH || Kindergarten children might be unable to understand how to use the technology. (Susan S) ||< Teacher will use 4 students to teach the program to and then have them peer teach it to the rest of the class. During the upper grade lunch hour, have a few volunteers come into the classroom to help the younger students understand the technology. (Susan S) That is a great idea, to have students help mentor/teach each other. The older students may think it is a great priviledge to share their knowledge. AH I was AMAZED at how quickly my nieces (ages 4 and 11 now), learned how to use a mouse at their home computers. One of the barriers will probably be the wide variety of experience your students have. You might even be able to pair more experienced K students with less experienced students. - MW || All the children having enough time to work on their projects and use the technology. (Susan S) ||< Incorportate it in the subject being taught. If the project is reading based, have one group use their center time during guided reading to work with the technology. (Susan S) Good idea to incorporate the project into a unit / curriculum already being taught. AH || Cost of programs being used. (Susan S) ||< Find programs that are free downloads, free limited use within your range of what needs to be accomplished. (Susan S) I have been amazed at the number of free programs that are available that I have learned about in this class! JF If you closely tie your projects objectives to your school's priorities or goals (from a strategic plan for instance), you might even be able to convinve administration to purchase software and hardware needed. As assessment at all levels continues, schools are required to show that spending is related to goals and curriculum. || Valid use of technology with curriculum (Susan S) ||< Make sure projects/technology usage ties into curriculum, state standards and NETS. (Susan S) Have a group of teachers work together to develop project ideas all agree tie in with the curriculum. There is strength in numbers! - MW || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. || Enter barrier here. ||< Enter solution here. ||