GoogleDocs

I recently used GoogleDocs for the first time for a grad school project. I have zero experience with this tool and I am looking forward to using it and becoming more proficient with it. It seems like a very useful tool because multiple project participants can be given access to a document and can add files, changes, etc. from any computer with internet access. It allows for convenience and collaboration in the easiest of ways. I would like to use GoogleDocs with my students one day. I have heard from my classmates that they use it with their students...if you do, and you wouldn't mind sharing how you use it and the logistics of it, I would love to hear about it and learn from your experience!

Project Based Learning in the Classroom

I really enjoyed reading my colleagues' PBL lessons they created this week. It was interesting to see how differently we were all able to integrate the various subjects. I think that PBL offers a great opportunity to 1)really get students engaged in learning, 2) integrate subjects, and 3) allow students to use their learning in a real-world, authentic situation. However, PBL can also be a daunting task for a teacher to undertake. It is very time consuming to plan and to implement. It requires collaboration among various teachers and a variety of materials. Because this type of learning is (sadly) not very common in K-12 classrooms, I feel that the first few times students attempt a PBL project, they might need a lot of guidance. However, with some persistence, patience, planning, and practice, I think students and teachers alike can become more proficient at using PBL in the classroom and will really see the benefits in student learning.

I would love to hear how you use PBL in your classroom!

Reviewing with VoiceThread

I recently used VoiceThread for the first time with a small group of students. The VoiceThread lesson was aimed at 4th grade students who needed to review the content from our animal adaptations unit. First we reviewed the types of adaptations and how they help animals meet their various needs. I showed several pictures of animals and asked the students to respond with their thoughts about the animals' adaptations and how they help them survive in their habitats. I found that the students were highly motivated to complete this assignment and to do it well. They were much more thorough in their answers and offered much more detail and explanation than they would have if I had asked them to write their answers on paper.

Next time, I would like to use this program as a reading group assignment. I feel it lends itself well to this activity because it can be differentiated based on student ability or interest. I think students could discuss the books they are reading in our reading groups and give their opinions, inferences, predictions, and thoughts based on images that I post on the VoiceThread depicting the setting, characters, plot, or theme.

Here is a link to my project: http://katieadams.wikispaces.com/VoiceThread+Project

I would like to hear more ideas about how this useful tool is being implemented with students. If you have a VoiceThread experience to share, please post it here!