Network Based Classrooms

I am looking forward to making the transition to a networked classroom. I think it can be very exciting especially with how tech savvy our world is becoming. There are lots of good things that can come from a networked classroom. With as much time as our students spend on some form of device, I think they will be much more engaged in what they are learning. It's so different from the traditional method of learning. There are so many different ways students can submit a project or presentation. It allows their creative juices to flow.

With as many advantages that surround a networked classroom, there are also problems that may arise. Of course, you will always have to deal with WiFi issues that arise. As a teacher, I plan on having a back up plan for that case. I also foresee  dealing with students being off task. I thought I had heard of a program that displays all of their screens onto your teacher computer. If any of you know what that's called let me know! I think the biggest thing we may face is that students may not have internet access at home. I want to encourage my students next year to plan time to come in before school or stay after school to get what they need so they won't need to have Internet at home.

I have a couple of programs in my mind that I want to start out using for next year. I don't want to dive in too deep and overwhelm myself. I think trying something new each quarter or even semester would be great. I'm the type of person that needs to experience things myself, then pass them onto my students. I want to use Edmodo for exit tickets. I already put some of my lessons on Educreations and upload them to my website. I want to continue with that.

I think having a networked classroom can be a huge aid in differentiation. I know I've allowed some of my advanced students to work ahead this year. They watch the video lesson and take notes at home, then come in and work on the assignment in class. They've been following a flipped classroom set up, which I love, and so do they. I also have some lower students that have been working on Accelerated Math. I love this program, and I can see how beneficial it can be for all students. Each student has their own track and have to pass a certain area before moving on. It's a great way to focus on certain skills they are lacking or to help students get ahead and focus on skills needed for higher level classes.

Twitter in the Classroom

I am very new to Twitter. I created an account back in August, but I haven't really had the chance to dive into everything it has to offer. I am more of a Facebook person. But as I keep hearing more and more things about Twitter, I have found myself checking Twitter more just in the past few weeks. 

I've started doing some research on how to use it in the classroom. One thing I think I like the best is to create a chat session for help with homework. I wouldn't plan on doing this every night because it would get too time consuming. I would maybe pick a day of the week and a time for students to bring any questions they may have. I also like the idea of maybe posting a weekly extra credit problem or riddle that students could work on. They would be optional, but I would have them due maybe on Mondays. I also like the idea of posting upcoming due dates or test dates. And if we have a test coming up, I would post a review question daily for the week leading up to the test.

Again I am very new to Twitter, but I really like these ideas and would like to start implementing them next year. I think the kids would really like it. What are ways you use Twitter for your classrooms? I would love to hear more ideas to broaden my horizons.

Follow me at @andreaotto08

Professional Learning Networks

In education, professional learning networks (PLNs) are becoming the buzz. As I have started researching PLNs, I have come to love Edmodo. According to Torrey Trust, part of creating a PLN is to have information aggregation and a social media connection. Edmodo resembles Facebook. Therefore, I really think students would gravitate more towards that. While the look is great, I truly love the fact that you can assess your students using Edmodo. This is probably my favorite feature. I plan to use it as a daily exit ticket for my students. This site lists 20 ways a teacher can use Edmodo in the classroom. They cover a range of subject areas. Notice that #1 is to assess students or poll them.  

Torrey Trust also listed information aggregation as a tool to creating a PLN. I really see students using a bookmarking site like Diigo or Delicious would be beneficial. Especially if they are working on a research paper. It provides an easy way to keep all of their resources in one place. 

What are some other PLNs that you like to use or follow to benefit your students?