So, my goal is to keep this short and sweet, and see what comments people have. I am looking to write up my wiki lesson soon and wanted to throw some ideas out there.
As an elementary physical educator, finding enough time to complete technology tasks in general has been tough. However, with a wiki, there is the potential of asking for a little time outside of class for students to work. I have already done a little work with the fourth grade classes at my school and could probably try this with them or any upper elementary grade. The students could work as a group to create an "online teacher resource" for FCPS, who are having trouble updating their various POS and curriculum to the Web. I would probably need to focus on either a particular content area, such as fitness or skill-themed unit, or open it up to all skill-based units, such as football, soccer, jump rope, dance, etc. I think to keep it small, I would probably choose a skill-unit we have already done and create pages for rules, history, and each skill.
And here in lies the next issue, I really do like how our ITSopedia works with weekly updates - starting from lists of facts to fully-developed paragraphs. This could be good if planned out properly as to when and what each person was responsible for. I hate to copy but I feel this is a smart format and gives students time to work outside of class and participate in a number of roles. Look forward to feedback. Thanks!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wiki-wiki-wild!!!
The term "wiki" already sounds like a fun word; like something out of a Will Smith song. But I like to think of it similar to the sound effect of turntable scratching! And, in a way (a far cry way), it is similar to the scratching and mixing of voices and sounds. People can come together anonymously to offer their informed (and, hopefully, accurate) opinion in a public-online fashion; and if it is not correct, someone else will edit it appropriately.
This collaborative experience offers more than blogs do and is fast becoming a solid-based resource. While wikipedia does have its problems with the occasional hooligan, Richardson notes that these occurrences are rare and quickly corrected. It is always reassuring to know there is a place where the good is outnumbering the vandals. Blogs are great sources still for seeing reflections, reactions, and biased-opinions; and I enjoy reading what others have to say or experience in their endeavors.
I would like to see where wikis can be included in a physical educational setting. I have read a couple postings from across the Atlantic that were intriguing. Mostly, they served as a review or compilation of facts on a sport or health-related theme. I think this could be a great activity and source of info for upper elementary but more so for the middle and high school crowds; especially in a health course where students usually spend at least one quarter per year. I could see my students getting involved in such an activity (time-permitting) as a culminating project of our physical education experience - similar to what we are performing in class. I think it would give a definite sense of ownership and an authoritative confidence of their respective material. Is anyone out there already attempting wikis with their classes? I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and ideas.
"Don't mess with us cuz we're in the (Wild Wild West), Wiki-wiki-wild." - Will Smith
This collaborative experience offers more than blogs do and is fast becoming a solid-based resource. While wikipedia does have its problems with the occasional hooligan, Richardson notes that these occurrences are rare and quickly corrected. It is always reassuring to know there is a place where the good is outnumbering the vandals. Blogs are great sources still for seeing reflections, reactions, and biased-opinions; and I enjoy reading what others have to say or experience in their endeavors.
I would like to see where wikis can be included in a physical educational setting. I have read a couple postings from across the Atlantic that were intriguing. Mostly, they served as a review or compilation of facts on a sport or health-related theme. I think this could be a great activity and source of info for upper elementary but more so for the middle and high school crowds; especially in a health course where students usually spend at least one quarter per year. I could see my students getting involved in such an activity (time-permitting) as a culminating project of our physical education experience - similar to what we are performing in class. I think it would give a definite sense of ownership and an authoritative confidence of their respective material. Is anyone out there already attempting wikis with their classes? I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts and ideas.
"Don't mess with us cuz we're in the (Wild Wild West), Wiki-wiki-wild." - Will Smith
Monday, February 2, 2009
Advocacy...and Facebook?!?
After reading the Advocacy Guideline from ASCD, I found myself curious to see where some of the links went to. The most intriguing were the Facebook (FB) ones. While this is a social networking site, I was a little surprised at how many education associations were a part of it. For example from the reading, there was the ASCD's site and then their Facebook page. The sites were both fairly comprehensive about the organization itself but the FB site seemed to be a friendlier and more welcoming zone.
Other organizational links included -
With Human Resource agencies looking so closely now at FB and Myspace sites in terms of hiring, it might be a safe move to become a member or fan of such groups.
However, being a physical educator, I wanted to see what else was out there in my field. I was a little surprised at the amount of fun groups people have created, such as the Penn State Kinesiology FB site, which apparently only accepts those currently in the program and serves simply as a group that people joined; I actually am interested in what they might talk about but there is an extreme lack of postings thus far - none! On the professional side, I was disappointed to only see a few real organizations, such as PE Central (FB site). I cannot tell if this means that there are not a lot of professional groups who have ventured onto FB, or if there is a lack of "calling" to do so. Of course, now I say this with perhaps the same disposition where I know I do not have the time to manage and update such a site...but then who will? And what type of person does it take to do so?
I make all these comments only cause I am interested to see a little bit more how organizations develop, how change is made, how advocacy works, how do leaders lead, etc. I realize using FB may not be appropriate for the classroom but it got me to do a little more professional research than I probably would have done.
Of course, this brings up another good point about advocating for technology in schools. Clearly, bringing in tools that students can relate to will help enhance the experience, give a deeper and more meaningful understanding, and perhaps motivate learning. Thoughts?
Other organizational links included -
- Strong American Schools and the SAS Facebook page
- Eduwonk and the eduwonkcom Facebook version
- Education Week and the EdWeek Facebook site
With Human Resource agencies looking so closely now at FB and Myspace sites in terms of hiring, it might be a safe move to become a member or fan of such groups.
However, being a physical educator, I wanted to see what else was out there in my field. I was a little surprised at the amount of fun groups people have created, such as the Penn State Kinesiology FB site, which apparently only accepts those currently in the program and serves simply as a group that people joined; I actually am interested in what they might talk about but there is an extreme lack of postings thus far - none! On the professional side, I was disappointed to only see a few real organizations, such as PE Central (FB site). I cannot tell if this means that there are not a lot of professional groups who have ventured onto FB, or if there is a lack of "calling" to do so. Of course, now I say this with perhaps the same disposition where I know I do not have the time to manage and update such a site...but then who will? And what type of person does it take to do so?
I make all these comments only cause I am interested to see a little bit more how organizations develop, how change is made, how advocacy works, how do leaders lead, etc. I realize using FB may not be appropriate for the classroom but it got me to do a little more professional research than I probably would have done.
Of course, this brings up another good point about advocating for technology in schools. Clearly, bringing in tools that students can relate to will help enhance the experience, give a deeper and more meaningful understanding, and perhaps motivate learning. Thoughts?
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