My game plan forced me to take the leap into blogging. It took several weeks, but I did it. My program now has a website and my upper
level students have blogs/online portfolios set up. This has changed the way students reflect and
I like it.
Throughout the process I learned the process of working with
the district to try to get a site unblocked.
I also engaged in research for alternatives. Weebly never worked. I had to scrap the website I created; however,
I was introduced to wordpress. I knew it
would be a bit more challenging, but I got used to it. The students jumped right on it. This new process is moving my instructional
practice from paper based to digital.
Students are writing more for their self-assessments and appreciate that
they can share their work with their family and friends. Before, it was a challenge to get them to
write complete sentences on their forms.
Now, I don’t have that issue. I
even get deeper and more meaningful responses.
It is still the honeymoon phase, but students are raving about the
change.
Based on my GAME plan, I have begun to move other areas of
my classroom digitally. For example, the
equipment and classroom sign-out sheets are now a google doc spreadsheet. I used QR codes to post by the equipment and
near the door. Now students scan the
code and fill out the simple form. They
aren’t as keen on this change. I hope they
get used to it.
As for this class, many of the things we learned about I
already do. I guess it is expected in a
Career and Technology Education course.
My classroom already used problem-based learning, online collaboration,
and digital storytelling. These elements
are required to fulfill the standards.
One thing that helped was the GAME plan.
I was forced to make a change I was cautious of-creating a program
specific website and students blogs. I
am glad I took the chance. Because of
the changes, I have written a grant to get 8 more iPads. I hope to be paperless next year; meaning,
everything will be done digitally. Crazy
scary, but exhilarating at the same time.
