Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Sunday, October 26, 2008

10/26 Blog

One thing that I have recently done in my classroom is to have the kids create a PowerPoint presentation on a career of their choice. I gave them specific guidelines as to what should be included in the PowerPoint and also required students to present the PowerPoint as a test grade. I gave students four full class periods of 54 minutes to gather information for their PowerPoint's and gave them a specific website to use to pull the information. This was an independent assignment and each student had access to a lap top computer to conduct research.

Students worked fairly well independently. Most stayed on track and were able to finish the assignment within the time allotted. However, the thing that I found the most challenging about students completing this task was the fact that many students within my classes work at various paces. I informed them that if they could not finish the task during class time, then they would have to finish it on their own. I repeated this everyday while encouraging students to use their time wisely. Of course, on presentation day, I had students coming up to me saying, "I'm not ready," or "Mines not finished." I ended up allowing those students to present on a later date for points off.

I felt like I explained the expectations of the assignment well, allotted enough time for assignment completion, gave students a clear rubric of how they would be graded, and provided them with adequate resources to complete the task. But, in the end, there were still those that did not complete it. The most surprising thing about this assignment was that some students actually turned in nothing! I questioned myself on this part because I thought I did a good job of monitoring students while they were working, however, it was evident that I could have done better by the fact that I had students that turned in absolutely nothing! What did they do for the four hours I gave them to work on this? I am sure they were playing games or visiting websites that they were not instructed to be on.

Although I am a fan of technology and do think that this assignment worked out mostly well (I would do it again), it reminds me of how careful one must be when allowing students access to the Internet. There are just too many possibilities out there for their active little minds to explore!

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