Class Reflection

I really did not know what to expect for this class when I first signed up. What I really wanted to do was to figure out how to use some of the new web 2.0 tools and how to better integrate them into my curriculum.

There were somethings that I already know about, but there are also things I did not know about/did not try yet. As a teacher, I am short with free time just like everyone, so it's good that I have a set time, during which I have to get my hands dirty and really build something using the tool. That's first step. The next step is to integrate it into my curriculum, which takes more thinking. And honestly, sometimes I don't come up with anything good enough (in the sense that I don't see a high ROI), then I will forgo the tool for a while (such as Gcast.com).

Google Site is a good example. I have done Wiki and blogs, and even websites, but I never tried Google Site. After digging my hands in, I get an idea about what it's capabilities and limitations are. Now I can sit down and compare these tools and decide which one is best for the purpose at the moment. Google site does make certain integration much easier, like Kathleen said, if most of your materials are on Google, then it makes sense to use Google Doc. Otherwise, wiki (pbwiki) is probably easier.

On my Google site, I tried to put in sample assignments using the technology tools we've learned in this class. For example:

• L5 Activity: I provided a link to VoiceThread for the students. I put a one page with a few prompts for the students, and they are to record a short speech.
• L16 Activity: I provided a link to Animoto. Students are to write a story based on the slideshow using photos related to the topic (Visit a doctor).
• Announcement: I can post slideshows of classroom activities to share with parents and students, etc.
• On each lesson page (see L6), I can post up resources, including my own PowerPoint files, links to online flash activities, and resource links. I can also have students contribute their own sentences so we will have a collection of sentences to learn from.
  

I like the Google site that I started, but I don't see myself using it. I have invested a lot building PBWIKI sites, so I am going to continue to work on these pbWiki sites. They are still work-in-progress, because I have not finished putting materials on them, so I still have some organization to do, but if you are interested, you can request access to visit these pages:
https://carlmontchinese.pbwiki.com/ - this is what will eventually be a base for my classes. It will have information on classroom management plan, rules and policies, and resources.

The following four are mainly classroom sites. They have collaborative pages (class review sheet with vocab samples, and group skits) and individual pages (for penpal letters). I will also post student presentations online using Google Presentation (as in Chinese 3).
http://0809ap.pbwiki.com -
http://0809chinese1.pbwiki.com
http://0809chinese2.pbwiki.com
http://0809chinese3.pbwiki.com

Anyway, tech tools are endless. Let's keep moving forward...And Big THANK YOU to all.

Google Site Introduction

Site URL

Audience (listed in the order of content relevancy):

• Students: Information, resource, submit assignment, sharing 
  
• Parents: Information, resource
  
• Other teachers and administrators: Information, resource
  

Purpose: I am a bit greedy and want to create a site that's sort of "Jack of All Trades".  This is really not a stand-alone "instruction" site; it is more of a supplementary and information site.  I want to create a site that will serve the following purposes:

• Students: I would like to create a site where the students can go and get all the information they need in successfully completing the course and to showcase the skills and knowledge they've acquired.  I've included the following into the sites:  Lesson materials, lesson sources, practices/exercises, submitting assignments, sharing their creative work, and other learning resources.
• Parents: I also want to create a site where the parents can get an idea of what's going on in the classroom without relying on the students for information.  I also have a "Tips for Parents" which I will have to upload later.
• Other teachers and administrators: There will be resources that I posted, and I welcome other teachers to leave me comments with additional resources.  This will also give people an idea about the Chinese program at Carlmont.

A list of top 100 Learning Tools in 2008

This is a slideshow listing the top 100 learning tools, compiled by Jane Hart.

Top 100 Tools for Learning 2008

View more presentations from Jane Hart.

Google Form for Quiz

I got this idea from a friend to use Google Form for short quizzes. Since I teach Chinese and I want to make sure the students can write the characters, I was a a bit skeptical about using it for all levels. I decided to use it with Chinese 3, since they will be doing more of the typing in Chinese 4.

Even though the quiz was only five questions, I was pretty happy with the result. The students were to listen to my dictation, type the sentences in Chinese and then translate them into English.

A few advantages I find:

1. This cuts down the amount of time for the quiz. It takes the students much longer if they had to write the sentences out by hand. So I was happy about this.
2. I also made the submission/responses visible to the students, so the students can see everyone's response, and my standard answer, instantly.  There is fewer people asking "What did I get?"
3. I would never lose a quiz again.  I exported them into Excel, formatted the responses a bit, and print it out.  I only have to take 3 sheets of paper instead of 25 sheets, what a deal!
4. I don't have to make guesses on some of the chicken scratch handwriting...no more arguing with the students about whether they actually put in that stroke or not.

There is a little bit of complaint on the use of the input system, but that has nothing to do with using Google Form.

21st Century Content, 21st Century Learner, and 21st Century Etiquette?

While media literacy, environmental, social and global issues, finance, geography, civic literacy, civic engagement are all key contents for the 21st century, but how about etiquettes? Common courtesy?

Today's students are such passive learners, most of them. Perhaps they are overwhelmed with all the curriculum and tests and competitions and pressures. Perhaps they are used to have information pushed to them via digital media. Perhaps they were not taught by human about the proper etiquette and courtesy when it comes to using the digital media and resources.

Many of my students are so short on time and overwhelmed with curriculum/homework that they use technology mostly for socializing and not for learning or producing/making meanings. So how do we, as professional teachers, guide them towards Web2.0?

DropBox for Podcast hosting

So many of my students are running out of room on their edublogs, and blogger does not support audio upload. what's one to do? Well, here's a solution: Use DropBox from Box.net to host their files and link to those files. No more "I can't upload any more!" excuses.

Google Site & GoAnimate

A bit frustrated with Google Site because I feel like I should keep the content to the top page and not make it too long. Perhaps I am trying to do more than necessary.

On the other hand, I am testing out GoAnimate with my smallest/most advanced class and the students seem to like it.  The learning curve isn't too high either.  My biggest complaint right now is that the site, even though designed by people from HK, does not support Chinese, both in the animation and in the comment section.

GoAnimate.com: going to bai4nian2.


Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!