Communication

ITech Tip: 

As we wrap up the first marking period of the year, communication (with students, parents, colleagues and administrators) becomes the focus. Many of us tend to think in terms of parent conferences, but in order to build relationships, with above mentioned groups, we are going to have to develop different methods of communication (not to mention how integral the concept of communication is in our teacher evaluation system!). Communication also needs to flow in both directions, with feedback to the teacher as important as feedback from the teacher. The tools featured today provide methods of communication and feedback so that we can adjust our instruction path now, in response to the success and engagement achieved by our students. 

For further thoughts on feedback, see ASCD's Education Leadership article: Seven Keys to Effective Feedback.

Maximizing Google 

With the emphasis on Feedback, especially as addressed in the ASCD Seven Keys Article "information about how we are doing to reach our goal", the Google Drive Form is an excellent survey tool.  A great way to maximize your tech tools is to use your favorite or familiar tool in a new way. Many are already using forms, but not necessarily as a way to collect information about subject or assignment specific feedback.  In Algonac Community Schools, we are evaluated in a Google form from administrative walk throughs. Using the same theory, teachers can create a form with feedback questions that ask students to provide reflective responses to their understanding and achievement on a particular assignment, unit or even marking period. Below, the video provides a basic tutorial in creating a Google form. For assistance with phrasing and implementation, feel free to contact me or work with your administrator.

Featured Apps

As the emphasis is on communication, two apps will be reviewed based upon communication at different levels and with different groups. Several teachers, including Ms. Lisa Burns,  have found using the apps that come standard on the iPad is a great way to begin communicating with students.  For direct messages to classes, groups or individuals, the iMessage app has been a successful tool. Think of iMessage as texting directly to the iPad. 

         

While iMessage is a great tool when schools have 1:1 iPads for communication with students, there are apps that will communicate with parents. Elementary teacher Cheri Soltaire has been using Remind 101 with her parents for communication. The great feature in Remind 101 is that actual phone numbers remain private while still allowing for communication.

Getting the Most Out of Your Learning Platform

Moodle has a specific tool for feedback, named Feedback. This tool does require the administrator to turn on the feature, so if you do not see it as an assignment option contact your Moodle administrator. Algonac Community Schools Moodle does already have this feature turned on. As with all tools, please feel free to
contact me to arrange collaborative work time. The video below does a great job of not only demonstrating how to create a Feedback assignment, but the thought behind when and why you could use this tool. The only information that is out of date is the icon for Feedback. It is not a green question mark, but an orange and white megaphone.

Edmodo is popular with educators for many reasons, but one of the features often references is the ability to give parents accounts in order to login and see the class, assignments and their student's work. When choosing a web presence, it is important to determine if your needs require a learning management system
(Moodle, Blackboard, Haiku, Schoology) or more of a communicative tool with some assignment submission and interaction (Google sites, Weebly, Edmodo). Edmodo is a great way to introduce students and parents to an online presence and online communication, especially at the elementary and middle school levels.

For feedback, Edmodo has an assignment that teachers can create called a Poll, where students can "vote" on questions or statements that the teacher has created.

Twitter Friday Follow 

The emphasis on communication, I recommend following Education Week (@educationweek), "American Education's newspaper and website of record". The articles and information that are tweeted to followers includes federal policy and state legislation as well as research studies and resources.As professionals, it is important that we understand the pulse of  our profession. Following Ed Week is a place to start.

Library News-New Books and Old Books

The first book order of the year arrived this week. Based upon feedback from students when looking for choice reading, as well as continuing series and award books, the small order will make the choice read selection more fun for students. It always feels like Christmas when the book boxes arrived!

In an effort to "upcycle and repurpose" the books weeded from library collection, the art department is collaborating on an independent student project to create art from the old books. A new way of looking at material and possibilities was inspired by the Dishfunctional Designs blog. Soon, the library remodel should feature not only new furniture, but student art created from books. Stayed tuned for highlights!

Students choosing books for art project.