Since the beginning of the semester, I thought about conducting an assignment in which the students wrote and contributed to an online blog forum. I spent a lot of time on the Internet searching for different programs, applications, websites, wikis etc., in order to find one suitable enough to use for the class. In order to maintain some semblance of order, the CT and I had to consult with the district tech guy. Fortunately for me, an English teacher down the hall stopped by one day and spoke about a project using AirSet.com to conduct student discussions. So after jumping through some administrative hoops with the tech guy, I decided to use this site.
The idea behind this project was to ask students to use a technology that is relatively safe, easy, and reliable to use. I would like my students to practice writing historical argumentation, as well as be able to discuss class issues with one another.
I had the laptops in class today for the first time. The CT and I had to spend a lot of time this morning going through each step in the process to ensure it was working. From the get go, several things went wrong:
- There were only 15 laptops
- One of the laptops was not charged
- The main laptop had trouble booting up
- Not really related to MY class, but the CT had TWO overhead projector bulbs blow out
We felt like there was a technology-sucking vortex that just would not allow us to fully utilize the tools we had available. Nevertheless, once class time started the students were quite agreeable. This was how the lesson looked:
- Introduced the topic by explaining what I wanted from the class.
- Handed the Internet Pledge which outlined my expectations for the way the class conducts online discussions.
- Then, went over the actual project by handing out the paperwork. We went through the first two pages, but did not get to the rubric. Tomorrow I will actually go through the rubric.
- Asked students to come up row by row to get the computers (they had to be in pairs.)
- I asked one student if she wanted to be a guinea pig and take us through step by step in signing up for AirSet. She complied (this particular student needs some accommodations and really enjoys helping with handing out worksheets, grades etc.)
- I set the students loose and asked them to contribute by using the first blog assignment as an example: “What happened Today in History.” I also provided a link to the History Channel. This modeling showed them how to upload comments, as well as have practice inserting hyperlinks and searching the web. Some students used other sites on the web and provided links.
- Once I had the students signed up (and had showed students without email addresses how to get free ones) I pointed them towards a webquest assignment that was due. Here is where I lost them.
- First, the directions on the webquest were not clear. I needed to spend more time explaining step-by-step directions.
- Second, it was not clear how I wanted them to answer (blog? paper? upload to site?)
- Therefore, I will need to readdress this particular portion tonight
Overall, the first legs of this project seem to be going off quite well. The bumps that I had to go through today helped to consider where I need to adjust the lesson tomorrow. The key ingredient in this particular assignment is patience. I need to remember that some students aren’t as tech savvy as I am (and there are others who waaay surpass me) and so need to provide time to hash out the details. I am very excited about the possibilities that this project holds. Hopefully the students do too. They expressed some misgivings today because the Internet was slow, and things broke down… but I think they will see the utility of the project as the six weeks progresses. However, if they don’t, that’s ok. This is a learning experience after all!
