21ThingsBCK Thing 4 Reflection: Communication Tools

Communication is so important in the classroom.  Skype provides a great way to bring in experts to talk to my students even when they can’t take off a day to visit.  The first thing I would like to do is schedule some alumni to speak with my current seniors about what college is like and what our seniors should consider before starting their first classes in the fall after graduating.

I have enjoyed backchanneling at a couple of educational conferences this summer. It was nice to read what others were thinking as we listened to the same speaker. The backchanneling gave me ideas of how to use the new things that I was learning and helped me to connect with other educators who were thinking the same way I was. On twitter I follow several different math teachers, guidance counselors, and science teachers. I like to use my “favorites” on twitter as new entries into my diigo so I can remember the pithy things that professionals say.

As I consider how to best use skype and twitter, teaching students to use these resources in a way that they will be proud of if a future college admissions officer, future employer, or a grandparent were to read or see their interactions is key. I would really like to have a human resources person give a presentation to my students about the best uses of social media communication tools because my students don’t understand that what they post now could be used for or against them when they apply to college or to a new job. Using twitter would be an excellent teaching tool because it gives students that are afraid to talk an avenue to speak up through the typewritten word. Using skype would allow me to engage students with a experts in different areas and I could potentially meet with a group of students to go over questions on a homework assignment outside of a school day.  

Reflections on Digital Storytelling Math? Yes Please!

http://mathcoachblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/09/digital-storytelling-in-math-yes-please/

This article references several great tools to help young people tell math stories.  I want to look into using these with my students.

Reflections on "How to use Cell Phones as Learning Tools"

http://www.teachhub.com/how-use-cell-phones-learning-tools

I liked the idea of students working in groups to eliminate the need for all students to have a cell phone.  I want to try having students audio or video record an explanation to a problem.  I could have two students work together to do this and alternate who does the explaining or have both do part of the explanation, even though one student has the phone in hand.

Reflections on QR Codes Explained and Ideas for Classroom Use

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/04/qr-codes-explained-and-ideas-for.html

I like the idea of using QR codes now that I have started using my smart phone.  This is a good resource to use with individuals who aren't familiar with what a QR code is and how they could use it.

BYOT series

http://byotnetwork.com/2012/07/29/intro-to-the-first-week-of-byot/
http://byotnetwork.com/2012/07/30/day-1-of-byot/
http://byotnetwork.com/2012/07/31/day-2-of-byot-2/
http://byotnetwork.com/2012/08/01/day-3-of-byot/
http://byotnetwork.com/2012/08/02/day-4-of-byot/
http://byotnetwork.com/2012/08/03/day-5-of-byot/

Activities to get students and parents prepared

Handwrite search app for Google?

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/07/draw-on-your-phone-or-tablet-to-search.html

Well so far, I have tried to activate it on my Android phone, but I haven't been successful.  I will have to give it a try another day.

Teaching Generatoin Text - research on texting in education

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-study-confirms-teaching-generation.html

Implementing Cell Phone Use in Your Classroom?

I posted this question on twitter tonight. It was actually based on what I was thinking about as I was driving home today.

What appropriate training, support and structure have you used to implement cell phone technology in your classroom? #flipclass #edchat

There was actually a great blog about this topic that I found while reading through my twitter feed.  Check out the

The 60-Second Guide To Texting In The Classroom

I think I will be using PollEverywhere and Celly in my classroom this fall to get students interacting in a way that I can keep for a longer term.

Then there was the Is the Cell Phone the New Pencil? which discusses some survey results that "participants valued texting".  That is something that I have seen more and more in both students and their parents.

On July 13, I found this blog from a #pblchat that I think it useful Teaching Students to Schedule Their Time. Given the high school students I work with, I think this teaching them to schedule their time will be an important first step to help them build autonomy in my classroom.  It suggests starting out with a more defined schedule but show them that as each day passes, I will give them more autonomy in choosing the order of their learning. Some of my students really struggle with the power of choice. I need to practice helping them make these choices so they do it well on their own.

On July 13, I found this book in the blog listed above that I think I will get.  Students Taking Charge: Inside the Learner Active, Technology Infused Classroom