Let the collaboration begin!
I have been working for the past couple of months to get myself set up to use blogs and wikis with my 7th and 8th grade science students.
First, I tried to get clear about what my objectives were. Ultimately, I decided they were teaching literacy and fostering collaboration. To open up the conversation beyond that of a one-to-one teacher-student exchange. Fine.
Then, I worked on the technical pieces. I started my own blog (this one). I experimented with various blogs for use with students, especially edublogs, learnerblogs, and classblogmeister. I set up wiki spaces with PBWiki and JotSpot. Etc., etc..
I have received enthusiastic support from my administrators and fellow teachers.
It never even occurred to me to include the students before I was “ready for prime-time.”
This week, however, I realized I had gone as far as I could without really involving students, so I arranged to meet with a couple of small groups of students during lunch a couple of times this week. I walked them through my goals and plans and asked for (and really wanted) their feedback. Their enthusiasm was immediate; their suggestions valuable.
Shame on me for trying to teach collaboration in somewhat of a vacuum.
The first class blog will go live this week.
B minus 5 days…
Blogged with Flock
September 25, 2006 @ 6:14 pm
I think this is extremely exciting and the fact that you’re trying it with middle school students shouldn’t go unnoticed. I can’t wait to read more about your efforts. As you’re seeing the students won’t be at all reluctant. They may even feel like you’re entering their world–and think of the respect and connections you’ll gain in that alone. I guarantee your content will stay with them more through this delivery than through any more traditional means. Looking forward to much more as you continue your efforts to reach every single student.