Tenancious Teaching

Jumping off the Sky Tower

2008-08-02T14:01:00.000+12:00

This is me trying to jump of the Sky Tower in Auckland. In the end they had to "push" me!!

A Google Teacher!

2008-07-28T21:31:00.005+12:00

I know that we should be trying out lots of different applications with different providers, but seriously, I could quite happily call myself a "Google teacher."

Today I used Google docs with 3 out of four of my classes.

Today, each class co-created their notes together and then checked each other's work, so that we came up with true class notes. And now of course, they have 24 hour access to those notes. they could print them out if they want, or copy into their books. Either way I don't mind, because we have spent the majority of the time creating the information. In the process, every student has been involved in learning conversations along the way. You see I only have 8 laptops, and sometimes 29 students - so they work in groups on the computer. So each group is creating their own version - discussing what is the best way to do things and then they get to look at what the whole class has done.

The amount of talking - yes it makes for a very noisy class, but I would rather a noisy thinking class than a quiet parroting class.

toondoo books

2008-07-26T13:25:00.003+12:00

See if you can make one of these:

teacherlizz	This is my toons so far!

The book is too big for this blog lay out, but if you clik on the blank square below, it should work.

Thanks toodoo - this is coool as!

New Blog!!!

2008-07-24T00:07:00.000+12:00

I have many blogs - some of which I use and others of which seem to have become dinasours and hence I rarely use now.

Now that google has pretty much taken over so many applications - I am really starting to rethink how I teach my classes and disseminate information to my students.

I have just started my Level 2 Geography students on a new technology wave - well new for me anyway!

My students have all created a google account, and now have access to gmail, google docs, calendar etc. For the last three days we have used google docs in class, where groups of students are editing one document, either by brainstorming or by answering questions. The students are really enjoying it. They said that it was much better than JUST blogging - which was getting a bit old hat for them - and they really liked the fact that they could be signed into one account, but use several different applications without having to sign in each time.

They really like the fact that google docs enabled them to edit ONE document - so far we have had 9 groups editing one document. I also think that more people became engaged in the "class conversation" because of the silent nature of the converstation. Students were able to contribute ideas without feeling like they were under pressure of getting answers wrong.

Tonight I have created a document for tomorrow's lesson, where the groups will type into tables - where one side is for them and the other side is for me to give feedback. I think the best thing about this whole new way of teaching is that I can give instant feedback globally and individually all at the same time.

Thanks GOOGLE! you guys rock!!!!!!