Just "Ning"ing it!

Hurrah! All of my students have now joined my Ning sites. I have two sites: one for my two Pre-AP classes and one for my two Academic classes. The students really seem to enjoy having a place where they can all come together. I have created groups for each Book Club and students are in the process of joining the groups and adding to discussion posts on certain chapters. It's been a little crazy trying to get everyone in and to get everyone started, but I think it's going to be a really great way for students to discuss what they are reading and for me to give immediate feedback to their thinking. I know this has many more possibilities, as well.

Another First!

Today, my Academic students used the Dell minis for the first time.  I used my ActiveBoard to guide them through the steps of logging into their Google docs account for the first time.  It took a long time to get through the steps, but it ran pretty darn smoothly, considering.  They did not get much time to actually type their drafts, but I'm hopeful that one more day will be all they need to finish.  After having our Pre-AP students type in shifts, we decided that it would be easier to have our Academic classes log in all at once this first time.  Now that they know the basics of accessing Google docs, we can go back to rotations next time.  I'm eager to start my class Nings, but I'm waiting for permission slips.  Argh!  I don't want to introduce the steps of logging into the Ning more than once per class, so I'm waiting to collect all the slips.

Currently, the Pre-AP students are working on a project where they have selected a movie that follows the Hero's Journey.  They will outline the Hero's Journey in the movie using Google docs to make the presentation.  Then, we will convert their presentation so that they can record narration on Keynote on the Mac and download it into iTunes.  Then, all the students can view the presentations on the iPod touches.  

We are starting Book Clubs tomorrow.  I created a short Keynote presentation of Ch. 1 of The Giver focusing on clarifying certain words as I recorded myself reading the chapter.  The Giver group will be able to read their book along with my recording of the chapter. Our team has plans to record key chapters of the other Book club selections so that other groups will have a chance to listen, as well.  We also hope to use the Flip cameras and Nings for students to respond to their Book Club books and share with other groups who are reading the same book.

Overall, it has been very exciting using this technology, and I am very appreciative.  My only wish is that the ActiveBoards had arrived a little later.  I feel like when those showed up, my stress level really shot up.  I love the ActiveBoard, don't get me wrong, but I'm feeling pressure to use so many different types of technology all at once, and the amount of time it takes to use them all well, while at the same time, keep the focus on what students are learning, is a little overwhelming.  I'm all about making changes this year, and so far, I'm adjusting to the changes pretty well, but I just have to make sure I don't lose sight of my students and their needs in all the excitement and rush of trying to incorporate technology into everything.  I've always prided myself on giving my students plenty of individual attention, and I'm feeling like that may be slipping a tad as my creativity and energies focus on technology lessons and projects.  I know their learning and engagement will increase once they are in the habit of using all of this new stuff in my room, so I guess it will all balance out.  

I agree with Melissa about the blog.  We have not gotten very creative with our blog postings yet which is regrettable, but I'm hoping that once we get into the groove, we will be able to improve.

Here is Ch. 1 of The Giver that I mentioned above.

Up and Running!

We're officially up and running now! I'm proud to report that we're using the laptops nearly every day, or at least a group of students use them, and we're using the i-pod touches once or twice a week. The students definitely consider using the technology a privilege, so they are respectful and responsible. In fact, using the technology towards the second half of the period ensures that we eliminate (or minimize!) discipline problems. Overall, I'm LOVING it! :)

My academic students are posting examples of figurative language on their class blogs. The best part is that students look at the other students' examples, so they recognize and can come up with their own examples. Clearly, this approach has been successful in that even some of my more difficult students eagerly pointed out when they came across examples of figurative language in The Lightning Thief, our class novel. Yes!!!

My pre-AP students are continuing their research on their Greek god, titan, or monster, also in relation to The Lightning Thief. They are beginning to plan out their video and to divide up roles, all in preparation of making a video about their Greek god. Some students have decided to make a music video, others a commercial, and still others are making a skit or movie trailer. Most of the groups will use the flip cameras to record their videos. I have two groups who do not want to be in their videos, so we are exploring www.xtranormal.com. I'm hoping this will work. Otherwise, we'll keep coming up with new ideas. Honestly, my students know far more about computer programs and websites than I do, so they are coming up with amazing ideas!

After going to the Power to Learn meeting last night, Jen and I were so impressed with all the other teams' awesome ideas and successes. It was great to hear what other schools are doing and to imagine using some of those ideas in my 7th grade classroom. However, we also saw the other teams' blogs, and we realized that we need to add to our blog a bit more. Of course, it's so difficult to find the time to add to our blog. And when we do have a free minute, we're using it to further our students' access to the technology, not so focused on recording our progress. Now we all have access to the blog though, so we can all add to the blog in our own usernames. Hopefully it will make updating the blog a bit easier.

My students started prewriting and drafting a personal narrative, so as we continue drafting, revising, and editing, I'm hoping to have them type their writing in Google docs. Again, though, we're just trying to find the time. Over the next two weeks, hopefully the students will use Google docs, and my pre-AP students will use the flip cameras. Look forward to updates soon.