I enjoyed the reading and discussion during class regarding telecommunication projects. I wonder if teachers are utilizing such resources in their classroom. Here are a few examples I've had personal experience with:
1. We had David Wiley - OER Expert and BYU Professor - come and train our Georgia Virtual School Development staff on the use of Open Educational Resources. We did actually pay his travel expenses for him to come and train us face-to-face. This was certainly valuable. Since the training, we have had opportunity to skype with him to get additional clarification or even email him with specific questions. To be able to get that immediate feedback is valuable! We should explore more options for training with outside experts.
2. At GAVS, we have recently moved from Elluminate to the Adobe Connect software for interacting synchronously with our students and fellow teachers. One of our Educational Technologists developed some online training that we attended each Friday so we can learn the software. We met synchronously, but from our own locations. This gave us the opportunity to learn a little at a time and put into practice what we learned each week. If we had to travel to a central location to have this training, it would have been a world-wind of information and we would have not learned nearly as much!
3. Lastly is a wishful project. I would love for students in the Georgia Virtual school to have to seek out experts in whatever they are studying. It could actually be a friend of the student's parents or someone they have found on the internet. But if the students could reach out via email or skype and ask them questions about what they do and how they use what they know, I think it would help students have a valuable real-world experience with what they're learning in High School.
Overall, I hope teachers will think outside the box and begin making strides to incorporate some of these important tools in their classrooms!
I like your project idea (#3). I definitely think that could be a reality with some planning. High schoolers would have no problem with it- in fact, in my opinion, this is something they should be required to do within each class.
ReplyDeleteFor a math class, I can see them thinking about some career or project they may be interested in- let's say for me- design. I would need to find a designer willing to talk to me and discuss with them how math is a part of their job... Maybe develop an interview or production piece as a part of that. They could do it for each class-
Love the idea.
I agree, #3 is very valuable. Interviewing an expert in their field is so helpful in getting sense of what they're daily lives are like. I think its especially important for high schoolers as well. They will be making important decisions concerning their major in college and profession. Getting some one-on-one time with professionals in their own field may even spark further interest for the student! Great idea pairing an interview with Skype. I don't use the website at all, but I keep hearing great uses in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteI like the first one...to have an expert come and visit and then have a skype follow up visit. That seems like an excellent idea. I know that often when I meet with someone, and I have some time to think about our discussion some additional questions come to mind. To be able to meet via telecommunications method like skype would be very beneficial.
ReplyDeleteTami, I am impressed that David Wiley was invited to GAVS and still you have a connection with him! What a great investment! YOu provided excellent examples of how teachers can learn through telecommunication tools. I liked your third example as well. I think such project should motivate students as well!
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