Implementation+Plan

 Do I really have to pick just one? The reason I ask is because after finishing this (and having done 23 Things before), I have decided that I am going to make some changes to my Graphics 2 class. This past year we made a move to make it a web design class that used the skills they aquired in Graphics 1 (Creative Suite Software, mostly Photoshop). The problem with this concept is there is really no avenue for the students to put web design skills to use. So, based on that I divided the semester into 3 parts. First, we covered the basics of HTML. I know that knowing how things are done helps me to understand them better. I do not spend too long on this because for the purposes most of my students will do web design for, they can use web site building software. The second part, deals with web applications, kind of a small, student sampling of what we have covered here. Finally, I do some advanced techniques from Photoshop.

Next year, I am the only teacher teaching this class and I think I am going to be a larger Web 2.0 section. I am going to try and structure it similiar to how 23 Things and this course were done. I want to expose the students to tools to enhance their learning. I know I cannot reach my entire staff to help them to intergrate these amazing tools, but I do know the students I have each semester for this can reach them and maybe in the process learn more about how THEY learn. I am inspired to show students how they can take charge of their own learning outside the walls of the classroom. Just because a teacher does not use technology, it is not a reason that a student cannot.

I am going to start small for 1st semester. I only have one section of the class so I am going to focus on 5-10 online applications that students cannot apply to the learning that is taking place in their other classes. I am going to have them set up a Blog or a Wiki and have them go through the applications I choose and use it for a seperate class they are taking. Some of the lessons will be quick and take less time than others. Some I plan to make into larger projects they can share with their teachers. By setting up a Blog or Wiki, they can share their learning with their teachers and hopefully that way, I can share my learning with them.

I am undecided as to whether I will use Blogger or Wikispaces. I think I prefer the wiki format but I have had a couple OOOPPSSS moments where I have lost work I have completed and it has been very stressful. With Blogger it is also harder for the students to accidently delete information. I think if this goes as I plan, students will have a classroom Wiki that they can post things they have learned and share what they are doing with their classmates.

Right now the main issues I can see are that students are going to meet access to pictures and images. This last school year they have been given the ability to save from the internet to their personal drives in a limited capacity but my concern is that it is so hard to teach them about copyright and using images correctly. I think that is going to have to be my first unit come to think of it.

For the most part, the sites we have used here are not blocked and my principle is super supportive of technology so I know he will be an advocate for me if I am in need of access for the students.

The hardest part if going to be setting up this part of my class in a way that will benefit all students. Since I don't know how many class periods it will take, it is hard. My initial plan is to set everything up and outline strict deadlines for things to be completed. I can always make adjustments as needed.

With two small children at home, I am going to have to be very disiplined this summer in finding time to work to create meaningful lessons that showcase these tools in a way that can benefit my students in their other classes. I am looking forward to taking on this challenge though.

What I like most about this class (and 23 Things and Galileo) is that it makes me rethink what I am doing and to ask myself how I can help my students to learn better. Just because I do a lot of these things already does not mean my responsibility ends here. I have to teach my students how to take charge of their own learning and to do it in a way they can be excited about.

I cannot wait to try this. I don't have an example yet but by August 1st I plan to have a working model. Wish me luck!