Comments on: Reality Check http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/ Creating one addict at a time Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:48:12 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Ian G http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-193 Ian G Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:42:43 +0000 http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/?p=131#comment-193 I'd like to say a heartfelt thanks to Suzie and Keri_Lee. We've all made these mistakes I'm sure and occasionally, just occasionally, it <b>is</b> the technology that lets us down. More often though it's the way we prepare, or fail to, that means events begin to take control of us and the lesson, rather than the other way around. But as we're all only too well aware, making mistakes is often the best way to learn, provided we're able to reflect positively, then adapt accordingly. And so we move forward. Whoohoo! I’d like to say a heartfelt thanks to Suzie and Keri_Lee. We’ve all made these mistakes I’m sure and occasionally, just occasionally, it is the technology that lets us down. More often though it’s the way we prepare, or fail to, that means events begin to take control of us and the lesson, rather than the other way around.

But as we’re all only too well aware, making mistakes is often the best way to learn, provided we’re able to reflect positively, then adapt accordingly. And so we move forward. Whoohoo!

]]> By: Keri-Lee Beasley http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Keri-Lee Beasley Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:43:22 +0000 http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/?p=131#comment-183 Hi Suzie, Oh thank goodness this happens to seasoned professionals as well as new IT teachers like me. I'll make you feel better by sharing one of my mistakes! I just introduced my Grade 4 classes to voicethread and of course they were absolutely gagging to add their comments. I didn't give enough direction about what I wanted them to comment on, or how to leave a good comment, because my (limited) instructions were not followed at all. I wanted them to reflect on their recent camp experiences, to share their highlights, and to share something they learned. Basically what I got in return was a running commentary on how they got up early in time to catch the bus, the trip to the camp, what they ate for breakfast etc etc. Essentially, what they DID, not what they LEARNED. I will definitely make some changes for next time I use voicethread! Meanwhile, I wrote a post on a little gmail hack that might help you with pixton (almost too embarrassed to share the address, as I'm just starting out, but here goes!) http://tipoftheiceberg.edublogs.org/2008/09/24/getting-around-the-email-problem/ It's such a pain having to organise different log-ins for tools you want to use in the classroom. Anyway, good luck for your next trip to the classroom! Hi Suzie,

Oh thank goodness this happens to seasoned professionals as well as new IT teachers like me. I’ll make you feel better by sharing one of my mistakes!

I just introduced my Grade 4 classes to voicethread and of course they were absolutely gagging to add their comments. I didn’t give enough direction about what I wanted them to comment on, or how to leave a good comment, because my (limited) instructions were not followed at all. I wanted them to reflect on their recent camp experiences, to share their highlights, and to share something they learned.

Basically what I got in return was a running commentary on how they got up early in time to catch the bus, the trip to the camp, what they ate for breakfast etc etc. Essentially, what they DID, not what they LEARNED. I will definitely make some changes for next time I use voicethread!

Meanwhile, I wrote a post on a little gmail hack that might help you with pixton (almost too embarrassed to share the address, as I’m just starting out, but here goes!) http://tipoftheiceberg.edublogs.org/2008/09/24/getting-around-the-email-problem/ It’s such a pain having to organise different log-ins for tools you want to use in the classroom.

Anyway, good luck for your next trip to the classroom!

]]> By: JaniceWW http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-178 JaniceWW Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:55:50 +0000 http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/?p=131#comment-178 I am sure we have all had experinces like this. I have found over the years that the teachers who are not confident with ICT can let these experiences put them off. The failures that I have mainly come about when I try something at home on my lap top, then when I try it at school the Web 2 tool I've planned to use (i.e. story box, picture trail) won't work because of a firewall or school zone. ICT is great for problem solving!! My kids continue to amaze me. On Friday I was helping a year 6 boy put some music on his photostory 3 slideshow. We couldnt work it out, then he thought of using the microphone!! probally not the best way but it worked. I am sure we have all had experinces like this. I have found over the years that the teachers who are not confident with ICT can let these experiences put them off.
The failures that I have mainly come about when I try something at home on my lap top, then when I try it at school the Web 2 tool I’ve planned to use (i.e. story box, picture trail) won’t work because of a firewall or school zone.
ICT is great for problem solving!! My kids continue to amaze me. On Friday I was helping a year 6 boy put some music on his photostory 3 slideshow. We couldnt work it out, then he thought of using the microphone!! probally not the best way but it worked.

]]> By: Lyn http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Lyn Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:27:47 +0000 http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/?p=131#comment-177 First of all you needed your own (trustworthy) laptop, aircard and data projector. As well as modeling at the start, these would come to the rescue when things started to fall apart! Given that you were in largely unfamiliar territory, I think your second problem was that the group of kids was too big - with a group of 8 the situations would have been manageable. Perhaps you were too focused on your ICT goals for the lesson and not enough on the learning involved? Not to worry though - we've all had disasters like yours and survived to try again another day. First of all you needed your own (trustworthy) laptop, aircard and data projector. As well as modeling at the start, these would come to the rescue when things started to fall apart! Given that you were in largely unfamiliar territory, I think your second problem was that the group of kids was too big – with a group of 8 the situations would have been manageable. Perhaps you were too focused on your ICT goals for the lesson and not enough on the learning involved? Not to worry though – we’ve all had disasters like yours and survived to try again another day.

]]> By: Sharon Harper http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/2008/10/27/reality-check/comment-page-1/#comment-176 Sharon Harper Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:40 +0000 http://sharetheaddiction.edublogs.org/?p=131#comment-176 Suzie you are so brave sharing this and I am share this only echoes the experiences of many of us (and on more than one occasion). Not sure what the answer is here but the 'plan B' scenario is generally helpful e.g. a bunch of printed out somethings/Tearaway mags in my case often, as back up when all else such as the power, fails. It's worse too when it happens with adult learners, they are much less forgiving and understanding than the kids I find. :) Suzie you are so brave sharing this and I am share this only echoes the experiences of many of us (and on more than one occasion). Not sure what the answer is here but the ‘plan B’ scenario is generally helpful e.g. a bunch of printed out somethings/Tearaway mags in my case often, as back up when all else such as the power, fails. It’s worse too when it happens with adult learners, they are much less forgiving and understanding than the kids I find. :)

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