In order for me to carry out my game plan I need to prepare myself with resources. The resources that will help me with my game plan include computers, various software’s, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) colleagues, real-world engineers, and my school website. Computers are used in my classroom on a daily basis. Students use computers to complete everything from online research to cutting-edge software. Every year I get together with my PLTW colleagues to revise or add information to the curriculum. This allows us to stay up-to-date with industry and engineering colleges. Also, I have the ability throughout the year to post and reply to post on a forum that PLTW teachers have access to. The real-world engineers will help me stay up-to-date with real-world problems along with adding support for students who may have questions or concerns on their projects throughout the year. I post information, lectures, notes, links, and have discussions on my school website with students enrolled in my classes. Additional information that I will need to acquire is the best and proper way to effectively use VoiceThreads. VoiceThreads will play a key role in students being able to virtually work with other students on a project.
I have been fortunate enough to have every one of these steps completed, with the exception of VoiceThreads, to carry out my game plan. I have enough computers in my lab for every student, up-to-date software installed on each computer, ability to communicate with my colleagues, access to real-world engineers, and my school website is completed. I am in the process of furthering my education on the use of VoiceThreads. VoiceThreads will come into play around the middle of the third nine weeks of school.
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Hi Michael. What do you have in mind for incorporating VoiceThreads? What will be expected of your students? You mentioned that you need to further your own understanding of VoiceThreads. What are you doing in order to do this? Are there other teachers in your school or district that currently uses VoiceThreads? It sounds like you have a lot of technology available to use already which is a huge advantage! Do you have voice recording headsets? VoiceThreads allow students to leave voice commentaries and replies in addition to the visual representations. I am still learning about VoiceThreads too, but so far they seem to be pretty user-friendly. As with any new technology, I think starting out simple is key and then build in new components as you and your students become more comfortable with the technology's capabilities. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey! When I first heard of a voicethread, I thought it was a comment by audio. I did not know exactly what it was and how to use it until our we used it during one of our application assignments. I think voicethreads is a great way to meet diverse learners. In the stories from practice called Just an Average Kid, I truly realized the importance of differentiated instruction. Voicethreads is a great way to have students create, respond, and view different types of print. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteEvery year my students team up with other students from another school, inside or outside my district, to complete a virtual design project. In the past students communicated through Skype, email, and occasional phone calls. This is to replicate that not all engineers work in teams side by side but a lot of times with teamates across the globe. The issue that Skype brings is not all districts will allow it to be downloaded and used. I feel VoiceThreads is a great alternative.
I have used VoiceThreads before and do feel comfortable using them. My big concern is does the site ever "crash" and how often. I will have to do a mock run through with another teacher for a week or two to see how the site pans out.
The teachers that I communicate with are from all over the US. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a very fast growing engineering curriculum that is located in a lot of schools.
Your class sounds amazing! I look forward to hearing about your up coming experiences with VoiceThreads.
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