Since the first day of school it seems like everything has been moving a hundred miles an hour! I think we quickly found that this is just as much a learning process for the teachers as it is for the students. We've had to learn how to lesson plan together, teach together, and discipline together. Technology is a huge part of curriculum that we are trying to implement into our teaching delivery as much as possible! For those of you who have experienced what blackboard via Fairmont State or Mix via WVU look like and how they function, we are tyring our best to run edline in the same mannerisms. With this implementation, we've found that it requires us to troubleshoot technology more than we had anticipated! Many things that we assumed students knew how to use, pertaining to technology, we have found they needed instruction in. Simple things like, how to send an email and how to attach a document. This are great learning tools because we know that in the future this is foundation with technology is something that needs to be done with the whole class prior to starting content based instruction.
Discipline wise, we have found that in most cases, many of the issues that we previously experienced in our classes disappear when the students are engaged. They are too busy in the classroom with their activities to pick up their cell phone and get on a social network or text.
Culture - Teaching a culture to the students was essential. We spent the first three weeks of school developing and instilling a culture with our students. This culture was based on trust, respect, and responsibility. The students responded wonderfully to this! They really latched on to the notion that we were giving them privileges and a voice. We did activities such as allowing them to create their own classroom management plan.
Another thing that we have noticed is that some of the students who would have been honors students in a traditional classroom setting have experienced some frustration in having to think outside of the box and work in a collaborative method. While they are not resistant to the approach we are taking, they are frustrated because they want direct instruction 100% of the time. It's what they're used and as many of you know, change, even though often times for the best, is something that is difficult to swallow. All in all, the results have been amazing thus far! We haven't had a head hit the desk and we've even had to tell students that they had to leave class because they don't want to get up from their work! Watching students utilize self discovery is wonderful thing! Their faces light up when they achieve the goal of finding an answer on their on and they take ownership!
One last thing, this has been such a great group effort from the entire staff! Everyone has been so cooperative and eager to assist! Without everyone, this wouldn't be possible, so many thanks go out to everyone! We'd love for every teacher in the building to come in and experience this on their own! Our doors are open and our students are eager to share with you! Come visit anytime!!!
Discipline wise, we have found that in most cases, many of the issues that we previously experienced in our classes disappear when the students are engaged. They are too busy in the classroom with their activities to pick up their cell phone and get on a social network or text.
Culture - Teaching a culture to the students was essential. We spent the first three weeks of school developing and instilling a culture with our students. This culture was based on trust, respect, and responsibility. The students responded wonderfully to this! They really latched on to the notion that we were giving them privileges and a voice. We did activities such as allowing them to create their own classroom management plan.
Another thing that we have noticed is that some of the students who would have been honors students in a traditional classroom setting have experienced some frustration in having to think outside of the box and work in a collaborative method. While they are not resistant to the approach we are taking, they are frustrated because they want direct instruction 100% of the time. It's what they're used and as many of you know, change, even though often times for the best, is something that is difficult to swallow. All in all, the results have been amazing thus far! We haven't had a head hit the desk and we've even had to tell students that they had to leave class because they don't want to get up from their work! Watching students utilize self discovery is wonderful thing! Their faces light up when they achieve the goal of finding an answer on their on and they take ownership!
One last thing, this has been such a great group effort from the entire staff! Everyone has been so cooperative and eager to assist! Without everyone, this wouldn't be possible, so many thanks go out to everyone! We'd love for every teacher in the building to come in and experience this on their own! Our doors are open and our students are eager to share with you! Come visit anytime!!!
