Currently, I feel like I have decision paralysis. Coming off my first year of teaching, I have so many ideas running through my head and so many things that I want to improve for next year. I feel like the hardest part will be picking just one thing to change and trying to incorporate technology in a meaningful way to create this change. I was particularly inspired by the projects around student engagement, community, and communication. Below are some of the things I want to change (and how I might change/improve them):
As you can see, I have a lot of different ideas. I think it will come down to me assessing my beliefs about what is the biggest need. Right now, I am leaning towards the communication aspect. We have an app called ParentSquare, but it is - as the name applies - for family communication. We can use it to message students, but it goes to their emails, which they rarely, if ever, check. Thus, I think the Remind app would provide a more direct way to communicate announcements and provide students with a more direct avenue to me, should they need it. I remember most of my teachers used Remind in middle school and I appreciated being able to ask them questions and getting reminders about deadlines, events, and tutoring opportunities. I also feel like this option may be the most realistic for me to implement next year.
- Communication with students and families (Remind App)
- More UDL assessment options (if my school allows: I would love to offer more options like, video essays, presentations, podcasts, etc.)
- Notetaking (offering online note catchers, like Google Docs, in addition to paper options)
- Student engagement during mini lessons (Mentimeter or something similar to offer live polls and surveys for students to complete - also works well for data and formative assessments)
- Experiential learning (virtual field trips)
- Extra help (Screencastify, Nearpod, or Canva to record slideshow presentations and post to Canvas - our school's Learning Management System - for students to access at any time)
- Technology skills (infographic - maybe with interactive links - to help teach and remind students of the necessary skills to access and use technology needed for the class; could be Canva or Piktochart)
- Varying ELL levels (using technology somehow to support station rotations, again could be something like Nearpod to create mini lessons and differentiate for different needs)
- Building class community (using something like GroupMe, Slack, or Blogger to build class community and allow students to share personal reflections - allow, admittedly, I do have fears about inappropriate comments/messages or bullying on these platforms)
As you can see, I have a lot of different ideas. I think it will come down to me assessing my beliefs about what is the biggest need. Right now, I am leaning towards the communication aspect. We have an app called ParentSquare, but it is - as the name applies - for family communication. We can use it to message students, but it goes to their emails, which they rarely, if ever, check. Thus, I think the Remind app would provide a more direct way to communicate announcements and provide students with a more direct avenue to me, should they need it. I remember most of my teachers used Remind in middle school and I appreciated being able to ask them questions and getting reminders about deadlines, events, and tutoring opportunities. I also feel like this option may be the most realistic for me to implement next year.
Finally, I feel like I am most nervous about the narrative part. I feel, from the examples I saw, that you really need to ground everything in the narrative; it seems like the narrative is what drives the pictures and ideas on the slides. For me, I feel like I will need to sit down and brainstorm my beliefs, connect them to my experiences, and then connect them to the thing I want to change, before wrapping up with how I plan to use technology to create that change. Honestly, my brain hurts a little, but I know I'll get there.
I totally feel you on the decision paralysis, and you have a lot of great ideas! Which do you feel would be most practically helpful for you next year? I personally love your idea about Remind and also your note about Blogger because I am interested as well, but a little nervous about what will be posted... haha... high school!
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ReplyDeleteI love your reflection about how deep the narrative aspect has to go. I also noticed how deeply connected the choice in digital product was to each CURR 501 student's personal story. Your post makes me wonder more about how I can center my own story into my choice to focus on SEL incorporation. I like your idea about using Nearpod for varying ELL levels, if you end up leaning in that direction. I also think it would be awesome for you to develop varying assessment, if it were possible. Based on the age group you teach, I can see some of your students loving the opportunity to create a podcast and having fun with it. I remember watching your video from CURR 580 this past spring, and how engaged your students were with those questions you asked. I am picturing them turning that discussion-based engagement into worthy multimedia projects! This is a great list. You will absolutely get there, Aspen!
ReplyDeleteYour decision paralysis is SO REAL and you have such a big variety in your ideas! The one that stuck out to me the most (if its helpful) UDL assessment options or student engagement during mini lessons. I think having assessment options (along with being UDL) could also be an opportunity for MLLs to have more access to engagement. Something else that I've heard about being used for UDL assessments is an "interview" where students become an expert and then engage in an interview with their teacher where the teacher (casually) asks them questions about their expertise.
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