Stop saying “Hand it in” and start asking “Have you published it?”

Instead of asking your students “Have you turned it in?” , we need to start asking “Have you published it?”

– quote from John Kuglin, @jkuglin

 

I love this quote.  We’ve all been in this scenario before, where you produced a paper, presentation or other product – only to turn it in to an audience of one, the teacher.  We’re looking for classroom examples where students are given the opportunity to publish to a larger audience. Use the comment boxes below to add your examples!

 

Sarah Bird,  Valley High School,  Twitter: @sarahlynbird

Students in her digital communication tools course participated in the the flat classroom, an international project that partners students from around the globe to work collaboratively on a problem. Students were assigned to work students from another country to work on a problem.  Their final products were broadcast online, and were narrated live by the students, as well as reviewed by instructors from other locations. A great example of true on-line collaboration as well as publishing to broader audience.

 

Adam Nidey, Crestview Elementary, Twitter: @mrnidey

Many classes already use Kidblog.org for their student writing and reviewing, however, his class took it a step further.  They read and provide feedback to other 3rd graders in Pennsylvania.  Their writings is also reviewed by the same class in Pennsylvania.  In case, you’re wondering, the class in Pennsylvania found his classroom through their classroom twitter account!

Zac Sinram,  Valley Southwoods, Twitter: @zacsinram
As part of Global Cultural Studies (GCS), his class has opportunities for various enrichment activities, where student selects select an activity of interest.  One of the options is a restaurant review, which isn’t turned into the teacher, it’s posted on-line at a number of popular restaurant review sites.   This helps students “own” the review, knowing that it will posted in the public eye, where reviews are commonly responded to.  To ensure the experience meets the goals of the class, he provides a list of specific cultural dining options to select from, a suggested framework for structuring your review, and guidelines for where to publish the review.

Do we really need to teach keyboarding in elementary schools?

We’re finding that our current version of Type to Learn is not functioning properly because it’s not fully compatible with Windows 7. Type to Learn has been used for many years, predominately in grades 3 thru 6 for keyboard instruction. Now that the problem has arisen, here are some of the options/recommendations that we’ve received from staff…

Option #1) Just buy the new Windows 7 version of Type of Learn, install it, and let’s move on!

Option #2) Seriously, do we really need to teach keyboarding anymore? It’s not necessary, let’s stop.

Option #3) Yes, we need to teach keyboarding, but we don’t need to buy any software… just use the many free on-line options like Dance Mat Typing.

Option #4) Get a small group of teachers together (perhaps 3rd and 4th grade since it affects them most) and review our options before deciding. Holding this review would allow us to review what the expectations are for each grade level.

Our district curriculum directors have discussed the topic and we are going to proceed with option #4 – to put together a team of teachers to review our options. If you’d like to join this team… please contact Jackie Neuberger, neubergerj@wdmcs.org