End of School Year Wrap Up

7/9/2011

In the podcast below Garth and I discuss a few of the things that surprised us this year. 3 major topics discussed was the success of using role playing in the Middle Ages WebQuest, The discussion of positive digital footprints throughout the school year and the passage of Senate Bill 5.

During the Middle Ages WebQuest we gave students a social class from the Middle Ages and then allowed students to create the story of their character. The students used their characters to gain empathy about life in the Middle Ages. Students followed their characters through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance and Reformation. Students responded on end-of-the-year surveys that they enjoyed having a character to follow through the story of world history. Garth and I plan on expanding this idea and allowing students to learn the story of history through the eyes of a character throughout the entire school year.

Garth tells a story about a students who gets a FaceBook account and takes criticism from his classmates for using complete sentences and proper grammar. When asked why he was being so conscientious about what he posted, he said "I want to leave a positive digital footprint". It's great to know that students are taking away such important concepts from our class. Here is a students that not only wants to leave a positive digital footprint, but stands up to his friends when they question why he cares so much.

As for SB5, Garth and I were pleased to see so many people stand in support of teachers and really question the motives/effects of such a sweeping change; getting rid of collective bargaining. Below are a few links to information about SB5

SB5 via the State of Ohio Legislature
OEA Senate Bill 5 Central

6 Comments

Marissa link

7/13/2011 11:46:25 am

I love the idea of giving students a character to follow through their history lessons. I think that this could really help to engage those students who spend a lot of time online and in virtual worlds--and that type of student is really hard to engage in traditional classroom-teaching. Thanks for another great idea.

Daphne Huggins link

7/18/2011 02:59:22 am

It is nice to hear that a student is concerned with their digital footprint! Too many times I have seen peers, friends, and students post something that they would later regret. You obviously left a positive impact on your students and I appreciate that!

As for SB5, I realize how contentious of an issue it can be. I do however like that the teachers who are not doing their jobs will be replaced by new teachers who are able and willing to teach with enthusiasm and amazing skills.

Katie

7/21/2011 12:17:52 am

I agree that it is very important to leave a positive foot print online. I think it is so ridiculous when some of my friends on facebook cannot even complete full sentences or actually read what they have wrote..very inappropriate sometimes. It is important for students to start learning how they can b traced on the internet, and that they need to be careful! Thank goodness that students are starting to see the importance of leaving a positive digital footprint- maybe they can teach some of the older generations!

John Bryson

7/21/2011 01:15:36 am

I want to discuss the positive digital footprint in more depth. Today's students are raised with technology all around them and research shows that they need to be taught digital citizenship. I have never heard of the term positive digital footprint, but I like it better because it implies an impact the student will leave behind, a mark they leave on the world through their use of technology. I appreciate the emphasis on correct grammar, spelling and punctuation because language use through technology has begun to deteriorate. it will only get worse if the next generation decide to preserve its quality. Also, I think a great discussion to have regarding a positive digital footprint can focus on cyber-bullying and what impact that can have.

Joan Mack

9/20/2011 01:21:33 am

This topic hit close to class last week. We learned about Digital Citizenship and how what you type and how you type it stays with you and influences how people think of you. This young man learned what was taught to him how great this must make you as a teacher feel. You got through to at least one student.( More would be better but take one postive at a time. I'm still waiting for a break through here at this new job.(I feel it coming.) I am with you on the SB5 which will be voted on in a couple of months. A lot of people feel that this will help the state and the unions are to strong now and they think that they need to take some power away from them. Our Superintendent told us at the openning day that he feels that if SB5 stays that will be the down fall of the public schools systems financially. We'll see soon enough.

Adam

10/4/2011 02:08:02 am

I commend the ability of your lesson on Positive Digital Footprints to sink into the students' lives and be carried through to their personal actions outside of the class is amazing and very exciting. They realize how important it is these days to leave a positive versus the negative ones. Getting the lessons to register that high in the affective domain is difficult to achieve. Great job!
The numbers of people that have signed for the SB5 to be bad is great. Yes, a change needs to be made, but to completely remove the collective bargaining agreement is definitely a bad idea. More communication needs to be made on that subject. Merit pay needs to be addressed and a better way to do that is coming eventually.

End of School Year Wrap Up

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