Tired of competing with social networking? Check out Schoology.com, a grading program designed in the same format as facebook. I began using this with the start of the new year in order to revamp and organize my classroom. I also believe it has the capacity to make what we do more transparent which I believe is an important link between students, parents and teachers.
Schoology has profiles just like facebook, privacy settings which keep it as a school community, a gradebook, attendance record, a discussion board, blog, and a test generator. Put simply, it combines social networking with learning management.
It has been amazing working on this with my students in the first week, and I hope to keep it up with a creative and transparent way of connecting learning to the real world.
Reviews from students so far include:
"This is a very unique way to do work in class. I think that the majority of the students will enjoy Schoology since it has the appeal of Facebook. We'll be able to turn in work and do assignments in a new way allowing versatility."
"I think this is a very good way for students and teachers to stay organized. Also, I think if the students cooperate with the program then it will turn out to be very good. Also, this saves the teachers from grading papers, the students from writing on paper, and it keeps the class quiet."
Another bonus, it has the potential to cut down the amount of paper used in your classes, along with the amount we are carrying home each night. Nearly everything can be done on this website!
"The hunger and thirst for knowledge, the keen delight in the chase, the good humored willingness to admit that the scent was false, the eager desire to get on with the work, the cheerful resolution to go back and begin again, the broad good sense, the unaffected modesty, the imperturbable temper, the gratitude for any little help that was given - all these will remain in my memory though I cannot paint them for others." Frederic William Maitland
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Michelle Rhee, Producing Results FOR KIDS
The controversial persona of Michelle Rhee has become one of great hope in repairing the broken system of education which exists in America today. She is real. She understands the necessity of what needs to be done, and she understands what matters without having to say it. Her actions reflect her belief in one simple axiom, students first! She has since created a nonprofit group which seeks to continue much of the reform movements she began as superintendent of Washington, DC schools.
Anyone, and everyone should take the pledge and vote on four key beliefs about what effects first our students, our future when anyone discusses education policy today. Go to studentsfirst.org, and begin the conversation.
My favorite quote and something I try to think about daily when going into school, "You wake up every morning and you know that 46,000 kids are counting on you, and you know that most of them are getting a really crappy education right now." Then when asked to clarify, she responds, "I don't think they are, I know they are." While these words sting a bit, it definitely motivates and sends a direct message for the importance of education and the immediate and ever changing business of touching the future. It never is just the lesson plan or just the grad. exam, it is all relevant connected and important. If we don't think what we are doing is best for kids, then we must scrape it and keep going. As in life, the one thing constant is change, we must also see and be willing to do whatever we can to, "produce results for kids."
Anyone, and everyone should take the pledge and vote on four key beliefs about what effects first our students, our future when anyone discusses education policy today. Go to studentsfirst.org, and begin the conversation.
My favorite quote and something I try to think about daily when going into school, "You wake up every morning and you know that 46,000 kids are counting on you, and you know that most of them are getting a really crappy education right now." Then when asked to clarify, she responds, "I don't think they are, I know they are." While these words sting a bit, it definitely motivates and sends a direct message for the importance of education and the immediate and ever changing business of touching the future. It never is just the lesson plan or just the grad. exam, it is all relevant connected and important. If we don't think what we are doing is best for kids, then we must scrape it and keep going. As in life, the one thing constant is change, we must also see and be willing to do whatever we can to, "produce results for kids."
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