Evaluation of progress:
I am still researching virtual field trips and I have discussed a few with my colleagues at school as well. I have received ideas from classmates on my blog and emails that have been beneficial. I have searched the internet and found some interesting sites, just narrowing them down to what would be beneficial to a third grade classroom and fit into our state standards can be a bit time consuming. I am still needing to meet with the technology director on setting up a blog, unfortunately, it may take several hoops to jump through prior to getting this setup.
I have noticed that setting up a GAME plan for myself, has made me look at what is the best way to communicate with parents/guardians. I really try to stay focused on communicating with parents via email much more, and find I get better responses when I do this. It is getting towards the end of the year, and many times I try to plan a unit for the following year. I find I am looking more on how to incorporate blogging and the technology aspect as I plan my unit.
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Jeff F to Lesia
ReplyDeleteVirtual field trips allow students to experience areas in which they are not able to experience. Great idea! How different is your blog with your technology director than your blog you use here to discuss your GAME plan?
Communicating with parents and guardians has a huge impact on student learning. Incorporating communication with your blogs will help increase parental and student involvement. What kind of plan do you have for parents/guardians who do not use the internet? Above all, I like your ideas that you have for your GAME plan. The virtual field trips serves as a chance to experience an area and blogs with parent/guardians serves as a chance to excellent way to communicate.
Jeff F
I have not had a lot of experience with using virtual field trips. The only time I have used them in my classroom is when one of students is unable to attend our annual Gettysburg field trip due to behavior issues or illness. I teach 8th grade special education and I feel that all to often the information and organization of the field trip is difficult for my students. I can only imagine the difficulty of finding appropriate content for elementary students. My experience is that students have to already have some background knowledge to be able to independently navigate the sites.
ReplyDeleteI also find that parental communication is key. Not being a parent myself, I am always amazed at how much parent appreciate an open line of communication. Making yourself available to parents early in the year and on a consistent basis will present a united front between home and school. When students have consistent expectations between home and school they often flurish.