I have experimented with Wiki spaces and with Google Sites. I will now have to finish what I started so long ago for this class, CEdO 535.
The uses that I can perceive in using either of this two tools is offering links and sites to students to assist and reinforce their understanding of a certain mathematical topic and/or a means to show them where it is used. It could be a great way to have an "online" grade book of missing assignments and a calendar for upcoming assignments, quizzes and tests. Also, these tools have the capability to initiate maintain 1 to 1 communication with students and/or parents. They can also act as a sound board or critique of how I am doing as a teacher in conveying the messages that I am attempting to pass on.
Bill - I like your idea of using your site for parent communication. I would be interested to see how many parents would look at the site. We have our elementary newsletter online. It's not on a blog or wiki, but is linked to our district website. You wouldn't believe how many parents still want the paper copy of the newsletter...actually, its most of them.
ReplyDeleteBill, I agree, I plan to start a Wiki for our Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO), they have been looking for this and now we are going to be able to put it together. I cannot wait to start!
ReplyDeleteI agree that a wikii for a teachers classes is a great idea. However in my experience getting students to buy into this idea has been difficult. How would you sell the idea to parents and students and colleagues?
ReplyDeleteHey Bill!
ReplyDeleteWe should totally collaborate! If you, myself and others are working on similar things, we could split up all of the screencasts we want to do and saver ourselves time.
I also like the idea of using a blog/wiki to communicate with parents as well. And, more and more with those online translation tools, you could also hit the parents of kids who don't speak English. The only downside is I wonder how computer savvy those parents are. I know from talking to my students, that their parents don't even know how to check their students grades. That may be one of those times when you make a screencast and post it OR just have a parent night and bring your parents in and show them how.