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Permalink Reply by Michelle Ostendorf on May 4, 2008 at 9:25pm

Ok, so it might seem a little odd that I am replying to my own discussion, but I am simply modeling, as all good teachers should! :)

I teach 8th grade Pre-Algebra students who are below basic and far below basic students in a Title 1 school that is predominately Hispanic. I have the same students for two consecutive periods. In the period that is not Pre-Algebra, I re-enforce basic skills and have the students do hands on activities. I also use this time to re-teach.

As far as technology is concerned, I use an LCD projector, the InterWrite pad, and Microsoft PowerPoint almost daily. When I do not use PowerPoint, I use the Elmo Document Camera. Sometimes I will embed United Streaming video clips into a PowerPoint to make my lesson more interesting. My favorite video clip is one on Pythagorean Theorem. I also use the InterWrite PRS system, aka "clickers" about once or twice per month. Usually, I bring in the clickers for review type activities. Although sometimes, I use them in a lesson as a means to check for understanding and to make the lesson more interactive. The students love them and get excited when we use the clickers.

In the supplemental class, I have the students log into Brainpops when we go to the computer lab. I give them 3 days to choose from a selected list of video clips I want them to view that supports the topic we are learning about in Pre-Algebra. The students have to complete 8 out of 12 quizzes with a 6 or better. I sign them off as they complete the quizzes. They can get extra credit for doing more than 8 quizzes. It works well because the students are focused and have a limited time to complete the quizzes. When they are finished, they can go to the math websites I have approved (see the discussion on math websites).

I could not live without any of the technology I have because it enhances my teaching so much. Prior to technology, I used the overhead projector. The InterWrite Pad allows me to move around the room and have freedom to be with the students. My classroom management is much tighter and I have less discipline problems since I started using technology in the classroom.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Fjelstrom on May 20, 2008 at 10:19pm

I too use technology every day. This year I'm teaching high school geometry and algebra 2. I use my projector and interwrite pad to do my lessons. Either Apple's Keynote (powerpoint) or just blank slides. I don't use my whiteboard any more, just use the wall as my screen. I don't have "clickers" but it is my goal to get them in the next two years. When I'm done with my slides, I upload them to slideshare.net.

I also use blogs to inform students and parents of what goes on each day, while also getting feedback from students by asking them questions about the day's lesson.

I try to create some screencasts and tutorial videos for students and publish them on iTunes. That has been very time consuming for me and has been put on the back burner.

The biggest part of my class would have to be Moodle. The online classroom gives students a place to discuss topics and practice our geometry or algebra 2 standards with quizzes. I've only scratched the surface of what Moodle can do for my class and I plan to expand it to my subjects next year. I'm particularly excited about using it with my Algebra 1 classes next year. It will be a new medium for them to learn math.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Ostendorf on May 21, 2008 at 12:09pm

First of all, you are amazing! What you are doing in your classroom is awesome. Thanks for sharing. Personally, I think you have enough here to present for CUE. You can get your admission free to CUE and will only need to pay for your membership fee. Besides, they are always looking for Math teachers to present. I read your comment about budgets being tight. This might be a way to help you get to CUE next year.

What I would like to know is how you set up your blog. I checked it out and it looks great. Do you have your blog site set up through school or somewhere else? Is it free? Do you approve all students' comments before they are posted? Have you ever had problems with students abusing the blog by posting inappropriate comments? How do you set up the users so they can post? Can anyone post or do you set up accounts for the students? Is this inviation only? Otherwise, I think this is great and I would like to try this next year with my students.

Next, moodle. I do not know a lot about moodle. I went to the moodle sight, but you have to log into the sight to see what is on there and the guest log in is very limited. How does this work in your classroom?

Thanks for sharing!

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Fjelstrom on May 21, 2008 at 9:34pm

Thank you for your compliments. I did present a double session Moodle workshop at our local CUE (Central Valley CUE) this past fall. I'm considering the Mother-CUE soon.

About the blog:
I used the free Wordpress.com service, but soon after my district installed Wordpress on their server. I just never switched over since it was already set up. Because of the sheer volume of comments to moderate, I have them automatically approved but monitor them by RSS and email to act on any unprofessional comments. However, this is very rare since the question gives some guidance. I require them to use their first name and last initial, followed by their period number. This gives both an identity but protects their privacy, too. My Apple Mail app uses smart mailboxes to sorts the comments into correct classes and period numbers. It is open to the public so anyone can post comments. Students have found that they really like it.

Moodle is awesome. Also something else set up by my district. It has provided me a place for set up just about everything we do in class, but online. Assignments can be downloaded and submitted online (then scored right there), lessons can guide students through concepts, quizzes can test them, and forums allow for discussion of topics. I would say only 1/2-2/3 of my students regularly use Moodle. And it is completely outside of class. They log in at home or during lunch in the library. My students call it "MySpace for Math." While is can be used for any subject, few teachers use it as a resource. It also has built-in LaTeX support (equation editor). Because students full names are posted, the district keeps it fairly secure from the public.

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