Learning
how to use Prezi proficiently could easily take
multiple days of lessons. Therefore the students would need to spend a
good amount of time just learning
about the tool before using it to present other curricular topics. With
the time crunch in schools today this could end Prezi’s life in a classroom
before it begins.
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shared by Randy Ziegenfuss on 20 Oct 09
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Google Apps K-12 Lesson Plans using Docs, Sites, and Calendar. - 0 views
www.google.com/...lesson_plans.html
k-12 google apps lessons education web2.0 technology tools learning wiki media resources socialnetworking teaching
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What a blog strange trip it's been - 2 views
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I haven't checked out the site yet, but it sounds like an amazing tool one can use either in or out of the classroom. Your point about time however is very interesting. We are under so much pressure as teachers to prepare our students for PSSAs that one of the biggest questions we have is do we have enough time to try new stuff, even if the new material is pushing 21st century education.
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Of course, the more frustrated I got the less I wanted to try to learn about how Prezi worked. I was that student that got disillusioned with what I was learning somewhere along way, and decided I wasn’t that interested in learning that “something” anymore.
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I realized that I, like most students today, have been sucked into the world of instant gratification.
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To truly problem solve in life and in school one needs to be able to analyze actions that are being taken toward solving a given problem and analyze the result those actions have on the final outcome.
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apply it to one of my classes.
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My plan is ultimately to give parents the link to our Prezi.
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I feel they’ll be motivated to do more metacognative activities such as this one after seeing how the information is presented
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In having to think outside the box I’ve learned more about technology in education in the last 8 weeks than I had in the last 8 years
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I had a similar notion of what I thought the class would be like. I too am pleasantly surpised and excited about all the new things I have learned in such a small amount of time.
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The format of the class is decidedly different. I set out to try and model a classroom environment that is most conducive to using the various tools. I am interested to get some feedback from all of you on the format of the class. I know it's a it different, but I think it works. I am open to any ideas or suggestions you might have.
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I think it takes a certain type of person to excel in a class formatted in this fashion. From what I can see, all of us fit into that mold. Maybe it would not work for students who have to be here, but does for us because we all want to be here.
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I agree with Doug. I think this format works wonderfully because we are all motivated to learn. I must say though, I have been stressing about our final project... I still love my rigid guidelines. Hopefully techology enables me to break the bonds of my tightly controled and structured learning style.
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That is interesting, Doug. And I think you are correct in that all of you seem to have a certain disposition that operates fairly successfully in this kind of environment. Are their a variety of dispositions? Should education be accepting of varying dispositions in teaching? If so, how does the system manage that?
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I feel like a big component of this class that helps us all feel like we're learning so much is the absence of right and wrong. So many classes have tests, or papers, or projects where you'll be judged in front of your peers, which causes instant stress. In this class however we're able to come and learn with each other, with out worrying about that stress. It's funny becasue as much as we all might hate the idea of 10 page papers we have been trained to show what we've learned in that format, which in a weird way almost makes us feel more comfortable doing something we don't like than doing something outside the box.
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I agree with the 10 page paper bit, I wonder when higher education will let go of the old way to promote digital literacy and learning.
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As educators we strive to positively reach all of our students; but often don’t ever interact with all of the other professionals in our buildings. This is a problem.
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I feel like so many people (kids, teachers, parents, administrators) in the world today are scared to be wrong. This negatively affects people's ability to be life long learners. If we could all take time to realize that we have A LOT to learn from each other think about how productive schools would be. I remember learing about Japanese lesson study and the way many in Japan plan for their students. With in these planning sessions it's acually looked at as a positive trait to say you don't know much about a subject becuase it's self reflective and provides an opportunity for growth. We're missing this in America.
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I would agree. Look at our policitcal system. Do we really think that a leader is going to turn our country and its complex problems around in a year? Regardless of who could have been elected last November, Americans would have expected a quick fix AND for that person to have all the answers. It doesn't work that way. Anyhow...enough of politics.
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Lifelong learning is one of the most important parts of "real world". Being able to change, adapt, and communicate with others is a tool students need to know now so they can grow in the future.
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I absoloutely agree with you Doug. it makes you wonder how much we teach anymore that teaches kids to be life long learners. So much of our curiculum helps them know specific facts to do well on standardized tests, which does not translate to facilitating life long learning.
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I too agree but one also has to realize that the passion a teacher models to their students is also a key motivating factor in creating intrinsic learners. While we may have to teach particular skill sets we can do it with bravado thus allowing are students to realize how much fun learning can be.
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While I may not be in an ideal place to utilize technology with the students I see, I am in the perfect position to use technology to enhance teaching and learning with my co-workers.
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I’m hoping that utilizing Google docs will do this for me.
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Nice idea...think about how you'll implement this, get others involved, and lead the way!
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Our English department has been using google.doc to hook everyone up with all kinds of rubrics for writing projects, etc. It has work really well, if you thnk you need some type of rubric, you can usually find it on there.
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Our administrators think google docs is too complicated. My students absolutely love being able to share their ideas while writing their papers.
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I felt like I was spinning my wheels attempting to squeeze something out of all of the technology we’ve explored.
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Another constraint is the fact that all meetings have to be scheduled in advance.
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Look who's Blogging - 0 views
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excellent launching pad
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Google docs saves files on a “cloud” in cyberspace thus allowing users to not only save space on their hard drives, but also allowing multiple users access for creating, editing and sharing.
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variety of surveys
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Other tools such as Google Docs are capable or reaching a variety of different learns by simply utilizing a few of the vast templates created for the tool. Social networking sites can be incorporated to meet the needs of those students who are strong intrapersonal learners while Podcasting meets the needs of most musical and linguistic learners. Bodily-kinesthetic learners can now travel and move through virtual worlds or take their handheld devices to record data while on the go. Blogging, electronic journals and word processing applications are excellent tools for verbal/ linguistic learners as well as intrapersonal learners while Geocaching is great for both naturalists and spatial learners alike
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over twenty years
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chnology it has become exponentially easier to target specific types of learners and to provide lessons that are capable of reaching a multitude of different learning styles.
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a way for narcissistic individuals to live out their fantasie
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a personal niche needed to be created for Twitter to have relevance in my life.
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I think you're correct. It's about who you connect to. If you connect to a bunch of people who talk about what they are eating or drinking, then there probably is little value. If you connect to like-minded people who have a passion for, let's say, technology or educational futurism, then you will likely grow from the sharing of knowledge.
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You could say it was a “light bulb” moment when I finally realized that blogging allowed me to do all this and more
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A little research was all I needed
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create presentations
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Tweet at a time
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How can a generation who is known for their free thinking spirit tune out the latest advances in free communication and speech?
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I am interested to have a discussion about this. I think this mentality is at ALL levels of the educational system. That is why it is so dysfunctional! How can we change that? What can each of us do? I love your writing style, by they way.
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Thanks Randy! I was actually slightly worried about posting this blog. My department reads all of my postings and I decided to take a risk to see if I would get a reaction from them. I did! Time and lack of insturction were the top issues for not "getting on the bus". Now I can confidently tell them that I can be of assistance in their learning.
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The entire world has been wired for instant communication, sharing and learning, yet many are still hesitant to bridge the gap between the traditional methods that have been cultivated and ingrained by our society to the new experimental, highly addictive, personalized and engaging activities that technology can bring to the learning environment.
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Are you on the bus?
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on the threshold of an educational revolution
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Do you really think we are? I hope we are, but sometimes I feel soooo discouraged!
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We definitely are. It just may take a little longer than we originally thought.
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I do think we are. Our numbers may be small at the moment but every revolution starts small. Plus we have instant communication on our side. No revolution ever happens as fast or neatly as one would hope.
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all the teachers who are willing to take a risk
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How can a generation who is known for their free thinking spirit tune out the latest advances in free communication and speech?
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Technology integrated into the classroom provides the opportunity for every voice to be heard
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I have always been hesitant to engage them in an argument of any kind.
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Lack of training, hardware/software, and time were at the forefront of their argument;
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OK god...typical luddite responses. Please, let me preserve the status quo...
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Their boat was certainly rocked today when at our faculty meeting we were informed by the administration that technology in the classroom would be a new focus. They gave me the "shifty eye" but in truth I felt as though I had won a small battle!
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discussion, writing and debate can have on a student.
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Especially in a math class. Everything is focused on standardized tests and the outcome, not discussing the process. How can we/I try and change this?
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I think dicussion is key in math and would have helped me a great deal as a struggling math student. Our school recently initiated the Collins Writing program where ever subject must write and discuss. It has proven benifical across the board
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shifting their thoughts
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Terrific goal! How will you do this? How can you bring them into the experience. I find that people in our professional that have the kinds of skills they have are so focused on themselves - "it's all about me and all the wonderful knowledge I possess. My job is to transmit that to everyone I speak to, especially my students." So how can you tap into the focus of "me?"
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I intend to incorporate them as much as they will allow me to. My thoughts right now are to generate a podcast or video with their sentiments! Be prepared they are cunning and very shrewd and highly entertaining!
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I have been laboriously scouring the web in search of interactive tools that will allow me to integrate technology into my classroom. I have battled with the notion that social networking sites are ruining wholesome communication, fought to obtain hardware, software and access to particular sites for my students and I have even set aside my preconceived notions to discover the benefits of certain tools within the classroom
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Countless hours have been spent delving into applications and tools, time that has been taken from my family, friends and sanity.
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And with Randy's class and Dr. Lewis, we are certainly doing this. I am, however, finding that researching background knowledge and learned intelligence is also helping enhance my abilities in this class. The two are dovetailing nicely!
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Soon it will become second nature and will take up less time. That's what I am telling myself at least!
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teach students the 21st century skills they so desperately need
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I plan on keeping up just not at this pace! I am sure I will have more time when I am not taking two grad classes.
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Tell me about it. I have been working on a doctorate for three years now and plan to graduate in May. I often wonder what I will do when I am finished. I think I will have so much time, but I bet it will be less than I think. I'm sure there will be loads of other things waiting for my time and attention.
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Randy, there is always something more we need to pursue in academia!
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http://heatjim.edublogs.org - 6 views
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chaos city
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Why do they not know how to set up an email account on their own? This should have been an easy task for 21st century students.
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Not for my kids... a lot of them do not have computers at home. I teach at-risk, low social economic students.
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I had to laugh when you wrote that. This afternoon I got all my kids in and did a trial homework assignment with just gmail. They were very enthusiastic... it was a good day
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I think it is great that you keep plowing through the messiness of using these tools. So often, teachers (and administrators) are uncomfortable with messiness. What can you expect though with NCLB? Don't make any mistakes. And if things aren't perfect, there will be hell to pay! Keep going, Heather!
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she was very into finding out how to use these thing
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She had not heard of either of these tools
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I’m soooooo upset. Gmail needs to stop for now!
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any thoughts guys
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maybe access it at home and complete? Any ideas?
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I intent to introduce my students to it next week. I hope they will be as excited as I am about the concept.
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By Thursday I will be into a story about the Black Plague
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Just a hunch...but you might find some interesting interactive things on the internet that deal with the black plague or Medieval Europe.
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I like how you are sharing this "aha" moment about prior knowledge. Around 2000, John Bransford et al, published a book called How People Learn. Prior knowledge is a key feature of what we hang new learning on. That is why it is important for teachers to understand the experiences of their students. If you just teach content, you will likely never tap into the prior knowledge that kids will attempt ot hang that new learning on.
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I realize that this class has opened a whole new world to us.
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Students can use their cognitive skills and stretch their imaginations beyond any limits in the 21st century.
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As you think about those two essential questions, push yourself to think beyond the technology. How is the teaching and learning different as a result? Otherwise, we get sidetracked by the tehnology and forget to think about its impact.
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Yes, Randy, but using the technology as only a tool is what the idea is.
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The other tool that I am learning how to use is imovie.
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Randy, I now have a meeting with head of tech at my high school as well as Tom Drago( head of technology for Easton sd. )Oh boy, my principal wants me to show them what I'm doing. Hope this doesn't fall all over me and the rest of the English department is going to have to stop using gmail and google docs, since they all been using it but never asked permission. The good thing is my enthusiasm and my kids'. They love it. I'll post my wordle experience tomorrow( was wonderful). After I took this job, I was so worried about to reach these kids. Thanks for showing me a way and for your support!
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My First Blog - 1 views
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I am a bi
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Thinkfinity is a database
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creating a product that they can print out or save
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Are most of the activities on the computer then, or can they been done without computers?
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Jamie, it all depends on what you are looking for. There are hundreds of lessons and activities. You can find ones that can be completed off the computer as well.
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The problem with this is then we hear complaints about using ink and toner to print everything out. How do we bypass that?
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I would really love easier access to computers
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Our science department has our 17 laptops tied up almost everyday. If I want to use them it has to be scheduled well in advance and cant conflict with their lessons anyway. Why can one department create their curriculum around tech. but the others have to suffer.
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Good question, Jamie. I think it is because education has looked at technology as a "nice if you can get it" extra.
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I agree, but since my Read 180 is a big thing right now. All of the read 180 classrooms have computer carts with 30 or so lappies! I consider myself lucky, but I do sympathize.
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vast resource that it is almost overwhelming
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I hope that I am not overlooking great tools as I meander through the site.
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One of the problems that I am experiencing finding a way to work these into my lessons when I don’t have instant access to computers or laptops.
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recite the speech and incorporate a series of images that compliment and connect to the speech.
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a very realistic goal
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fireplace
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gathering information from Internet resources
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be a highly technological concept
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I am wondering why more people I know don’t have one of these pages set up for themselves
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Before making my netvibes page, I did create a bloglines page but was not impressed
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personalize t
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my trip to the world of educational technology
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This is the impetus for me to continue to further develop more uses of technology with my students.
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I always thought about learning how to use wikis as a way to respond to reading novels in my class but felt I needed someone to guide me through learning about it. I haven’t had the time yet to incorporate a wiki in any of my classes, but I am teaching a new course in the spring semester, and I think that I might have the opportunity to try it out there. As far as I can tell, the course’s curriculum doesn’t seem to have many big technological highlights, so it might give me the opportunity to engage students using a new medium. The class is 10th grade on level, which is a step below college prep, and those students might benefit from the ability to engage in discussion outside of class and use a hands on way of doing it.
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Hamlet Facebook pages
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truly engaged and had a good time doing it
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they really had an honest reaction of surprise at how fast class was going.
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ultimately share this idea out there in cyberspace.