Follow-up to Week #3 Post
It has been two or three weeks since my blog post about my dive into the world of wikis. Since then I have become more comfortable with the "ins and outs" of wiki use. I have not had an opportunity to implement in the classroom as I am luckily on summer recess, however I did set up a class wiki on Wikispaces. The link has been placed on my class website and is now just waiting...
FHCBradAnderson Class Website Click Here
I have not entirely decided what to do with the wiki. It is set up. It is tabula rasa as they say or a "blank slate". However, I want to avoid the trap of using technology for technology sake. I want my use of a wiki to be engaging and valuable.
In Will Richardson's book Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms, he suggests a variety of wiki uses that include report collaborations (sometimes with other schools or districts), posting results to experiments, collaborative review (Welker's Wikinomics), virtual communities, online diaries, online photo journalism projects and creating an online "book".
I think where this technology can be interesting and innovative in my history classroom is two-fold:
1. Online debate tool: Too often in class students that are reserved or introverted tend to shy away from discussions and debates. I have tried facilitating discussions many different ways, but a wiki may be a great option. Modeling an online debate much like we have in our EDU 653 class may be a viable option. Students would add-to and edit content based on discussion in class, readings, notes and other research.
2. Online collaborative report: As a teacher I usually stay away from the group project out of class. In class there is slim time to allot to students as well. To hurdle a time constraint and scheduling constraint, a wiki could be used to create a collaborative project whereby students could add-to and edit the wiki on their own time. As the teacher I could monitor their time and activity on the wiki.
The wiki will most definitely be used in my classroom this fall and I look forward to, instead of dread, the implications of this innovative use of technology.
Entry 2 "Six Paths to Better Leadership"
A Response to an Edutopia Article by
Maurice Elias Professor, Rutgers University Psychology Department
The following are the "six paths to better leadership" as outline by Professor Elias
1. Believe & Envision
2. Start Strong & Simple
3. Persuade & Inspire
4. Lead Morally
5. Demonstrate Courage & Compromise
6. Optimize Any Situation
I am an avid reader of leadership and team work literature. I am a huge fan of John Maxwell and his leadership books. One of my favorites is Frosty Westering's Make the Big Time Where You Are. I also enjoy Jim Collins' writings on the subject. A particular favorite of mine is not a book about leadership but rather "excellence in the workplace" and it's called The Little Big Things: Excellence by Tom Peters. All of those books, if distilled to their core, would look something like Elias' list aforementioned. As John Maxwell states, "Everything rises and falls on leadership."
As a classroom teacher, we are not only content area specialists, we are the leaders in the classroom. A strong, fair, kind and discipline leader is needed in the classroom for the students to succeed. Individual temperaments aside, teachers should all abide by the six, very simple, rules stated above. This is especially true during the first week - even more importantly first day - of school. From the "get-go" students want to know they have someone who will lead them effectively - someone who will set a vision, make it clear for all, inspire, be an example, show calm & courage and recognize teachable moments.
When I saw Professor Elias' "six paths" I knew right away that I would copy those onto a sheet and post those very six paths on my desk for me to see every day. As a teacher that is constantly reflecting on the process and continually trying to improve the classroom experience, this six paths will make it clear what I need to do during the first week.
In the past I have done or implemented the six paths, I just didn't know I was doing it. Now I will have a specific outline for action. For example:
First Day of School:
1. Stand in the hall way
2. Greet & shake hands of students
3. Have an assignment on the board & seating chart ("Find your seat, sit quietly & fill out the following info...)
4. Set a vision (I have an expectations slideshow that clearly outlines my beliefs and my vision for the class)
A. Expectations include morality, honesty, hard work, discipline, attendance
B. We also talk about how to interact with one another
5. On the first day I try to inspire and motivate (personal or historical anecdote)
As far as #6 goes, that is something that will take place during the week. I set up the first week to get the kids active and engaged with one another before I ever open a textbook or history lesson.
The "Six Paths to Better Leadership" will provide a template for weekly/daily actions in my Room 112.
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