Sometimes Technology is Messy

As I have mentioned in a few previous posts, I have returned full time to the classroom and I am loving it. As a result of my three years' hybrid teaching/coaching role, I have been able to really think about my teaching practice and make changes and upgrades to my teaching style this year.  One of the upgrades I have begun working on is using an online collaborative forum where my students can participate in discussions and post work--Edmodo.  I was excited to try this with my classes this year, but realized that sometimes technology is messy. I don't mean messy in the sense of no order and chaotic, but messy in the sense that I will be relinquishing some "control" over to students.

When I introduced this platform to the students, the idea was met with mixed enthusiasm. Some students thought it was "cool" while others were very uncomfortable with the idea that their work would be posted for everyone in the class to see.  Still others, very honestly, asked if I would keep up with the online format  throughout the year. It seems those students had teachers who had tried forums like this in the past only to abandon them as the school year became busier. 

I tried my best to address their concerns and told them that we would all try this for the first semester. If we all hated it, we would abandon it and go back to the traditional method of writing and printing hard copies.  I was very honest with them that this was new to me as well, but I thought it was important for them to learn how to navigate technology in an academic setting. 

Likewise, I shared with them that I wanted to grow in this area as well. I explained that I spent the summer looking for just the right forum.  I chose Edmodo because it was fairly simple. Since it mimics Facebook, I thought it would be comfortable for students, parents, and me. I wanted a "closed" forum  that felt safe for the students and parents. We are four weeks into using Edmodo and my students are slowly coming around to the idea. Also, I am getting comfortable with commenting on their writing entirely through electronic means.

 Now, here is where it gets messy.

Some of my students were ready to jump in with both feet, while others were very hesitant. For the first assignment, only one-third of the students posted online.  Some students wanted to word process the piece and print it off for me and others simply wanted to hand-write the assignment. While I encouraged everyone to try the Edmodo forum,  I accepted the assignment in all forms. For the second assignment, more students posted online, but many still turned in paper versions.  With each assignment, students are becoming more comfortable and are deciding to use the Edmodo forum.

Was this a lot for me to keep up with? Absolutely. Has it been challenging for both my students and me? You betcha. I think it is a worthwhile process, though. I have learned that while my students are digital natives, they haven't had much experience using technology in an academic setting. Sure, they have used computers to research and type papers, but they have rarely used technology to participate in academic discussions and post their work for feedback.  This has led to many impromptu teaching moments.

I don't have it all figured out yet, but I am learning every day. One of the challenges I am facing is deciding when and how often to respond to student posts and work.  After all, it is much easier  to leave a set of papers on my desk at school than it is to ignore the "54 posts" notification on the Edmodo App on my phone. Also, I need to figure out how students can post their work (without printing everything out) as evidence for their paper portfolio that our state asks us to collect each year.

I think my students are appreciative that I am using this forum and learning along with them. So far, I have heard far more positive comments than negative ones. In another couple of weeks, we are going to invite parents to our Edmodo class as "read only" members, so they can see first-hand their students' work and discussions.

 I will keep you posted as we continue on this journey. In the meantime, I would love to hear how you use technology to foster conversations, collaboration, and productivity among your students. 

Come to the Edge

During the first few weeks of school, I make a focused effort to get to know my students and to build a sense of community.  This year I wanted to do something that would connect all of my classes to one another. So, I decided to adopt a poem as our yearlong theme. After all, I am an English teacher.

Each year I tell my students that I am training them like an athlete. I take them through reading, writing, and speaking training exercises. Each lesson I craft is designed to help their muscles remember what to do when the time comes to perform. And, like a coach, I will ask them to do things that are difficult and sometimes out of their comfort level.  The productive struggle, I tell them, is all a part of the training. In the end, I promise them that they will be better writers, readers, and speakers.

 Last week I introduced the poem "Come to the Edge" by Christopher Logue to my students. I asked them to read and annotate the poem. The only direction I gave them was to tell them that I have chosen this poem as our yearlong theme. Here is the text of the poem:

Come to The Edge

by Christopher Logue

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It's too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!
And they came,
and we pushed,
And they flew.

I was amazed by their responses. Some students thought the "edge" was a cliff and others thought it meant the edge of their confidence. Yet others thought the "edge" was the end of their abilities. The poem has given us a sense of community. Students good-naturedly tease one another about "coming to the edge" when someone begins to sigh about a particular assignment. In the hallway, I have overheard students explaining the poem to their friends. A couple of students have suggested we make t-shirts with our theme poem on it.

I have thoroughly enjoyed our conversations and look forward to the many ways we can use the poem this year. I shared with students that I am coming to the edge of my comfort level by trying new things professionally--a new blog, being a club sponsor, and speaking up for my profession. The other day when I made a vague reference to my new blog and how I wasn't sure if anyone thought it was worth reading, one of my students said I should keep going to the edge until I was able to fly. Point taken. I love when my students become the teachers.

Come join us this year. Find a way to connect to your students, co-workers, and family.

Come to the edge.