I learned a lot this summer. One of the most exciting things that I learned that I couldn't wait to share with my students was Aurasma. "Aurasma is a platform that allows businesses and organizations to create and publish their own augmented reality." It is true that this was created for businesses, but creative teachers are always on the lookout for new ways to engage their students and improve learning. Two teachers in Michigan, @techminock and @techbradwaid, have a great website that helps teachers learn the basics of using the program. 2 guys and some iPads has video tutorials and a weekly show that you will find helpful. Of course I didn't find this resource until after I had figured out how to create my first Aura.
I have had all summer to reflect on this past school year. I thought that time would give me a more objective perspective, but I still have only one word to describe it - AMAZING! It was a year of tremendous growth for my students and myself. So many incredible things happened, but I am going to highlight just a couple.
It began by systematically infusing technology into instruction. We started with edmodo and digital citizenship. We love edmodo, my students worried about me if there wasn’t something new posted. They learned to take control of their own learning both in and out of school. We participated in our first global project through edmodo and wikispaces with Crazy Crazes. Where they compiled our “favorites” and “crazes” and presented them in different ways. They became deeper thinkers as they searched for information on subjects and curated it with the help of Livebinders. Communicating their learning came next and they rose to the challenge! We then started a class blog to better communicate with our families, friends, community, and world. My students loved the blog so much that they began arguing over who would “get to” write for it! I knew it was time for them to have their own space to document their learning and communicate with the world. I have to admit that I was a little concerned about the amount of work that this was going to take, but they took to it like fish to water! We decided to participate in the Student Blogging Challenge this past spring and that really springboarded their writing. They learned to help each other, using their combined strengths to be better together. We had done so much, could I push them farther? I have a class that loved to talk and share so why not try backchanneling? It was a fabulous addition to our discussions on the novels Touching Spirit Bear, and Wonder. They used todaysmeet to discuss questions that they wondered about. Finally, we had the opportunity to participate in our first mystery skype. It was challenging, but fun. Especially because we were able to be part of the first Teach Like a Pirate Day at Utica Junior High School with Principal @McLane_Ryan. It was fun to watch their faces as the other class guessed towns so close to ours. We will certainly start with map reading this September! A big Thank You to my students parents for entrusting me with their children. Their desire to learn permeated each day and their enthusiasm energized me to find new and better ways to engage them. They are truly a blessing! I look forward with great anticipation to this year! I am writing this blog to help me improve the teaching and learning in my class through reflecting on my practice. I am a middle school special education teacher. I have been teaching for more than 20 years and while reflection isn't new to me, writing about it is. The thoughts expressed are my own. Thank you for joining me on the journey. I am hopeful that we can learn together
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Welcome!I am beginning a journey to share my love for teaching and I invite you to join me. It is not an easy road and my goal is to make your journey a little smoother by sharing what I have learned. Archives
February 2014
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