…and so it begins…
“Think back to when you were training to become a teacher. Did you become a more independent thinker when you were listening to your teacher or when you thought about how to get students to think about a subject while you prepared your lesson plan as a student-teacher and while you taught? How about when you were a child? Did you become a better independent thinker and decision-maker when your parents told you what to do or when you got more responsibility?”
This important excerpt from Why Letting Students Teach, Works explains one of the reasons why I feel our joint venture will be successful and worthy of a project. Students love to feel independent, confident, and helpful, which is exactly what I hope this project instills in our kiddos….
Chris Busby and I are embarking on a journey that will include our 2 classrooms, his Grade 3/4 Health class and my Grade 4 Health class. The following briefly outlines our purpose. I’m certain we will have some bumps along the road but oh what fun it will be documenting this adventure!!
Purpose: To explore the use of technology and social media to teach each other and establish connections between students in different schools in a common school community. Students will develop skills that enable them to understand the positive power of social media and technology as a personal and educational tool, that can foster relationships and friendships via asynchronous and synchronous communication. We will use ‘real time’ communication on Microsoft Teams as well as personal video logs via Flipgrid, as a way of sharing with each other, teaching, and responding to peers, including the following –
*Virtual Teams meetings between classrooms.
*Student Teaching and Responding to Blog Posts – both written and recorded video
*Classes/Individuals will teach a lesson/share information.
*Analysis of the effectiveness of both written and oral communication, via technology.
Curricular Ties
– Health 3.2 Inner Self
– Health 3.4 Families
– Health 4.3 Relationships
Our ultimate goal is to teach children that open communication via technology can foster relationships beyond the digital world and can be a valuable learning tool. Presenting social media and open communication in a positive way can affect how students will view and use technology in the future and potentially trigger the desire to create and maintain a healthy digital footprint. While students will be learning about digital tools and communication they will be teaching their peers, albeit virtually, and sharing ideas that they can relate to, understand, and learn.
I must admit that I am anxious to get rolling but also nervous. I have never attempted something like this before, but I do know that I have an excellent teaching partner in this venture, and the students may just love it and learn some cool things along the way!
About The Author
Lynnette Farris
Welcome to my blogging journey! I am a leader in education, a Mom, wife, and a learner. I have previously worked with Saskatoon Catholic Schools and I am currently a Vice-Principal with Regina Catholic Schools.
Lynnette, this sounds really interesting. I think that it is a great idea to get kids learning about their online presence early on in their educational careers where they can ask questions, and learn in a safe and somewhat controlled environment. Although I have never taught little kiddos, I think that it is a good avenue for them to express themselves and to learn about communication. It may not be something that you have ever done before, but I bet you that you’ll learn quite a bit! Looking forward to seeing where you two take this project. Good luck.
I appreciate that Kelly! It has definitely been a busy process so far. If the students knew how to navigate a laptop and use the keyboard efficiently, this whole process would be so much easier!
Hi Lynnette,
As a teacher, this is also something I would like to work on! I teach middle school which is the years that we see students receiving their first phones and first social media accounts. With the way technology has been implemented into our students’ lives, it’s definitely important to teach them about having a healthy digital footprint.
I also think technology is a great tool for us teachers! I will definitely be following along to learn more ways to use it to connect with other classes. I was actually thinking of doing global read aloud this fall (https://theglobalreadaloud.com) which has the same idea of connecting with other classes and students!
Hi Megan! That Global read aloud idea looks amazing and I have never heard of it! I briefly read the premise and when it takes place but I’ll need to go in and peruse further! If you go ahead with it let me know. I would love to find out how you go about it and what the process involves.
I love this project and appreciate your care and detail in setting it up despite your nervousness on the topic. Your goals are thoughtful and well-stated and will provide excellent guidance to ensure the success of this endeavour. Often, teachers jump into social media without a real plan in mind and this often leads to problems. You’re on the right path and I look forward to seeing the process!
Thank you Alec! I have a plan for sure, but I am already feeling a few bumps in the road. I think once the students are comfortable logging in and out independently and I set up a small tech group within the class, this will help immensely. I am teaching a few of the same students that I did last year when they were in Grade 3 and they can navigate and keyboard quite well so will be a huge help with those that are learning.