History Website Project Developments

Over the past month, my GAFE project plan has changed and morphed a number of times. I began with a plan for students to use WeVideo to capture their learning in History on the development of the West. However, with current app restrictions and other logistical issues I decided to try a different approach. My teaching partner +Kimberley Wingert and I decided to join forces and try Glogster instead. However, privacy issues and subscription requirements once again made us re-think our plan. +Ferdinand Krauss suggested trying out Google Sites as an alternative.

I am currently taking an online course that requires me to create a website using Google Sites. I've spent some time playing around and modifying my site - the navigation and changes did not come naturally to me and took some time to get used to. Thankfully the "help search" function is well done and easy to follow. With my limited experience I thought it would be worth a try for my students to create their own sites for their History projects.

Students projects are well underway and many students have completed the Media Literacy requirements and research. Today some students began creating their websites. It was great to see that their learning curve was not as great as mine, and many of them were able to problem solve and help each other out independently. To help guide students through this project, Kim and I created detailed step-by-step instructions and an example website that outlined the expectations of this project.

This is a a very involved project to take on this late in the year, but I am excited about what students will accomplish and learn using technology and collaboration. Our hope is that students will deepen their critical literacy skills, learn how to make a website, and grow an interest in our Canadian history.

Moving in the right direction...

This is a reflection from the course I am currently taking (teaching and learning through eLearning). I thought I would share, as it captures for me the process of helping my students be 21st Century learners. 

Needs of 21st Century Students

My previous school needs (late 90’s-2000’s)

Students need to... -think critically about a media pieces (articles, videos, social media, etc) to judge if it is accurate or not -create new effective content that is shared (blogs, podcasts, glogs, videos, wikis, etc) -digest and view huge amounts of presented information and discern what is applicable and important to them -have meaningful learning experiences with people online and offline -multitask - do several things simultaneously while still achieving the desired task.

I needed to… -find information (usually from books) using the library computer catalogue, find the book, use the index and read the topic. -type efficiently (typing classes in gr. 4 and 5) -answer questions after reading an assigned selection. Scan and pull important points out. -take notes from a lecture/lesson, memorize notes and successfully take a test -write text intended for one audience: teacher -work in groups to complete assignments *some of these skills are still required by 21st century students in classrooms today.*

I went through school at a time when technology was becoming a bigger part of the learning process. I remember my gr. 6 class had a few old Commodore computers along the far wall that we would type up our poetry and short stories. In gr. 4, we took typing classes throughout the year (a skill I am very thankful for now). The internet arrived to a few of my peers homes when I was in gr. 7...not to my home until I was in gr. 9. In high school I used the computer on a regular basis - primarily for research, typing up assignments, e-mail, and chat rooms (remember MSN?). It was used as a tool to complete traditional assignments. I took a CAD course in gr. 11, and got a better sense of other applications for computer use. To be honest, I’m not sure if I am a “Digital Immigrant” or “Digital Native”...I feel a bit caught in between the two worlds.

I do my best to stay at or beyond where my students are digitally, but I’m not sure I believe they are “Digital Natives” either….many computer and 21st century skills I have to teach explicitly to students. However, I am always impressed with the swiftness they can understand those taught skills...much faster than teaching my parents, grandparents, and sometimes colleagues, those same skills. I know my students and I still have a long way before we have the 21st century skills required for this new digital age. At least we are moving in the right direction!