Differentiated Unit
Into the Wild and Synthesis Essay
1. Emaze Presentation
2. LiveBinder
3. Videos and Supplemental Materials on Blendspace
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Communicate 3.2.1 – The Newsletter Quest
Highly Effective Methods of Communicating with Stakeholders
1. Technology Night
2. Newsletters / Blog
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Communicate 3.1.2 – News Quest
As an online instructor, how do you plan to incorporate news items and announcements?
I have already used Smore several times to advertise information for students in regards to AP testing. Although I have done most of them online, I have also used printable flyers.
What resources would you reference to format news items?
Other releases, especially from College Board, for AP testing information. I would also look at news outlets students use on a regular basis to make the formatting interesting and engaging for them.
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-3-1-2/
Communicate 3.1.1 – Homepages Quest
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-3-1-1/
Communicate 2.1.3 – Ongoing Communication Quest
Discuss reasons why effective communication remains an essential part of online instruction. In the blog post, create an example of an ongoing communication that could be sent to all stakeholders. Ensure the product is creative, informative, and adheres to FERPA guidelines.
1. Students have to know their expectations to complete the course and be successful.
2. All stakeholders need to know where to find the information and tools necessary to be successful.
3. We have to consider access and generational expectations, many parents and students still require paper reminders or do have consistent access to technology.
4.Although the learning is online, we all need reminders and engagement in any learning situation.
5. The teacher and the student still have to do the "work," online learning just provides a platform.
Below is a link to the parent blog I maintain for all of my classes. It reiterates the information on the course calendar and reminds parents of what students should be working on at home. Parents and students can subscribe to this blog. It is done through my school email account and not my personal account. It is posted to the school website as well.
Communicate 2.1.2 – Communication Guidelines Quest
- Welcome email (generic for all courses)
1. General Information
2. Welcoming and Pleasant Tone
3. Informative for All
4. Identifies where to locate more specific information
2. Welcoming and Pleasant Tone
3. Informative for All
4. Identifies where to locate more specific information
- Personal notes versus mass communication to stakeholders (appropriate times)
1. Specific Information for Purpose
2. Professional Tone
3. Directive (What to Do / Where to Find It)
- Stakeholders
1. Meets the Goal of Communication (Informative, Update, Brag Sheet)
2. Forward Thinking / Motivational
3. Established Relationship Between Groups
- School Policies regarding Communication
1. Meets the Needs of All Stakeholders
2. Maintains Privacy and Copyright Laws
3. Remains Professional and Approrpiate
4. Uses School Communication (email and websites) and No 3rd Party Websites to Communicate
- Tools available for effective Communicating
1. School Email
2. School Calls
3. Brag Notecards (sent home via mail)
4. Blogs
5. Google Classroom
6. Remind 101
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-2-1-2/
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-2-1-2/
Communicate 2.1.1 – Identify Stakeholders Quest
- Do the descriptions correlate to your perception?
The Instructor: I think it's important to note the role of the instructor because the role isn't just to create the course, but continue the communication process through the course, ensuring that students are receiving constructive feedback continuously.
The Student: I like that the definition places the responsibility on the student to keep the communication process going, in an almost continuous loop. If students would do this, I think they would be able to receive more of the individualized attention that differentiation try to create.
The Parent: I love the definition of the parent as the "coach" helping the student along the process and monitoring progress.
School Administration: I think their role relies often on the teacher's ability to ask questions and to ask for what they may need for their students to be successful in the online learning environment.
- How can they be expanded upon or described further?
The Instructor: I think the creativity of the course has to be with the instructor also. Not only that communication is happening, but how is it happening and how can the instructor build rapport with students while keeping the tone academic and professional.
The Student: I think the student can be responsible for creating and sharing class content as well.
The Parent: I think the parent has to take an active role and choose to be proactive instead of reactive.
School Administration: They must be willing to provide resources and also encouragement when needed when initiating a new online learning community.
- Are there other stakeholders within an online environment not considered above?
The Community: Although teachers won't be communicating confidential information with the community (FERPA) there are way to encourage community environment, through social media and other means of group communication, such as email blasts and blogs.
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-2-1-1/
Communicate 1.1.2 – Laws of Communication Quest
- How can one refrain from violating FERPA guidelines in online communication?
Online communication should be used to request verbal communication if a grade or other confidential information is going to be shared. Teachers should not email students regarding their grades but instead email students to set up a meeting to discuss grades or other confidential information. Also, as teachers learn to use online tools, such as Google Classroom, they must be very careful regarding what they choose to share with the entire class, in regards to blog posts, questions and assignments.
- What methods could be employed to verify that copyright is not being violated?
1. Purchase licenses to use educational materials.
2. Make sure the document says, "Can Be Reproduced for Classroom Use"
3. Email another teacher and ask to use their intellectual property for one time classroom use and attribute it to them.
4. Make your own lessons and handouts.
5. Use pre-copyright materials.
- Does copyright require that all work, images, words, and graphics must be original?
No. Fair Use Laws dictate how you can use copyrighted materials. In the classroom, the four factors apply most of the time because we are not deriving any monetary gain from teaching certain documents or creative works.
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-1-1-2/
Communicate 1.1.1 – Definitions of Communication Quest
- How have your individual communication skills changed as with the innovations in technology?
First, I feel that I have to be more cognizant of the time I spend communicating on social media because it has become easier to communicate via online applications verses face-to-face in many situation. Often, I challenge myself to call someone or meet for coffee when I feel like merely texting. I often can feel awkward or uncomfortable to communicate face-to-face. However, I do feel that social media and other technological innovations have opened a new world of those we can communicate with. Although there could be some negatives to this, an open and larger dialogue of communicate helps in spreading ideas and creating collaborative environments that might not exist in a face-to-face environment. Like anything in life, one has to be aware of the affects any behavior has on their overall well being, communication is no different.
- How have advancements in technology altered classroom communication? Will these change further?
Mainly, it has limited the "excuse factor" for many students and parents. I know that I have clearly communicated assignments and expectations for students. It does place more of the onus on the students, as it should in a rigorous high school environment, because the information is there for students to access. It also allows more freedom on the part of the student to complete assignments in a way that fits their schedule. I teach AP Literature and many of my students have at two to three other AP courses, along with extracurricular. If students see the assignment weeks in advance and can work on it piece by piece, making excuses for not doing the work is much more difficult. I also feel that I communicate more clearly and more timely with parents. Although I have to do more front loaded work for the course and the communication piece, the benefits are worth it.
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-1-1-1-2/
https://www.openteachertraining.org/blog/quest/communicate-1-1-1-2/
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