Today, I allowed students to use test prep guides in class. I have a bunch of them, and I do hope they will be used by students in general. These hard-copy books were the hands-down favorite activity of the day. One student got his laptop, but the rest remained unused. I guess I should go out and buy as many of the 2010 versions as I can find tonight...
It is my hope that the students will again make more use of the laptops, but in the meantime, I will give them what they choose to use.
I am having one very advanced student who isn't making much use of his time. I am trying to figure out how to re-engage him.
2010-03-18
2010-03-17
Man, I need work on my multi-tasking skills!
I was just on an Eluminate session about 21st Century skills, and I was caught unawares and needed to cite an article that I just presented on last month. It took me FOREVER to find my slides and the link to the article at the end. What a pain! I need to work on my skills, apparently. I squeaked it in at the very end, and maybe no one will click on my link, but if they do, they will see its relevance. Time will tell. I built a bridge, even if it was a small, rope one!
Back In Business Today
I tried to get the laptops this morning, but both carts were checked out to teachers on a different floor for periods before and after my class. I was told I could bring them to the lab instead. I said we would take a class vote to decide whether or not to decamp to the lab. Then, about an hour later, the tech coordinator called and said a cart of 21 machines was available. I said we'd take it! It worked just fine as not all wanted to use the laptops at once, and we have a few out. One of the sites the students found is quite popular. I need to spend more time looking at it. They seem to think the explanations on it are understandable.
That's all for today. Happy St Patrick's Day!
That's all for today. Happy St Patrick's Day!
2010-03-16
Low-Tech Today
I opted to do the food lab today instead of the experimental learning lab. Not all of my students have been exposed to chi-squared distributions before, so I thought they would be missing out if we skipped it. Plus, today was a day I had not reserved the computers. (Administration, after receiving complaints that we were hogging the computers, decreed I can reserve them no more than 3-4 days in a row.) Tomorrow is an unreserved day also, but I told my students I will try to get the computers in the morning. I know from experience that our teachers do not often use the laptop carts.
None of my students seemed to mind my executive decision. Sugar = good. We used Fruit Loops.
None of my students seemed to mind my executive decision. Sugar = good. We used Fruit Loops.
2010-03-15
Last Week; Test Today
Last week was a resounding success - I was able to keep the laptop cart in my classroom all week. My students truly had laptop access whenever they wished during class. An administrator did a walk-through, Thursday I think, and observed a class full of students engaged in meaningful work. Some retreated to safety of book and paper work, but even when focused on solving a problem on paper, most will also login to the laptop for a quick online quiz or PowerPoint show. I asked them Thursday if I needed to do anything different for them to help them prepare Friday. They answered that they needed more work with matched pair t-intervals and tests. (Nothing another class would not have also said.) Friday was the day before the test, and of all my classes, this one seemed the most confident that they were prepared.
Today, the day of the test - my third period class had more early finishers than other classes. I peeked at their work, and wonder if they finished early because they inadequately documented their work, not because they were better prepared. Time will tell. I hope my strugglers will have done better because of the way I allowed them to work in the weeks before the test.
I have been thinking about our review unit and what I will do with this class. I may turn them loose on data/have them seek out data to analyze, rather than have them do the review problems everyone else will do. If I can structure it so they will have adequate practice, I think this is a viable strategy, and would be a lot more fun for them. They have access to SAS JMP, so they can use that for analyses...
Today, the day of the test - my third period class had more early finishers than other classes. I peeked at their work, and wonder if they finished early because they inadequately documented their work, not because they were better prepared. Time will tell. I hope my strugglers will have done better because of the way I allowed them to work in the weeks before the test.
I have been thinking about our review unit and what I will do with this class. I may turn them loose on data/have them seek out data to analyze, rather than have them do the review problems everyone else will do. If I can structure it so they will have adequate practice, I think this is a viable strategy, and would be a lot more fun for them. They have access to SAS JMP, so they can use that for analyses...
2010-03-09
Learning Lab
Monday - several are using opportunities to read through the book and work problems. Several are continuing to explore online. I did a demonstration today; most paid attention to that.
Tuesday - today I noted that many more were using textbooks & working problems. I am not sure what I think about it. I told them I am letting it happen, but I am not sure. Some who have found resources were invited to share what they found at the end of the period. That was a nice invitation back to the laptops, I think.
Neither of these two days were scheduled laptop cart days, but I checked last minute and no one else had them checked out. I also used the document camera both days. Helped a lot with the demonstration.
Working on inference for proportions...
ONE MAJOR ADVANTAGE to this learning lab concept - I have 2 students continuing to work on inference for means using the t distribution. They aren't holding up anyone. I told them they may have to put in extra time since they aren't where everyone else is, but they seemed to accept that.
Tuesday - today I noted that many more were using textbooks & working problems. I am not sure what I think about it. I told them I am letting it happen, but I am not sure. Some who have found resources were invited to share what they found at the end of the period. That was a nice invitation back to the laptops, I think.
Neither of these two days were scheduled laptop cart days, but I checked last minute and no one else had them checked out. I also used the document camera both days. Helped a lot with the demonstration.
Working on inference for proportions...
ONE MAJOR ADVANTAGE to this learning lab concept - I have 2 students continuing to work on inference for means using the t distribution. They aren't holding up anyone. I told them they may have to put in extra time since they aren't where everyone else is, but they seemed to accept that.
2010-03-05
Mostly a Thumbs-Up
I took an informal poll at the end of class today. I was watching especially those who had expressed reservations at the beginning. Some of them have converted to thumbs up. Most who expected good things are thumbs up. Quite a few of both groups are so-so. One thumbs down. I think I need to do more work to help guide some students. Research more websites and make lists of which are good for which needs students may have. Assist students more in using JMP for their own analyses. Overall, though, I am pleased. Students are much more engaged in this classroom.
I am viewing my classroom as a learning lab, with different options for students to choose, depending upon their needs at the moment.
We are finishing up with 2-sample t-tests/intervals and will begin with tests/intervals of proportions on Monday. Another thing is that this approach may make it easier to change the ordering of topics. Hmm. I'll have to think on that for next year. I might like to do that - have wanted to before, but inertia, you know.
I should mention that many students used their time to read the textbook and to try problems. I have decided to be open-mnded and let a student choose what he or she needs at any given moment.
I am viewing my classroom as a learning lab, with different options for students to choose, depending upon their needs at the moment.
We are finishing up with 2-sample t-tests/intervals and will begin with tests/intervals of proportions on Monday. Another thing is that this approach may make it easier to change the ordering of topics. Hmm. I'll have to think on that for next year. I might like to do that - have wanted to before, but inertia, you know.
I should mention that many students used their time to read the textbook and to try problems. I have decided to be open-mnded and let a student choose what he or she needs at any given moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
