Enriching Learners with Edmodo

Interested? Our experience with Edmodo and how enriching this group of readers has helped them as learners. 

innovative? I learned about Edmodo couldn't wait to try it out with my students.  Edmodo is a free private social platform for education where you can set up microblogging in your classroom or connect with other classrooms. 

Here are the students' favorite parts of Edmodo...



I was learning along with Group E. We tried to give all aspects of Edmodo a shot.  During our exploration of Edmodo as a group of learners we:

Posted our own Notes
Replied to each others comments
Submitted Assignments
Added sticky notes to embedded Wallwisher of facts from the book
Took a quiz using an embedded Google Form
Linked to a collaborative Google Doc
Created a couple of Polls for votes & opinions
Added colored stickes to an embedded Lino canvas of our predictions
Experimented with Edmodo Chalk -
                 Edmodo's own real-time document that's similar to
                                    Typewithme or EtherPad 
Used the File option to upload images to show book choices to vote on
Took various responses and put them in a Wordle to analyze

Edmodo Beta Testers  - I contacted Jeff O'Hara, @zemote, through Twitter about joining this group.  When I find something that is really beneficial for my students, I can't help but to continually reflect on how it could be even better.  I am thankful to be a part of this "Group" on Edmodo and value the opportunity to give feedback.  I'd suggested about adding an option for the students to respond to the grade they are given. I knew it would come up and that at least one of my students would want to talk to me and inquire further details regarding their grade. I'd added comments along with the grades given, but sure enough one student still wanted to discuss it more.  Another suggestion that I really hope they add is an online sticky note tool option within Edmodo similar to Wallwisher.  It would also be neat to have a quiz generator tool.  Yet, I'm so thankful for the embed feature that allows other options to be utlized within this private microblogging format. 

Edmodo is something that I'm glad we have implemented into our classroom.  We have now conducted our "small group" for reading on Edmodo for 3 different books.  For our next learning task, the students will learn how to embed their glogs they are currently creating.  It will be awesome to be able to comment on each other's interactive book reports designed in Glogster EDU.

IMPACT?  Discussion was able to continue beyond the small group table.  A few of the students were going on and talking to each other at home.  Attitudes were altered!     Students went beyond their comfort zones in their converstations.  I enjoyed learning along with this group and being an example for my students that we should embrace learning and keep at it.

My heart goes out to the students who are proficient in the expectations of the grade level, but need MORE!  There are times when I've seen this type of student who is capable of the "above & beyond" be content with the norm.  Among the various levels of learners in the classroom, these students don't always get the extra attention that the students who are "left behind" are getting.  I understand that every student has a need & as a classroom teacher I need to ensure they are all being met, but I really noticed some of my above grade level students starting to slip.  Lately, I've been trying to give the students in my class who fit this criteria avenues to expand their learning & no excuse to be satisified.  My goal is that they will see the value of continually learning & striving for one's best! 

Impressed?  I am just amazed at how well the students succeeded with Edmodo.  Our class really enjoys sharing our learning with others, but this is something that was special in the fact that it was our own private reading group.  Edmodo is a valuable tool that we will continue to utilize in our classroom!

Connecting Communities

Interested?
A collaborative project involving 16 classes from around the world.
What is a COMMUNITY?..... learning together to create a definition.

innovative?
Since I'm a huge Glogster EDU fan, I couldn't think of a more creative design that would hopefully capture other educators' interest in this crazy idea of mine.  So, the above Glog was born!
I put it on Twitter, sent some DMs to those in my PLN that I thought might be interested, posted it on CAPspace, and my tech integrator, Mark Carls, put it in a couple of his Ning groups.

Google Form -



I liked... A simple and straight-forward way to sign-up for the project, plus one can add a theme to the background.  It was so nice to have everyone's information all organized.
Areas to improve on... Be sure to have all of the information you'll need in the form and be specific on what you're requesting.  I also realized after the fact, that I should have shared this with all participants.  Well, at least the contact information so people could set up collaborative projects with each other if they wanted to.

Google Doc -



I liked...How all of the classes were able to edit the same Google Presentation.  Classes were able to upload their pictures and put their questions up for the rest of the participants.  I'll admit I was amazed at the variety and amount of questions that the students came up with.  The kids were interested in each other and wanted to know about all aspects of their life.  In doing so, I think they were hoping to visualize and picture what it would be like to be in their town, school, state, country,..... community.
Areas to improve on... Be sure to request the email that the educator is using for their Google Account.

Google Earth -

I liked...The great feedback!  Many of the students and educators really seemed to enjoy how it made the project more understandable and easy to picture the locations of all involved.
Areas to improve on...The tour had one of the schools at it's old location.  Be sure to use the address even if the building pops up when searching.  Also, two of the districts had a difficult time getting the tour to work - check on different versions.  I'd also like to figure out how to embed the Google Earth Tour so it can be viewed online within the gadget so anyone can see it.... still working on that one.

Google Wave -
      

Here's the link to Aviva Dunsinger's Blog Post on the Google Wave since she was able to record it.
I liked...How SO many classes were able to take part in the Wave in real-time - about 6 or 7 classes.   Yet, it was also really neat how those who weren't able to, were able to take advantage of Wave's asynchronous benefit and add to it anytime after it was started.  I was also inspiring that there were many educators who hadn't tried out Wave yet and were willing to give it a try with their classes. 
Areas to improve on...Be ready for anything!  Sometimes things can change direction mid-project or not go the way it was envisioned or planned, but that's just part of the whole process.  We had so many people participating in the Wave in real-time, that that was amazing in of itself.  No, we didn't answer all of the students questions, but that's okay.  It was a tad unrealistic of me I guess, but thought they'd love it to see their question come up and everyone else answering it simultaneously.  Yet, kids were impressed regardless.  The discussions continued both on the Wave and in the classrooms.  

Collaborative Slideshare

What is a COMMUNITY?

View more presentations from JamieLynn Griffith.

I liked... The variety of quotes was absolutely amazing.  There was a nice mix of student slides, class slides, and slides created by a small group. 
Areas to improve on... Be careful of the directions.  Even though you may be trying to clarify to those who would like it, double and triple check the steps you've given.  But, when mistakes happen...just re-explain and move on.  Andrew Kauffman encourgaed me and said something to this effect... Remember we are always learning and it's just part of the process that leads to success.

IMPACT?
Here's how this project influenced....



My class - We had an opportunity to connect with many classes and cultures.  They really liked creating the quotes & slides in a small group.  Regarding the Google Wave, my classroom actually was more engaged the day after when we referred back to it.  We really liked reading about Ms. Purti's class in India. They also were awed at the different areas that the communities were located in the Google Earth Tour. 
Others - I was thankful that other classes shared how they were learning about communities in their classrooms.  The original and creative ideas that others make happen in their classrooms.  I was really amazed at Mrs. Dunsinger's videos that her students created about community helpers. 
Me - I think I learned the most of out of everyone.  I don't usually go into something wondering what I'll leave with, but this time I feel that I was the one that learned the most.  Well, at least I learned so much more than I ever imagined.  I'm so glad that all of these opportunities and challenges that were unexpected came into my life.  I'm a reflective individual always looking for better ways to approach things and the list is lengthy this time, yet I'm so thankful that those that were in this project alongside me were understanding of the learning process.  Will I ever tackle another collaborative project involving numerous classes?  Definitely.  Will I approach things differently?  For sure.  Will I learn and grow from my mistakes?  Continually.  Will this make me a better learner?  Yes. 

Impressed? 
I was impressed with how this impacted me as an educator.  There are some absolutely inspiring educators in our world.  I'm just thankful that I had the opportunity to connect my class with some through this project. 
Last week I attended Riding the Digital Wave in West Seneca, NY.  I really like the approach that the Keynote speaker Roger L. Firestien, Ph.D. recommends when evaluating ideas of others -
Consider the:
Pluses - strengths of the idea
Potentials  - list them
Concerns - phrase your concern as you would phrase a question or problem statement (This way your mind will immediately begin to look for ways to overcome it instead of disregarding the whole idea.)

I'll be using this approach on my own ideas in the future... 
Sometimes I get so into the potentials, that I fail to address the possible concerns.  Although, some ideas aren't necessarilty poor ideas, but just might need to be accomplished in another manner. 

So, here's to trying things that are HARD regardless!

I learned so much more than I could have imagined.  I'm glad this was difficult and that I decided to take the risk. 

The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.
   ~Mortimer Adler


 

Online PD - aka my Twitter Tale

Hmmmm... Where do I begin?
Online PD to me....can be described with one word Twitter!

I was looking for a class to connect with this year on a more regular basis than last year. I'll fully admit that I'm a picky girl. I was looking for someone that met some specific requirements:
1. share a similar tech vision
2. an effective communicator
3. a lifelong learner
4. patience to deal with me

Tough to fill, especially the last one, but my wonderful technology integrator - Mark Carls (@mcarls) - found just the right educator for me to connect with - on Twitter of course. It was Andrew Kauffman (@atkauffman) and after checking out his Tweets and class website, I was so impressed! I left some comments on his class VoiceThread, sent him an email, Mark sent him a Tweet..... I hoped the connection would come to fruition.

I can't say enough positive things about Andrew Kaufman and how working with him and his class has made such an amazing impact on myself as an educator and therefore my classroom. But, more on that later. One thing that I'd been toying with was the idea of using Twitter. Mark Carls always told me about how he'd send a question out to Twitter that I needed an answer to and I'd tease him about his "following," but when Andrew Kauffman, a second grade classroom teacher just like me, told me it was the best thing he's ever done in terms of Professional Development, I figured it was worth looking into further.

So, I started off very small with my brother. I asked him my questions, instead of Mark, because I was too embarrassed with my lack of knowledge about social networking. Usually I'm a totally upfront person, admiting my inadequacies, but I don't even have a Facebook page and my tech passion has been educational, not social. My cell is almost always dead in my purse. But, for a country girl looking for more for her already tech-infused classroom this was just what I needed next. My brother and I hadn't talked so much ever - he's a technology buff - and this was an effective way for us to communicate! I learned the basics and was ready to expand my Twitter usage beyond a sibling "conversation" and was determined to find educational connections, resources, and be a part of the educational conversation. 

Well, little did I know that I was actually developing a PLN. I didn't even know the term until at least a month into Twitter. But, I have learned SO much! Here are just of the few things that I'd highlight from my own learning adventure or online professional development:

1. Tech integration ideas - I've altered & implemented so much based on what others have shared - cacoo, linoit, progressive stories, and the list goes on & on + increased my idea base for favorites such as Glogster EDU & VoiceThread
2. Blogs - now I have a Google Reader &  am awed by the educators who are passionate about their profession
3. Edmodo - use for Enrichment with my second graders thanks to Jason Schrage (@oswego98) tweets of progress with his middle schoolers
4. Educator's Comments - votes, comments, & tweets of praise on the class projects have inspired my students
5. Becoming a Blogger - I have a lot that I've found success with in my class & now have a place to share beyond 140 characters
6. Skype - I've found so many classrooms willing to connect & share

I've totally went off on a tangent with this one! But, my Twitter PD has been so effective. The purpose of PD is to learn and implement in your classroom, right? Well, I've had the opportunity this year to broaden my learning community and make the strategies, tools, connections a reality in my classroom!

My superitendent, Kimberly Moritz, proposed a plan for our Professional Development next school year. We have giant pieces of paper posted in the offices to write down what topics we are interested in pursuing. I'm so thankful that she understands that educators' learning goals can differ and we are given the opportunity to make a choice. Yet, that's NEXT year. So much will change in education, especially regarding educational technology, between now and then. I can't even think of what to record on the group sheet, but I know that I'm going to continue learning, applying, refecting, sharing, growing, and am thankful that I finally grabbed my wings and started tweeting!

But, to answer one of Jason Schrage's questions from his
Crazy Idea for Online PD:

Question # 2. I really like your blog idea. I've enjoyed mine for highlighting what I've learned, applied, and refecting on it all. I think it would be an effective way to share with others in a format that is non-threatening. You can read and learn from your collegues and just be a consumer of information. One can comment and take the participation further. Better yet, one can try it out in their own classroom and learn from each others' successes and failures. I'll admit it'll be hard to share with ones collegues - it can be intimidating, you might wonder about how others will perceive you, you may think your ideas aren't ones to share. But, the most important thing I've learned on my adventure in learning on Twitter is that we are all educators looking to see our students succeed as learners. So, what better way to be the model and be the learners ourself.

Here's one example from this week of how my online PD has proved to be worth it:

1. Learned about Storybird on Twitter
2. Implemented it in my classroom
3. Wrote this Blog post - Storybird Surprises
4. Continue to receive feedback from others & learn....

I hope that our PD next school years turns out to be as beneficial for others as mine has been this year! 

Storybird Surprise

Interested? Karen Ditzler and I set up a collaborative Storybird project with a small group of students from Mrs. Plever's class in PA and a small group of students from my class in NY.  It was an amazing month of co-authoring a story using Storybird and Skype to connect.

innovative? We've enjoyed connecting with numerous other classrooms this school year.  More recently, I've been able to find connections for my students to work collaboratively in small groups.  It enables them to have more active participation in the project and me to act as the guide to encourage deeper conversations.  So, I was looking for someone to connect my reading group D with - Mattison, Matthew, Zachary, and Tiffany.  Karen was able to organize students from Mrs. Plever's class to join us.

First, we connected with Skype.  The students on both "ends" of the camera were excited to meet those who would be writing the story with them.  Karen shared her screen with us and we talked about what set of illustrations we should use for inspiration for our story.  The students finally agreed that Andy McNally's set included a good mix of characters and background design that would spark conversations while writing the book. 

Next, Mrs. Plever's group along with Mrs. Ditzler wrote the first two pages and then we "switched turns."  When you switch turns using Storybird you are able to write a note to your co-author and it sends them an email notifying them that it's their time to write.

After that, my group added two more pages with different illustrations from the set by Andy McNallly created and continued the story.  We switched back and forth so each group had three turns. 

Finally, it was time to wrap of the story and write a conclusion.  During our video Skype call, the students took turns reading the pages of the story each group had written and all worked together to choose the final illustrations and how the story would end.  The title was added, the story was published, tweets of the student success were shared, and then the experience just continued to create lasting impressions....

Here's the Storybird book on Group D's website.

Mr. Bobblehead's New Gadget and the Valentine's Surprise on Storybird

 

IMPACT?  Here are a collection of the tweets surrounding the fantastic Friday

 

It's neat to have someone re-tweet what your students have accomplished. So, thank you @Storybird and @Nat_Mich! I'm so proud of the student authors in my group and how they were creative, especially behind the scenes and off camera, but it's encouraging to them to see other educators who respond to their work that's posted on Twitter.  The groups worked together to write an amazing story or as @Storybird put it, a "tale about ice cream and love!"  Next, the illustrator, Andy McNally, gave a RT!  Then we started receiving email notices that educators were commenting on the Storybird website (see below the storybook).  Last, an educator sent me a Direct Message wanting more information on the project!  It was a fanastic Friday.

Impressed?  The students were in awe at this point and I'll admit so was I.  The illustrator's comment was very detailed in it's praise for the student authors.  We turned this into a class moment and I briefly shared with the rest of the class the amazing things that were happening as a result of the small group of students in our classroom.  One student said, "I wish I was in that group!"  We've been in contact with the illustrator via email.  So, now we are gooking forward to an orginal drawing by Andy McNally arriving in the mail! 

We will use Andy McNally's artwork as continued inspiration in our classroom to carry on on our learning adventure in room 40 while incorporating technology, writing, and collaboration into our curriculum! 

Google Goodies

My trial of using Google Docs to post to Blogger:

JamieLynn Griffith

Google Tools for Educators

A CA-BOCES workshop offered by Rick Weinberg focusing on everything GOOGLE! Here is my reflection on all the adventures in learning of the day.

Google Tools

Google Docs - Enjoy the simplicity, but still want more creative options.

• Found the templates, but I want more Google. I'm one of those stereotypical elementary education teachers that likes the visual presentation aspect.
  
• Etherpad - it's just like Edmodo Chalk!
  
• Like how the kids can edit all at the same time w/ out interferring w/ each other
  

Google Reader

• Had some time to "catch-up" on the blogs I follow
  
• Learned that you can subscribe to a news topic
  
• Rick recommended some A+ blogs that I've added
  

Google Wave

• Need to do my home-work on this one for the What is a COMMUNITY? project next week
  
• figure out how to create a group
  
• send invites to those who still need one
  
• decide if we want to share images too - slideshow
  
• embed the "conversation" on our site & the Google Presentation
  
• robots -??
  
• playback option
  

Google Books

• Everything I search for doesn't have a full view option - bummer
  

Google Squared

• A detailed search - still thinking how to use this?
  

Google Mobile Apps

• Maybe if I ever have a charged phone that's a current piece of technology I'll have to re-visit this area
  

Google Calendar - I want to color-code my life

• Deciding how I want to utilize this
  

Google Guru

Rick has an amazing wealth of knowledge in technology education! He's so creative too - I loved his Google Learning Adventure that he created as a differentiated extension of what the workshop had highlighted. Thanks for the inspiration today Rick. Here's one more link in efforts to make you #1. Rick's blog can be found at http://edtechman.blogspot.com/

Community Connection

Interested? The second grade team embarked on an adventure on foot into our community - Randolph, NY. Our class filmed an impromptu video diary of the field trip.

innovative? Mrs. Freeman had a wonderful idea for a field trip to accomplish many goals:

1. Celebrate the 100th day by cashing in 100 pennies for a crisp $1 bill at Cattaraugus County Bank

2. Have the students utilize the local Randolph, New York US Post Office to mail Valentine's Day cards to their parents

3. Support a local business and order a special lunch from Oregano's restaurant

Well, obviously I fell in love with her idea! We had been talking about starting our communities unit in our classroom and I knew this would fit perfectly. Last year's class had made an ABC Book of Randolph and this trip would allow this year's class to visit some of those places. Plus, field trips are hard to get support for and this one was low-cost, but I knew it would prove to have a big-time effect! So, we shared our idea with PTA and they were happy to fund the trip for the second grade team.

The night before - my only quiet time in my life to really think - I lay in bed and realized that I never called the people to set up the interviews, hadn't charged the digital camera or camcorder's batteries, and didn't finalize the vision of what the objective for the whole project should be...............

Yet, the next morning I was distracted by cookie baking, penny counting, and envelope stuffing that was the organized chaos that is often found in Mrs. Griffith's classroom. Admist the commotion I tried to organize the supplies and before I knew it Ms. Giere's class was already out the door.

Have I said how thankful I am that I currently have a student teacher? Well, Mr. Inzana to the rescue. We made an excellent team on Friday! I think we finally reached that collaborative point that student teachers and cooperating teachers do when they share a similar vision and goal for the classroom in which they both lead together. He had the envelopes counted & stuffed his pockets with the videos cameras. Yes, I said video cameraS! It turns out as much as I plan ahead - things just happen. Like the fact that I never put a TAPE in the camcorder! So much for finding the mic spot on Mark Carls camera! But, Mr. Inzana had brought his too. As I was taking still shots and my extra batteries kept dying, I couldn't help from laughing at what a pain technology can really be. So, Mr. Inzana was put in charge of the video project and we are working through "technical difficulties" at this time. But here's the PhotoPeach slideshow I made for the students from the still shots. They really like PhotoPeach since they can comment without an account.

Making a Community Connection on PhotoPeach

Let me tell you - it was COLD! The students had a marvelous time. First, we went to Cattaraugus County Bank. I was surprised how shy they were with the bank tellers and could tell this may have been their first experience within a bank. Next, we put our postage on our Valentine's day envelopes to send to our someone special - their families. We went behind the scenes for a detailed tour of Randolph Post Office and the journey a letter takes once it goes into the mail slot where they mailed their holiday cards. After that, we walked down Jamestown Street to the Randolph Free Library. We walked through the children's section and plan to return for a more lengthy visit this spring. Last, the class ventured further down Main Street to see where our lunch was being made - Oregano's. By this time, we were quite chilly and started the trek back to our warm classroom.

IMPACT? Google Earth is a wonderful asset for classrooms, but experiencing the "road view" is another thing alltogether. I'm looking forward to the discussions we'll have this week about our community. Plus, I'm curious to see what questions they'll have for other students in other communities to add to our Google Presentation page for the What is a COMMUNITY? project. Also, I have the privilege to work with wonderful teachers and excellent people on my team in second grade. We each help each other out wherever and whenever it's needed. I'm so thankful for their organizational skills and support. We have a great community in our little cul-de-sac in the yellow wing - don't we!

Impressed? The members of our community are .... I'm looking for the right word.... kind, considerate, willing to help, good sports, appreciative, knowledgeable, ....I can't even express how impressed I am by the Randolph community! I'm so thankful to be a part of it.

Thank you to all of the people we interviewed & were able to talk with on our trip:

Denise - Bank Teller

Amy - Postmaster

Allison's Grama - Community Member

Tammy - Clerk

Mrs. Beck - Librarian

Tonja - Restaurant Owner

The video interviews will be.......coming soon!

I'm a planner. But, sometimes the best things happen when working on a whim.

Gumby

Ever feel like you've stretched yourself so thin in so many areas of your life? I have!

Advice from others..............."slow down"..............why is this so difficult for me?


A wonderful friend and collegue of mine has a favorite saying when referencing reading. I can't remember who the reading guru is who originally said it, but I think I need to put that into practice!

"Slow down to speed up!"

I call myself a recovering perfectionsist, but still have the personality tendencies of a Type A! Why do I constantly push myself to be the overachiever?



Everyone had their Educon experiences. Plan A: Attend the conference. Well, that didn't work out. Plan B: Attend virtually. I attempted to attend virtually, yet spent time with my family instead. On my second attempt - of course I couldn't just let it go, give up, stop pursuing...things worked out. Yet, the conversations have continued and one can still learn from Educon. From reading everyone else's comments, posts, etc. I've come to the conclusion that one important element that many gained from the experience is, that it's all about relationships.


My "Things Can Always be Better" Goals:
1. Focus - on my students' concerns, interests, and needs more
2. Find - other teachers to collaborate with and share more ideas
3. Family - make every attempt to make the small moments quality ones
4. Friends - go out of my way to "be there" in any way possible
5. Figure - out ways to continue to learn from others and be accepting that others may actually learn from you


I really like this ebook that was created in Ben Hazzard and Rodd Lucier's session. I didn't participate in it, but I'll use it for inspiration....

Field Guide For Change Agents

View more presentations from Ben Hazzard.

I'll never slow down. Honestly, I think it's okay! I'll keep pursuing my goals in my typical fast-paced manner, but in order to "speed up" I need to keep my focus clear. I have SO many things to learn......but I'm learning! I can't keep up......but I'm still learning! I'm so glad that I have people to learn from and that inspire me.


So, here's to continuing to make attempts to build even stronger relationships with others in all aspects of my "gumby" life................and to focus on the moment and being real in "real-time."