Conversations Episode 31 03-29-09

Post-Show description: 

Maria shared a conference she attended regarding creating with ones hands and then evaluating those creations.  This led to a lively discussion about different ways to evaluate students.

Chat here:

2009-03-29 11:16:36 [Message] woodenmask -> -EdTechTalk: Good morning, Lisa

2009-03-29 11:18:59 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Hello Woodenmask

2009-03-29 11:23:23 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Hello Karen and Jim

2009-03-29 11:24:39 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Lisa

2009-03-29 11:24:51 [Message] karen -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Lisa

2009-03-29 11:24:53 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: What is today's topic?

2009-03-29 11:25:16 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Maria went to a unique conference yesterday that she is sharing with us.

2009-03-29 11:27:15 [Message] karen -> -EdTechTalk: This is the first time I have participated. 

2009-03-29 11:27:31 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Well, welcome karen

2009-03-29 11:28:25 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Stream is up on ETTA and on ustream

2009-03-29 11:28:54 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Anyone hearing us?

2009-03-29 11:29:21 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: Tell us who you are and where you are from

2009-03-29 11:29:25 [Message] krice57 -> -EdTechTalk: My first time too - heard about it on twitter

2009-03-29 11:29:30 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: welcome all - I'm in NH

2009-03-29 11:29:39 [Message] krice57 -> -EdTechTalk: Kathy Rice - Prince George BC Canada

2009-03-29 11:29:48 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Good morning! Hearing you fine!

2009-03-29 11:29:51 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: I'm from Long Island...teach 5th grade.

2009-03-29 11:30:11 [Message] karen -> -EdTechTalk: I'm a principal in Dublin, Ohio.

2009-03-29 11:30:26 [Message] jkemble -> -EdTechTalk: I am a superintendent in Kansas.

2009-03-29 11:30:53 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Great to meet you Karen. I'm a retired elementary principal in Phoenix AZ

2009-03-29 11:31:07 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: Lisa, do you live near Old Bethpage Village?

2009-03-29 11:31:13 [Message] jkemble -> -EdTechTalk: First time to participate. Should we be "hearing" you?

2009-03-29 11:31:18 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Not too far Jim

2009-03-29 11:31:34 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: We have been there a couple of times as part of their Civi lWar reenactments

2009-03-29 11:31:36 [Message] bob -> -EdTechTalk: is the stream on?

2009-03-29 11:31:40 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Yes

2009-03-29 11:32:09 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Click on play in the EdTechTalk Ustream window

2009-03-29 11:32:17 [Message] bob -> -EdTechTalk: :( not working for me... must fix something

2009-03-29 11:32:30 [Message] bob -> -EdTechTalk: oh! got it there

2009-03-29 11:32:48 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: you can also listen by clicking on ETT-A icon.

2009-03-29 11:32:54 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Great!

2009-03-29 11:33:00 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: Ah, I clicked on the iTunes stream and wasn't hearing anything

2009-03-29 11:33:24 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I'm listening via the ustream today

2009-03-29 11:33:37 [Message] woodenmask -> -EdTechTalk: I'm John - 8th grade Social Studies teacher in New Hampshire

2009-03-29 11:33:56 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Welcome everyone! Hi John.

2009-03-29 11:34:05 [Message] sroseman -> -EdTechTalk: Hi eeryone

2009-03-29 11:34:08 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: I couldn't hear on A, but ustream is fine

2009-03-29 11:34:09 [Message] sroseman -> -EdTechTalk: everyone

2009-03-29 11:34:17 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: server may be down - go to the ustream

2009-03-29 11:34:19 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: JL not streaming

2009-03-29 11:34:28 [Message] sroseman -> -EdTechTalk: echo

2009-03-29 11:34:30 [Message] JL -> -EdTechTalk: checknig now

2009-03-29 11:34:34 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Every Sunday is an adventure!

2009-03-29 11:34:51 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: I like the little animation on the ustream- is that new?

2009-03-29 11:36:07 [Message] JL -> -EdTechTalk: http://earthbridges.net/live  at 1700GMT

2009-03-29 11:36:11 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: hard to hear

2009-03-29 11:36:57 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: the EarthCast is always fantastic!!

2009-03-29 11:37:34 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I love to hear the student voice during EarthCast

2009-03-29 11:38:20 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: would make a great homework assignment :-)

2009-03-29 11:39:02 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: I can hear via UStream

2009-03-29 11:39:36 [Message] colleenk -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Everyone!

2009-03-29 11:39:44 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Colleen

2009-03-29 11:39:50 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Colleen!

2009-03-29 11:39:51 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Colleen

2009-03-29 11:40:19 [Message] colleenk -> -EdTechTalk: I'm excited to hear about this conference. Very good questions were posed.

2009-03-29 11:40:19 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Oh--Greenfield MA!! I used to live very near there. Got my Ed.D. from UMass-Amherst :-)

2009-03-29 11:40:59 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Hi all!

2009-03-29 11:41:13 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Always loved Prospect School in Bennington VT! Excellent open education school as I remember-Pat Carini :-)

2009-03-29 11:41:16 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: ETTA stream is up and running

2009-03-29 11:43:03 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Sheila, Suz, Cathy and Juli!

2009-03-29 11:43:20 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: And Linda (sorry!)

2009-03-29 11:43:27 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Jan_Smith  I chose blue too!

2009-03-29 11:43:37 [Message] suz -> -EdTechTalk: hello Jan

2009-03-29 11:43:42 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Welcome Juli

2009-03-29 11:43:45 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: I always forget to pick my color

2009-03-29 11:43:46 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Jan!

2009-03-29 11:44:19 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Peggy, nice to see you again (is there a new word for this way of connecting?)

2009-03-29 11:44:25 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: so glad you're sharing that observation protocol! it's such a valuable way to learn about your students!

2009-03-29 11:44:46 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @jan-if there is I don't know what it is :-)

2009-03-29 11:45:18 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Elizabeth!

2009-03-29 11:45:31 [Message] ehelfant -> -EdTechTalk: Hi Jan!

2009-03-29 11:45:42 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: because teachers are so busy teaching they can easily form misperceptions of their kids and this kind of observation really helps that

2009-03-29 11:45:57 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Isn't observation our most powerful skill?

2009-03-29 11:46:04 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: absolutely!!

2009-03-29 11:46:48 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: That is one of the things I like about our school- lots of "specials" and you can get different descriptions of a child from each.

2009-03-29 11:47:31 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: student teachers always need to be taught about how to observe and record their observations using descriptions that are factual and not judgmental

2009-03-29 11:48:28 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: hmmm. as long as that is not the only way we know of the child

2009-03-29 11:48:34 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: What about the disengaged child- thinking MS- who does very little work?

2009-03-29 11:48:48 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: when you observe their work this closely you learn much more about them--not like using a rubric :-)

2009-03-29 11:50:10 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Good question Maureen

2009-03-29 11:50:59 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Is this type of observation- altho after the work is done- similar to Gesell observations?

2009-03-29 11:52:08 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: where do you go from here? isn't that what teachers always have to decide when they are assessing their students--whether it's based on a test score, piece of work, observation?

2009-03-29 11:52:15 [Message] woodenmask -> -EdTechTalk: brb - cake in the oven...

2009-03-29 11:52:32 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yumm! cake :-) I can almost smell it!

2009-03-29 11:52:55 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: I can see this as a good exercise in reflecting on the particular child, but how does this work in your broader classroom

2009-03-29 11:53:49 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's just another tool in a teacher's toolbag to know each child and look for strengths they can build on

2009-03-29 11:54:17 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: excellent point Maria--looking more closely at a child

2009-03-29 11:54:53 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: How do you implement this with other children in your class? Is this something that you can now do on  your own- or does it require outside imput from others?

2009-03-29 11:55:43 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I don't think you're doing psycho-analysis of the child's work--just noticing more and reflecting on it for ways to motivate and better reach them

2009-03-29 11:55:44 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: http://www.prospectcenter.org/archives/2005/11/patricia_f_cari_1.html

2009-03-29 11:56:11 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: and maybe this http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3746079

2009-03-29 11:56:23 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: Pat Carini was an open education guru in the 70's--based on British Primary School model

2009-03-29 11:56:59 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: I am wondering about things like oh...time.

2009-03-29 11:57:07 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: actually 70's and 80's :-)

2009-03-29 11:58:26 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: her approach was very constructivist

2009-03-29 11:59:11 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: Prospect School 1965-1991

2009-03-29 11:59:17 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Here is a quote from Carini that I like "It's almost always true that teachers and parents know more than they think they know They should trust themselves."

2009-03-29 11:59:36 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Can you get/do this type of observation/reflection all by yourself? I think it always helps me to "get" a child to talk with other teachers who have worked with her. I'm not sure I can do this without imput from others.

2009-03-29 11:59:37 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: excellent quote Jan

2009-03-29 12:00:07 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Maureen, I hesitate to talk to other teachers.  We don't all have the same...

2009-03-29 12:00:23 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: same patience level, same buttons that get pushed, etc.

2009-03-29 12:00:29 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: you would capture these observations over time--maybe brief notes from many observations throughout the course of a day/week/year

2009-03-29 12:00:32 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: I don't want their subjective view.

2009-03-29 12:01:10 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's not just observing a piece of work but observing the child working too

2009-03-29 12:01:45 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Right, Peggy.  So didn't Maria's work observation oppose her visual observation.

2009-03-29 12:01:55 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: isn't this really similar to keeping a portfolio of a child's work over time to help teachers/parents evaluate their progress?

2009-03-29 12:02:09 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: @Lisa I want the view of others--I have to have some faith in their professionalism and compassion--it is all how you frame that discussion. I do, like you, wait to get to know the kids myself.

2009-03-29 12:02:18 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @LIsa I think that if you can see things thru the eyes of other teachers, who do have different buttons that get pushed- it helps you see and develop ways to help teach the child. I used to have a co-teacher who I relied on for this all the time. If I was getting my buttons pushed, she could just tell me and I could adjust my behavior, which helped.

2009-03-29 12:02:48 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes- new insight and maybe Maria will look for more as a result of this observation

2009-03-29 12:02:57 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Yes, Maureen, but there are many things tolerated in my room that are not tolerated in other rooms. 

2009-03-29 12:05:13 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: there are always times when teachers sit down to fill out report cards/progress greports and have trouble finding something positive to say about a child--this would help

2009-03-29 12:05:31 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: It was a D because it was a 49 % :) (Yes, I have seenpercent used in primary)

2009-03-29 12:06:21 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: So, are you grading, assessing on effort?

2009-03-29 12:06:44 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Maureen, we do lots of assessing on effort.  It's even on our report card.

2009-03-29 12:06:47 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: for MS I think the message is observation and focusing on invidivual kids (as time permits) which helps you to get to know them better--can help in building relationships with students

2009-03-29 12:07:38 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @Lisa I give a separate effort grade and academic grade for gr 6-9... But the process is not always transparent.

 

2009-03-29 12:07:48 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: focused observation by a teacher is really valuable regardless of the age of the student

2009-03-29 12:08:04 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Right PeggyG

2009-03-29 12:08:46 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: our teachers always carried a clipboard as they circulated while kids were working so they could jot down quick observations--over time very informative

2009-03-29 12:08:57 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: I deal with the same issues in HS...sometimes focus only on process, especially when learning new skills

2009-03-29 12:09:20 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Giving students a choice of mediums is important in HS too.

2009-03-29 12:09:24 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: if everyone in class is working on the same math worksheet there isn't as much to observe as in a project-oriented classroom

2009-03-29 12:09:34 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Do you, KYTeacher, give then the opportunity to try diff modalities?

2009-03-29 12:10:12 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Has to be balanced.  Students need to learn to work in multiple mediums.  And I need time to assess as well as develop products.

2009-03-29 12:10:46 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: @Lisa Parisi Not everyday, but definitely at times.

2009-03-29 12:11:07 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: And you need to time to prepare

2009-03-29 12:11:10 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: @kyteacher-definitely! great point!

2009-03-29 12:11:45 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: I'm playing with a lot of new things in the last 9 weeks of school.  Know the students better, they know my expectations.  More freedom to try things that might not work.  Add to my bank for next year.

2009-03-29 12:13:39 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: project based learning focuses on both process and product--I'm sure you're constantly observing how kids are doing with their projects. How do you use that information as a teacher?

2009-03-29 12:14:12 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: reflection time for a teacher is so important!! sure wish there were more of it!

2009-03-29 12:14:26 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: more time and more reflection :-)

2009-03-29 12:14:56 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: I find I have to create some islands of time to actually reflect. Hard to do.

2009-03-29 12:15:02 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I remember that book :-) !!!

2009-03-29 12:16:00 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that's so sad that you only remember one project from elementary school!

2009-03-29 12:17:05 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: do you remember planting seeds and growing things in a paper cup?

2009-03-29 12:17:13 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: I remember making and beading aboriginal clothing for my dolls. I loved it. Teacher thought my mum did it and marked me down. My mum came to school with her hair on fire.

2009-03-29 12:17:25 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: It was nice :)

2009-03-29 12:17:26 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: very funny jan!

2009-03-29 12:17:36 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: "first the root goes down and the plant grows up"

2009-03-29 12:17:51 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: So glad my elementary school teachers used PBL.  Influenced the way I think as an adult

2009-03-29 12:18:08 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: sorry folk

2009-03-29 12:18:08 [Message] rosercos -> -Puentes al Mundo: no consigo abrir ustream

2009-03-29 12:18:11 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: s

2009-03-29 12:18:14 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: what Lisa is describing about her kids' projects is what Pat Carini was all about--very constructivist!

2009-03-29 12:18:15 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Can't here

2009-03-29 12:18:20 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: *hear

2009-03-29 12:18:27 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: we're off air

2009-03-29 12:18:32 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: working on this

2009-03-29 12:18:33 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Looks like you lost Maria and LIsa

2009-03-29 12:18:38 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I'm still hearing Sheila

2009-03-29 12:19:04 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Now I can actually hear Sheila- must be SKype that makes her volume so low

2009-03-29 12:19:05 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Sheila, your voice is v quiet

2009-03-29 12:19:25 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: sheila trying to make up for lost time last week

2009-03-29 12:19:25 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: I can hear you.

2009-03-29 12:19:36 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: we are having a few little issues

2009-03-29 12:19:39 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: sheila

2009-03-29 12:19:45 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Not Sheila.

2009-03-29 12:19:53 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: ETTA has one conversation and the ustream has another

2009-03-29 12:20:02 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: it's so clear that those kinds of projects are the things we remember most about our schooling! what does that tell us about engaged learning?

2009-03-29 12:20:04 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @Maria did @poulingail come to Greenfield yesterday?

2009-03-29 12:20:04 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: That explains the difference.

2009-03-29 12:20:50 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Last year we did a geometry unit and turned it into quilting pillows

2009-03-29 12:21:09 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yeah! great problem solving!

2009-03-29 12:21:10 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: I hear you, but not in UStream.

2009-03-29 12:21:14 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Sheila you are so brave!

2009-03-29 12:21:34 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: can hear everyone again

2009-03-29 12:21:39 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: We're back

2009-03-29 12:21:40 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: wow that's a new voice  

2009-03-29 12:22:31 [Message] MariaK -> -EdTechTalk: @Maureen -I don't think gail was there

2009-03-29 12:22:55 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @Maria- that's too bad, hoped she could come and meet you at least

2009-03-29 12:23:03 [Message] Claudia -> -Puentes al Mundo: Hola, siento llegar tarde

2009-03-29 12:23:09 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: hands-on projects are so important and now we are expanding the definition of hands-on to include technology :-)

2009-03-29 12:24:07 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: the power of teacher expectation!! :-)

2009-03-29 12:24:57 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: do you remember making salt maps :-)

2009-03-29 12:25:11 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @Peggy G I dreaded the salt maps

2009-03-29 12:25:17 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Musician Joni Mitchell gives credit to her 8th Gr. teacher who really pushed her. Marked her down when she didn't do her best.  Wonder what her life would have been like without that.

2009-03-29 12:25:17 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: now we have google earth to explore much more deeply!

2009-03-29 12:25:19 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Salt maps?

2009-03-29 12:25:19 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: No - what are those?

2009-03-29 12:25:40 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: seriously Sheila?

2009-03-29 12:25:52 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: yes, I don't know . .

2009-03-29 12:25:58 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Me, neither

2009-03-29 12:26:00 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: My list of hands-on projects is huge...beginning in 1st grade.  Maybe that's why I remember so much of my early education.

2009-03-29 12:26:07 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: What I like about using technology is that now those of us who are not artistic have a shot at doing something else, that can actually look or sound good.

2009-03-29 12:26:16 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: building maps with a salt-flour mixture to make them 3D

2009-03-29 12:26:35 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: like clay sort of but made out of salt and flour

2009-03-29 12:26:38 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: We had to mix salt and flour to make 3D maps of countries- then paint them and label them

2009-03-29 12:26:46 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Have never done that!

2009-03-29 12:26:56 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes Maureen! :-)

2009-03-29 12:26:59 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Sounds cool

2009-03-29 12:27:02 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: @sheila- you didn't miss out

2009-03-29 12:27:09 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Guess so!

2009-03-29 12:27:57 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Talk to colleagues who remember nothing before HS or collage.  I remember projects. All of the time. Even in everyday classwork. 

2009-03-29 12:28:32 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Sad that others did not have a similar experience.

2009-03-29 12:28:51 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: I agree Maureen about how technology enables us to do things we maybe weren't able to do before--I can't draw either!

2009-03-29 12:29:38 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: I made a "french meal" for my classmates. It was fun- but since no one in my family had any alcohol I got my dad to buy some beer for it, instead of wine. It was fine, not particularly french tho

2009-03-29 12:29:59 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: But many of the projects from my memory are homework projects--not giving in school time

2009-03-29 12:30:13 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: oh la la

2009-03-29 12:30:22 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that's an interesting observation Jan!

2009-03-29 12:30:53 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: When I design a project I try to make sure it doesn't create family conflict.

2009-03-29 12:31:10 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: I try to keep projects in school, not send them home.

2009-03-29 12:31:11 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Many of my families have a lot of stress, paricularly now

2009-03-29 12:31:19 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Many parents at myy school do lovely projects ;-)

2009-03-29 12:31:30 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: If projects are done at home--how can I assess them?

2009-03-29 12:31:32 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: Yes, for me too Maureen

2009-03-29 12:31:59 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Wow--I love the idea of looking at hands!

2009-03-29 12:32:13 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk:  What a brilliant idea

2009-03-29 12:32:32 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: we remember best what we learned with active involvement and yet so much of schooling isn't based on hands-on learning--how much will they remember?

2009-03-29 12:33:34 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: homework projects are often "parent" projects--you can't really assess them acurately

2009-03-29 12:33:36 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: @PeggyG Exactly my point.  I remember my elementary school classes in vivid detail when so many others do not.  But I was constantly engaged in projects.

2009-03-29 12:34:15 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: yes Sheila! creating more memories for kids through engaged learning

2009-03-29 12:34:27 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: I eavesdropped on a 1st grader showing off the mousetrap car she built in my science class to her dad. She was so excited.

2009-03-29 12:34:37 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: I've been working on a project with my daughter because the school does not understand the technology

2009-03-29 12:34:44 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: that's the key point Maria! know the child!

2009-03-29 12:35:02 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Sounds like it did when we lost the stream...

2009-03-29 12:35:10 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: I also think it is about finding the child's passion

2009-03-29 12:35:15 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: great example Jim! parents need to be involved in those ways!

2009-03-29 12:35:19 [Message] Lisa Parisi -> -EdTechTalk: http://ettconversations.blogspot.com/

2009-03-29 12:35:33 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: http://civilwarsallie.wikisapces.com

2009-03-29 12:35:54 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: earthbridges.net for EarthDay webcast - 24 hours!  We are on at noon EDT.

2009-03-29 12:36:09 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: My daughter is now able to show her teachers how to create a wiki and a blog

2009-03-29 12:36:20 [Message] kyteacher -> -EdTechTalk: Very cool Jim

2009-03-29 12:36:49 [Message] Sheila -> -EdTechTalk: Nice Jim!

2009-03-29 12:36:50 [Message] Maureen -> -EdTechTalk: Thx Everyone

2009-03-29 12:36:52 [Message] Jim Beeghley -> -EdTechTalk: @kyteacher  thanks, she is very proud of her project

2009-03-29 12:36:52 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: @Jim, we have to be comrortable with being taught by our kids--

2009-03-29 12:36:58 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: how can projects with kids create learners who are ruined? they are thinkers and problemsolvers!

2009-03-29 12:36:59 [Message] jan_smith -> -EdTechTalk: Bye

2009-03-29 12:37:11 [Message] PeggyG -> -EdTechTalk: thanks everyone! another great conversation!