E-learning leader Kate Friedwald, from Wairakei School discusses her learning plans, created on Google Slides, which she shares with the students. Students are grouped, but not on ability relative to others, but more on ability relative to their own learning needs. Those who have writing as a focus may be grouped together, yet there is likely to be a range of abilities.
Friedwald uses a must-do/can-do approach to tasks which allows students to either follow a plan created by the teacher or create their own. Must-do tasks could be completed either each day or across the week, depending on the students capability to self-manage or preference. Those with a reading need will have extra literacy orientated must-do tasks to complete. |
Must-do tasks relate to specifically to curriculum ability groups, which are listed on the Sheet. If required to complete a 'Maths Strategy with 20min practice', it will relate specifically to the maths ability of that student. It also provides the link to a Google Site. The Site is organised into curriculum areas, and subsequently more specific content areas. |
Students learn the strategy through a video (Teacher Tools, Khan Academy etc) or slides, practice the skill by completing some or all of the pages suggested (in maths books possibly). Students might want to go back a strategy if needed. If they have grasped the strategy they prove it by creating their own video explaining the strategy (Explain Everything, ShowMe etc). This may be used on the site if it is well produced and explained. |
On completion of a task students fill out their groups accountability Sheet. Their Must-do's are listed and they fill out what they have done, how they found it - easy, good, challenging - possibly who they worked with etc. This allows the teacher to see who she may need to workshop with, change groups, or have a conversation with. |
Ponderings and comments...
- The learning sites could be set up by a teacher, as it looks like has been done by Kate, or possibly as a team, or school - depending on size.
- How ratio of time is spent by students facilitating the digital technology? Ipad issues, internet problems, finding the right site, typing in their progress etc. Do these activities detract from learning or build on self-management and ICT skills, or all?