LTEN January 16, 2014 by Claire

Brycen Davis and Claire Wachowiak

cwachowiak — 2015-01-13 13:08:01 UTC

Tech Integration Specialist at Istanbul International Community School

1 to 1 program @ IICS

cwachowiak — 2015-01-13 13:24:19 UTC

IICS utilizes Apple products for all of our students.

Grades 6 - 12: Student-owned MacBooks

Grades 2 - 5: School-owned shared MacBooks

PS3 - Grade 1: Shared iPad Carts

Class Blogs

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 08:19:58 UTC

To inspire, share, and celebrate learning experiences with our local and extended communities. Also, to communicate with parents and the wider community what is happening in the classroom, including upcoming events.

The audience includes students, parents, extended family, teachers, and school administrators.

Successes - Class Blogs

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 08:29:23 UTC

1) Some teachers are quick to utilize the blogs, by keeping content relevant, provide links to learning resources, and information

2) The number of site visitors for class blogs has increased

3) Some teachers see the value in having a class blog as a central place for communication

Not So Much... Class Blogs

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 08:46:37 UTC

1) Some teachers don't quite see the value of the a class blog; see it as a 'have to'

2) There is not a lot of time that teachers are allowed to work on blogs; expected to be done during normal work hours

3) Issues with connectivity, including updates, and self hosting

4) We are still learning the do's and don'ts with Wordpress (plugins)

5) Getting parents to actively paricipate with the class blogs

Student Blgos

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 10:21:52 UTC

The overall purpose of student blogs is to improve student writing, increase digital citizenship skills, connect to a wider audience, and develop 21st skills.

The audience includes teachers, students, parents, extended family, school administrators, and other schools.

Successes - Student Blogs

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 10:31:32 UTC

1) Most students enjoy the blogs and understand how it helps their learning.

https://docs.google.com/a/iics.k12.tr/forms/d/1ccF9idVwBQsCGv4yhI9kW0XJsWcFVZj3bLaiOJEcutc/viewanalytics

2) A few teachers are beginning to use the student blogs as a digital portfolio; demonstrates the learning journey and not just the finished product

3) With portfolios, students are developing their reflective skills which help them understanding that learning journey

4) Increased digital citizenship skills; constructively commenting, understanding what to post, etc.

Not So Much... Student Blogs

cwachowiak — 2015-01-14 10:40:11 UTC

1) Some students do not understand how blogs impact their learning

2) Some students struggle with the technical aspect of blogs

3) Connectivitely is sometimes slow which greatly discourages students

4) Some teachers might not value blogs or understand the learning potential with blogs