Listservs as a Colloborative Teaching Tool

Here is an article that discusses the issues of using listservs, such as yahoo groups, to collaborate with other teaching professionals. Take a peek: Using Teacher Listservs to Collaborate

Everything you ever needed or wanted in a website for primary school aged children.

I can't think of a better resource out there yet. This site seems to have all the links to sites you would want to use in the early primary classroom. Take a peek: Kindersite

What do early primary students like?

Uses for A Wesite in the classroom

I just received this email from David, a teacher in Israel. He says:

I've been using it for about a year....

Kids use is quite a bit.

• Class handouts
• Test review
• Grades
• Pictures
• Link to other sites related to subject matte

devorah.david.googlepages.com

EMB Privacy Policy

Here is a link to a EMB posting on privacy with regards to protecting children on the internet.
I personally avoid using names of any the students on my sites. I restrict postings and comments to any message boards or blogs I have to students I know. Additionally, I screen all comments before they are posted on the site. I also avoid using any clear photos of the students on my site. I strongly recommend you become very familiar with the privacy settings in Google Page Creator and Google Blogger, if these are the sites you are using.

How do teachers use classroom and school websites to enhance the curriculum?

I'm doing a workshop on web design for teachers and have come up with an adhoc list of uses for a web pages. These are in the Primary School ESL context but I feel they are applicable across all levels. If you feel I'm missing something please feel free to add to the list by commenting.

Ways in which a teacher can use a website to enhance the curriculum:
(examples are provided in links to my delicious account, my own school site, and outside teacher sites )

Webquests - A webquest is an inquiry oriented activity in which the teacher provides a scenario in which students must complete a set of online tasks. This is a great way for a teacher to use the narrative and create a "Choose Your Own Adventure" type story for students to explore the web. In the past, I have used time travel as a theme for a webquest.

Links - This is a great way to direct students to teacher approved websites. I'm constantly updating links to my games and online books for primary students

Peer Editing - Students and teachers could use a blog or listserv to review and edit each others work. This could be done with restricted access, so that only approved students could comment on the blog and only after the teacher has approved their comment.

Audio Files/Podcasting/Radio Shows - Creating an online audio blog is fun. When compared with video blogs, this is a more anonymous way to have to students present and interact with each other on the Net. I've been doing Radio Shows over the PA and then posting them on the school website. Podomatic is an excellent all in one solution for making and posting audiofiles and podcasts on the internet. If you want a more professional sounding show use software like Garageband for Apple or Audacity for Windows. to a Both these audio editing programs are available for free. However, they do take a little time to learn.


Video Files/ Videocasting - I have experimented a bit with this on my own site. After doing Readers Theater a few times, I decided to enhance the performance a bit and post it on our school site.


Blogging - I find blogging useful to post random bits of information such as a song with it's lyrics or a powerpoint from a previous lesson .Some teachers have even had students create their own blogs

Communicate With Parents and Community - A website can be a great way to just show people what is going on in your classroom and school.


Wikis - A wiki is an online database that can be edited by anyone. Most people will are familiar with Wikipedia. Now there are free resources available on the internet for people to set up their very own Wiki. One such service is Seedwiki.

Listserves - Listservs are a collaborative tool where a community of people can gather and discuss ideas. Messages can be viewed on the listserv website or they are automatically sent to your email inbox. NESTA and Allnets use this type of service. Here are some free examples for you to check out:

• Google Groups
  
• Symbpa Free Listservs
• Yahoo Groups
• My Way Free Listservs
• A lesson on using listsers with links to additional instructional resources

Videocasting with Youtube

You have to love Shel Silverstein and Youtube for that matter.

Podcasting with PodOmatic

Just experimenting with the PodOmatic podcast page. A very simple solution to creating and hosting podcasts. I would certify it as being very teacher friendly. Seems like a great way to add audio files to your blog or to start doing your own podcast/radio show.

Click here to get your own player.javascript:void(0)

Other Examples of Classroom Blogs and Podcasts

This Australian teacher is putting together a list of inspirational blogs. So far one down and many more to go. Take a look here.