Social Networking in EducationKathryn ClarkWalden UniversityOctober 17, 2010
Social networking has changed the way people communicate all over the world, so it makes absolute sense that it would filter down into the world of education. When students use social networking tools, they are learning content as well as communication skills that are necessary for life after graduation. Social networking allows teachers to differentiate instruction. It allows students to display their work to an authentic audience. Social networking also teaches students about cultures and diversity in the world. While there are many challenges that could be discussed in regards to social networking, such as learning to use new terminology and programs, making sure students understand digital citizenship guide lines, and finding time, the benefits greatly outway the cost (Laureate Education, 2010).
Lesson Description/Standards In the following lesson, my sixth grade students will continue working on standard M6N1g – solve problems involving fractions, decimals, and percents. Our main focus will continue to revolve around adding and subtracting numbers with decimals. For this activity, my students will collaborate with each other and other middle school classes in the county, through the use of a wiki. Each year, our local Special Olympics commetiee holds a fall dance for all exceptional children in the county. This year, I would like to suggest that our middle school students complete the planning for the dance. Each class would be responsible for creating a theme, picking out decorations, and providing a list of food items that would be needed. Every class would create a page on the wiki and share details of their idea through writing, pictures, or video. Students will total the cost and show an itemized budget for decorations and refreshments. After students have completed the planning stages, the Special Olympics commettiee will view the suggestions on the wiki and implement the chosen one at the fall dance.
Step-by-Step Process The following step-by-step process will be completed by each middle school self-contianed classroom that decides to participate. 1. Students will create a page on the Wiki with sections for their theme, choice of decorations, and list of refreshments. 2. Students will work collaborativly to determine a theme for the fall dance. 3. The teacher will split the class into 2 groups. One group will focus on the decorations while the other focuses on the refreshments. Each group will use sale flyers and internet sites to determine prices towards the total cost of the dance. 4. Students will post monetary information and pictures on the wiki. 5. Students will work with a peer buddy from the technology class to add audio clips that detail why they think their idea should be chosen for the dance. 6. Students will go to other class sites on the wiki and comment on their suggestions for theme, decoration, and refreshments.
Diverse Learners This lesson is intended for learners with special needs. However, more support will be provided with the assistance of peer buddies from the advanced technology class. Peer buddies will help students search for information, type on the wiki, and complete the addition and subtracting of items needed for the total cost. Peer buddies will be encouraged to let the student do as much of the work as possible and to be a guide rather than doing the work completely.
Assessment The students will be assessed primarily on the problems they solved involving decimals. However, their wiki will also be assessed based on collaboration and tools used. The rubric below explains how the students will be graded.
Exceeded
Met Expectations
Did Not Meet Expectations
Correct examples of addition and subtraction were presented.
Examples of addition and subtraction were presented with few errors.
Students did not show evidence of addition and subtraction problems.
Students collaborated and decided on ideas for the refreshments/ decorations.
Students collaborated with assistance from a classroom teach and decided on ideas for the refreshments/ decorations.
Students did not work together. A list of refreshments/decorations was not agreed upon.
Students used text, pictures, and audio clips to present their ideas.
Students used text and pictures to present their ideas.
Students only used text to present their ideas.
Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) state that “Wikis are a great tool when students need to complete a task together” (page 58). By incorporating Wikis into this lesson plan, students are able to work with an authentic audience in mind. This gives the project a purpose and will surely engage students as they work through the details of planning the fall dance. Students will continue to practice solving problems involving decimals as they complete the steps to this project.
References Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program Eight.Spotlight on Technology: Social networking and online collaboration- Part 1.[Video recording]. In integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education, Inc
Kathryn- Love it! You've certainly seem to have mastered the creation of authentic, meaningful, purposeful problem based learning. Clearly working with costs and money will incorporate your decimal skills. Could you also practice some other math skills by calculating how much stuff you'll need. For example, if the average student will eat 3.25 cookies, drink 2.4 cups of punch, and request 1.24 songs, how many of each will be needed?
This is great work. Cheers, Aaron
Kathryn, I like your lesson plan it will be a good learning experience for your students and it will help them understand the problems they will face when they start living on their own. This lesson plan is similar to the business lesson I have used when working with my sister and her students that have special needs. Great job, Monty
Social networking has changed the way people communicate all over the world, so it makes absolute sense that it would filter down into the world of education. When students use social networking tools, they are learning content as well as communication skills that are necessary for life after graduation. Social networking allows teachers to differentiate instruction. It allows students to display their work to an authentic audience. Social networking also teaches students about cultures and diversity in the world. While there are many challenges that could be discussed in regards to social networking, such as learning to use new terminology and programs, making sure students understand digital citizenship guide lines, and finding time, the benefits greatly outway the cost (Laureate Education, 2010).
Lesson Description/Standards
In the following lesson, my sixth grade students will continue working on standard M6N1g – solve problems involving fractions, decimals, and percents. Our main focus will continue to revolve around adding and subtracting numbers with decimals. For this activity, my students will collaborate with each other and other middle school classes in the county, through the use of a wiki. Each year, our local Special Olympics commetiee holds a fall dance for all exceptional children in the county. This year, I would like to suggest that our middle school students complete the planning for the dance. Each class would be responsible for creating a theme, picking out decorations, and providing a list of food items that would be needed. Every class would create a page on the wiki and share details of their idea through writing, pictures, or video. Students will total the cost and show an itemized budget for decorations and refreshments. After students have completed the planning stages, the Special Olympics commettiee will view the suggestions on the wiki and implement the chosen one at the fall dance.
Step-by-Step Process
The following step-by-step process will be completed by each middle school self-contianed classroom that decides to participate.
1. Students will create a page on the Wiki with sections for their theme, choice of decorations, and list of refreshments.
2. Students will work collaborativly to determine a theme for the fall dance.
3. The teacher will split the class into 2 groups. One group will focus on the decorations while the other focuses on the refreshments. Each group will use sale flyers and internet sites to determine prices towards the total cost of the dance.
4. Students will post monetary information and pictures on the wiki.
5. Students will work with a peer buddy from the technology class to add audio clips that detail why they think their idea should be chosen for the dance.
6. Students will go to other class sites on the wiki and comment on their suggestions for theme, decoration, and refreshments.
Diverse Learners
This lesson is intended for learners with special needs. However, more support will be provided with the assistance of peer buddies from the advanced technology class. Peer buddies will help students search for information, type on the wiki, and complete the addition and subtracting of items needed for the total cost. Peer buddies will be encouraged to let the student do as much of the work as possible and to be a guide rather than doing the work completely.
Assessment
The students will be assessed primarily on the problems they solved involving decimals. However, their wiki will also be assessed based on collaboration and tools used. The rubric below explains how the students will be graded.
Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) state that “Wikis are a great tool when students need to complete a task together” (page 58). By incorporating Wikis into this lesson plan, students are able to work with an authentic audience in mind. This gives the project a purpose and will surely engage students as they work through the details of planning the fall dance. Students will continue to practice solving problems involving decimals as they complete the steps to this project.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program Eight. Spotlight on Technology: Social networking and online collaboration- Part 1.[Video recording]. In integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education, Inc
Kathryn-
Love it! You've certainly seem to have mastered the creation of authentic, meaningful, purposeful problem based learning. Clearly working with costs and money will incorporate your decimal skills. Could you also practice some other math skills by calculating how much stuff you'll need. For example, if the average student will eat 3.25 cookies, drink 2.4 cups of punch, and request 1.24 songs, how many of each will be needed?
This is great work. Cheers,
Aaron
Kathryn,
I like your lesson plan it will be a good learning experience for your students and it will help them understand the problems they will face when they start living on their own. This lesson plan is similar to the business lesson I have used when working with my sister and her students that have special needs.
Great job,
Monty