Summer Economics 2006: Week #1
Friday, June 16, 2006
This summer will be a time of experimentation and growth. Not only will I be attempting to improve curriculum within my economics course, I will also be implementing technology in new (and hopefully exciting) ways. I want to imbed technology- message boards, podcasting, blogs, into Economics so that it is truly a course of our students' generation. My hope is that the course content can evolve with the innovative changes of technology and the economic circumstances of our local, national and global communities.
I am happy and a bit relieved to have accomplished three (tech) goals during this first week of summer school. My first goal, was to begin recording the economics textbook to podcast as an audio option for my students. I told them to email me and let me know if they have any trouble with it. I have not heard from any of them so I am crossing my fingers that it worked and they can download my voice reading their book to them at anytime:)
My second goal was to set up an MVN forum so that my classes can generate weekly reflection questions to be answered over the weekend. Although I plan on having my students create the questions for each other, I went ahead and posted the first of five weekly questions. Many of them have already answered the question and it is great to see quick feedback- not only with the technology of MVN being used but also in regards to the actual assignment.
My final goal was to investigate and decide on a medium for the final project. I had envisioned a website of some sort but after talking with Lisa, Eric and Kevin it seemed more appropriate to simply use this- MovableType blog. I introduced the format of the final project as well as the blog to my students yesterday and they are excited about using something such as this to create their collaborative project (rather than the same 'ol research paper). The feedback from the students about their initial reactions to the project can be found on the MVN forum message board under 'Summer Economics'.
The on-going project will can be found on our MTP blog under Summer Economics 2006. This will be a great way to archive the research and final projects for future use and reference.
Comments
Wow, Jane--you DID get a lot done in the first week. I'll be curious to see how many kids decide to listen to the podcast, and whether they read along as well. Will you be able to informally assess whether they are understanding more/differently than last years' students who didn't have access to the podcasting?
Posted by: Lisa | June 16, 2006 3:09 PM
I'm impressed with all that you got done just by plunging in. Marco says we're creating a platform and I immediately thought of diving - you've climbed up the steps and launched yourself gracefully into the pool. My goal for my teaching, as of last year, for my portfolio, was to begin incorporating more technology into my class but I find I'm just dipping my toe into the water and sort of chickening out. I'm still hanging on to old methods, being basically uncomfortable with technology, and am making very tentative, hesitant steps in the technological direction. I remember coaching you and always encouraging you, as I encourage all my athletes to do, to step outside of your comfort zone. Now I need to take my own advice of so many years and your work shall inspire and motivate me as I go. Thank you, Jane.
Posted by: Marion | July 12, 2006 11:35 AM