classroomwiki

= Classroom Wiki =

Please click the link below to view my classroom and student wiki

Mr Murphy's Reading Classes =Description:= The link above is to my ReadingMurph wikispace. I established this for several purposes. First, I began using online surveys to help guide my planning for instruction. I feel that student responses are important to assist and guide the most effective teaching strategies. Second, I began utilizing the wikispace for online assessments. These assessments were created using either Google Apps or Zoho Creator. By positing online assessments I utilized technology to improve efficiency as a teacher. Over time, I determined how to code the assessment answers when exported to MS Excel. Thus, I was able to score results much more quickly. Furthermore, I used mail merge on MS Word to merge student answers, comments, and scores to print a copy of their results. Essentially, I was attempting to work smarter, not harder. Noteable, and maybe most importantly, I have developed means of analyzing student data in fast efficient means by dumping their responses into MS Excell. Finally, I felt it important to expose students to utilizing web applications. Many have used such applications through gaming, text messaging, etc., but few have web apps. for classroom assessment. Online and e-assessments are not online common starting with the Maryland MVA written driver's test, but also have become integrated aspects of secondary, post secondary and work place education. I aim to prepare my students for ease of entry of use in any situation.

=Reflection:= Excited is an understatement for my feeling about using the wikispaces for instruction, assessment, and classroom feedback. This summer, I will begin sketching out my classroom goals and procedures for the coming year. With this, I want to integrate laptop use, wikispaces, and the applications and hardware used in the STEP Grant Year I in my classroom instruction. But, to do this most effectively, I need to have clear expectations and more time to adequately plan, establish and implement procdures. My biggest concern is use of the Internet and PCs/laptops for my general education and co-taught students. This year, I noticed a signifcant achievement gap between my gen. ed. and co-taught students versus my honors students. All understand the concepts of using the Internet for games, and searching and use of household technology such as phones, cells, and televisions. Yet, my gen. ed and co-taught students often seemed to lack understanding of universal principals and applications among software and hardware. For example, the control-p option for printing; clicking a submit button; or even finding the navigation bar in IE or Mozilla were all concerns for the students noted. This has made me aware of a broad and egregious achievement gaps between my co-taught/gen. ed. students and my TAG students. Exposing and instructing my students on technological literacy will be among my top goals going into the 2009-2010 year.

=MSDE Teacher Technology Standards:=

II. Communication
**A.** Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically. 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field

III. Legal, Social and Ethical Issues
1. Identify ethical and legal issues using technology. 2. Analyze issues related to the uses of technology in educational settings. 3. Establish classroom policies and procedures that ensure compliance with copyright law, //Fair Use// guidelines, security, privacy and student online protection. 4. Use classroom procedures to manage an equitable, safe and healthy environment for students. 1. Research and analyze data related to student and school performance. 2. Use appropriate technology to share results and solutions with others, such as parents and the larger community.
 * IV. Assessment for Administration and Instruction **