I agree a set of rules should be established. Every day I see people of all ages posting things that they really shouldn’t. That stuff doesn’t go away, particularly if it’s embarrassing.
As for the schools mentioned in the article who ban social networking outright? I’m waiting for them to ban computers and start teaching how to bang rocks together. When it comes to technology, you can’t TEACH it if you can’t USE it.
Social networking is one of the things that permeates the internet right now. If I had to ban all social networking tools from my classroom over half my curriculum (including Edmodo, which is a spectacular teaching tool) would be toast. I’d be back to teaching just MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel for 180 school days.
This is an episode about problems and solutions as I look ahead to next year’s curriculum.
Problem
9 week curriculum needs revising. This is a course that can be repeated every year. Even if I didn’t need to change the lessons to keep it interesting to ME, I would still need to change the lessons to keep it interesting to my students.
Solution
Change the “plot” of most projects. Instead of building a tree using 3D Tin, build a flower (or something else)! Projects too simple for a “plot” change can be retired, replaced by new assignments.
Problem
Major curriculum needs a large overhaul. There were many projects that worked well, but others that did not. Some were based on specific time-sensitive events, like our school’s Fall Drama production. In addition, the majority of the class (I have 7 students moving on to High School) will be in the course next year. This can’t just be a repeat, I need a full year’s worth of new projects.
Solution
Don’t reset points, levels, or projects completed. Incoming majors will still be Level 1. Returning majors (7th and 8th grade) will be whatever level they were in June. This will require more levels to be added (Current cap is Level 5) with more complex assignments to accommodate returning students. Current thought is to include assignments that involve more than one media file. Instead of “Record an .mp3″ they may have to “Create a podcast series with no fewer than 5 episodes.”
Problem
Film Festival projects are cutting it close – very close – to our deadline. With 5 weeks to go many students still have not finished their scripts.
Solution
Spread Film Festival projects out through the entire year. Script/Storyboard due Q1, Final Movie due Q3, Trailer due Q4, and a new “Making of…” project due Q2. These projects will reside OUTSIDE of the Levels format existing for the other projects, and can be handed in regardless of the level of the student.
Problem
5th Grade curriculum relates to the 9 week curriculum much more than it does to the Major curriculum. Incoming Majors have experience with technology but there is much room for improvement.
Solution
Redo 5th grade curriculum to follow gaming model. Move some “retired” 9 week lessons to 5th grade to give them a feel for the program, then simplify some Major lessons and introduce them has higher level 5th grade projects.
Problem
Site design could use an overhaul. (This seems to change every year.) I used MediaWiki for Middle School’s class sites because I wanted to teach myself how to use MediaWiki. Now that the challenge is gone I am seeing MediaWiki’s shortcomings. My options are to install plugins to give MediaWiki the functionality that it lacks OR to move on to something else.
Solution … ?
Hand coding, Google Sites, WordPress, Drupal, Wikispaces, Tumblr, … something else? I am still looking into all of my options.
Problem
Many of my tutorials must be redone. Some are no longer relevant as better techniques have been developed, others need to redone now that websites and or apps have been upgraded.
Solution
Nothing to it but to do it. The kinks for this have already been worked out, the rest is just time management.
Problem
Technology can be lacking. We have more cameras this year than any previous year, yet I do not have enough cameras to provide one to each student. Many students do not have technology at home needed to complete assignments. This has been partially solved by creating “low tech” projects that relate to technology but don’t require it for an A. More can and should be done.
Solution
Donors Choose for cameras? Create a “recommended purchases” page on the class site? (I cannot “require” anything more than a flash drive, but I can “recommend” anything.) Provide weekly lab time after school to any students that wish to work on something.
When building your own CampITC, Plan the Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How first. Set guidelines to narrow things down.
“Scout out” your tools ahead of time. Google Apps, Elluminate, etc. Start early to help people adjust to the format.
@misteryork1 That’s an issue with any conference. I always check what organization the speaker represents in the schedule. (In reply to Mr. York complaining about sales pitches disguised as sessions.)
“Chat & Chew” sessions – time for discussion vs. lecture.
Establish “Camp Rules.” Guidelines so that participants know what is expected from them and from the “Camp Counselor.”
One of the #CampITC rules: “Reflect & implement new strategies.” THIS CANNOT BE EMPHASIZED ENOUGH! (Emphasis mine.)
#CampITC Schedule: Session 1: Getting to know your camping guide (Pedagogy)
#CampITC Schedule: Session 2: Take a Hike (Prep/Planning)
#CampITC Schedule: Session 3: From Camping to Classroom (Putting it together/Reflecting)
#CampITC use a variety of tools for communication/evaluation – Email, wikis, “corkboard” sites, etc.
#CampITC Give stuff at the end. Certificates, raffles, door prizes, etc.
I really like the idea of doing a #CampITC. Thinking of setting one up for my building.
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Ready for the session on screencasting to start in rm 318. What’s this about a web based screencasting app?
Many people here have already made screencasts. Starting off by bringing the rest up to speed.
Screencast: Recording of whatever is seen on the screen + voice, often for making tutorials.
(Screencasting is also often used when creating machinima or streaming video games.)
RT: APPlied Club @APPliedClub Those who suggest blocking everything as a solution to distraction problems have no idea how to teach technology. @theartguy
RT: APPlied Club @APPliedClub Tons of enthusiasm about meeting students where they already are, take the learning to them. So awesome and inspiring! @theartguy (NOTE: Not sure we were in the same presentation.)
Because someone might want to look at this and before long going back through Twitter will make it too hard to see these posts, here’s a (not so) brief summary of my observations. I’ve placed gaps to show where I went from one session to another.
My hat's seen better days.
Up early for a full day of #CGMD12 … As soon as the caffiene kicks in.
@MatthewWinner Not today, no. I look forward to seeing you in my session tomorrow! (That means I’ll have at least one person there.)
It begins! My presentation has remained largely unchanged for weeks, and I just thought of something new to add.
Not 10 minutes after getting here I was recognized twice and high-fived once. I <3 #cgmd12.
A little worried – apparently my #CGMD12 session is at the same time as tomorrow’s keynotes. Might have a room to myself.
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In room 321, ready to see Doug Johnson present on using personal devices for education. I’m in the seat next to the outlet.
RT 
