Help!

[Kimberly Danz]

I am a k-8 technology teacher. I really want to find or think of some meaningful projects to do with my kids. I especially interested in getting my K-8 classes involved in a global project. I am so overwhelmed I don't really know where to start. I set up a ning, a netvibes and igooglepages but I really am not sure what to do with them as far as my classes go! Help!

[Leigh Newton]

Kimberly, good question! I am hoping to see good conversation here.

Let me make a start. I qualify all this by saying that I, as yet, haven't used Ning in the classroom but know that it's oozing with potential.

I reckon that your role as a technology teacher across the grades is to support the grade teachers' curriculum. What's the point of teaching PowerPoint skills if they aren't being used in class? What's the point of introducing Ning if there's no class discussion happening that uses Ning? I'm working in a PYP school where this approach is being used. Every unit the IT teacher sits with us and we dream together of how IT might assist the Unit of Inquiry.

Okay! Possible areas for the use of Ning social networking:
* voluntary contribution where students report back on questions that came up during the day
* literature circle conversation on issues that come up while reading the book. Students could be marked on their contributions.
* site for sharing links that members feel will be useful for others.
* sharing news between students of collaborating schools
* telling about themselves in a closed, safe community

What other ideas are out there? Hanging out to hear.

[Kimberly Danz]

Leigh,
Thanks for the response. Our school defentitley uses an intergration model. I am always trying to come up with meaningful projects. I really want to incorporate a lot more web2.0 tools and try some global projects with my older stuents, especially.

Anyone want to collaborate on something? I will have grades K-4 6 and 8 this year(I think!) coud be more.