For the first time since I was training I have gone back and looked at collaborative writing online and working to a shared goal. In 2015 I wrote about writing online and creating a pick a path story. This was done in a class of 25 children with 1:1 devices and as a student teacher my supervising teacher was present. I also had more non-contact time with the children being in a private institution that had specific teachers for many areas.
This time I am working with a group of 32 children in a innovative learning environment (99 children 4 teachers) and mainly iPads. There has been many challenges. The first was finding a tool that would allow children to write online without needing an app. Amazingly enough 99% of websites I tried worked on computers but required an app when trying to use them on an iPad making them impossible to use! I finally found what is new one of my favourite websites! www.draftin.com allows one log on for as many devices as requires, it does not require an app and the only downside is that when more than one person goes on a document it kicks the others off. That has allowed for an easy management of documents because the children cannot go on and edit others work to annoy them when working. It also has a clear easy layout and no changes in font mean there is limited distractions.
The next challenge was setting up criteria and starting our first chapter. First we had to look at an example to help us form the criteria. This took many days of reinforcement and I am still going back and reminding children to check the success criteria but it is getting easier. This also allows for modelling of critical thinking and editing!
Around now I had expected to receive our very own Chuck the penguin however, thanks to the New Zealand postal service he hadn't arrived. So I started to prepare creating him his very own beanie.
Then there is the need to give feedback both online and face to face. This is where I am at now. I am working to set up the children so I can meet and give feedback with children one on one and edit their writing together before it can be marked as a finished chapter. The easiest way to do this has been for children to request feedback then once they have had feedback and actioned it all they come to me. I am often writing a list of children close to needing this one on one and checking in on them.
I must add at this point that 9 of my children are independent learners meaning they chose their own literacy programme and when they do their writing or if they participate in this writing programme.
We are at a point now where I have several finished chapters and I am now forming the website for the chapters to be pieced together. I haven't done this before so I am excited to see how it all fits. Unlike the example I have I am not using sites and am instead using weekly for it's beautiful design and the opportunity to create a beautiful and professional design. When this is over I want my students to take pride in their writing and what they have achieved by getting to experience their writing in this form.
Currently I haven't linked the chapters all together but we have now received Chuck and he has been introduced to the class and we have the beginnings of a very exciting project that I can't wait to see finished!
Check out our progress and remember to come back as more chapters are added and linked together!
www.chuckthepenguin.weebly.com
This time I am working with a group of 32 children in a innovative learning environment (99 children 4 teachers) and mainly iPads. There has been many challenges. The first was finding a tool that would allow children to write online without needing an app. Amazingly enough 99% of websites I tried worked on computers but required an app when trying to use them on an iPad making them impossible to use! I finally found what is new one of my favourite websites! www.draftin.com allows one log on for as many devices as requires, it does not require an app and the only downside is that when more than one person goes on a document it kicks the others off. That has allowed for an easy management of documents because the children cannot go on and edit others work to annoy them when working. It also has a clear easy layout and no changes in font mean there is limited distractions.
The next challenge was setting up criteria and starting our first chapter. First we had to look at an example to help us form the criteria. This took many days of reinforcement and I am still going back and reminding children to check the success criteria but it is getting easier. This also allows for modelling of critical thinking and editing!
Around now I had expected to receive our very own Chuck the penguin however, thanks to the New Zealand postal service he hadn't arrived. So I started to prepare creating him his very own beanie.
Then there is the need to give feedback both online and face to face. This is where I am at now. I am working to set up the children so I can meet and give feedback with children one on one and edit their writing together before it can be marked as a finished chapter. The easiest way to do this has been for children to request feedback then once they have had feedback and actioned it all they come to me. I am often writing a list of children close to needing this one on one and checking in on them.
I must add at this point that 9 of my children are independent learners meaning they chose their own literacy programme and when they do their writing or if they participate in this writing programme.
We are at a point now where I have several finished chapters and I am now forming the website for the chapters to be pieced together. I haven't done this before so I am excited to see how it all fits. Unlike the example I have I am not using sites and am instead using weekly for it's beautiful design and the opportunity to create a beautiful and professional design. When this is over I want my students to take pride in their writing and what they have achieved by getting to experience their writing in this form.
Currently I haven't linked the chapters all together but we have now received Chuck and he has been introduced to the class and we have the beginnings of a very exciting project that I can't wait to see finished!
Check out our progress and remember to come back as more chapters are added and linked together!
www.chuckthepenguin.weebly.com
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