How do you ask your administration to give you an extra class next year?
I’d like to ask my admins to allow me to teach an extra class next year, and get rid of my prep period. Currently I use my prep period for nothing other than to skip around the net reading the news and finding new websites that I might be able to use with my students. The only other time I honestly make use of my prep period I have one to two kids in my room completing makeup work to bring up their grades.
But I think I could make better use of these 47 minutes by teaching another class — an online class. The only problem in creating this class is that it would require my administration pay me for teaching an extra class period.
My idea for this change is to create a class that makes use of online applications to enable students to bring up or keep up their grades, all the while making use of the technologies available to them. This imaginary classroom would also serve as a research project — If I can prove that the use of web applications and/or an extra study period using these applications raises student grades/test-taking-ability…
…let’s face it, most schools are only worried about test-taking ability, and practice for our state tests would be included in this project…
… — then I could also use the data gathered from this study to fund more computers for my own classroom and change the overall scope for language arts in 8th grade.
For example: This project would allow me to create an online classroom where students could create blogs, podcasts, read each other’s work, create and share notes, calendar appointments, and whatever else they might need in a classroom. In addition to that, were this study funded by outside sources, I could supply all of my students with the materials they’d need to complete grade-level work at grade-level expectations without having to find time in a computer lab each week — because, let’s face it, Language Arts has certain requirements, the least of which (MLA format being the strongest) requires the typing of student work.
I’d love to list all the web applications I’d use in this imaginary classroom, but that will come later (if this idea ever comes to fruition). As it stands, this is only an idea, but before I take this to my administrators, I’d like a little input to the questions I’m trying to answer by creating this class:
- Can students use computers to enhance understanding?
- Can Students use one encompassing technology for all classes?
- Can this technology be used across classes (without changing programs from class to class)?
- Can students maintain one online identity for school?
- Can those students use tha one online identity for all classes?
- Can teachers be expected to accept work from students working online?
- How will we ensure students use available technology to aid them in their own education?
- How will we ensure teachers use available technology to aid students to better grades in education?
- How will we measure these technologies as aides to education?
But how do I go about asking for this class?
I think this is a worthy opportunity, and there’s no better time to ask for it than the present. Technology is ever-changing, and I’d rather not wait for something be adopted before trying it out.
Is it reasonable to ask for an extra period?
Is it reasonable to try out something new when our current methods have gotten us dog-holed for four years straight?
Filed under: New Stuff, Questions, Teaching, Technology and Education, classroom design, ideas, students, thinking out loud
I think this idea of a virtual classroom, but you raise some valid questions. I’m a second Bachelors student studying to become a History teacher and at my University, there isn’t one encompassing technology and it’s really annoying. The University has WebCT that is intended for use University wide by professors. However, I am currently enrolled in 5 courses and I have three different websites I have to log into in order to access all 5 of these classes’ online materials. Sometimes I forget to check certain sites and then miss an assignment. It’s really annoying that the technology can’t just be universal. As for your other questions, I really don’t have any advice or words of wisdom. I’ll be checking back to see how this adventure of yours transpires!
Well it’s always worth asking! Me, I can’t imagine life without a prep period… I mean, yes, I do check email and all that, but I also spend a significant amount of time actually prepping for the next class.
Explain again how you’ll run this online class without using the computer lab?
Ooop! Did I say I wouldn’t use a computer lab for this class? Shoot. If I did, I meant to say I would overtake another teacher’s computer lab during his/her prep period.
UPDATE: Now I see what you were asking, mrc — what I should have been clearer about in the original post is that I would use the first year of this study class as a research class. If the research goes well and proves what I think it will prove, then I would use the research to apply for a grant for my own computer lab, which would allow me to practice these same strategies with Language Arts students and to use computers more often in the language arts classroom.
Your thoughts are very close to mine. I have been toying with a similar idea, but have not thought it out as well as you have. Should we be using the same application across the board-absolutely, BUT with technology being as it is, this will be near impossible, UNTIL a school district DICTATES it so. I would love to have all my student work come to me online. Do you know what I could do with Word Comments???? Does technology encourage or increase understanding–I think it can–if used correctly. It is not a solution to anything, but another tool.
I will have to mull this over a bit more…
So, you’re proposing using this class to boost weak students’ test-taking skills and/or knowledge of subject matter . . . ? They would actually be assigned to you — would show up physically in a room (computer lab) you ‘command?’ What would be the course content? If there isn’t any specific course content, how would you structure any given day’s activities? If the course content is a skill set, what subject material would be covered? Would the focus of your class be on teaching students to use technology in order to succeed academically?
You have an intriguing idea, but my logistic/practical/teacher-survival mind set wonders about this kind of thing. I’m interested in hearing about the software you use and how you apply it.
(If this sounds negative, I apologize — I don’t mean to be. Happy Spring Break to you!))
All good questions, graycie! And I ended up writing so much in response that there’ll be a new post in a few minutes.
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