Believing in our Students- A LIFE Teacher Point of View
The availability of online collaborative projects is a great way to break down doors and barriers that classrooms and schools might have. We have our own mindset of what collaborative projects and activities should look like. Being a regular education teacher is a hard job with all that is required from curriculum objectives, deadlines, intervention and so on. Being a special education teacher brings on a whole new set of challenges.
-I want to connect, but where do I start?
-Once I am connected with a classroom, what do I do?
-Be the change and Believe!
-Be willing to connect with another classroom, this is sometimes the biggest hurdle you will have. Taking that step to open up your classroom to different people, views, and ideas is sometimes the hardest part.
-Start small. I know for a fact that the first time to connect, you are probably not going to have the best experience and you are going to think that it is not worth it. I can also tell you, however, that the changes (although the might be small) in your students as collaborations continue is amazing. I started with students who would not attend to ones that were actively engaged in the conversation that was going on.
-Be prepared. Do you have non-verbal students? Think about how they can participate. ie. picture symbols, communication books, visuals. Do you have students that have physical challenges? Think about how they can access the same materials. We advocate for our students inside a classroom and inside our school, collaborating allows us to advocate them on a global basis.
-Do a trial run! Before any Google Hangout or Skype call I always connected before hand (either the day before, or just an hour before) Technology is sometimes more tricky than the classroom itself. This was also a great time for students to see themselves on the screen and get the wiggles out.
-Dream big! We expect all students to use higher order thinking, our students are no different. Collaborating through Google Hangout and Skype offered a whole new world of learning and experiences for my students that sometimes were not even able to leave the classroom.
Want to sign up, but still have questions? Please feel free to email me [email protected] and I would be HAPPY to answer any questions you might have!
My wish is for all students to have the same opportunities inside and outside the classroom no matter what the abilities are.
-I want to connect, but where do I start?
-Once I am connected with a classroom, what do I do?
-Be the change and Believe!
-Be willing to connect with another classroom, this is sometimes the biggest hurdle you will have. Taking that step to open up your classroom to different people, views, and ideas is sometimes the hardest part.
-Start small. I know for a fact that the first time to connect, you are probably not going to have the best experience and you are going to think that it is not worth it. I can also tell you, however, that the changes (although the might be small) in your students as collaborations continue is amazing. I started with students who would not attend to ones that were actively engaged in the conversation that was going on.
-Be prepared. Do you have non-verbal students? Think about how they can participate. ie. picture symbols, communication books, visuals. Do you have students that have physical challenges? Think about how they can access the same materials. We advocate for our students inside a classroom and inside our school, collaborating allows us to advocate them on a global basis.
-Do a trial run! Before any Google Hangout or Skype call I always connected before hand (either the day before, or just an hour before) Technology is sometimes more tricky than the classroom itself. This was also a great time for students to see themselves on the screen and get the wiggles out.
-Dream big! We expect all students to use higher order thinking, our students are no different. Collaborating through Google Hangout and Skype offered a whole new world of learning and experiences for my students that sometimes were not even able to leave the classroom.
Want to sign up, but still have questions? Please feel free to email me [email protected] and I would be HAPPY to answer any questions you might have!
My wish is for all students to have the same opportunities inside and outside the classroom no matter what the abilities are.