STSD Curriculum & Technology Update

Regular updates and musings on curriculum and technology in the Salisbury Township School District in Allentown, PA.

Discussion Forums in eSchool Builder

This is the third year that I have been using some form of blogging or discussion board as online journaling with my students, moving from traditional response journaling.  In the beginning, I used b2evolution to create a class blog where students could post responses to literature or other types of writing prompts.  That particular site was difficult for my students to navigate since it is a continuous roll of people blogging.  Students couldn’t find who commented to them about their responses.  Therefore they lost interest and writing quality diminished. 

An alternate avenue was used this year through a discussion forum making it easier for my students to navigate once they were able to enter the appropriate discussion area.  Through much conversation, we decided to try eSchool Builder.  My students originally had some difficulty, but we sat down, went through the steps to login and simultaneously typed the steps together making the procedure clear and concise.  This provided another hook in that my students felt responsible for their learning and felt they had a say in how things are accomplished in the classroom.

Why online journaling many others ask me?  There are several reasons why I use online journaling with my learning disabled students.  First and foremost, it goes back to engagement.  I firmly believe that without engagement no learning can happen.  Students look forward to getting on the computers and access the online discussion.  There are certain items they must complete prior to accessing the computers.  Not only does the work need to be done, but it needs to be completed with quality.  Learning doesn’t end when students exit the building at the end of the day or for the weekend. Students are accessing the site through our class wikispace to respond to prompts and classmates.  Sharing their writing with family and friends takes down the walls of our classroom, thus expanding learning to an unlimited area. 

The second reason is that it allows for collaboration.  Student responses are viewed by others and the teacher is not going over it with the traditional red pen.  They are writing for a real audience.  Teachers and students alike can comment on responses.  Students are able to provide peer feedback and not all feedback comes from the teacher.  Learning becomes collaborative and student directed.  When you see a student helping another student it is a true testament to the learning that has happened.  The best assessment of learning is the generalization and application of strategies and concepts. 

The third reason is how it improves student writing.  Students are not as fearful of writing when they are on the computer.  When they know a larger audience will see their work, they put more effort into each piece of writing. With a more global audience their learning expands beyond the classroom.  The writing also improves because of the ability to scaffold learning for my students.  Some students have gross and fine motor issues that make writing difficult for them and the use of the computer eliminates the mechanics of writing and allows the ideas to flow and be captured in print.  The built in supports of the spelling and grammar are a definite help to my students.

One of the last reasons is that it has made my students more reflective learners.  They reflect on their own learning and that of others.  Reflection leads to improvement which leads to more creativity.  Their personal accountability increases and their quality of work shows improvement.

The use of a tool like eSchool builder inherently provides for 21st Century skills to be addressed in the classroom.  By utilizing the technology for online journaling, it has provided many opportunities for my students to be creative, collaborative, and leaders. 

Diane Kasaczun - 5th Grade Learning Support - Harry S Truman Elementary School
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If you are interested in your own discussion board, please contact Randy.