I must admit I had some diffculty at first understanding the model and if it was used to help Pre-service teachers increase the use of technology in the classroom or if it was intended for the students to learn. Well after reading many articles I realized that the RAT Model is mainly for teachers to utilized as a way for them to ensure that when teaching they are using technology/Web 2.0 tools at the appropriate times while teaching.
My example is as follows:
My 5th grade class is studying the early history of the United States starting with the American Indians.
R - Students will post to a weekly blog, which will serve as a journal, about the American Indians life prior to and after the arrival of the European explorers.
A - Students will search various websites for resources/information pertaining to the early history of the United States.
T - At the end of the unit students will be placed in groups and each group will be required to construct a Prezi and present it to the class. The presentation will be based on a particular aspect of the unit that was studied.
Hello Kesha,
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult to work on this task. We do so much as teachers that is not categorized as the RAT model suggests. So sometimes we have to take a step back and recall, what we have been doing and what have we changed from that.
When you mentioned about your fifth graders writing a blog - journal weekly, did this replace their journal writing in their notebooks? Also, are the students working on the blog as homework or do you have laptops in your class?
Hi,
DeleteFor this particular assignment I would have the students use a class blog as a journal to respond to discussions and/or questions pertaining to the unit. Additionally, I would highly recommend that students complete their blog responses during class on the classroom laptops. They would also be allowed to post to the blog at home if they were absent from class/school. I wouldn't make blogging a homework assignment because a lot of students may not have access to the internet.
I also wanted to comment on the engagement of the students. Do you think that after blogging activity or research activity, your students summarize the concept better? If they are using the laptops in class for blogging, do you see better output from them versus the notebook journal writing? I also was wondering if you have to get permission from the parents for elementary students to respond to blogs?
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteSince I have not done this type activity as of yet I'm don't know if students will summarize the concept better, but I'm willing to give it a try. I believe its a different approach that I'm hoping will reach at 90% of students. I'm going out on a limb and saying 90% because I know I will have a few students who would need additional support (differentiated instruction) or students who have a hard time adjusting to change.
Sneha, I would say that on the first attempt, probably not. If after the first time, exemplary discussions are highlighted and held as a standard, then over time engagement and quality of discussions should improve. (That's generally true for many discussion activities, online or not.)
DeleteKesha,
ReplyDeleteI’m also curious about using a blog in the place of a journal. Are you thinking of one class blog, which all students respond to, or individual ones? Do you intend for students to see each other’s responses?
About the group presentation to end the unit, I worry that group construction of a Prezi might result in both poor collaboration and low engagement. While Prezi creates very appealing, engaging presentations, I don’t think actually constructing one is much more engaging than putting together a written report. I think an old fashioned, oral group presentation that includes student drawings or play acting would be significantly more engaging. What about having the group construct a video or photo presentation, using something like Animoto, VoiceThread, or PhotoPeach? You’d get all the benefits of a Prezi, with students able to edit until they are satisfied and not worry about “stage fright.” With photo or video evidence, each group member would have to be involved, and I think recording video or staging photos could be more engaging than writing text to put into a Prezi.
Hi Dayna,
DeleteMy thought would be to have one class blog and if possible I would allow studenats to see what others have posted once they have responded. Also, thanks for the information about groups coming together to construct a video or photo presentation. Since alot of 5th graders have cellphones with video taking capabilities, it would be a good ieda for students to construct a video about what they learned.
The class blog sounds like a great idea. I see you're also thinking of having them respond during class time, which I think is great.
DeleteIt's kind of crazy to me that so many 5th graders have their own cell phones, but it definitely could come in handy for taking photos and video!
Depending on age and laws regarding accounts, having one class blog acting as an umbrella is not only helpful, but required. Second, if students have mobile devices, there's an app called EasyBlogger, Jr. Basically, the teacher creates a blog, and sets up the account to allow access to students. However, they contribute directly through their device, and the teacher moderates(approves) posts. This way, students can not only post to the central blog, but can add media (images, video) as well.
DeleteHave you thought about giving the students options for their project instead of just prezi? I've found that when students are about to choose their assignment, they tend to be more interested and engaged. For example, maybe a prezi, a video, a skit, a website about the topic, etc. This way students can be creative or work in a medium where they have a strength. I've been trying to give my students more choices this year so they can really take hold of their learning, and it has been working really well for my classes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. Occasional, personally relevant choice is such a great motivator, and this sort of assignment seems like a perfect opportunity.
ReplyDeleteRyan, can you share any pitfalls to allowing for so much choice? How have you been handling grading?
ReplyDelete