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F2F Instructional Strategies

In this discussion forum share what you have learned about face to face instructional strategies. What do you plan to implement into your classroom? What do you already do in your classroom that was covered in the lecture?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Heintz on December 11, 2011 at 5:21pm

I highly recommend it. It's really cool, and I used to have issues with kids wanting to use their cell phones...it kind of gives them their cell phone fix for a few minutes!

Permalink Reply by Iman Zaatari on December 11, 2011 at 2:12pm

I have enjoyed watching this lecture and how it laid out clearly the different instructional strategies with its various technological uses.

In this class, I have created a wiki and used Google docs. I found them very useful and I would like to use them where collaboration would take place outside the walls of the classroom. In addition, I would like students to have their own blogs to emphasize on discussions and collaboration. It also could play a role in writing their daily journals. By doing so, they will be practicing their writing skills. As mentioned in the lecture, when technology is integrated and plays an important role in the curriculum, students will obtain a very rich learning experience.

I have used some of these technologies in my classroom. I used PowerPoint in my lectures, videos, LCD projector, interactive whiteboard, and simulations. I still have to see how I would use the other technologies with lower elementary students without taking a lot of time. These kids still need to practice their typing skills. I think it is easier for them to write in their journals rather than having to type it. It is just time consuming. I have to figure out how to use these technologies in subjects other than writing. It could be a good beginning to start with something that is very easy and does not require a lot of typing.

Permalink Reply by Michael P Tuell on December 13, 2011 at 1:22am

The collage I work for give course space in the LMS for all classes including face to face. The fact is the LMS is more then just online delivery, it's also a course development and administration tool. Some instructors don't use it, but others use it for the grade book, posting handouts and group project collaboration.

Permalink Reply by Edwina Lawson on December 11, 2011 at 7:12pm

The most important thing I learned from the F2F session is results desired from a traditional teacher-student interaction can be achieved while maintaining student interest using technology. The traditional discussion/question, then activity format gave a teacher insight on the success of his/her delivery of instructions. The problem I encounter is last school, my teammate and I used PowerPoint, audiobook, youtube video and many other technologies as instructional techniques but after the presentations the interest level dropped considerably. It was like someone turned off the television. If I had the knowledge of many of the technologies presented in this weeks session, it would have drive home the learning. I especially like the voicethread technology. To create a collaborating multimedia slide and leave comments is a doable solution to the traditional raise your hand method where only a few students participate. The fear of being wrong and criticized keeps many students from replying. Voicethreads provided an opportunity for all students to interact and create a visual-audio presentation of their understanding of skill taught without any reservations.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Schmidt on December 11, 2011 at 10:10pm

I know what you mean when you say it is as if the television was turned off. Sometimes students feel like just because on activity has ended, class has ended for the day. I think you're thought of learning more about voice thread is a very good one. Just because students are not talking does not mean they are not thinking. Voicethread gives shy students a chance to express their views, and of course insist upon discussion and interaction. You should certainly explore that option!

Permalink Reply by linnea on December 11, 2011 at 9:36pm

In my classroom, I try to use a lot of technology to supplement my teaching and my students' thinking. There have been several that I have used successfully, but would love to learn more about using email. My school recently set up emails for all students, but I have some reservations as far as my students using it in an appropriate way. Other than emphasizing its use as a tool, what methods can you take to ensure that students don't abuse it?

Voicethread: We used this to present Greek Mythology to my students. Also, when we had reading night, we had students create a picture and record a haiku that they had written. This was then presented and played at the parents night, then it was also posted on our class website.

Prezi: To pre-teach vocabulary and give some background knowledge, I always create a Prezi. The students are much more engaged than when I use powerpoint. It is my hope to have students do a book report prezi by the end of the year.

Blogs:In our class, we utilize both blogspot and kidsblog.com. I have found pros and cons for both. Blogspot they need an email login, but with kidsblog they are able to have individual logins. Also, kidsblog I can combine or separate my 3 classes. However, kidsblog is a little bland and does not allow for personalization. So my classes have both blogs for different purposes. It is important to find the format that best serves your purpose.

WallWisher: They loved this! As part of a center, they had to explore a site and post on the wallwisher. They were putting facts or opinions on the wall, along with a question they had. Other students then posted comments on each others, or tried to answer their question.

These are just a few that I have used successfully. My students absolutely love having their work online. One technology I wish I could better utilize is youtube and all it has to offer. My school has blocked everything youtube and will not unblock it for anything. I have tried to use teachertube, but a lot of what I'd like to show or use is not available through that. I also struggle sometimes with having my students create their own products with these technologies because so much time is lost in exploring and learning. My students do not get any technology instruction outside of my classroom. They have not had practice typing, so even a blog post pre-written takes days for them to type. How do I use these without spending weeks just to create one product?

Permalink Reply by Terra Kirsch on December 13, 2011 at 12:39pm

These are great applications of 2.0 tools and the Prezi idea is one I will use in the computer lab. I agree that too much time can be spent on exploring and learning and the final product can take a long time to finish especially with varying levels of expertise among the students. I encountered this with Glogster and had to switch to another format to finish. Youtube is a challenge, I tried to use it for a Sketch-up demo and found both inappropriate videos on the side and comments as well. I worked around this when I found the video embedded in the Sketch-up help area. I think embedding YouTube video in your own site is probably the best way to go. Maybe your school will consider this if you show them an example. Thanks again for the great examples.

Permalink Reply by Julie Heintz on December 13, 2011 at 4:10pm

Hey, not sure if you've seen this, but You Tube has just announced they're going to release a You Tube for Educators site! Your school may have to sign up, but You Tube will filter inappropriate subject matter, and you should be able to access the site at school! Not sure exactly if it will work, but I think we can agree it's a step in the right direction!

Permalink Reply by Emily Stone on December 18, 2011 at 3:20pm

Ooh, this could be very exciting -- looking forward to learning more about its features, privacy controls, etc.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Schmidt on December 11, 2011 at 10:06pm

Face to Face instruction is a very important component of teaching. I believe that the online atmosphere works great for many, but it not always what is best. While I do very well with pacing myself and meeting deadlines, there are others who do not. In addition to that, there are many people who do not ask questions when they need help. It is for that reason that I am skeptical of the new and emerging online k-12 schools. I think the key to great instruction lies more with using technology in a hybrid environment that involves a lot of face to face instruction.

Traditional lectures are widely regarding as being too dry for most students these days. Several years ago the trend moved to powerpoints, and today it has moved to more interactive presentations on devises such as smartboards and utilizing a wider array of presentation tools. One thing that I like to do in my own classroom is to evaluate images. A smartboard allows one to highlight, circle, erase, zoom in, zoom out, or any other number of functions. I think evaluating images helps many different types of learners, as it is visual, interactive, and discussed.

Permalink Reply by Lacey Ringman on December 11, 2011 at 10:51pm

Face to Face instructional strategies are very important in classrooms. especially at a lower level. Once students learn self discipline and their learning styles, it is more practical to employ more independent learning, but as a young or new learner we need to be sure that technology integration is not replacing face to face instruction. Blending face to face instruction with technology, instead of placing a student in front of a computer, will allow your students to be more successful. Incorporate technology that allows interaction between users such as polls, blogs or classroom websites. Integrating technology should be used as a tool to enhance your classroom or lesson, not to replace the teaching.

Permalink Reply by Michael P Tuell on December 13, 2011 at 1:09am

I am really intrigued by flipping classrooms. I'm not a teacher, but as a student I like record lectures because it allows me to view them with out distractions, and I can easily rewind them. Also useing the class time to work on projects, ask questions work in groups and do homework seems a more interesting way to spend the time with the teacher too. As a student I think I would benefit from this type of classroom experience.

that being said, I would guess there are people who would have the adverse feelings, would rather listen to the lecture and ask questions during, and would rather do their work with out distraction instead of in groups or a busy classroom.

I feel that these more extreme variants on traditional classrooms might have great use but liekly in smaller class rooms, where students can be grouped in by learning styles, or maybe offering a section to allow students to chose.