Reflections at Pi

Q: What did you like about the class? What didn’t you like? What were your favorite and least favorite tasks? If you could change something about the class, what would you change? Where will you go from here? Do you think this class will influence what you do in the classroom? How?

A: I pretty much liked the whole thing. There were a few tools that I don’t see as being as useful as others. I like having an RSS feed to my reader, but, honestly, I check it may be once a month unless it ties in with a unit that I am in the middle of teaching. I love the Wiki and am planning on using Writeboard with a writing workshop in the spring.

The only thing that I would consider changing is maybe adding some more toys to play with in the tool section. I’d love a really accessible animation tool, but I don’t know that I’ve seen one that I’ve really liked. Maybe adding in a search engine link would be useful as well. It also would have been lovely to have a check in/share with at least 2 other teachers who are in the class. Yes, I lucked out because my teaching partner was here, but it is so much more enriching when you have someone in person to talk to or to bounce possible uses off of. (Yes, I am aware at how grammatically awful that last sentence was.) I am wired for the social. Having talking time makes it more “real” to me and solidifies my understandings.

I am definitely getting more and more comfortable using technology in the classroom (not that I was ever afraid of it). It doesn’t always cooperate, and I know to always have a back up plan. I still need to do more research on using the Activboard, but I’m enjoying the things I can explore at home…..I would love a Part 2. Maybe a Pi 2.5 or even a 3.0? I’m an exploration junkie. So, overall, a big YAY! on Pi 2.0.