Far Reaching Projects...

Our experiment with web publishing tools has allowed us to share our projects across the district and community with ease. Who knew we would become so literate in sharing with web tools? It has been more than maps that we have been able to personalize, and the student and teacher excitement for this work has been contagious. With these tools we create a space for our students to share real life experiences and interests about the world.

We have enjoyed the chance to expand our classrooms beyond the walls. Potentially across the world.

Some highlights have been maps of students worldwide learning and experiences. Our students have explored the local community, connecting their interests with their shared map. Others have created instructional videos or explored the geology of the surrounding area. We found that literature can be explored though a map, sparking an interest in one class for families to take trips to Washington, D.C.!

And that is what we are finding is key, using tools that get students to show up with something to share. Maps offer a motivation to explore and create life lessons beyond the classroom and school day.

We continue to discuss the appropriate use of the internet by students, and how we can assist them in navigating this resource.

For more on creating, teaching and learning with these tools, check out the rest of this blog. Please join us here to share your experiences too!