Create a network of support for teacher collaboration of math activities through FirstClass (board email program) conferences. Providing support for Q&A, lesson resources, information, links to resources, etc. makes the job of the teacher a little easier as they can rely upon a support group. As well, they can ask questions and gain insights and tips for teaching a particular strand, big idea, or specific lesson. Specific examples (photos) of a trajectory of learning, curriculum mapping, student samples, etc. can be posted for added understanding. This all leads to a better educational experience for students as well as provides lessons that are similar across a school / cluster / board, etc. I will use the school board email / network program to set up a conference for the school(s) that I am working in for teacher support and collaboration. I can begin the process this year and have it more established for the next school year.
TIME LINES
- 2 weeks - begin to create interactive network support system for staff
- 1 week - ask other math facilitators for input and insights on which topics they've included
- 2 weeks - continue to input lessons, resources, links, and photograph examples etc. into network support system
- at the end of the 5 weeks, place the network support system on FirstClass desktop of staff
- continue to monitor and update network support system
RESOURCES
- Collaboration with other Math Facilitators
- Attend Math Conference(s) for further insights into problem-solving, 3-part lessons, D.I., etc.
- FirstClass help files from school board
- http://www.opentext.com/products/firstclass/
- http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/math.html
- http://www.eworkshop.on.ca
- begin to create icons for FirstClass conference on desktop and determine categories for each (e.g. Lessons, Links, Q&A, etc.)
- ask other Math Facilitators for input, tips and ideas as to which categories if they have something similar
- begin to upload resources and links to the various icons for teachers to use
- test and ask a few others to test things out for ease of use
- implement onto teachers' desktop so they can begin collaborating
- review, monitor, update and facilitate collaboration within the FirstClass conference
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
- Lack of time - it may be a challenge to have the time to keep up. However, I am confident that by setting aside time (approximately twice / week) that it will be a valuable process for the teachers and students that I am in contact with.
- Teachers may not be comfortable using technology - I know that administrator correspondence takes place on FirstClass so teachers should be comfortable using IT. I can also print off some lessons, if absolutely needed, to assist teachers that struggle with using technology. As well, I do hope that it is a grassroots project that others will become excited to make use of and share their ideas with others.
- Teachers may post lessons that reveal a more traditional teaching style - for the first while, I can post lessons from the data bank of lessons that I have. As I work with teachers and see that they are using a problem-solving approach to teaching, I can ask them individually to post their lessons. As well, I can add guidelines to the resource area that uses certain templates for posting lessons.
EVALUATION
Checklist - A checklist will show the steps that I will go through in order to complete the process. On the checklist there will be a rough outline for timing to facilitate the process. This will encourage me to stay on track and implement it, with usefulness, prior to the year end. As well, it will allow me some time to reflect and improve some of the implementations as needed.
