End of the 2nd Semester

Some things working well this semester...

1.) In class I regularly use a online timer to give students structure and pacing during all lessons. This allows students to monitor their progress.
2.) The document camera in my class is great for giving students directions for using graphing calculators. Students struggle with using graphing calculator functions and this allows them to follow along to use different attributes that the calculator can offer.
3.) Castle Learning has been a helpful way for students to prepare for tests. I was able to allow students access to midterm practice by the use of a computer. I only had 12 students pass the midterm, but the students that did the practice, did better than the others.

Some things NOT working well this semester...

1.) Motivation is low, many students will not even use my website, facebook, and castlelearning.com at home or during a study hall. This hasn't improved their achievement level. I actually have less students passing this marking period, than I did last marking period.
2.) It is extremely hard to gain computer access in my school, so I haven't been able to start the e-portfolios.
3.) The constraints of the algebra curriculum drive my ability to try new and inventive projects that would take longer than a guided practice that would normally be done in class.

Overall, a lot of positives and negatives, however being able to try new things does give me a new found hope that students will find different lessons that integrate technology more interesting than the usual lessons they run into in every class each day.



P.S - The netbook fairy has NOT DROPPED a netbook under my pillow.