…technology with a twist

After Week One of Staff preparation days and Day One with students in class, the school year for 2008 begins to take some shape.

I am adjusting my thinking about my classes to narrow my focus to the individual needs of students before I move that focus again to a wider view of what it is I need for the class as a whole.  It’s a readjustment in my approaches so as to achieve a sound basis at this end of the year AND win the revolution, battle by battle.

So how is it that different to the beginning of any other school year?? It isn’t. Quite simply, it is no different to any other year, save for one SMALL consideration….integration of ICT into my programming for non-independent learners.

The class I have in mind at present is my Core class and in that group there are 3 ‘integrated’ students, 6 or 7 with specific literacy learning needs, 2 ESL students, a handful of students who have previously shown their colours as being a “handful” in terms of behaviour and a small group whom I believe will eagerly respond to independent learning approaches. An enviable mix for a class of 25 Easily enough identified, now comes the shimmy in the shadows, the dancing behind the scenes, and who to choose as my dance partners??

(I haven’t yet done a similar break down/ needs identification on my other 3 classes yet….but if the published lists are correct I have at least one more class of students with several literacy learning needs as well as an Aspergers child in Yr 9)

Our Learning Support Team have allocated me 4 lessons (out of the 12 lessons I have with my Core class) for LH to be working with me within this classroom. LH and I will also have 1 lesson per fortnight when the two of us plan together for the class.  In addition, the ESL teacher will allocate time, on a needs basis, to work with me in the classroom.

So…the twist? Previously my thinking has centred on integrating ICT with independent learners - who just take all innovations, apply their imagination and passion for learning and shoot for the stars. It’s been stimulating being their teacher and tracking an orbit around the learning world with them. But, in the last couple of days, my satellite has been rocked by a meteor shower and I am in the process of recalibrating my orbital path….trying very hard NOT to just spin off into deep space and get lost altogether.

What does this all mean? I need to learn a new dance. the Klingon carillon perhaps?

…..and a then a step to the right, with your hands on your hips …..Let’s do the Time Warp again!