E- Communication An Introduction to On-Line Forums in the Classroom Presented by Leanna Prater and Jeff Jones District Technology Resource Teachers Fayette County Public Schools Lexington, KY

What is a forum? Technologically speaking: A forum is an interactive environment where people can discuss topics.

Who uses forums? Teachers Students Other professionals Administration

How will using forums impact student achievement? Participation of all students Meet learning styles In depth thinking Motivation

Participation of all students Teacher required Log of who has participated Shyness Willingness to participate – “think before I speak” and edit response..

Meeting Learning Styles Visual Learners Tactile/ Kinesthetic Auditory

In Depth Thinking Question your students. Challenge students to question themselves. Challenge students to question each other.

Motivation Safe environment Uses technology Feels like “chatting”

Where can I find Fayette County’s Forum?

Getting students enrolled TRT and the spreadsheet Enroll them yourself Have students enroll themselves

Getting Started

Deciding on how to use the forum environment Discussion platform Small group work/projects Joint projects with other classes Joint projects with specialists other

Setting up the forum General Guidelines for your students AUP form/student work w/ name permission Making things sticky

Posting New Topics and Replying to Topics Posted

Tools Delete Edit Reply with a quote Profile

Lesson Plans and Projects

US Regions Project Website: 4 th Grade students in Lexington communicated with students in Wyoming, Alaska, Texas and Illinois about the similarities and differences of the US Regions. Students were “experts” on where they lived and shared that information with others in the forum.

Finding Contacts ed people I know Listservs such as Edtech Internet research- elementary schools in states> ed 4 th grade teachers and tech teachers Riverdeep Classroom Flyer

KY Regions Project Website: th grade students across Kentucky will discuss the similarities and differences about the regions of Kentucky. Project is just beginning. Registration is still open.

Lesson Plans General Template for Lesson Plans Language Arts Social Studies

Assessments

Rubric Scoring Guide

Research on Peer Conferencing Within a Forum

Research How do revision skills of classes using the Forum for peer conferencing in writing compare to those that peer conference in a traditional way in the classroom?

Research Procedure 5 th Grade Classes at 2 Schools Feature Articles and Short Stories Students were trained on the environment prior to research Students copied/pasted work in forum as well as typed directly in forum using a new topic for each writing piece. Students edited piece directly in forum Students commented on peer work

The Data

Findings Control Group averaged 2 “conference” times Variable Group averaged 5.56 “conference” times Control Group averaged 2 times the piece was read Variable Group averaged times read (inflated number due to forum environment). Variable Group averaged 55.5% edited within the forum.

Other Findings Students do not know how to conference on writing pieces. Teachers needed more instruction on use of the environment Limited computer time Students lacked keyboarding skills

Theories and Thoughts on Writing within a forum Teachers can assign other teachers as writing mentors. Conferencing within a forum can occur at anytime. Log of postings Evidence of editing Ease of copying and pasting from Microsoft Word Students must rely on their own skills for spelling and grammar (forum doesn’t support) Teachers can post “general” directions to for all students Students have an audience for their writing

Ideas for Integration

Language Arts Literature Circles Reviews Comparing texts Reading buddies/ Pair with another class to discuss Conferencing on Writing

Science Discuss “big ideas” Links to current topics Ask an expert Communicate for group projects

Social Studies Discuss the “big idea” Projects – Culture Studies A new look at regions/ pairing classrooms from outside Fayette County KY Regions Project

Math Ask an expert Open ended math problems Math question of the week

The Arts and Humanities Invite a special area teacher to post questions for students to consider before going to class. Discuss art work, music, drama, etc. with links.

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