Social network boosts learning
Franklin history class uses online forum to build their skills.
By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer 4:35 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011
FRANKLIN — Plenty of teachers have taken advantage of the Internet’s researching possibilities, but one Franklin High School teacher is making strides to incorporate the web’s second generation — social networking — into his classes.
Jim McFarland began teaching five years ago and has been using online discussion boards in his history classes for the past three. He usually posts first, typically regarding classroom readings or general assignments, and asks his students to comment on his post and each others’ as part of their homework.
“It allows me to evaluate a lot easier, to get feedback before class even starts,” the 30-year-old said. “So then, in the period that I have them, I can (either) correct and misconceptions they may have had about the reading, or it prevents me from having to be repetitive and go over materials they already understand.”
The use of discussion boards and forums are popular at the college level.
“If he’s teaching them how to use these things safely and responsibly — that’s great — I don’t think (educators) do that enough,” said Janet Hurn, Senior Instructor of Physics at Miami Middletown. “They’ll have a leg up in the modern classroom.”
McFarland asks his students to use Google Docs, which allows access to electronic classroom documents through Google. With a recently updated version, students can simultaneously access the same document, meaning one could be writing the paper’s opening, another the body and a third the conclusion, all at the same time.
“They can help each other, which is more assistance than I can provide,” McFarland said. “It’s that collaborative nature that I like a lot, and the district isn’t paying any money to use these servers. It’s all free and will be — knock on wood — forever.”
McFarland created a Facebook page in the days running up to Franklin’s exam week, where his students had the ability to pose questions about homework or review session times.
“I check it almost every time I get on,” said Emily Simpson, a 17-year-old senior in McFarland’s AP history class.
“It definitely feels different in there, but in a good way,” she said of McFarland’s classroom. “It makes you feel like you’re learning at a faster rate.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
MY THOUGHTS
any takers? i'm thinking. i'm thinking. i like the idea. just don't know yet how i can do the same.
Franklin history class uses online forum to build their skills.
By Andy Sedlak, Staff Writer 4:35 AM Saturday, January 22, 2011
FRANKLIN — Plenty of teachers have taken advantage of the Internet’s researching possibilities, but one Franklin High School teacher is making strides to incorporate the web’s second generation — social networking — into his classes.
Jim McFarland began teaching five years ago and has been using online discussion boards in his history classes for the past three. He usually posts first, typically regarding classroom readings or general assignments, and asks his students to comment on his post and each others’ as part of their homework.
“It allows me to evaluate a lot easier, to get feedback before class even starts,” the 30-year-old said. “So then, in the period that I have them, I can (either) correct and misconceptions they may have had about the reading, or it prevents me from having to be repetitive and go over materials they already understand.”
The use of discussion boards and forums are popular at the college level.
“If he’s teaching them how to use these things safely and responsibly — that’s great — I don’t think (educators) do that enough,” said Janet Hurn, Senior Instructor of Physics at Miami Middletown. “They’ll have a leg up in the modern classroom.”
McFarland asks his students to use Google Docs, which allows access to electronic classroom documents through Google. With a recently updated version, students can simultaneously access the same document, meaning one could be writing the paper’s opening, another the body and a third the conclusion, all at the same time.
“They can help each other, which is more assistance than I can provide,” McFarland said. “It’s that collaborative nature that I like a lot, and the district isn’t paying any money to use these servers. It’s all free and will be — knock on wood — forever.”
McFarland created a Facebook page in the days running up to Franklin’s exam week, where his students had the ability to pose questions about homework or review session times.
“I check it almost every time I get on,” said Emily Simpson, a 17-year-old senior in McFarland’s AP history class.
“It definitely feels different in there, but in a good way,” she said of McFarland’s classroom. “It makes you feel like you’re learning at a faster rate.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or asedlak@coxohio.com.
MY THOUGHTS
any takers? i'm thinking. i'm thinking. i like the idea. just don't know yet how i can do the same.
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