Technology as a Forum
for Presentation
It is important for students to share work. When, in class, we have the ability to share our writing, math, projects, etc., we have increased buy-in and interest in the quality of complete work. This is the reason we pin up well edited student work, have open house, and create portfolios.
New technology, such as file sharing and other examples throughout this site, allow students to always have a sense of audience. If they don't get an opportunity to share work with classmates they can post work to the web and share with family, friends, and even experts in a given field from any distance. In this way, there can always be an emphasis on quality and/or thought in their work. I've tried to incorporate as many quality examples of such student work as I could throughout this site, listed below are some great ones!
Listed below are just a few links to abstracts of scholarly articles that relate internet usage and sharing to intrinsic motivation:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewContentItem
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=346981
Examples of Student Work on the 'net:
ThinkQuest is an international competition where student teams engage in collaborative, project based learning to create educational websites. The winning website for students 12 and under in 2008 was Time for Tolerance (as seen to the left. All the winners were super awsome - check them out!
Students at one school created an illustrated alphabet to review from home. The motivation to review their letters increased due to the impact of viewing thier own work.
There are millions more pages to explore and create!
Digital Presentation:
This site is one of many teacher made sites that present student work in a virtual art gallery.
Specifically, students at Fairland Elementary were asked to paint a portrait, write a biography, and create a voice narration. This integration of products allows students to develop many standards-based skills while focusing on a single project. This is learning at the highest level - without even being aware of it! Utilizing technology is the ONLY way so many elements can come together in a repeatable manner. The publication of the site probably increased student enthusiasm for the project, as well as added a sense of importance to it. The above screenshot is also linked to the following site.
Click on the link and the pictures to see how the class project is interdisciplinary:
http://www.towson.edu/csme/mctp/StudentProjects/DigitalVillage/index.html
Sharing Through Tech is Beneficial for Parents, Too!
The benefits of posting student work to the internet goes beyond the classroom. It allows parents easy, fast, and enduring access to their child's class community, projects, and ideas/understandings. Plus, they can in turn share with family and friends!
My Sharing: Masters in Education Thesis
As motivation for my own learning I've contributed my scholarly work to the internets. Just knowing my work is available to so many people is motivating my usually lethargic perfectionism. :) Below is a link to a copy of my thesis. It is a definite "work-in-progress"! (Also on PBL page.)
| the_theory_of_constructivism.doc |