We all must have stories of the massive failure of a lesson because of a technology problem; the projector bulb burnt out, the network is down, my computer won't read the file on my flash drive, etc., you know, all of those things that anti-tech teachers use as ammunition whenever you mention the word computer!? I had another one of those this week.
Last semester I designed a Personal Finance hybrid class for a project in a Distance Education course. The timing of this course in our program was perfect as I was building a course I was about to teach for the first time beginning in this new semester on our new SchoolFusion website that I was "testing out" in order to help other staff learn. I have been so excited to finally put this project to use, and through the first week and a half of class my students seemed to really be both enjoying it and getting a lot out of the way I had set it up. I was flying high, loving every minute of my 7th hour.
Our first test was scheduled for Wednesday, and I had written the test in the test builder on our SchoolFusion class page. We were going to go paperless for tests. Students logged in, loaded their tests, and began working... awesome! All of a sudden a student points out that the instant feedback was telling him that his answer was incorrect and that he had chosen an answer that wasn't even an option to select. I thought it was odd and that I must have made an input error. Slight problem. As I began my way over to let everyone else know that they may encounter a problem, another student points out the same problem on another question. Starting to sweat! Before I knew it, every one of my students was having the same issue. Bomb!! Apparently when numerous tests are being submitted from the same network address at the same time, the system has a hard time keeping track of who answered which question with which answer choice and starts giving Student A feedback that matches Student B's answer, but to the fifteenth degree. Sorting through the item by item results was pretty hilarious. "Correct" answers made no sense for the questions. "How much interest is earned on an investment of x at a rate of y over z years?" --- False --- Correct! After resetting the test for each student and having them complete it either at home or at a different time the following day alleviated the problem, but it looks like my ambitious venture has found a flaw in our system and we might have to use those trusty #2's for awhile longer.
On a positive note, I was amazed at the way my students reacted. No one freaked out, no one lost it, no one complained; they all just accepted it as a glitch in technology, and that was ok with them. I think they may have been surprised to see me not freaking out (noticeably) as well. It was a good example of how students are used to technology, and they get it. Maybe some teachers should start learning a thing or two from our students.
I, too, have a paperless math lab. When I first tell my fifth graders not to bring their pencils because we don't use paper, they have that intial look of "Great, no paper and pencils." Their looks immediately transform to puzzlement because how on earth are we going to solve math problems without writing utensils. They believe I have lost my marbels. I then proceed to tell them it is a technology math lab and explain what that means.
ReplyDeleteObviously, we need to figure out some equations, and when that happens, we have white boards and markers. While they perform the same function as a pencil, in the mind of a student, they are completely different.
I must say, I enjoy reading your blogs each week they are becoming very entertaining. Justin I love how you expose your teachable moments for the rest of us to learn from. I think your student will benefit from your teaching experiences rather it goes well on the first try or not. What you bring to the classroom is amazing and I hope you continue your journey because it will inspire not only your stdents but other teachers as well.
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