If you watched Mark Pesce's presentation mentioned in the previous post, you may be wondering how to capitalise on the hyper connectivity that students now take for granted. This video clip from Abilene Christian University in Texas may stimulate some ideas.While this video clip is set in a university context, there are ideas here that could be adapted for high schools. Perhaps we can't yet give iPhones to all out students but we might be able to provide more information for students on our websites so that students can access it online. This would be especially relevant for schools considering the introduction of 1 to 1 laptop programs.
Do we communicate with students or parents by SMS and/or MSN? Do we even communicate by email? Do we provide our contact details to students? I have found that my students appreciate the opportunity to email me questions and drafts of assignments rather than trying to do this at school, where everybody is busy most of the time. I like it better too, not only because I am busy at school but because it is easier for me to email the answers or comments back than to find the student at school.
Brabazon (2002) commented on the impatience of some students in a tertiary online setting who expected instant email responses and became unhappy when she was not available after hours to respond to their questions. My students are younger and perhaps they are more patient. I told them when I am typically available for questions and they seem happy with that. I have not had students abusing this privilege or sending me unpleasant messages.
Brabazon, T. (2002) Digital Hemlock: Internet Education and the Poisoning or Education. UNSW Press.
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