1. February 20, 2008 Presenters: Todd Meckley Michelle Krill

2.  Education: Master of Science Degree in School Administration from McDaniel College, Westminster, Maryland. Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies from East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.  Teaching Experience: Ten [10] Years Teaching Social Studies at South Western High School, Hanover, PA.  Other: Social Studies Department Chairperson

3.  See Course Syllabus for Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics.Course Syllabus for Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics

4.  What importance do Blogs and Moodle play in classroom instruction.  How has my classroom instruction changed since Blogs and Moodle?  What are some ideas for integrating Blogs and Moodle into daily classroom lessons?

5.  Teachers can post class-related information such as calendars, events, homework assignments, rubrics, and other pertinent class information.  Communicate with administrators, other teachers, parents, community members, and/or anyone else interested in what students are doing in the classroom.  Post prompts for writing that students can access at school or at home.  Provide online readings for your students to read, research and react.

6.  Invite student comments or postings on issues in order to give them an opportunity to develop a writing voice.  Create a dynamic teaching tool, posting not only class- related information, but also events/activities, discussion topics, links to additional information about topics students are studying in class, and suggested/selected readings to inspire learning.  Make use of commenting features to have students publish messages on topics (thereby giving them an opportunity to practice giving constructive feedback).  IT IS EASY AND FREE!

7.  No confidentiality when students post their comments.  It is sometimes difficult to stay on task when communicating with classmates.  The worldwide audience may scare them from posting their thoughts and/or opinions.

8.  While we continue to do a good job teaching our students how to consume content (reading), we must also be teaching them how to think reflectively and produce valuable informational products (writings). Blogs and Moodle are viable and accessible opportunities available to all teachers.

9. ThenNow I typically posted student homework assignments on the chalkboard or whiteboard. Student assignments are posted on Mr. Meckley’s Blog allowing students to access the information outside of class. Absent students had no way of knowing what they missed during class until the next day. Students who miss class can now access a class synopsis via Gcast on Mr. Meckley’s Blog. Students had few ways of sharing their understanding, thoughts, and opinions about readings they completed in classStudents had few ways of sharing their understanding, thoughts, and opinions about readings they completed in class. [partner discussion] Students can now post their thoughts and feelings on the Mr. Meckley’s Blog or Moodle. [class discussion]

10. ThenNow Typically, feedback on quizzes and examinations was delayed for students and teachers. Feedback on test and quizzes is instant for students and teacher. [Moodle: Q and A Forum] Discussion of important concepts between students and teacher ordinarily ended at the conclusion of class. Discussion of important concepts between students and teacher continue outside of class…even into the weekend. Students lacked motivation to read newspapers, magazines, textbooks, or other classroom resources. Students are excited to research topics using the Internet and then posting their findings on the Blog or Moodle.

11.  Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 1] Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 1]  Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 2] Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 2]  Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 4] Problems and Issues in Politics and Economics – [Period 4]