Comments for huffenglish.com

Comment on Digital Learning Day at the Worcester Academy Library by Leslie Shiflet (@leslieshiflet)

Leslie Shiflet (@leslieshiflet) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:44:58 +0000

Dana,
Thank you so much for your response. I think the project you mentioned would be excellent! Like I said before, I love anything that gets my students excited to read, and interaction between the students and the school subjects is a great way to do that. I teach at a high school, where it is often hard to get students excited about anything. I think I will try to implement your ideas here!

Comment on Digital Learning Day at the Worcester Academy Library by Dana Huff

Dana Huff — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 15:13:15 +0000

Hi Leslie. We looked at the websites suggested, but honestly, there was not a great deal of evaluation on our parts because the kids did a good job picking websites. There are many reasons for that—we have a school culture that has high expectations of our students, and they generally rise to meet those expectations. I think they knew that the websites needed to offer quality material.

As to how to implement it in your classroom or library, one way you can try is a scavenger hunt. The possibilities are endless. All you really need are devices that can read QR codes, and you are all set. One project a former colleague used to do was to have students create artwork that illuminated a piece of writing they did. The students’ writing was shared in a Google Doc, and next to the art display, there was a QR code that led to the Google Doc writing piece. Our art teacher had students video each other discussing their art and their thinking processes, uploaded the videos to YouTube, and placed QR codes next to the artwork in the hallways so that when parents came for the art show, the exhibits were interactive.

Comment on Digital Learning Day at the Worcester Academy Library by Leslie Shiflet (@leslieshiflet)

Leslie Shiflet (@leslieshiflet) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:43:10 +0000

I am fairly new to integrating technology into schools. I must say that I’m amazed by this use of QR codes in the library! I can see how the QR codes make the books more interactive for the students, and therefore make reading more fun. I am all for anything that gets people interested in reading! I also like how the students have gotten involved with suggesting content for the codes. I would be interested to know how the websites used were evaluated and chosen, and any further information you could give about how I could implement this in my English classroom, and/or my school’s library.

Comment on What is This Test Measuring? by Dana Huff

Dana Huff — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:43:16 +0000

Dave, I used the study materials on the website, but I also studied circuit analysis. I would recommend you do the same. I managed to pass with no trouble, but most of the test consisted of questions that are completely irrelevant to technology instructors.

Comment on What is This Test Measuring? by Dave S.

Dave S. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:32:43 +0000

I have the same concerns. What are people using to study for this exam?

Comment on Diigo Links (weekly) by Polish translators

Polish translators — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 08:34:10 +0000

Good links. Thanks for the ideas for classes

Comment on In the Wake of Tragedy by healigan

healigan — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 02:49:51 +0000

I, too, have some personal experience with those in the autism spectrum, and teach several children on the spectrum. This event had nothing to do with autism. I spent last week at school hyper-alert to any change in the behavior of students towards my autistic students. Children know better, and I worried for no reason. Wish adults were as honorable and intelligent.

Comment on In the Wake of Tragedy by Liz

Liz — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 02:08:28 +0000

Hear, hear. I would just like to add that anyone who would ever characterize any group of children as “sick f—s” is committing a form of violence against children. I have taught many children with high functioning autism/Aspergers from grades 6-12, and without exception, they are not more prone to committing violence than any other children I’ve taught. The sad fact is, however, that they are more susceptible to misunderstanding, bullying and stereotyping than other children. To empathize or at least try to understand is our innate obligation to one another. Discriminatory thinking about any group of people must stop if we want to create a safe, humane world for all children, even the ‘normal’ ones. Schools can be the breeding ground for this positive change via programs such as Rachel’s Challenge instead of the arena for marginalization. And let’s please face the facts: that school, as well as home, is where this must take place if we are to change society for the better.

Comment on Handouts by Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:33:57 +0000

You have the students place names of other students (they would agree to write each other for 3 o’clock, for example). Then, the teacher would say, partner with your 3 o’clock buddy for an activity or discussion piece.

Comment on Handouts by Ragan

Ragan — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 15:25:30 +0000

I have frequented your site many years now for insight and inspiration, and I want to thank you. I’ve been teaching for 5 years, and I’m at a new school in a new grade this year (10th), and huffenglish is still one of the first places I go when planning a new unit. I hope to someday pay it forward.