Frustration sets in!

I am absolutely struggling with my PD! I am providing my children with engaging, challenging activities in mathematics. Check.
I am assessing through inviting comments on the class blog. Check.
I am taking anecdotal records and photographic evidence of my class totally engaed in a maths task. Check.
The mathematical discussions that I am hearing are absolutely mind blowing. Check.
The students are telling me that maths is their new favourite subject. Check.

Why then are my results on the topic test so poor? Does anyone have any ideas? is there anyone that could take a look at my topic tests and tell me where I'm going wrong? I really need some help from my team mates here.

Another way of expressing ourselves

Found another Web2.0 tool which allows us to express thinking & learning. (It puts a face to a comment). Here is my first attemt at reflecting on the 'blog phenomena' at school. (sorry about the washing in the background)

Can the 'blog' sustain us?

This cartoon got me thinking about blogs. We really are looking to find 'meaning' . That is the first task. The blog then becomes the 'medium' to make it happen. It keeps in perspective that we are all lifelong learners and ICT provides the tools to enhance this journey!
I'm starting to understand that the medium & the message merge together when we use web2.0 tools. The thinking I use to create a post is just as valuable as the final product! When others comment that provides another opportunity to synthesise and evaluate my thinking.

MORE TOOLS FOR ENGAGEMENT

This is a great tool that could be used by the children to share what they know with others, present a timeline of events, reflect on the meaning of scripture through pictures, or to simply present a story they wish to tell using audio and video.
The site does everything for you all you have to do is upload the images and add some music
Type animoto into google its the first listing. HAVE A GO - this is so ADDICTIVE and engaging.

Janine

Improving student outcomes...what a team!

This arvo the mighty B team got together. What a wonderful 2 hours of sharing. We each shared our project and the strategies we are attempting to improve student outcomes. Teachers shared ideas, frustrations, questions, breakthroughs with certain children, technology tips, resources and passion for making a difference. We filled the staff room with 'talk on learning', of our students and our own. It was a privilege to be with such professional and passionate educators!! Maybe we have rediscovered on how we can work smarter rather than harder with the help of our colleagues.
My role is to continue to challenge people to keep their eye on the 'main game' .... improving student outcomes and to show to ourselves and each other that we are making a difference to the HFS students. I go to bed tonight a contented principal zzzzzzz

DISCOVERY

Robyn, Luke, Kate and Janine recently attended a Maths 300 cluster meeting. During this time we were introduced to an extremely useful link on staffnet. The site provides online tututorials that explain many of the Web2.0 programs that we are using in the classrooms with the students and also discovering ourselves. The tutorials are available in both Mac and PC formats.

http://www.atomiclearning.co.uk/tutorials

GENESIS - IN THE BEGINNING

Well, well, well here we are sharing a hot beverage and some thoughts with our team. I am still unsure of exactly what it is I wish to achieve with my learners. I have so many thoughts racing through my mind that it is difficult to decide which of these thoughts and ideas I want to go with.
FOCUS - FOCUS - FOCUS.
I think my main FOCUS is going to be the engagement of the children - that is I want their learning to be meaningful - connected to their own life. I want to create a learning environment that allows children and myself to be committed to, interested in, responsible for and reflective of our learning. If I create learning experiences that are engaging I am hopeful that the achievement of learning outcomes for the children will be enhanced.
FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS
We all need to reflect on our learning - so I think the idea of a reflective learning log is worthwhile - I need to be careful though that the log itself does not represent just another TASK to be completed because the teacher said so. Even the log needs to presented in a way which encourages and interests the children.
FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS
So now I am back to beginning how do we engage children in their learning - what is it they need and want to know????? Learning needs to be connected to their lives outside of our little classroom at HF. Learning needs to inspire thinking - meaningful, useful and COOL thinking.

I'm so confused - too many thoughts too few neurons.

FOCUS-FOCUS-FOCUS

Janine