Transforming and Amplifying Student Learning

The overall goal of this inquiry project was to transform and amplify my students learning through the use of technology. In my school we have a laptop program wherein more than 60% of my students own their own computer. The other 40% have a laptop provided by the school for them to use. We have been very lucky in the last couple of years to have a 1-1 ratio for computer to student. This presents a unique situation when it comes to technology- how do you use it in ways that will amplify and/or transform the students learning.

Quite often the laptops are used in more of a replacement purpose. For example, instead of reading about a topic in the book- kids use the Internet to find the information through set assignments. This is the lowest level of technology use. I see the majority of teachers in my building using technology this way. I too often use it in this way because it is easier. However, with taking on this project I wanted to see how using the blog would change the learning of my students.

Now that the project is completed I have been sorting throug the tons of data I have collected. The ways that my student's learning was amplified- meaning, made deeper or made their learning faster, was in the following:
- students participated more
In post surveys 98% of students felt they particpated either the same or more and only 2% felt they participated less; the results were also similar in post interviews which were a little more open on responses so some answers could not be counted; 86% felt they participated more and only 14% the same which makes for a total of 100% participating the same or more and none claiming they particpated less by interview
Students felt they learned more- in interviews and surveys students commented about how their learning was different than in a normal class
- more learning from others occured because of the format of the blog

The ways that students' learning was transformed- meaning it changed completely, they were able to learn in a way different than before, was exhibited in the following ways:
Changing the comfort level students have in sharing with the class
- Surveys showed that prior to blogging only 35% of students felt comfortable sharing their answers all or most of the time where as through blogging 93% of students felt the same or more comfort sharing their thoughts with the class. HUGE improvment!
- The comments in interviews and in the written portion of the surveys also echoed these feelings
Feeling that the learning involved using the blog:
- was fun 19% of those interviewed and 74% in the post-survey
- allowed them to learn more from others 11% of interviewed and 70% of surveys
- allowed them to share more often 32% of interviews and 60% of surveys

Finally, the environment of the classroom was transformed as well. The classrooom truly became student centered. I was really just a facillitator. I would add things to think about in discussion and give them some basic direction each day but beyond that I was able to step back and allow them to learn from each other. It was amazing how the level of focus within the classroom changed!!! During blogging it was often very quiet because they were into what they were posting, or reading and commenting on other people's posts. Students also shared through their surveys and interviews that they felt better about contributing through the use of the blog than they did during a regular discussion. They also participated so much more with the blog!

This has truly been an eye opening experience for me. I love how my classroom changed and how so many of my students that usually don't have a voice in the everyday dicussions found their voice. It has brought up some other questions and ideas for how I can continue to use blogs in the future.