20% FT4L Trial Project with year 8s: 9 April 11

Here's a brief summary of student participation in the  20% FT4L trial so far.

BTW, one student has decided to participate after at first declining the invitation.

1. Author study of Stephenie Meyer
2. Comic versions of a project on Australia for another subject (S&E)
3. Web sites: one on class novel, the other on cars and motorbikes
4. Dance video choreographed by two students with help from two other students
5. Comic on the game "The Sims 3"
6. Comic about Stickmen
7. Filmed interviews of Dance teachers: two groups of students in the school Dance Club
8. Filmed interviews of fellow students

Example interview questions:

1. How long have you been dancing for?
2. What is your favourite thing about dancing?
3. What does dancing mean to you?
4. What's your favourite style of dance?
5. Have you always loved dancing?
6. Would you want dancing to be part of your career?
7. Have you had any injuries whilst dancing?
8. Have you ever stuffed up on stage?, If yes, did you keep going?
9. Have you got any tips for people who would like to start dancing?

Also

1. What does dance mean to you?
2. Who inspired you?
3. Do you have a favourite dancer? If yes whom & why?
4. Would you like to take a career in Dance?
5. If yes, what type of dance career, such as a teacher, performer, etc?
6. If no to a dance career, what do you see yourself becoming or doing?
7. How old were you when you started to take an interest in dance?
8. What is your favourite type of dance?
9. What is your least favourite type of dance?
10. What’s your favourite dance music?
11. Would you like to be on So You Think You Can Dance?
12. Have you been in any competitions? If yes, what place did you get?
13. Have you ever had stage fright? If yes, who helped you overcome it?
14. Do you still do dance lessons? If yes, how many hours do you practice/dance a week?
15. Have you had a dance injury? If yes, how many and which ones took longer to overcome?
16. Have you ever done a routine with lifts? If yes, have you ever been dropped?
17. For the people who have an interest in dance and would like to start a dance career, what would you say to them?

Class Facebook space

Over half the students have parental permission to join the class Facebook space.

One parent has emailed for clarification and also given support for the 20% FT4L trial.

About half the students seem already to be on Facebook.

All students meet the Facebook condition of being at least 13 years of age.

Decided to follow up the level of student and parent support for the class Facebook space with more information about joining the class Facebook group and getting a non-school email address. Documentation available - email if interested.

Used this as an opportunity to discuss Cyber Safety, especially regarding the amount of identifying information to disclose e.g., date of birth and address.

Next, we had a class discussion about 809 English Facebook space especially the class Setting which is Secret. Only the members of the group - this English class and a few teachers - can see the group, who's in it and what members post and no-one-else!

First stage is for students to join Facebook, if they aren't already members.

Opportunity to repeat class notes about Cyber Safety.

Next, student needs to become a friend of the teacher.

Some students were worried about being a friend of the teacher because of privacy concerns. Teacher also was concerned about this.

Strategy suggested of being a temporary friend for as long as it takes to become a member of the group and then removing the student from the list of Friends.

Next, teacher adds the student as a member of the 809 English group and then removes the student from the list of friends BUT the student remains as a member of English group.


Finally, as the teacher, I'm starting to realise the implications of this trial project being open-ended. Unlike any other class project, there is no deadline to work toward, apart from when the student is ready to share.