"I have always imagined that Paradise will be some kind of library." ~ Jorge Luis Borges

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Using new ways to learn about the AUP and practicing constructive feedback.

Acceptable Use Policy
We all teach it, but what do students learn?

I have spent the last few years teaching from this poster:

I think the students get it, but I don't think they own it.

This year, I decided to try a different tact.  I created an Animoto video.  
It is still a work in progress, but from initial feedback from students and informal assessments, I think I am on the right track. The engagement was higher and the discussions were better and more dynamic.  I am hoping they have learned more about and and taken more ownership of our AUP. They are signing this pledge now as well:
About that initial feedback? It was powerful.  There was some hesitation at the start, but after some coaxing on my part, the students became thoughtful and constructive viewers and learners. "I am interested in what you have to say," I told them. They were empowered and took their role seriously. 

Here are some of their comments:

"I liked the way you made it positive."

"There were too many pictures"

"You repeated the phrase 'respect all learners' many times"

"You should add a few 'please don't' statements"

"You might want to include the consequences."

"It would be good to show how students know the difference between what to do and what not to do."

"The words in the background are distracting."

"I think you should define what the AUP is."

"Spell out the term AUP."

"It was too fast."

I took all these comments, as well as the others, into consideration and edited the movie.  What you see above is the latest iteration.

Check it out and share your feedback.  I am interested in what you have to say.

4 comments:

  1. Great idea and I loved the way you used student feedback to improve your teaching

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Jen I love your edited version. I used this last year. It brings our AUP to life. I did not think of asking kids for their feedback, but this time I would show both and ask for their opinion about which one got the point across better. I think maybe the answer from your students indicates that a combination is best! Discussion is definitely necessary and maybe a ticket out. The only thing I would include in the video that I did not see is students engaging with iPads. I already added your edited version to our resources! Thanks for working hard to continue this work.

    ReplyDelete