I think the key item now for me is to actually try to implement this in a real-life classroom setting. For me, success is whether or not the teachers use it. I think the kids will. It's the teachers I'm worried about. And, because they already feel like the school switched platforms on them without input (IT, too for that matter!), I think it's a sensitive time to push anything else that is new, without their input. Nevertheless, now that MACs are here, they need to embrace it. So, I can come in with a possible solution like this.
If I could redo the project, I would get the founders of the Skritter involved from the upfront. I didn't realize until at least half way through the project that it's a band of 4 guys who went to college together and working out of a small office. Essentially this is a start-up company, one that could use some mass-acceptance like an actual trial run in a bilingual school such as mine. They are very responsive to feedback and keen to make this work for schools. So, if I were to implement this for real, I would ask for the following modifications to the program. I know it sounds like a lot, but I work with programmers all day long modifying the user experience of websites. I think this is very doable!
Top 3 suggestions for refinement of Skritter for classroom use:
- Enable group accounts: Re-program site so that 1 user can set up logins for a full class. This enables a teacher/tech resource to create 1 master view for the teacher to more efficiently manage custom vocabulary lists.
- Enable group evaluation. Create a view so that the teacher could have access to each students' evaluation metrics. Skritter already provides for each of her students, but letting a teacher see how all the students fair in comparison enables her/him to have better perspective on what is difficult for the entire class.
- Add in more explanations on the history of words and fun tips to help students remember characters. Including such tips in a multimedia format would be very ideal, since it may touch on additional learning styles.
Good luck on your implementation! This project could really make a big difference for your students! It was great working with you.
ReplyDeleteI dislike it when school districts do that! A couple of years ago, we lost access to free interactive learning sites. We had to get approval by way of the IT department - which took ages to do. On another note ~ Have you shared these ideas with the guys? I'm sure that they would appreciate the feedback and suggestions for improvement from a classroom teacher. Ideas for change, such as yours, will make the tool more school friendly - and will hopefully bring in more customers. Some way of visually tracking student progress, would be nice too. I'm thinking a bar graph or line graph of some sort.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas for the people of Skritter!They would be smart to listen to you. As you pointed out, people respond best when they feel they have input. If they want to market a great product, you (as a teacher and a Chinese language teacher/speaker) are one of the greatest resources they could ask for!!! Good luck to you in your big move!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay...I swore I had posted this last week but don't see it up here. Mary- I LOVE your persistence with Skritter! I hope they realize that your suggestions are really going to improve their company! I think you have a great idea with the group evaluation and letting the teacher see the results. It reminds me a bit of when I test drove DreamBox Math with my class, they allow the teacher to log on and view all of the students stats and see how they did as individuals and as a class. I loved that feature! Of course, we had to end the program after the free period was over. Good luck to you as you pursue this further and blessings on your move!
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