E Learning Reflection

       For my e-learning final project I have decided thus far to create an online collaborative network where teachers from my school can share resources, discuss lessons, and ultimately create a more cohesive school where no two grades repeat or use any of the same picture books/lessons.  This need comes from curriculum development over the summer that I was a part of.  I began my career at Patterson Park Public Charter School as a long term sub, and transitioned to become the full-time teacher in December of that year.  Feeling quite defeated in my efforts to create an organized classroom environment, manage my student's effectively, and plan engaging lessons, I decided I needed to get more involved in the curriculum aspect of the school.  Being a charter school we have autonomy over our curriculum, and over the summer teachers got to take a closer look at the Common Core, other school's lesson plans, compared with our own ideas to create thematic, interdisciplinary units of study for the 2013-2014 school year.  From a reading assessment course I was taking I learned of the 6+1 Traits of Writing curriculum which is often used as an intervention tool for struggling writers.  Last year my school didn't have a writing curriculum and it broke my heart to send my students onto second grade knowing they did not have the writing skills they needed.
     From this need for a more cohesive transition from first to second grade I have decide to use edmodo to create a place where 1st and 2nd grade teachers can share writing resources, post lessons, and connect with the greater writing community across the country to make the writing program stronger.  6+1  traits has gone very well for first grade thus far, and second grade has expressed a need for a more structured program that has resources, is child-friendly, and is creative.  To start, the audience for my project will be first, second, and third grade teachers of writing, but my hope is to use the wonderful "group" tool to create circles of teachers in different domains that can swap ideas and vertically plan online!
       In reading posts on the ELC discussion board about edmodo, its facebook-like features immediately drew me in.  I am connected with almost all the teachers at my school through facebook, that I thought its usability would be helpful in accomplishing my goal of maximum participation.  Also, it allows for a discussion board where people can post resources, comments, even create polls which are great ways to build a community outside of school while also developing a cohesive writing curriculum that spans grade levels.  I also like the fact that teachers from other countries can be connected as well, giving expert advice to our efforts in Baltimore.
        I explored other digital interfaces via the discoveryeducation.com's list of Web 2.0 tools, but none were as user-friendly, and geared towards professional development as edmodo.  I think my knowledge through this course of the various ways content can be presented and discussed (voicethread and photopeach immediately come to mind) will help this initiative be successful in my school.  Being that I helped write the curriculum I have access to most curriculum documents via dropbox.com.  My knowledge of the teachers in my school, as well as my friendly demeanor face to face and in a digital community will help this project be successful.