I am in the midst of one of the most “interesting” projects I have ever hosted.
The Holiday Card Exchange Project — http://www.jenuinetech.com/Projects/hce09/hce09information.htm
Main objective is two fold
1. To bring a unique way of teaching geography to your students
2. To share some holiday cheer
It is a simple project. You are teamed with 24 other schools and you and your students create and mail one card to each school on your list. When each card arrives, you and your students map it. Grins, of course there is a bit more — but that is it in a nutshell.
The first year 312 classrooms signed up. The second year had 282. As of this morning, we have 708 registered so far.
It has been a hard project this year due to silly things. Excel drops off the 0 in zipcodes if it is the first number. People typed in wrong zip codes (okay, I even did that). Lots of bouncing emails due to some schools blocking my @gmail.com account.
It has been a hard project this year due to user error. In other words, teachers not reading directions. I have started to tally the emails I get asking questions about things that are covered on the instruction page and so far I am at 87. Hmmmm……just hmmmmm
But then, I have to step aside and just marvel at what good happens with this project.
1. Teachers are already contacting each other and saying “hey”.
2. Teachers are going to be using skype to connect and those who don’t know how to use skype are being helped by those who do.
3. Google Earth KMZ’s are being created and google maps are being shared and we have 1 huge map at
http://mapalist.com/Public/PublicMapViewerShell.aspx?mapid=72755
4. Teachers are sharing expansion ideas within their groups.
5. One of our teacher’s email’s (in a foreign country) is being blocked so she has worked out a “forwarding option” with a teacher she was able to communicate with.
6. If emails are being blocked, we are using snail mail as well to communicate.
7. Students are showing excitement and anticipation when teachers announce the project.
I have to step back and remember the good — because sometimes the “ickiness” of working a project can become a downer for me. I do want to scream at times “I do this at home in my spare time” but that is just when I let the frustration get to me.
For me, sitting at home in my 700 sq foot apartment, with Mac by my side, and realizing that through the internet I am connecting with people all over the world is a jaw dropping moment.
Silly project — perhaps.
Wonderful project — YEP!!!
So glad I have connected with these teachers — so glad.
Jen
Jen,
I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate all the hard work you put into this project. I am so excited. I told my principal about it and he loved the idea.
Thanks so much!!
It wasn’t until I stumbled across Technospud projects a few years back that I finally moved from “I really should start integrating technology with other subjects” to “I did it!” So, Jen, when the organizing gets tough and we sometimes boggle your mind by doing all those things we tell our students not to do, please remember that we appreciate you, bunches and bunches!!
Reading your post got me thinking in a different way. I recently starting facilitating online courses, and I also managed a fundraiser by working through online dialogue/Google documents. It does get frustrating when you post or send what you think are explicit directions and then you receive requests for help when you know you already provided the information to those requesting help (especially when you receive multiple requests). After I read how you experience the same thing, I started to wonder how prevalent this is. Is it related to personality, learning style, or just “the way we are” when it comes to “digital directions”? I started to wonder if I am the same way. I think we would agree that at least some people would do best with face-to-face live discussions. I am sure most are absolutely competent enough to read through and follow directions, but for some reason, they are not. They are seeing it, but not seeing it. It reminds me of email and how often only some of an email is addressed in a response (I am guilty of doing that occasionally too I will admit.) What a fascinating bit of research this would make. After my recent experiences, and your thoughts, I am beginning to wonder what would make things more effective, if anything, or is this just the way it is. Now that I am thinking about it more, will I pay attention more? If you tell people they will miss things, will they pay attention more? Would video directions help? Do we want to be enablers? Interesting…
Also, I have to say, that I know some teachers who are very new to this kind of project and are quite nervous about jumping in. This is a big deal, and I thank you for continuing to inspire us all! Thank you!!!
Thank you, Jen!! I teach a gifted and talented class and I was a part of the Room with a View project last year. My school administrators as well as parents were so impressed with the project. I even took my project to the GT expo held at Rice University to showcase. I am so excited to be a part of the Holiday Card Exchange. My class has already created a map. Since we have been talking about landforms, we are going to research what landforms each state has.This all would not have been possible without your wonderful ideas!!! Thank you for hosting all these projects and giving us a chance to go above and beyond!!!
Hi Jen! I am teaching an academically talented group of students at my school this year. The program is in it’s first year and I have used several of your projects. I am part of the holiday exchange for the first time and am soooo excited. Thanks for all your work and I love, love, love your projects!
Jen,
You helped me get started with technology projects. You have been the motivational factor. I would like to thank you wholeheartedly!
Thank you!
Jen,
You are such a wonderful mentor to so many of us. I know that you will never really know the number of teachers who you have helped get on the tech bandwagon.
Most of those silly questions probably come from nervous first-timers who what to “get it right”. I am amazed at how many times teachers act in ways that would make them crazy if their own students did the same thing. Talking during presentations, not reading directions, not following directions, and not proofing their work are some of the teacher behaviors that make me crazy. But like you, I take a deep breath, smile, and remember the good that will come at the end of it all.
Thanks for your dedication to these projects that have helped me grow as an educator, and connect with others all around our country and the world.
We love you,
Paula
The card exchange is a big hit in my class. You have spread the holiday cheer and provided me with inspiration. Thanks for all your hard work. I am sure others will follow your example and create outreach projects as well.
This project was a wonderful holiday and geographical welcome to all of my 810 students. They so looked forward to reading all the cards and finding the places on the map. Thanks.