Technology is wonderful when it works. When it malfunctions, however, it can cause more trouble than we ever thought.
Each week my students have the option to participate in an online discussion that takes place on our class Facebook page. I introduce the topic on Sunday afternoons. Students then must respond to my post by midnight on Friday and respond to one other student by noon on Sunday.
Last Wednesday a student sent me a message that he was unable to respond on Facebook because he kept getting a message to try again. For the next two days, many students sent me the same message, sometimes attaching the response that they were unable to post.
Instead of sitting back and simply monitoring the discussion, I had to post replies and field student complaints and concerns. A couple of hours ago I closed the week’s discussion and posted the new discussion topic.
I sure hope this week’s discussion goes smoothly. We are discussing our favorite and our least favorite Super Bowl commercials.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Edie Parrott
2 comments on this topic
7. February - 4:33 pm
The story of my life. Hope this message goes through.
7. February - 5:16 pm
Thanks, Kelly! I’m glad someone else knows the frustration.
7. February - 6:57 pm
We are a 1:1 computer school. By Friday’s deadline, no less than 7 of my students needed a “swap,” and forgot to save their final projects to the safe drive. Every day I have to fight kids on playing games, using proxy servers, and emailing/im’ing each other. Digital natives my fanny. More like digital romper room. I’m relieved we don’t use Facebook – because I would be on it all day.
I love the technology, and integrate it well; however, I still love the composition books for their archival, always at the ready mode. Except when they need a pencil.
Sigh.