LMS reactions

Blog: Share on your blog your impressions and/or reactions to building your LMS…consider the following: Is an LMS good to have? Should everyone have a LMS? What constraints are you experiencing in designing your LMS? Does an LMS help “Flip” your classroom? What are your thoughts?

I am a bit confused about building this LMS.  I understand that this will be a place for students to work collaboratively online such as this class but I am finding it difficult to create for my first grade students.  In all honesty I do not think this will benefit the students in my classroom.  I think that my first grade students are going to need the help of a parent to access the LMS.  Another hurdle is the students in my classroom do not have access to a computer or internet connection at home. This is not something they can easily check nightly or even weekly.  As of right now the parents in my classroom have a difficult time helping their children complete the written homework.  Many of my parents do not read or speak English so my students are completing or trying to complete their homework independently.  I hate to sound negative at this idea but I just don't think that this could realistically work with my students.  (Although I am willing to try it and hope to surprise myself!)  I do think that this would be something students who are in 3rd grade and above may be able to handle independently.  

I also understand that this is something that I could have my students use at school, and that is most likely how I will design it.  I plan on trying to use it and implement it with a writing lesson.  I am still trying to figure out how this can best meet the needs of my students.  Any recommendations would be helpful! 

Check out my Online Learning Map

This week I created an Online Learning Map using exam time.  I teach first grade so I tried to think of what my students would actually be capable of doing at this point in the school year.  I decided that google offered a few kid friendly ways to communicate in an online classroom.  I think that my students would need the help of an adult to help them write an email or formulate their questions through google hang out. I also think that their typing would be a slow process.  It would be a big adjustment for my students.  Students will however be able to access videos and games that will support the curriculum.  I also plan on having students complete web quests, which they would be able to do with little support.  I am going to continue to search of other kid friendly ways of communicating in an Online Classroom for 6-7 year olds.