Yesterday I took my students to the tech lab to use Map Maker's Toolkit to create a map of Africa. I gave them a list of 11 things they needed to include on their map. Issues started almost immediately, as did the whining! Our server was being temperamental and not allowing students to log in. Once they could finally log in, they were then having trouble accessing the Internet. Those that got online were having trouble finding the information they needed. When it came time to save the little work they accomplished, we had trouble saving due to the same issues with the server. At the end of the class I told my frustrated fifth graders that tomorrow I was going to give them a piece of paper and an atlas and they were going to accomplish the task this way.
Today at Social Studies I had my papers, pencils, atlases, and the Social Studies text book ready for the kids. Aside from a few reminders on how to use an index and reassuring the few perfectionists that their drawing was good enough, the class went very smoothly. Now I realize this goes against everything I have been learning about and believe in. Once in awhile it is okay to do things the "old fashioned" way.
This lesson could have also been improved had I spent more time in designing it. I could have found useful websites ahead of time. I could also spend time learning Google Earth and then I wouldn't have to depend on Map Maker's Toolkit. This is why reflecting is so important at the end of the day! There are always lessons to be learned and a better way to do it next time.
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