In praise of sticky notes
Wednesday, August 20th by carlaWe were studying cognates, and I had asked students to identify where certain languages were spoken. I projected a world map using Powerpoint, and my plan was to add a dot of color to the slide each time a student showed me a language’s homeland. The resulting visual would help students understand the geography of Indo-European languages.
Since most students were ready at about the same time, however, I ended up with a line at my desk as they waited for me to add their dot to the slide. The result was wasted instructional time. Not good. I needed a better idea, and I needed it before second period started.
Enter sticky notes.
How did I ever teach without sticky notes? They hold reminders around my computer screen. They carry unofficial editorial comments on papers I send to the office. Folded in half, they make good emergency bookmarks, and we use them in class to respond to reading. I always have a supply in my desk drawer.
In second period I projected the world map again. This time students wrote the name of their language on a sticky mini and stuck it in the appropriate location on the projector screen. When we were finished, a line of yellow stretched from Iceland to Calcutta.
Lesson saved.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
That was a great idea since the entire class was involved. Around our classroom sticky notes and “flags” get used individually. Each computer monitor or keyboard has notes stuck on it to remind students how to use the Express Scribe transcription files or how to use the Shift/F3 keys for upper and lower case changes. It doesn’t take long for the “short cuts” to go from our lab to all the classrooms. It is neat to see these people learn to use something that even impresses their children. They always come back with a grin to tell me that they were able to help their children with their computer. From techno illiterate to techno geek is a short path with a few little helpers like sticky notes.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Nice,
A pedagogically appropriate use of technology! Computers/software can be pretty seductive and I’ve seen instructors pulled down a worm-hole trying to use them.
As your example shows, sometimes simpler is far better.
Roger…