Technology in the
classroom is both a boon and bane for substitute teachers. Although school
districts have policies regarding technology use, often times there rules
change from school to school and even classroom to classroom. It is challenging
for the substitutes to learn all these different policies. Lack of access and
training are two other problems substitutes face. Since all middle schools have
rolled out 1:1 technology, teachers often leave lesson plans for the students
in google classrooms. While it is great that the students are able to work in
the absence of their teacher, substitute teachers don't have access to the
classroom and are not aware of what the students are learning. They are not
able to be of any help to the students. Students often try to pull a fast one
on the substitute by claiming the internet is not working, the instructions are
not complete or by playing games. On the other hand, educational
technology supports innovative teaching. In the absence of lesson plans or when
lesson plans don't cover the whole class period, substitutes are able to pull
up some interesting interactive educational games that require whole class
participation and keep the students interested and engaged.
My question to
classroom teachers would be - What do you think about giving your substitute
teachers access to your google classroom?
Once I'm using Google Classroom regularly, I think I'd be comfortable giving a substitute access. I feel that a substitute can't do the job effectively unless he or she has the information necessary. That's why I give information about how to find extra paper, how to troubleshoot my pencil sharpener, and which of my students are newcomers and have very little English. For the same reason, I'd give a substitute access unless it was specifically prohibited (I don't think it is.). My only concern is that often when I put in for a sub, I don't know who the sub is until much later--I think some subs take the specialist jobs after they know other jobs are filled. So if I don't know who the person is, I can't share information with them unless I happen to be online and tracking that on frontline.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the educational games. I think if you know what sites are allowed, they can be a great time-filler if kids get done early or in the case of an emergency where a teacher didn't leave sufficient plans.
Melissa Eaton
With substitutes that I know I do give out my Google password. I try to get the same substitute each time I am absent and he is familiar with my students and curriculum. I trust him so I give him my password. Unfortunately, I would not be comfortable giving my password to all substitutes. The reason is that I am the gifted teacher and some parents want so desperately to get their students into the program. Giving my Google password out would mean all of my Google Drive would be accessible. My lesson plans, curriculum, and even test scores would be available to the person with the password. It is sad to say, but I would not trust some people with this information.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that it would be helpful for substitute teachers to have access to Classroom, but not being a teacher I'm sure there are some factors I'm not considering. I suppose it would depend on what kind of student info he/she might then have access to, and whether there are any privacy concerns with that? Otherwise, I definitely think having access would make for a better learning environment and more productive class for the students. I don't know too much about classroom yet, but I wonder if there's a way that access can be limited, so substitutes can get what they need without worrying about any privacy concerns.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great question! I generally know the substitute that is taking over my class for the day, so I wouldn't have a problem sharing my Google Classroom password. I would hesitate to pass that information on to a substitute that I am not yet familiar with. This is simply because there is confidential information in my Google Drive concerning students. Some substitute teachers have children in the District. I want to be certain that my student's confidentiality is protected.
ReplyDelete