Forum OpenACS Q&A: Re: How can I use dotLRN for a kindergarden?

2: Re: How can I use dotLRN for a kindergarden? (response to 1)

Posted by Caroline Meeks on 04/22/03 07:50 PM

Hi Alex,

I'll think about this and post a reply within a day or so. My first thought is that every adult should have thier own account (each mom, dad, grandparent, teacher, etc.) with thier own hopefuly preexisting email address then you should use dotLRN to create a customized view that gives them the info they need about thier children (remember a parent may have more then one child, even in the same grade.) This "user centric" approach has been at the heart of dotLRN since it was a Master's Thesis project.

If you can answer, here are some questions:

1. How many kindergarten classes are in the school?
2. Does the school have more then just kindergarten?
3. What percentage of the parents do you think currently have email addresses that they already check regularly?
4. Are you anticipating the children are going to use the system at all?
5. Will the teachers be accessing the system from home or shcool or both?
6. Will specialist teachers be using the system (ie gym, art etc.)
7. Is there a need for non-teachers to communicate with specific student's parents (for example, special needs programs, pull out reading groups).

I'm excited to see dotLRN being used for K-12 I think it has great potential for exactly the sort of use you are describing.

3: Re: How can I use dotLRN for a kindergarden? (response to 2)

Posted by Alex Schenkman on 04/22/03 09:02 PM

Thanks for your answer Caroline,

Here are some answers to your questions:

The truth is that I work as a swimming teacher with small kids, and that is the environment I'm thinking about. I said "kindergarden" to make the environment easy to picture. But both are very similar.

1. How many kindergarten classes are in the school?
Many, many. Around 350 courses a year.

2. Does the school have more then just kindergarten?
Swimming classes for adults also, but that is not a problem.

3. What percentage of the parents do you think currently have email addresses that they already check regularly?
All of them, or at least 95%.

4. Are you anticipating the children are going to use the system at all?
Nope. They are very small.

5. Will the teachers be accessing the system from home or shcool or both?
Don't know yet. Problably home.

6. Will specialist teachers be using the system (ie gym, art etc.)

7. Is there a need for non-teachers to communicate with specific
student's parents (for example, special needs programs, pull out reading groups).
Administrative personal, absolutely.