Assignment #9: Haiku Lesson and Learning Management Systems

This week, we learned to use Haiku Learning, a Learning Management System (LMS). This is not entirely new to us. We have been using Laulima since we started the program. In fact, I was introduced to Laulima in 2010 when I was in the English program at UH-Manoa. However, even though we have been using this tool for a while now, I did not know that it was an LMS.

An LMS is a computer-based tool that integrates lesson planning, assessments, record keeping, class discussion posts, etc. It can be a very useful tool because it keeps the different aspects of teaching in one place. It is also useful to students because again, everything is in one place. If a student loses their homework planner, no biggie, it's on the site. If a student is bursting to share their insights on the reading assignment, they can post their thoughts immediately instead of waiting for their next class session.

Using Haiku was a real joy. Sometimes, the tools we discover take some time and teeth-grinding effort to figure out. Haiku was easy to use. I was able to piece together a lesson for my teachers in less than an hour. I plan to use Haiku to improve our weekly teacher meetings. Just like any other flipped learning class, the teachers will be given links to various media to introduce them to the topic for the week. I am requiring them to post their thoughts to Haiku and to respond to other teachers' posts to help them start thinking about the topic. By the time we meet, they will be ready to discuss the topic in more depth and they will be better prepared for the challenges that I will propose. Because, really, what is the point of teacher improvement if they are not challenged to put their learning into practice.

Check out what I plan to have my teachers do for our first Haikulearning lesson. I can't wait to get my teachers' feedback and see how our weekly teacher meetings improve.

I'm flipping teacher in-service!!!