Day One

Just as planned, we explored wiziq and learned new things about using an online tutoring course. We learned how to give the students control of the lesson. Before giving the students any privileges, they start off only with audio controls, meaning they are only able to hear the teacher. There is a button that the students can push to ask for access to video, microphone and other tools. We also learned how to upload a video from youtube and how to share a screen shot. This sharing of the screen shot tool is very unique and a key tool for this website. We ran into a problem, which we were anticipating. We couldn't figure out how to get my video chat to work. We tried everything to get it to work but couldn't. We tried for hours. We went to a FAQs page where we found out our problem and still couldn't get it to work. Susan tried to help us but couldn't. Due to the fact that Francisco was gone all morning, we couldn't find time in our schedule to ask him to help us with this problem. We were also unable to create a Facebook page because we were blocked from that website. I am satisfied with the progress we made. I'm ready for day two!

New Ideas

Originally, we planned to create a summer program here at Chinquapin to tutor those who fail to get accepted into this school due to their prior education. Most of the time it isn't that they are dumb; instead, it is a lack of care that they are given from their teachers. it seems, nowadays most public teachers aren't concerned with whether or not the children absorb the information. I feel like I have a responsibility to lend them a hand because I know how hard it is to ask for help. I want to make the first move to show them that I really care about them. I thought the best way to do this was through the summer program. My part was to recruit the students, while Cesar was going to get student-teachers. We talked to Ray about hosting the program here at Chinquapin. He said it was a great idea and that we just needed to talk to the residence since this is their home during the summer. Initially, we had our intentions set on this program. Then, one day Susan approached me and asked me to tell her exactly what we had done so far and what we need to do. After telling her, she told me that it is more difficult that just putting an assignment together and expecting them to learn it. We had to know what knowledge they had, their weaknesses, and how to create a curriculum. We had to piece all of this together before starting the program. After talking to her, I felt that this project was more difficult than I imagined. I also felt as if this program was less reasonable to reach.

Several days later, Susan came up to me and told me that she had a new idea for our project. We scheduled a meeting and talked about tutoring online. I did research about it, so I knew what she was talking about. While researching, I noticed that there may be less comfort. I figured upfront tutoring would benefit them by being able to absorb and build a bond of trust. She brought to my attention that a upfront tutoring can be gained after a while of online tutoring. They can build comfort gradually and then meet. She talked to us about an online tutoring website called wiziq. Susan, Cesar and I now all have an account and we explored it a bit. It was really interesting. We plan on getting all the alumni to contribute at least two days or so out of the week. They would only need to spend about 2 hours tutoring. We plan on starting off with students here at Chinquapin who need the tutoring. This is a more reasonable goal and will last "perpetually." (as Susan put it)