Mote in Middle School

Guest post from Mote Ambassador Leader Frederick Ballew, Computer Science Teacher in Bloomington Public School District

To preface this posting I need to give a brief background about me. I started teaching in the 1900’s (1998) as a 5th grade instrumental music teacher, which is a fancy way to say beginning band teacher. However, for the past three years, I have been a Middle School Computer Science teacher. After twenty plus years working in the Elementary buildings of my school district, I got to understand the K-5 mindset quite well, BUT now that I am working with Middle Schoolers (ages 11-14) I had to learn an entirely different set of skills. Luckily Mote works great for students of all ages, including Middle Schoolers.

Reasons that Mote Works with Middle Schoolers

1. Developmental Appropriateness: Middle school students aged 11-14 are still honing their writing skills. For many, expressing themselves verbally can be more comfortable than typing, particularly for those facing learning or typing challenges. Mote eliminates the keyboard barrier, making communication more accessible.

2. Mote pro-MOTES engagement: We all know middle school students can be...unpredictable. Mote's voice commenting feature offers a refreshing change of pace that can rekindle their interest in assignments and feedback. Hearing their teacher's (or their fellow students)  adds a personal touch that resonates more profoundly than written comments.

3. Mote improves language skills: Mote serves as a valuable tool for multilingual learners (MLs), listening to and recording voice comments can be an invaluable tool. It offers a platform to practice both listening and speaking skills in real-world contexts.

Examples of Mote use with your Middle School Class

1. Peer Reviews: Instead of traditional written peer reviews, have students leave voice comments on one another's work. This approach promotes more authentic feedback and reduces misunderstandings among students.

2. Narrative Projects:  Have students voice-record the narratives for presentations or digital storytelling assignments. It adds a personal touch and boosts their oral communication skills. This can also alleviate some of the fear many students have with public speaking if they can simply click on the Mote icon throughout their presentation rather than standing in front of the class in a traditional presentation setting.

3. Teacher Feedback: Instead of typing out corrections and feedback, educators can vocalize their comments. This approach feels more personal and approachable for Middle Schoolers, who may sometimes appear standoffish or shy.

4. Q&A Sessions: Instead of typing out questions, students can record their queries regarding a lesson or assignment. Teachers can then reply in kind, creating an interactive Q&A voice session. There is rarely a time that a Middle Schooler wants to draw attention to themselves by asking a question in class. This method can give them the freedom and privacy to ask their questions.

Tips for Using Mote in Middle School Classrooms

1. Set Ground Rules: 

As with any tool, ensure you establish guidelines for respectful and productive voice commenting. This approach ensures a positive and constructive environment. I use a zero-tolerance policy in regards to profanity with my students, this includes racist, sexist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks.

2. Encourage Brevity: 

While Mote gives the freedom of voice and reminds students to keep comments concise. This way, they'll practice being clear and direct, a valuable communication skill. Frankly, I teach twelve classes. Sometimes less is more.

‍

With well-defined expectations, interactive activities, and a supportive classroom environment, Middle School students and teachers can leverage Mote to enhance communication, foster student engagement, and forge deeper connections within the educational journey.