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| | | Forum Guru
 
Group: Girlfriends Moderators
Last Login: 7/9/2008 8:47:51 PM
Posts: 51, Visits: 93 |
| | As you and your students start Grappling this quarter, please share what's working for you and your students. Let us know how your students are liking Grapple, and if the MyGrapple.com website is keeping them engaged. We want to hear from you so that we know what's working, and what isn't so we can continue to build up on Grapple and make it a great experience for everyone! God Bless! Melissa Towers |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/12/2008 11:49:23 AM
Posts: 23, Visits: 77 |
| The students are slow to be interested in the web site. We have had 2 cl, and have about 7 (our of 20+) permission slips for the site. As far as I can tell, maybe 2 or 3 of the students have been there. I think the forum idea is pretty new, they are not going there yet. But I do think it might catch on later, as they learn about it.
The voting has caught their attention (that's the only way I know someone has been there). In addition to the game vote, I put up a poll about favorite class snack, and that has some response. I think that part is quick and easy for them to understand, and they like it.
The feedback I have so far from the students about the games is that they are very low-tech and simplistic , compared with what kids are used to playing (think ps2, xbox, gba). Other web sites have more sophisticated flash animated games, so my impression is that the games on this site are not going to be a big draw.
A last positive note - my family is away from home for a few weeks, and my son is using the web site as a way to stay in touch with the class and other students. He requested the email address of another student, and is using that to help answer the grapple questions. We have our class divided into boy/girl teams, so his idea is to help the boys team, even though he's not there. I see this as a "beginning" of the community we are trying to create. 
iBeleave ... in Jesus!
www.webmissionllc.com |
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/13/2008 10:29:19 AM
Posts: 20, Visits: 229 |
| | I think the biggest factor in the shortage of our kids using the message board is just their age and lack of experience with message boards in general. I mean, a lot of parents won't allow their kids to just surf the web or visit sites with chatrooms and message board because of the negative things associated with them. So, even in this safe environment, there is simply a lack of exposure. But that will change as the year progresses, I think. My humble opinion... of course. 
- If you can't make it with cardboard and duct tape, it ain't worth makin'...
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| | | Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/1/2007 3:37:54 PM
Posts: 1, Visits: 3 |
| My children are not getting online I have about 5 out of 17 have got on. I have three siblings that are not allowed online. A suggestion. It would be great if the teacher's could see the score of everyone. I have been enticing them by saying I have a score of ???. What about them. Thanks
Love in Him,
Light |
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| | | Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/12/2008 11:49:23 AM
Posts: 23, Visits: 77 |
| Still having a hard time getting my students interested in going online as well. I have challenged them with the "Grapple Dare", and offered a candy bar to anyone who writes a post online about it. Even that is slow catching on though. Only 1 taker so far, and one poor girl who keeps trying and keeps coming back and saying "I can't figure it out!". I tried to set up a time to go to her house and help her, but can't get any response from "mom". And now the forum is not working at all - that's really going to mess her up! Gleeps. 
iBeleave ... in Jesus!
www.webmissionllc.com |
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| | | Forum Guru
Group: Girlfriends Moderators
Last Login: 7/9/2008 8:47:51 PM
Posts: 51, Visits: 93 |
| | I have a few suggestions for getting your preteens online. 1. Send a note home to parents, or meet with the parents separately to show them the web site, and encourage them to go online with their kids. Help the parents to understand the value of the weekly interaction online, and ask them to help get their kids excited and stay involved. 2. Take some class time to get online with the kids (if you have a computer around that the kids could gather around), and show them the fun things they can do. When we were testing this with preteens, we found that once the kids caught on that they could send each other messages back and forth, we couldn't get them to stop. This is especially useful if you have a group of kids that isn't used to being online. They need to be coached on how to be safe, of course, and they need to have an idea of why being online is fun for them. 3. Use the polls to get them on. Announce in class that they get to vote on the snack you have next week, or a place to go on an outing. Tell them that to vote on where they want to go, to get online on MyGrapple.com and vote. 4. Make posting a message to the message board a contest. Tell them that the first person to go on and post a care card, or prayer request, or general message, etc. each week will get something of value to them. Melissa |
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| | | Forum Expert
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:36:56 PM
Posts: 392, Visits: 968 |
| | Thank you Missy for your suggestions! So far I have 11 kids signed up for the website. (We require parent's written permission.) We've met 2 Sundays. 10 kids, 4 leaders 1st Sunday. 12 kids, 4 leaders 2nd Sunday. We are growing even while in competition with Superbowl Sunday and a 6th grade SS outing! I am training 3 leaders and was able to turn over the lead to them halfway through Sunday's class. Since we meet for 1.5 hours, our games time is expanded. We are having such a blast with the ridiculously fun and crazy games, both from Grapple and ones we made up on our own. I'm thinking of expanding to 2 hours and adding a snack supper in the fall. MyGrapple is my biggest challenge still. I'm finding that not only do the kids have NO experience with Forums and websites, very few parents do either. I DID have a parent meeting to explain the website and have gotten signed permissions from parents before giving out passwords, but visits to the site are few. I had one Club56er tell me last night, she logged in and played a game, but wanted to post a prayer request, but didn't know how. I'm prayerful that it will change as I invite the children into my office and help them navigate the website. (My goal to have wi-fi is delayed by "internet phobia", but I'm going to be patient and go another way for now.)
Lisa B from NC |
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| | | Forum Guru
Group: Girlfriends Moderators
Last Login: 7/9/2008 8:47:51 PM
Posts: 51, Visits: 93 |
| | Thank you Lisa for keeping us updated on your challenges you are still having. One thing about Group is that we are always listening to our customers to make sure our resources are meeting the needs that churches have. I want everyone reading this forum to know that we are looking at some changes to the MyGrapple.com site that we think will help you with both getting kids online, and keeping them there. We want getting participation to be easy! So we are taking everyone's suggestions and concerns to heart as we look for ways to improve the Grapple experience online. From helping you get parents on board with letting their kids get online to ways we can make the forum easier and more fun for the kids. We heard what customers said about needing more variety in the games, and we were able to offer an immediate solution that will give more variety. Starting with February, we are going to be changing out the games every month instead of every quarter. This is just one example of how we are striving to make the MyGrapple.com experience just as great as the in-class experience. I will keep you posted as we continue to make decisions on additions and upgrades to Grapple and the MyGrapple.com experience. Because of our development cycle, you will see most changes taking place with Fall 2008. But, if there are things that we can add quickly (like switching out the games monthly), then we will do it before then. Keep grappling! And keep sharing! Melissa |
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