So it has come down to the age old question: How will technology be used in the classroom?
My answer feels that same, that I will try my hardest to incorporate what I can into my lessons.
However, this response is no longer valid. I must come up with something else....
Technology is taking over. There is no hiding from it. Technology is even beginning to offer public elementary school online. What does this mean for us?? I don't know about those of you reading this blog, but I sure as heck am not going to let a computer take over my job. So here are some things I would like to do in order to keep the technology flowing in my classroom. I would like to make this my pledge.
I pledge to make an effort to take my students to the computer lab more often. I want to spend more time finding technological resources for my students to use to learn new skills and to practice old ones. I want my students to use computers to create projects and conduct research. I want my students to spend time utilizing my PolyVision board- I want them to use it more than I do.
I pledge to find as many interactive websites as I can that the students can use in large groups via PolyVision. I also plan to actually use the program EZTeach that compliments the PolyVision board in order to make some abstract concepts more "fun" for my students. It provides them interactive participation, similar to the one practiced in the video about the kindergarten in Alabama.
To stay current with the trends in technology, I will be relying on the websites I posted on delicious.com: http://www.delicious.com/cmixbin
These sites provide current professional documents about the technology that is currently being used by our students and how we can effectively implement it. (Again, I feel like I am repeating myself.)
I will also be looking to attend a PD. Unfortunately, my school does not willingly hand over funds to do so, but I will push for that this year. I attended an ISTE conference in IL as an undergrad (which is where I got hooked on Mac.) I had such a hoot at the conference, they provided us with all sorts of ideas. I would like to be the person who brings back those ideas to share.
Also, I pledge to get my reluctant team members involved. My teammates are so far removed from technology that I have to walk them through it step-by-step when I provide the site on the lesson plan. I will do my best to better encourage their willingness and participation, as well as overall comfort level with technology. We meet (ideally) once a month for a tech development PD with our tech department- even at that we are provided 50 minutes (minus the 10 it takes to get there and get set up and the 5 minutes it takes for us to shut down and the chatter in between). In those 50 minutes we are supposed to pick-up new technological concepts and *BAM* implement them. Unfortunately, we need more hands-on with it before we work with it. Since it is not provided, I pledge to make an effort to figure it out on my own.
My biggest struggle next year is going to be practicing my willingness to let technology take over. I need to understand that students respond very well to technology. I sometimes take it personally that the students would rather work with the computer than with me (and they are only third graders!) However, I need to learn to not take a lot of things personally and let technology take over (with me still in control, however.) I believe that with this willingness and drive that I have to make these changes, my next school year is going to be much different than the past. I hope to find my students more motivated with the increased use of technology.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Glogger!
http://cmixbin.edu.glogster.com/plants/
So- this is my glog. I hope you can see it. It took me forever to stop being overly ambitious- I originally planned to make a glog about the solar system. I couldn't decide on a topic for this! As I mentioned earlier, I was super excited about creating this. I could easily obsess with it. I tried to share my glog with this account, however it wouldn't let me- so I hope you can cut and paste the link in your web browser.
So- this is my glog. I hope you can see it. It took me forever to stop being overly ambitious- I originally planned to make a glog about the solar system. I couldn't decide on a topic for this! As I mentioned earlier, I was super excited about creating this. I could easily obsess with it. I tried to share my glog with this account, however it wouldn't let me- so I hope you can cut and paste the link in your web browser.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Where are we supposed to find the time?
My level of frustration with technology has risen with these two chapters. Everything they talk about is so meaningful and so useful, however, I do not have enough time in my day to work on any of these things. Nor do we have enough resources for our students- which is of biggest concern. My academy has one computer lab and one lap top cart (which is destroyed anyways) for 18 classrooms of 28 students. If we want to break down the availability even further, we will find that for a majority of the time, students are either putting in monthly benchmarks or completing NWEA. There seems to be no time for our students to participate in any of these activities- much less time for a teacher to sit down and plan a lesson involving these materials and then teach the other 5 how to do it.
In third grade, for social studies, I am having the students start and run a business. It is based off of a web-quest that was found during the web-quest discovery week in EDUG 522. It's really awesome, it has great materials and the students are really into it. However, I have to spend an hour everyday going to other classrooms and explaining how to do the web-quest because the teachers are the only ones using a computer to complete it. The students do not have access to the necessary resources to complete this on their own- can anyone say "digital divide!?" Mind you, I have no problem doing this, it is just that I then lose time to do what other five bazillion things I need to do that day.
In our school, we generate newsletters for the students on either Microsoft Publisher or Word (for those of us who are "old school" such as myself.) We also keep all of our grades and attendance online using a program called Infinite Campus (we used to use Power School- pg. 148 under student information systems). Infinite Campus even has a "parent portal" which allows parents to access their students grades and updates before progress reports come out- ensuring that our parents are held accountable for their student's success. I also use rubistar.4teachers.org for any classroom presentations my students complete- "work smarter, not harder." If you (the person reading this) have not tried that site- try it! It is AWESOME. Our school has also tried to introduce us to Quizdom since we have the PolyVision boards. I would love to utilize it, but it does not seem to be readily accessible- meaning that I can retrieve the materials, but it is difficult to find someone to help you utilize it on your time.
Earlier I mentioned that the students spend their time using the computer for monthly benchmarks. This is an assessment system used by our EMO (Educational Management Organization). Every month, students complete their benchmarks on the computer and it analyzes what specific learning strand the students as a whole are struggling with. Also, students take the NWEA (or MAPS) on the computer- seeing how they measure with students around the country (this is honestly my favorite assessment because it accurately measures the student's ability).
With my experience, it is usually the teacher who uses Kidsipration or Inspiration- we project it onto the PolyVision and the students use the pen to manipulate through the organizer. Again, it is the teacher who is utilizing it, not the students. It really is a shame because our students would be so motivated to do activities!
I appreciate the multimedia list that is located on page 175 of the text. I love the links! I will be using these next year for DEAR time and supplements for reading (specifically genres, reading extended responses, and compare and contrasts).
I use a PowerPoint everyday for the students- it clearly states their expectations and instructions for the morning. I also included a tutorial in there for working in cooperative groups. Every week I provide photos of students demonstrating cooperative group work and we identify "how they are working cooperatively." The students really get into this- they laugh and giggle when they see themselves on the board! I have also used PowerPoint for jeopardy. I created my own- an example of how I "work harder, not smarter" sometimes. I had to use hyperlinks here.
What I would love to do is use multimedia to create a welcome video for my third graders next year staring my students-giving the newbies a "how to" in third grade. Hmmm. I will look into that this week.
I honestly wish my students had more access to computers and similar resources. Yes, as teachers we are provided with materials to implement tech into the classroom- they even try to educate us on how to use it. However, it is more the students than us now that need access to technology. Until then, we are only widening the "digital divide."
In third grade, for social studies, I am having the students start and run a business. It is based off of a web-quest that was found during the web-quest discovery week in EDUG 522. It's really awesome, it has great materials and the students are really into it. However, I have to spend an hour everyday going to other classrooms and explaining how to do the web-quest because the teachers are the only ones using a computer to complete it. The students do not have access to the necessary resources to complete this on their own- can anyone say "digital divide!?" Mind you, I have no problem doing this, it is just that I then lose time to do what other five bazillion things I need to do that day.
In our school, we generate newsletters for the students on either Microsoft Publisher or Word (for those of us who are "old school" such as myself.) We also keep all of our grades and attendance online using a program called Infinite Campus (we used to use Power School- pg. 148 under student information systems). Infinite Campus even has a "parent portal" which allows parents to access their students grades and updates before progress reports come out- ensuring that our parents are held accountable for their student's success. I also use rubistar.4teachers.org for any classroom presentations my students complete- "work smarter, not harder." If you (the person reading this) have not tried that site- try it! It is AWESOME. Our school has also tried to introduce us to Quizdom since we have the PolyVision boards. I would love to utilize it, but it does not seem to be readily accessible- meaning that I can retrieve the materials, but it is difficult to find someone to help you utilize it on your time.
Earlier I mentioned that the students spend their time using the computer for monthly benchmarks. This is an assessment system used by our EMO (Educational Management Organization). Every month, students complete their benchmarks on the computer and it analyzes what specific learning strand the students as a whole are struggling with. Also, students take the NWEA (or MAPS) on the computer- seeing how they measure with students around the country (this is honestly my favorite assessment because it accurately measures the student's ability).
With my experience, it is usually the teacher who uses Kidsipration or Inspiration- we project it onto the PolyVision and the students use the pen to manipulate through the organizer. Again, it is the teacher who is utilizing it, not the students. It really is a shame because our students would be so motivated to do activities!
I appreciate the multimedia list that is located on page 175 of the text. I love the links! I will be using these next year for DEAR time and supplements for reading (specifically genres, reading extended responses, and compare and contrasts).
I use a PowerPoint everyday for the students- it clearly states their expectations and instructions for the morning. I also included a tutorial in there for working in cooperative groups. Every week I provide photos of students demonstrating cooperative group work and we identify "how they are working cooperatively." The students really get into this- they laugh and giggle when they see themselves on the board! I have also used PowerPoint for jeopardy. I created my own- an example of how I "work harder, not smarter" sometimes. I had to use hyperlinks here.
What I would love to do is use multimedia to create a welcome video for my third graders next year staring my students-giving the newbies a "how to" in third grade. Hmmm. I will look into that this week.
I honestly wish my students had more access to computers and similar resources. Yes, as teachers we are provided with materials to implement tech into the classroom- they even try to educate us on how to use it. However, it is more the students than us now that need access to technology. Until then, we are only widening the "digital divide."
OMG!
All I can say is OMG because of edu.glogster.com. I am really excited about this! I had no idea this existed so I am really excited to give it a try- it may take me a little bit to figure out how to put the whole thing together, but I'm going to get it done. I am so used to using PowerPoint- I actually use it every day for our morning "Do-Now" in my classroom. It then breaks off into slides about cooperative learning- which...wait. I think I just got my idea for my topic for the glogster.
Any who, I am really excited about this and I figured I would blog my excitement, because, after all- isn't that what blogging is for?
Any who, I am really excited about this and I figured I would blog my excitement, because, after all- isn't that what blogging is for?
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Reluctant to Change
I have always considered myself a very "trendy" educator. I always try to offer my students to most up to date trends in cooperative group work, drill mastery, and the like. One trend I can't seem to even appreciate myself is technology.
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=186154
The above is a news link to the Chicago Charter- ChicagoQuest which is opening this fall. The school is banking on the idea that gaming and technology will provide students with the same quality, if not better quality education, than a traditional school. Initially, I was like "Whoa, no way." Deep down inside I harbor a fondness for traditional teaching methods- rote memorization of multiplication and division facts, using a text book with graphic organizers to learn new concepts- so OF COURSE I wasn't going to be having any of this new type of school business. Then I watched these videos on edutopia.com (great site by the way...of in Facebook speak- BTW).
The first video about Sam was frustrating to me at first- I'm not quite sure why, considering I had a friend just like her in high school, and now he works in Hollywood producing and editing movies. I don't understand how someone could spend all of their time putzing around with technology when there is a whole world out there to be experienced. Why sit and text a friend if you could just meet them at the coffee shop or why have alter egos in WOW or SIMS when you could be doing things that are just as exciting in the real world (minus all of the illegal things some people choose to do in those games). I thought it was very interesting when her dad sat down and said that she is learning great social skills through technology. I never saw it as a strengthening of them, I always saw it as a weakening of them. I have always associated such technology obsessions with anti-social and recluse behavior- finding alternate realms to exist in to stay away from the real world.
This video in particular is making me understand that just because someone is so obsessed with technology that it doesn't mean they are anti-social or have fear of existing in reality- it's just the way interests are going now. Everything is digital and high-tech-ish.
I think the second video about schools using games to teach was interesting and got me thinking about the new charter opening. I never considered the use of games to teach things like science and safety. Science...duh. Students will be motivated by the use of games that teach about different science concepts- they can actually get hands-on with these things. I don't know why I had never thought about it before...I remember a few years ago we went away for the weekend and brought the Wii with us. One of our friends brought over some awful game that required me to perform open heart surgery! Needless to say, it was evident that teaching was definitely a better choice of career direction for me (I think my patient dies some 5 or 6 times on the table before I finally gave up!) I bet if I would have had a tech experience with science earlier on, I would have a better understanding of certain concepts.
An interesting point was that technology and gaming are used for higher order thinking- critical thinking skills and advanced problem solving. One never really considers that. It truly does give the opportunity to try new skills in a safe environment without the fear of negative consequences. Besides the fact that higher order thinking can occur and be assessed, it is also probable that differentiated instruction could be implemented for efficiently was well. Students can work at their own pace or on different levels.
In an ideal situation, the benefits of technology are numerous. Our children could be working cooperatively with children in another country though use of technology. They will be able to bring their imaginations to life, motivating them to continue further into education without fear. They may even find passions in other areas of curriculum that would not necessarily have been discovered without the use of technology.
The pitfalls would be- where do we draw the line of too much and as the video stated...what about video gaming addiction. It is said that people have addictive personalities. What about children who have yet to identify that in themselves? Also, could this lead to anti-social behavior if children are not taught proper tech social skills?
Not everyone is as reluctant as I am about using technology full force in the curriculum. The students especially would respond well to this new implementation because they may not see it as school anymore. When I was in school, it was cool because we got to play in school the same way we played outside of school- with imagination. Now, we require students to use their imaginations during school, but in a different way than games require them to. Although I do not think this should be mandatory in all schools, I do think families should have the opportunity to send their child to school that emphasizes gaming. As with all education, not every child learns the same. Why not offer an opportunity to provide students with an education using their new "favorite past-time," gaming.
Onwards and upwards ChicagoQuest. I look forward to seeing your results!
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=186154
The above is a news link to the Chicago Charter- ChicagoQuest which is opening this fall. The school is banking on the idea that gaming and technology will provide students with the same quality, if not better quality education, than a traditional school. Initially, I was like "Whoa, no way." Deep down inside I harbor a fondness for traditional teaching methods- rote memorization of multiplication and division facts, using a text book with graphic organizers to learn new concepts- so OF COURSE I wasn't going to be having any of this new type of school business. Then I watched these videos on edutopia.com (great site by the way...of in Facebook speak- BTW).
The first video about Sam was frustrating to me at first- I'm not quite sure why, considering I had a friend just like her in high school, and now he works in Hollywood producing and editing movies. I don't understand how someone could spend all of their time putzing around with technology when there is a whole world out there to be experienced. Why sit and text a friend if you could just meet them at the coffee shop or why have alter egos in WOW or SIMS when you could be doing things that are just as exciting in the real world (minus all of the illegal things some people choose to do in those games). I thought it was very interesting when her dad sat down and said that she is learning great social skills through technology. I never saw it as a strengthening of them, I always saw it as a weakening of them. I have always associated such technology obsessions with anti-social and recluse behavior- finding alternate realms to exist in to stay away from the real world.
This video in particular is making me understand that just because someone is so obsessed with technology that it doesn't mean they are anti-social or have fear of existing in reality- it's just the way interests are going now. Everything is digital and high-tech-ish.
I think the second video about schools using games to teach was interesting and got me thinking about the new charter opening. I never considered the use of games to teach things like science and safety. Science...duh. Students will be motivated by the use of games that teach about different science concepts- they can actually get hands-on with these things. I don't know why I had never thought about it before...I remember a few years ago we went away for the weekend and brought the Wii with us. One of our friends brought over some awful game that required me to perform open heart surgery! Needless to say, it was evident that teaching was definitely a better choice of career direction for me (I think my patient dies some 5 or 6 times on the table before I finally gave up!) I bet if I would have had a tech experience with science earlier on, I would have a better understanding of certain concepts.
An interesting point was that technology and gaming are used for higher order thinking- critical thinking skills and advanced problem solving. One never really considers that. It truly does give the opportunity to try new skills in a safe environment without the fear of negative consequences. Besides the fact that higher order thinking can occur and be assessed, it is also probable that differentiated instruction could be implemented for efficiently was well. Students can work at their own pace or on different levels.
In an ideal situation, the benefits of technology are numerous. Our children could be working cooperatively with children in another country though use of technology. They will be able to bring their imaginations to life, motivating them to continue further into education without fear. They may even find passions in other areas of curriculum that would not necessarily have been discovered without the use of technology.
The pitfalls would be- where do we draw the line of too much and as the video stated...what about video gaming addiction. It is said that people have addictive personalities. What about children who have yet to identify that in themselves? Also, could this lead to anti-social behavior if children are not taught proper tech social skills?
Not everyone is as reluctant as I am about using technology full force in the curriculum. The students especially would respond well to this new implementation because they may not see it as school anymore. When I was in school, it was cool because we got to play in school the same way we played outside of school- with imagination. Now, we require students to use their imaginations during school, but in a different way than games require them to. Although I do not think this should be mandatory in all schools, I do think families should have the opportunity to send their child to school that emphasizes gaming. As with all education, not every child learns the same. Why not offer an opportunity to provide students with an education using their new "favorite past-time," gaming.
Onwards and upwards ChicagoQuest. I look forward to seeing your results!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tech Learning Theories
First- Go Bulls! Next- What happened to my 90 degrees and sunny? and Finally...
One major issue I struggle with in my classroom is how to integrate tech into the lesson and make sure it is meaningful. I usually try to integrate the lesson into technology (yes, I know- this is the WRONG way to do it). This particular chapter in the text about how learning theories are an important component in how tech gets integrated into the classroom really got me thinking. I had never thought about how my pedagogy effected how tech would be used in my room. It was kind of a "duh" moment for me.
The chapter introduced TPACK and TIP.
Bugger! I wanted to use the myeducationlab.com to see a more concrete example of the TPACK model but could I? Noooooooooooo. Stupid used book. Anyways, I don't feel that I have a complete understanding of the TPACK. I understand that it is a "metacognitive tool" for teachers to use to identify their domain knowledge of content, pedagogy, and technology....however I don't see how because I don't see an example of it. It just sounds like teachers need to be (as my husband likes to say) self-aware of their short comings and strengths in technology. I can tell my tech people at work that I am tech savvy until the cows come home because I can navigate my way through a PC, use Word and PowerPoint proficiently and I know how to operate my PolyVision board (interactive white board). But...do I really know what to do with it in the classroom? No! I believe the only thing TPACK can provide us as educators is the realization that everything is interconnected (content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge).
TIP will be useful for me- it breaks down how to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology I plan to implement. It gives great questions to consider when organizing a lesson with technology.
One major issue I struggle with in my classroom is how to integrate tech into the lesson and make sure it is meaningful. I usually try to integrate the lesson into technology (yes, I know- this is the WRONG way to do it). This particular chapter in the text about how learning theories are an important component in how tech gets integrated into the classroom really got me thinking. I had never thought about how my pedagogy effected how tech would be used in my room. It was kind of a "duh" moment for me.
The chapter introduced TPACK and TIP.
Bugger! I wanted to use the myeducationlab.com to see a more concrete example of the TPACK model but could I? Noooooooooooo. Stupid used book. Anyways, I don't feel that I have a complete understanding of the TPACK. I understand that it is a "metacognitive tool" for teachers to use to identify their domain knowledge of content, pedagogy, and technology....however I don't see how because I don't see an example of it. It just sounds like teachers need to be (as my husband likes to say) self-aware of their short comings and strengths in technology. I can tell my tech people at work that I am tech savvy until the cows come home because I can navigate my way through a PC, use Word and PowerPoint proficiently and I know how to operate my PolyVision board (interactive white board). But...do I really know what to do with it in the classroom? No! I believe the only thing TPACK can provide us as educators is the realization that everything is interconnected (content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge).
TIP will be useful for me- it breaks down how to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology I plan to implement. It gives great questions to consider when organizing a lesson with technology.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
WoW! That was easy!
I had no clue starting a blog would be this easy!!
Hi....Welcome to my blog...today I am going to talk about my teaching interests and instructional topics that I am interested in integrating tech into...(I sound so official....maybe someone will read this and want to publish me!)
My teaching interests are at the elementary level. I love all subject areas and enjoy "forcing" my students to work cooperatively.
I would love to integrate all topics into technology. My most recent advancement was discovering a wonderful math website that worked with my PolyVision board (SmartBoards for those of us who call all facial tissue "Kleenex".) The website allowed my students to manipulate tan-grams into figures. It was a center and the students loved it! I would like to have more access to activities like this. However, I would also like more ideas of things to do with technology when it is not available. What type of group activities and lessons can be provided with minimum amount of resources? I am also looking forward to finding out everyone elses' best practices.
Hi....Welcome to my blog...today I am going to talk about my teaching interests and instructional topics that I am interested in integrating tech into...(I sound so official....maybe someone will read this and want to publish me!)
My teaching interests are at the elementary level. I love all subject areas and enjoy "forcing" my students to work cooperatively.
I would love to integrate all topics into technology. My most recent advancement was discovering a wonderful math website that worked with my PolyVision board (SmartBoards for those of us who call all facial tissue "Kleenex".) The website allowed my students to manipulate tan-grams into figures. It was a center and the students loved it! I would like to have more access to activities like this. However, I would also like more ideas of things to do with technology when it is not available. What type of group activities and lessons can be provided with minimum amount of resources? I am also looking forward to finding out everyone elses' best practices.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)