Another class has flown by! For me, only one more to go! I've learned a lot from this course, especially from the standpoint of the technology integrator. I had learned before about how technology is being used in so many ways in modern schools but I hadn't really learned about how to set up professional development for teachers or about how virtual schools can become. The concept of the virtual library is a brand new concept to me. I personally have a Kindle but I hardly ever use it; as much as I love technology, I love having a physical book in my hands. I've taken part in professional development days but never before thought about how much planning goes into one of these days. Unfortunately, not many of my professional development days have been technology based but maybe I can help that change. The "Professional Development in Technology" book by Sarah T. Meltzer (2012) has really opened up my eyes about the true planning that goes into technology based professional development. I have also learned about new technology (like Haiku Deck) that I will use in my future classroom.
It is important to perfect the technology integration craft because it is an integral part of a students' learning; many methods have been found to be effective for students to learn. It is important for the students and teachers to learn this new technology because technology is the way of the future and having educators who are able to teach this technology to the students is very important. It is important to have professional development to teach these technology skills to educators because it is important for all students to have the opportunity to learn these forms of technology. I can't wait to start teaching others about what I have learned from my courses and maybe help plan professional development that does integrate technology.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Friday, February 5, 2016
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
There are many ways technology can be used in the classroom but usually the technology, whether it be computers, tablets, laptops, etc., is supplied to the students by the school. A new trend that has come into play in the last few years is having the students use the devices they bring from home. Any devices they have that could be useful to them they are allowed to bring, whether that is a personal laptop, cell phone, or tablet. Since I work in an elementary school, I was very skeptical about this concept at first but the more I talk with other teachers and see articles about it, the more I think it could be a good idea for certain grade levels.
I think that Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) would be appropriate for high schoolers only. I think that elementary and middle school age students are not responsible enough to safely transport their devices back and forth to school. High schoolers are more dependable and responsible when it comes to their devices. My way of thinking is also that if they are going to bring their devices to school anyway, they might as well use them for class. According to the New York Times article Digitally Aided Education, Using the Students' Own Electronic Gear, it is also a cost saving method for school's that can't afford to get technology of their own. The article also states that it allows students to use apps they use at school at home to practice for a test. A high school teacher I know told me that she found a graphing calculator app that the kids can use on their phone that replaces the hundred plus dollar graphing calculator that they would need to buy for class.
Some strict district policies would have to be in place for this to work. Everything would have to be password protected and the computer would have to be up-to-date security-wise. The students would have to understand that there is a time and a place to use their technology. Their technology would not be used in every class every day. The students would have to sign a contract at the beginning of the school year agreeing to all the school policies and understanding that their technology can and will be banned from school if it is not used appropriately.
Special training would have to be done with the teachers, students and parents. The teachers would have to be trained to use multiple types of devices as well as how to make those types of devices as secure as they possibly can be. Students would need to be trained in how to use their devices safely and appropriately at school. Digital citizenship would be discussed, how the decisions they make now will affect their futures. Parents will take part in a meeting before school starts where any concerns can be addressed. I think that parents of high schoolers will be much more receptive to this idea than middle or elementary parents would be.
Although it would be ideal if all schools could have the funds to get the technology they need, I think this is a good alternative for high school students.
Richtell, Matt. (2013). Digitally aided education, using the students' own electronic gear. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/technology/in-some-schools-students-bring-their-own-technology.html?_r=0
I think that Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) would be appropriate for high schoolers only. I think that elementary and middle school age students are not responsible enough to safely transport their devices back and forth to school. High schoolers are more dependable and responsible when it comes to their devices. My way of thinking is also that if they are going to bring their devices to school anyway, they might as well use them for class. According to the New York Times article Digitally Aided Education, Using the Students' Own Electronic Gear, it is also a cost saving method for school's that can't afford to get technology of their own. The article also states that it allows students to use apps they use at school at home to practice for a test. A high school teacher I know told me that she found a graphing calculator app that the kids can use on their phone that replaces the hundred plus dollar graphing calculator that they would need to buy for class.
Some strict district policies would have to be in place for this to work. Everything would have to be password protected and the computer would have to be up-to-date security-wise. The students would have to understand that there is a time and a place to use their technology. Their technology would not be used in every class every day. The students would have to sign a contract at the beginning of the school year agreeing to all the school policies and understanding that their technology can and will be banned from school if it is not used appropriately.
Special training would have to be done with the teachers, students and parents. The teachers would have to be trained to use multiple types of devices as well as how to make those types of devices as secure as they possibly can be. Students would need to be trained in how to use their devices safely and appropriately at school. Digital citizenship would be discussed, how the decisions they make now will affect their futures. Parents will take part in a meeting before school starts where any concerns can be addressed. I think that parents of high schoolers will be much more receptive to this idea than middle or elementary parents would be.
Although it would be ideal if all schools could have the funds to get the technology they need, I think this is a good alternative for high school students.
References
Richtell, Matt. (2013). Digitally aided education, using the students' own electronic gear. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/23/technology/in-some-schools-students-bring-their-own-technology.html?_r=0
Reflection of Classroom Technology Integration and Bloom's Taxonomy
Photo from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/
Hello again everyone!
Today we're focusing on how much technology is really needed in the classroom to be completely effective when it comes to Bloom's Taxonomy. Some classrooms contain only one computer (usually used by the teacher) that is hooked up to a projector, some have a few computers, others a portable Chromebook on wheels (COW). Some schools don't have computers in the classroom but instead have a lab that the student's can be brought to to use the computers. Still other schools allow students to bring their devices from home (Bring Your Own Device-BYOD). Each school district is allowed to do its own thing where technology is concerned but from my point of view, some options have more advantages than others.
I think that the ones that provide the least advantages when it comes to Bloom's Taxonomy are having a few computers in the classroom, going to a computer lab and BYOD. Having only a few computers in the classroom makes it difficult to reach the technological needs of all students. It is hard for them to apply the technology concepts they have learned if they do not have access to computers on a daily basis. The same goes for going to a computer lab. Having a whole school computer lab means signing up for a time to use the lab and not being able to use it at certain times if it is already signed out. Although all students would have access to a computer, it would still be hard to stay current with technology if you don't have daily access to it. When it comes to BYOD, student's would need to remember on a daily basis to bring their device to school and hope it is charged, has the correct programs, is secure and is not too old that it can still support the apps they would be using. If the student's can't get to the programs they need to build their skills on a daily and even a weekly basis, it makes sense to try a different course.
I personally think that every classroom should have a computer with a projector for the teacher to use. That way the teacher can share the student's work, show videos and pictures, show presentations and be able to show the student's step-by-step how to use a site. Being able to do that will allow the student's to take what they've learned and create something of their own. The school I work at currently has a COW for each class that contains 15 Chromebooks, not quite enough for each class. The teacher's allow their student's to borrow from other classrooms so they have enough for the whole class or make arrangements ahead of time with another teacher since many of their tests are online. Allowing a whole class to use Chromebooks allows the students to be creative with presentations, papers and audio.
Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion. Money is also a factor for many school districts when it comes to technology. Hopefully in the near future all schools will be able to have enough technology for all its students.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Spreadsheets Using Google Docs
Hello Everyone!
If you go to this link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qLc7jQJBE4cb9pyQdhjj8ra-eF2KhK73spjzrVbMBbY/edit?usp=sharing), it will take you to a spreadsheet that I made using Google Docs. I've used Google Docs for many things when it comes to writing but never for a spreadsheet. It is definitely comparable to Microsoft Excel; both are user-friendly and easy to work with. One of the definite advantages of using an app like Google Docs for a spreadsheet is that it is easy to share with other people. If you need to send it to your principal, a specialist, another teacher, a student's former teacher, etc. it is easy to send just by hitting share and sending it to them. I think Google Docs is also great for spreadsheets because it also comes with many tools. I was easily able to change the color of the boxes I was using to make my information more reader-friendly. One quick glance and I can tell which standards need more work and which ones don't.
One of the downfalls to using Google Docs, as with any other online app, is that it may be seen as tricky to someone who has never used it before. High schools offer courses to help students understand the different programs they may need to use in the job world. For my generation, that was programs like Microsoft Word and Excel. Now, I'm sure they are teaching students about the benefits of Google Apps and Zoho creator to do the same thing that we once did using Microsoft products. The point is that all of these apps and programs take some practice so without that practice this may be tricky to make or understand for a teacher who has never used one before. Simple enough to learn but teachers have so many things on their mind already that something even this simple is falling to the wayside.
However, for those educators who can create them and understand the information presented, this tool could come in handy in the classroom and school-wide. This could demonstrate what each individual teacher needs to work on and promote discussion of what has worked better to give students better understanding. Ideas can be shared between teachers to help boost scores on tests and in all different subjects. It can also aid teachers in helping individual students who are struggling in all areas. Looking at the results of the spreadsheet may cause a teacher to rethink how he/she is teaching to a way that is conducive to all learners and may, in fact, include technology. Overall, spreadsheets are very useful to teachers and may be the key to doing better on assessments.
If you go to this link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qLc7jQJBE4cb9pyQdhjj8ra-eF2KhK73spjzrVbMBbY/edit?usp=sharing), it will take you to a spreadsheet that I made using Google Docs. I've used Google Docs for many things when it comes to writing but never for a spreadsheet. It is definitely comparable to Microsoft Excel; both are user-friendly and easy to work with. One of the definite advantages of using an app like Google Docs for a spreadsheet is that it is easy to share with other people. If you need to send it to your principal, a specialist, another teacher, a student's former teacher, etc. it is easy to send just by hitting share and sending it to them. I think Google Docs is also great for spreadsheets because it also comes with many tools. I was easily able to change the color of the boxes I was using to make my information more reader-friendly. One quick glance and I can tell which standards need more work and which ones don't.
One of the downfalls to using Google Docs, as with any other online app, is that it may be seen as tricky to someone who has never used it before. High schools offer courses to help students understand the different programs they may need to use in the job world. For my generation, that was programs like Microsoft Word and Excel. Now, I'm sure they are teaching students about the benefits of Google Apps and Zoho creator to do the same thing that we once did using Microsoft products. The point is that all of these apps and programs take some practice so without that practice this may be tricky to make or understand for a teacher who has never used one before. Simple enough to learn but teachers have so many things on their mind already that something even this simple is falling to the wayside.
However, for those educators who can create them and understand the information presented, this tool could come in handy in the classroom and school-wide. This could demonstrate what each individual teacher needs to work on and promote discussion of what has worked better to give students better understanding. Ideas can be shared between teachers to help boost scores on tests and in all different subjects. It can also aid teachers in helping individual students who are struggling in all areas. Looking at the results of the spreadsheet may cause a teacher to rethink how he/she is teaching to a way that is conducive to all learners and may, in fact, include technology. Overall, spreadsheets are very useful to teachers and may be the key to doing better on assessments.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Presentation for Teacher Training
I created a Haiku Deck presentation about technology integration. Below is the link to see it and the notes that go with the presentation.
https://www.haikudeck.com/p/3edf23e9c1/technology-improvements
https://www.haikudeck.com/p/3edf23e9c1/technology-improvements
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge (TPACK)
Using technology in the classroom can be a fine line for many educators because the technology use needs to be meaningful for the students as well as for the educators. There are many things to consider when using technology and among those are making sure that the educators has technological knowledge and can integrate that with pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge. This is called the Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge (TPACK) model. A perfect technology lesson will combine all three of these aspects. All three aspects should overlap but there are times where only two will overlap. The perfect concoction should contain all three.
When two of these areas overlap, they could work together but they would be missing a key component. Technological pedagogical knowledge lacks the content knowledge; that means that the students are not learning the content they are supposed to be learning while at school during this lesson. That makes the lesson less worthwhile for both the educator and the students. Pedagogical content knowledge means the students are learning the content they are supposed to in a way that is conducive to learning but they are not getting the technology knowledge they are expected to learn. Technology can enhance many lessons for the better. The last one is technological content knowledge; this one would work the most effectively except if you have a student who is not motivated or if the classroom is crazy due to lack of classroom management. That is why pedagogy is so important to the process. All three go hand-in-hand to make the most meaningful lesson.
To implement this in the classroom, each technology-based lesson needs to be planned and well thought out beforehand. To make sure each lesson is meaningful in every way, the lesson should contain content knowledge that lines up directly with the state standards as well as a lesson that can be controlled by the educator. Sometimes it is hard to make sure that the technology enhances the lesson instead of just using the technology for the sake of using technology. There are so many ways to make a lesson more meaningful for the students by adding technology but it will not always be the right way for all the students.
In Instructional Planning Activities Types as Vehicles for Curriculum-Based TPACK Development (Harris & Hoffer, 2009), there is a table of sample activities that encompass all three areas. One of these activities was answering a question and they suggested using a blog, chat or discussion board to do this. It is technological, it is easily monitored by an educator using a password and monitoring, and can be tailored to many different state standards. This is an example that contains the entire Technology, Pedagogy and Content Knowledge model.
References
Harris and Hoffer. (2009). Retrieved from http://activitytypes.wmwikis.net/file/view/HarrisHofer-TPACKActivityTypes.pdf
Koehler and Mishra. (2013). Retrieved from http://cemca.org.in/ckfinder/userfiles/files/ICT%20teacher%20education%20Module%201%20Final_May%2020.pdf
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