Tech 101: Module 9

Next year, I see myself trying to make the transition to 1:1 with a lot of focus on the SAMR model. With it being my first year with the Chromebooks and the 1:1 switch, I am sure there will be a lot of bumps in the road. My greatest concern is making the technology worthwhile, but still making sure my students are truly learning. I think building my lessons around the SAMR model and always striving for the highest level will help me achieve this.

I am actually helping to present the SAMR model to my fellow teachers today during our end-of-year PD. I think that a lot of our teachers are very stuck in the S level. They are used to only using computer labs occasionally, and it is hard to do any except substitution when you're working in that situation. I don't want to see a lot of substitution next year. I want us to blow the kids away with our dynamic lessons!

Tech 101: Module 6

I'm not currently using much technology in my classroom. I have a SmartBoard and my computer, but we rarely use anything else. We have computer labs, but they are very difficult to book, especially since most of our standardized testing is done online now. However, we are going to 1:1 next year. I think that teaching students to learn using the 1:1 technology will be a huge challenge. They will have to become familiar with the device and new procedures. I think that overcoming the novelty of the devices will be our first challenge. Once we overcome that, I see the biggest goal of teaching students to learn with technology is teaching them how to locate and identify useful information. If they can do that, they can do anything.

I'm really not sure how to address the question of how to show understanding without explicit requirements. I think that there will need to be requirements in the beginning. Going from lots of structure to no structure would be a disaster, I think. I would love some insight into how students show what they have learned without specific requirements.

Tech 101: Module 5

When we use technology in my classroom, right now, we are in the Control by Authority stage. Whenever I give instructions or provide new information I typically have my students turn their monitors off. I agree that this method tends to portray technology as problematic, but my students, as a whole, do not have a lot of technology experience. They have not really been trained on how to keep their attention while using the technology. I do believe that it is possible for students to reach the self-control stage, but they have to taught the proper expectations. When you are only visiting the computer lab on occasion, it is very difficult to demonstrate the proper behavior. Repetition is really the best way I have found to obtain the desired behavioral expectations, so in a 1:1 classroom, where the technology is a part of the daily procedure I think it would easier to demonstrate the desired behaviors.

Technology 101: Module 4

If I were presenting information about 1:1 to a group of stakeholders the top three things I would want to cover would be:
1. The financial cost per student and for the district
2. How teachers would be using the technology on a daily classroom basis
3. How parents/community members can help students with the transition

I would want to discus the financial aspect simply because many people ultimately see dollar signs when they imagine technology. I would want to address the daily classroom use, so that everyone could have a clearer image of what 1:1 really looks like for teachers and students. Lastly, I would want to share ideas on how the community could help. Especially parents and how they could assist their student.

Tech 101: Module 3

I believe the most important 21st Century Skill is Information Literacy. Information Literacy states that students need to be able to recognize when information is needed, find information they need, and evaluate information when they find it. This is crucial, because with the proper information I believe all believe can learn anything and do anything. Regardless of the subject or situation, students should be able to do these things successfully. If they have Information Literacy they can be successful anywhere.

I think that this skill comes into play in an English classroom, all the time. Students need to be able to recognize when a text is not giving them enough information or when their interest causes them to have more questions. I think that as an English teacher I can incorporate lessons that show students how to recognize, find, and evaluate information using hands-on texts and virtual texts. Evaluating the evidence is even more important with technology. Anyone can post anything on the internet. Students need to be able to decide whether information is valid and useful.

I think that I can know whether my students can do these things by always having them evaluate a text in the end, whether hands-on or virtual. If they are constantly in the habit of questioning something's validity, they will begin questioning it outside the classroom.

Tech 101: Module 2

My philosophy of education is focused primarily on preparing students for the world they will be entering when they leave high school. I know that some of my students will be going to college, but many of them will also be walking right into the work-force. I want to provide them with the skills and tools they need to be successful in either. In theory I want my teaching to be student focused, where they are driving their personal learning, but I also feel that it is important to introduce them to the Great Works and classics. Everyone should have a working knowledge of classical literature. The more you know about literature and its history the funnier the world becomes, if nothing else.

I think know that I struggle to make my classroom student centered. Sometimes I feel that I am the only vehicle available to deliver knowledge to my students. Of course we have books and students are required to read, but there is so much information out there, it is difficult to give it to them myself. If they have a tool (technology, whatever device it may be) to go out there and discover it themselves, that puts learning in their hands. So a more updated version of my philosophy of education might look something like this:

Learning should be student focused. Students should be expected to discover information and develop their own conclusion based on their discoveries. As a teacher, the main role in the classroom should be to guide and question. When students leave the classroom they should be more prepared to enter into the work-force or study in the college/university setting.

Tech 101: Module One

On Friday, our principal let me know that next year my classroom would be a pilot classroom for Google Chromebooks. I am extremely excited about this! I am hoping to learn skills and gain ideas that will help me with this pilot. I don't have any personal experience with Google Chromebooks, so anyone with any knowledge or experience throw your expertise my way. 

I'm not exactly sure where I could serve as a leader, since I don't have a ton of experience with technology in the classroom. Until recently our school has really struggled to provide up to date technology. Even now, we are struggling with the ability to support larger quantities of technology. I suppose if I could lead in any way, it would be how to plan and adapt when you personally have technology, but students do not. 

I hope to spend a lot of time exploring the best ways to handle a 1:1 classroom, since that is what I will dealing with (YAY!) next year.