EEND-675Y2 Artifact Blog Post 2 - ROBOTICS

One of the things I love about these technology classes is all the exposure we get on the newest ideas and resources.  One of the projects I enjoyed was the research paper on technology trends.  While there is a very long list of resources I could choose from, I chose to focus my research on the use of web based teaching and practice programs (such as Zearn, Lexia, and Reflex Math), green screen technology, and robotics.

The area I found most fascinating was the use of robotics.  The many different applications for robotics in the classroom is mind boggling.  While this is going to be an important part of our future, it is important to remember the responsibility we, as teachers, have to have a purpose in mind for everything we expose kids to.  The use of robotics can give students an opportunity to work on problem solving skills, collaboration, and many other useful skills in and out of the classroom.

EEND-675Y2 Artifact Blog Post 1 - Multimedia

This class has really opened my eyes to my future in technology as a teacher.  I have enjoyed learning about the opportunities with all the programs and applications that are available.  Next year, my district is rolling out the 1:1 initiative and all of my students will have a Chromebook.  While there are parts of this that are daunting, like thinking about 30 9 year olds being responsible for a piece of technology and all that goes with that, most of it is thrilling and a game changer, to say the least.

One project that stands out from this course that has led me to try new things was the Multimedia Project.  In developing this project, I was introduced to many programs as I searched for one that fit the needs of my classroom and was relatively easy to use.  I chose the program Powtoon to create a presentation for our raptor study on owls.  I found the program components very easy to navigate and control.  I see it as a program my students can easily use as well as an alternative to a Powerpoint or Google Slides presentation.  Learning about this program came on the heels of our Institute Day where I learned about WeVideo.  I found WeVideo to be very cumbersome with all of its pieces and was difficult to organize.  As a teacher, I need programs that are easy to manage when dealing with so many projects being developed by my class.

I found the multimedia project to be helpful as it allowed me the opportunity to do a web based lesson plan.  I had everything I needed in one place and I enjoyed having all of the parts in one place.  The kids enjoyed the mix of media to go through, which culminated in a google form to fill out on the dissection of owl pellets.

EEND 681

This course provided many new perspectives that I have not been aware of in my 18 years as a teacher.  Thinking as a decision maker for technology needs in a district is overwhelming, but it certainly gave me some understanding and appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that goes on to provide teachers and students with the capabilities we have.

Developing and maintaining a plan for technology in a district of our size takes much outlining for the many pieces that must work together like clockwork.  In my technology plan, I worked up many components:  Software and Information Maintenance and Security,  Network Infrastructure Plan, Staff Development, Hardware Maintenance,  Communication, and Technology Procurement and Disposal.  Each part listed requires careful thought before implementation and there must be a list of defined responsibilities for each.  Technology staff and administrators need to be aware of budgeting and auditing for the purchase of technology needs, have a plan in place that incorporates check and balances systems, as well as communicating needs to IT staff, teachers and students on how to use and maintain the new technology.

This 4 year plan starts with a careful look at the existing technology structures and needs using a organizational readiness assessment.  Using this chart, a sample assessment was given to a building in the district regarding implemented math programs used for intervention purposes.  The ISTE standards made up the structure of this assessment.  With all that must be organized when dealing with new technology implementation, this assessment helps a district to determine if a school is really ready for a technology roll out.