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.

Introductory Post

Currently:  I have started my 17th year teaching, currently at Nancy Young Elementary in District 204 in fourth grade. I live in Naperville and am married with two teenagers, one who is at colleg for the first time!  

Previously:   I started teaching in Chicago in 1993, and taught at Graham and Kendall in 204 before having my two girls.  I stayed home for 8 years with them before returning to the classroom.  I have my Master's in Literacy and my ELL Endorsement as well as the Gifted Endorsement.

Future:  I look forward to learning how to use technology to make my life easier and my students' lived more enjoyable and engaging.  I want to learn all about Google classroom and all its applications.  I have used many different sites like Edmodo, Kahoot, TodaysMeet,  and others, but have never really felt like I have used them to their full capabilities.  All I know is the kids love it when they get to use devices for learning so I want to know all I can about how to incorporate it and be efficient with it, especially with Chromebooks coming on board next year to elementary.  I also look forward to all the ideas from the other teachers in this class!

Educational Technology Reflection

While there were many parts of this class that made me grow in my technology use and understanding, two components stick out as the most valuable and enlightening.  The walk through activity and creating a time for professional development for teacher leaders were the two assignments that I felt changed me.

The learning walk through began with the development of the walk through form.  I knew what it was like to be on the teacher side of the walk through from our many years of the IPI walk throughs with district principals.  I used that memory and experience to help me create a form that I felt would provide me with the ability to take down some simple data to help me guide my discussion during my meeting with these teachers after.  That was something really missing during the IPI walk throughs, there was no real feedback or discussion.  After seeing a few examples of walk through forms online, I was completely overwhelmed by how complex and detailed some of them were.  I sat and took some notes about what I really wanted to see in the classroom and how it would help me in my own areas of need, specifically engagement.

I felt my form was perfectly adequate considering this activity was supposed to be very informal in nature.  I really enjoyed being in my colleagues’ classrooms as well as the post observation discussions.  Not only did it do me good to be in there as a scheduled observer for a real lesson, it really gave me insight as to how my principal feels when she is coming in to do a formal evaluation of my teaching.

The thing I have found myself doing since this activity is, while I am teaching or planning a lesson, I will think through “How would this look on my walk through form?  Will the students be able to identify to an adult what the goal of the assignment is for this lesson?  Will the students be engaged and collaborating?  Will there be creativity displayed and will every child be sharing and listening?”  It really opened my eyes to what my routines are and how I need to expand my view of what I am doing as the leader of these kids to their learning.  I realized I should be doing more.

The second activity that I found eye-opening was the Professional Development activity.  What I enjoyed most about this process was trying to think about what would teachers most appreciate during PD time and that is the last part, TIME.  In creating the day’s activities, I specifically was sure to put in just general time for exploration, a concept I wish more teacher leaders would incorporate into their PD work.  There is so much value to just giving time to discuss a new application or method or website or engagement strategy.

One of the reasons I also benefitted from this assignment is that my appreciation for all the people who are responsible for creating professional development grew exponentially.  Being part of the Instructional Leadership Team at our school, I am always advocating for incorporating more exploration time and multiple days of training on something new.  The reading about adult learning definitely helped to open my eyes on the process adult learners take over my 4^th graders.  Adults do need to be approached very differently. 

Overall, this class brought me a new perspective in the area of technology use in our schools.  There are many considerations to be made when planning for how to use technology safely and appropriately in our schools.  The goal I have every year is to work smarter, not harder.  This class has given me many avenues to help me reach that goal.

Example of State Fair Float