Technology Takeover

The more I interact with my students and the more I learn about integrating technology, the more I begin to understand the need for it. I teach special education, so all of my students perform below grade level. I make it my duty to at least introduce them to the grade level standards, and still have high expectations. Aside from the grade level work, I feel the need for remediation. I utilize a lot of time working with them on basic reading and math skills. In order for them to continue learning with the hopes of one day performing on grade level, they will have to improve with the basic concepts missed. I share a classroom with one other teacher who teaches special education as well. We work very well together, although our teaching styles are very different. I work better in front of the class, teaching using hand gestures, lots of energy, and the dry-erase board. She works better either in small groups, or by assigning students computer programs to use. For years, I viewed the computer use as a way of taking the easy way out. This year, I'm starting to see things a bit differently. We have one particular student who has a tough time focusing and learning anything, whether it's on grade level or below grade level. The only thing he likes to do is play computer games and cuss me out when I don't allow him to. She continues to allow him to use the computer, but we try to train him to complete his virtual math and reading lessons first before he gets free time. He will do the math, but the reading is like pulling teeth. Since the students have been spending more structured learning time on the computer, they've been more focused and eager to learn in class. The basic skills are covered through the computer activities, so that gives me more time to teach. I can also use the computer time as a good incentive to get the students working on a consistent basis. Thanks technology!

Online PD Session

On February 18, 2015, I just happened to check my KSU email that evening to see a "gift" from my professor. He informed the class of a webinar that was scheduled for tonight. It was a great opportunity to take advantage of for the next class assignment. I wasn't doing anything at the time, so I made sure I clicked the link and waited an hour for the session to begin at 6pm EST. When the session opened, I could see that it was well attended and had many participants from all over the country. After listening to the conversations that were going on, I muted my speakers and focused on the presentation. The presentation was called "The Flipped Classroom" and was presented by former chemistry teachers Aaron Sams and Jon Bergmann. Flipped teaching is a concept that is brand new to me. After learning about it, I can honestly say that it makes a ton of sense. Instead of using class time to lecture, test, and constantly review for students who were absent, the teacher simply prepares video lessons. These videos help the students to study beforehand, with reserves class time for applying the knowledge and doing hands-on work. More importantly, it allows the teacher to devote attention to the students that really need the most assistance. The presentation gave me a lot to think about, and it's definitely something I would consider implementing in my classroom. It is known that I have to review way too often with my students. A pre-recorded video presentation would free up so much class time...brilliant!!

Living a Tech-Savvy Life

It seems like ever since I read the book about the iStudent, I've paid more attention to technology in my life. The book introduced me to the concept of using mobile devices and social media for learning. Before reading, I had never heard of such a thing. I found the concept to be amazing, but I also doubted it. At the present stage, I wouldn't even consider using anything other than books, pencils, and paper in my classroom. Aside from the basics, I've even begun using my Promethean Board more. I use it to introduce lessons, morning work, display the problem of the day, show videos, movies, and to even review problems by allowing the students to use it. It's a very convenient tool that even the students enjoy using.

For a class assignment, I was required to create an online survey to distribute to teachers. Luckily, this was a group assignment, because I've never created a survey before. My group members chose to use Google Docs, because one person said they have previous experience using it. As he was creating the survey, I watched in amazement. At one point, all three of us were typing into the document simultaneously. I had never seen anything like it. The more I typed, the more intrigued I was. Eventually we concluded the edits to the survey and chose to finalize the entire thing. As excited as I was to send out the survey and begin analyzing results, I was told by my principal that I wasn't allowed to initiate surveys in the building. Now whaaaaaaaaaat?!

New Technology Concepts

In another class I'm taking, I was recently required to read a book called "Teaching the iStudent" by Mark Barnes. In this book, Barnes introduced me to the concept of utilizing mobile devices and social media as educational resources. I was blown away after reading this book, because I have never considered such a thing. Halfway through the book, I figured that the suggestions just might be crazy enough to work! Aside from all the new ideas and insights, what I really absorbed from this book is the fact that using mobile devices in the classrooms can open student's eyes to more of the world. It is a good form of differentiation and would provide a boost in classroom participation.

Yesterday, I was having a conversation with a fellow educator friend who lives in Washington, D.C. He just got back in town from a trip and was telling me that his students need to be working on a project, but he didn't get the supplies yet. I asked him what the project was about, and he said they are working on documenting the engineering design. He said he's giving them a simple design to a race car that they have to assemble and document the steps taken. The students must present the documentation using a Weeby or some other online presentation method. The purpose is to show them the importance of documenting their work and getting patents for their inventions. I asked if his students are free to use apps and mobile devices in class. He told me that they are very free with their phones. Each student has their very own Chrome Book. I thought about the book I had just read and became excited that I know someone who actually has experience with the new form of classroom technology that I just discovered. The sad thing is that many districts can't take advantage of this...YET.

More Surprises?

Wednesday has always been the day that is designated for staff meetings. My principal is known not to schedule many meetings, but teachers still cross their fingers every week hoping that she doesn't require us to meet. This past week, teachers listened carefully for the announcement on the intercom system as usual. Instead of calling a traditional staff meeting as a collective in the cafeteria, she asked the staff to meet in the classroom of their grade level chairperson. Since I'm a grade level chairperson, I wasn't particularly happy about that. Then the announcement asked the chairpersons to check their emails and quickly read up on the instructions explaining how to access the meeting presentation. It was some sort of training about a program called Study Island. I've heard of it before, but since this was last minute, I frowned. Apparently I needed to figure this out within 15 minutes and the presentation was said to last over an hour. Luckily the process wasn't difficult at all, so I got the presentation ready pretty quickly. I just needed my staff to arrive on time for once, and hopefully leave the drama and pettiness in their purses. With 5 minutes to spare, I ran to the employee lounge to grab a Coke and some crackers. I came back to see that some teachers showed up on time, but they instantly ran to me to complain about the length of the meeting. Obviously I don't control anything pertaining to meetings, so I told them to leave when they needed to. We are all grown, but I will document early departures.

With all this being said, I like the concept of breaking up into teams and having professional development with the use of technology. To me, it gives teachers flexibility and helps to pass leadership responsibilities down to the teachers. It also helps individuals to focus more on what is being taught or reviewed. Typically in large group settings (just like with the students), it's easy to lose focus and drift off. In smaller groups settings, we are prone to concentrate more on the presenter. We are more engaged and are more likely to offer feedback. Overall, we accomplish more in small group settings.