Technology Connections!

The SAMR model is very familiar to me. Our media specialist introduced us this model last year. I was very disappointed when I realized that I was stuck in the substitution phase of technology. I was substituting math apps for flash cards, educreations presentations for poster creations and so on. I made it a goal for myself to change my lessons so the technology involved was not just a substitution for the techniques that I already use.

We have added two more I pad carts this year. Second grade now has their own cart! That is probably the largest obstacle at this time. If you do not have the technology to use in your classroom daily, it is hard to make huge daily changes. We do use the projector with splash pad every day. The kids can be taken to different worlds through the internet in one click. My students love the connections that can be made through internet access. We play skills games, watch brain pop videos, visit author pages, glace at different cultures and connect with each other. I received a projector in my class about five years ago. The kid’s jaws dropped to the floor the first time we explored the internet on the big screen! Now, this exposure to everything so quickly is the way these kids have grown up. This is the way they were introduced to learning, so it is not new or special. All information is at their fingertips!

Teaching new technology is fun and exciting, but also frustrating at times! When each child has their own device, it is very challenging to get them all on the same page. On Tuesday we created book reports through Animoto. The kids loved it, but several things went wrong. There are so many steps and it is so hard to make sure they do not click or save the wrong way. We made it through the first one and I know the kids will have awesome success the next time that we do it! I included a sample of my example if you would like to try it too! The wrote their ideas on the worksheet before we got the ipads because we had limited time with the ipads. This animoto video is once again substituting a written book report. Although it is a substitution, it also teaches them so much about using technology to share. They had to pick their own music, write in their text in a creative way, take pictures and arrange their slides in a specific sequence. They shared these videos with their parents and I asked for a few volunteers to post on schoology. They can share these with their classmates to build knowledge and connections.

 

Book Report - Sample

My favorite technology addition is Schoology! I love connecting with my parents and students through this blog program. It is so easy to share pictures, updates, spelling lists, websites, homework and so on! Such as easy and quick way to connect! A parent just told me at conferences that she feels so connected to what her child is learning daily. It is so important for parents and teachers to be on the same page!