Tech Plan

As a teacher it is very important to keep up with technology. Students need to be introduced to new tools that help them grow as learners. As teachers it is our responsibility to expose our students to different ways of learning. While researching exercise and the brain I came across a great statement from Eric Jensen that I feel also applies to using technology in the classroom. This is a little excerpt from my ROL.

Eric Jensen shares his opinion when he states, “It is astonishing that the dominant model for learning is still, “sit and git.” It’s not astonishing, it’s embarrassing” (1998, p. 60). Strong environmental influences are changing the way our students think and process information. Teachers need to change their teaching styles to accommodate the learners who are entering their classrooms today.

Naturally students gravitate towards new technology. They enjoy the quick, entertaining applications and results that the new tools provide. I work with a team of very experienced teachers. I see the fear that they have for new technology tools. I do not want that to be me. I know that if I do not make a plan for myself, I will wind up feeling uncomfortable too!

Technology Plan/Goals

• Find a new tool monthly. I find a new tool to implement monthly.
• Through Website, Tech For Teachers
• Research Blogs
• Attend Appy Hour
•  
• Stay Updated!
• My child will be a kindergartener next year, so I think that it will be easier for me to stay connected!
• Be OPEN to try new things!

eBooks

The new tech tool that I used last week was the use of an eBook for my entire class. As a school we are celebrating I Love to read month through activities and lessons that surround the Olympics. Our media specialist has purchased some eBooks that our classes can choose from. He purchased a few fictional stories that focus on winter sports such as figure skating and snowboarding and one nonfiction book about the Olympics. The book that our class sampled on Friday was the nonfiction Olympic fact book titled, The World of Olympics by Nick Hunter. He purchased the book though the Capstone Library site. Viewing the book was very simple; just a few clicks. I found this way of reading beneficial in three different ways. First, the book started with a catchy theme song which pulled the kids right in. The Olympic song made them feel that they had the stadium. Next, the book allowed them to follow the highlighted words as the audio progressed through the book. They were part of the reading experience. And lastly, I really enjoyed that they were able to view the pictures of the landmarks and events as the book explained them. It was really cool to see a nonfiction book presented on the big screen. I allowed the audio reader to read on Friday. I think that in the future I will read the book to the kids. I felt that the reader did not have as much emotion in her voice as she

 could have. I also felt that how they presented their information on the side bar was very helpful. It would be easy to select books for your class with the information that they provided. This is what the side bar listed for The World of Olympics...

 

ISBN:978-1-4329-8504-2

Copyright:2012

Author:Hunter, Nick

Illustrator:

Dewey:796.48

Grade Range:3 - 5

Interest Range:3 - 5

Guided Reading Level:T

Lexile:980L

Publisher:Heinemann-Raintree

Brand:Heinemann-Raintree

Series:The Olympics

Language:English

Runtime:23 min 47 sec

ATOS^TM (AR^TM Level):6.9

AR^TM Quiz Number:144920e

 

This type of technology integration is not very high on the SAMR model, although, I do feel that it is another way for kids to access literature. Students are able to follow along and we do not need twenty five copies to do that. They also enjoyed the idea of experiencing something "new". I will definitely think of purchasing a few ebooks for my class throughout the year.

Persistence

I definitely needed PERSISTENCE this week! This is when and how I used it....

P - pushing through the ugly flu bug!
E- Evaluating what was important and taking baby steps!
R - Remembering that I CAN DO IT, and EVERYTHING will get done!
S - Stop and think.... a good attitude is worth so much!
I - Include others...I can take help from others
S - Students.....keep pushing them to try their best to succeed
T- Tackling the changing schedule because of COLD days
E - Everyday has challenges that require persistence
N - NEVER give up on a task that seems too big
C - Connecting with parents at conferences
E - Excellent Advice from Einsteins!

The  Persistence Einstein image caught my eye! I needed a coworker to tell me to slow down and take a day to recover from the flu at home. I took today off and went into conferences later. I feel so much better and my attitude has totally changed. I do need to take care of myself. He told me to get some rest and recover. I am glad that I did that, so I can finally feel like myself again!

Haiku Deck

Quick, Cool and Easy are three words to describe the new technology tool that I was introduced to! Haiku deck is simple and very attractive! I can't stop making the slide shows, and  my five year old is addicted too! He has made a slide show about zoo animals, toys, and sports! This app is so user friendly that he can navigate through it with a few clicks!

At our last test data meeting, we discovered that our weakness in math is number sense. I decided to use Haiku deck to help me out with this weakness! I created a five page slide show titled, Numbers for your Noggin! For every day of the week I created a slide that tackled basic number sense skills.

Monday - basic identification of numbers
Tuesday - Before, After, and Between
Wednesday - Odd/Even
Thursday - Greater Than/Less Than
Friday - Review of Monday - Thursday

Each slide had five questions that covered the skill listed above. The backgrounds are decorated with math/number pictures. The content is very basic, but it looks entertaining because of the Haiku presentation styles. I used Air server to project my ipad on the board. We went through the daily slide  together on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday I gave them a matching worksheet where they filled in their answers. I will continue to use this same slide show, editing the dates and the problems within the show. I think it is a great way to start math. The kids enjoyed the quick review and I hope that this will help with our weakness in number sense!