Technology: Enhancing Collaboration Between Teachers, Students, and Teachers AND Students Since (insert year the first piece of technology was introduced into a classroom)

How can technology enhance collaborative learning between teachers, between students, and between teachers and students?

            Although integrating technology into the classroom may seem like a daunting task for many educators, I believe that it is well worth our time for many reasons.  Taking the time to integrate technology into our classrooms will help us more effectively share information with other educators, more effectively present new material to our students, and encourage our students to use technology to publish their work and collaborate on projects with other students.  Because of the many steps involved in integrating technology into one’s classroom, it is easy to see why many educators are hesitant to take on the task.  Educators must first decide what kinds of technology tools might enhance and enrich their current curriculum, become comfortable with the technology they wish to use, decide the best way to integrate the technology into their lesson plans, experiment with the lessons in the classroom, assess the success of the lesson, and decide how to refine future lessons using the technology if necessary (McGrath 1998). 

            McGrath (1998) interviewed a group of teachers who were at the forefront of using computers and the Internet in innovative and compelling ways in science in mathematics.  One of the most important improvements these teachers observed after integrating computers and the Internet into their curriculum was that the technology increased their students’ motivation.  Constantly working to increase student motivation is crucial because students who are motivated are more receptive, more engaged, and more likely to learn and retain what they learn.  The author goes on to list eleven more ways that teacher-student collaborative relationships are influenced by technology but I felt that this was the most important.

            Blogs are also a great way for teachers to collaborate with one another, students to collaborate with one another, and for teachers to collaborate with and give timely and interactive feedback to their students.  Blogs are very diverse because they allow one to publish written responses, videos, graphics, etc for their classmates to view and comment on and for their teachers to view and provide instructional feedback on.  A teacher can create one blog for their entire class that anyone can post on or they can ask students to create their own blogs to post assignments on and use to interact with one another (Pitler et al. 2007). 

            I used blogs as an example to explain how technology integration can positively influence the collaboration between teachers and students because I really like how we were asked to construct blogs to post our assignments on for this course.  I had never constructed a blog before and assumed it was a tedious process but I was proven wrong once again!  It is so easy to simply click on a classmates’ blog link, read their posted response, and continue a discussion.  We can easily share helpful educational resources with one another through our blogs by simply posting a website and giving a very brief synopsis of it.  I also like how easy it is to get feedback from our professor.

           

References

McGrath, B.  1998.  Partners in learning: twelve ways technology changes the teacher-student relationship. Technological Horizons in Education Journal.  Vol. 25.

Pitler, H., Hubbel, E.R., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K.  (2007). Using Technology With Classroom                Instruction That Works.  Denver: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

Collaboration Sensation!

Let’s Collaborate!

1.      www.dropbox.com

I very recently discovered the awesomeness (no this word is NOT in Websters Dictionary!) of the drop box website.  I used this website to share about 50 PDF files with an old professor and it was as easy as 1, 2, 3.  You simply highlight the files you would like to share, “drop” them into a “box,” and invite the special person to view the files by typing in their e-mail address and sending an e-mail.  It is free to sign up unless you want to share insane amounts of files; then there is a small fee to be “dropped” into someone else's account.

2.      Illuminate (UA Online)

The on-line technology integration class we had last week was my first extensive experience with the Illuminate software on UA Online.  It was surprisingly user-friendly and easy for me to figure out and navigate.  Usually I look more like a cave man discovering some rudimentary tool for the first time when figuring out new software programs.  I am sure it helped to have some tech-savvy classmates standing by in case you know what broke loose.  I really enjoyed how everyone involved in the Illuminate session could be interacting and could somehow show that they were following along, even if they were not the ones speaking.  It will take a little practice to get totally familiar with this software but I think I will enjoy it.

3.      Google Docs

I do not have any first-hand experience with GoogleDocs but from what I have heard it is a fantastic file-sharing program.  As I stated in class last week, I am used to sharing files with people by e-mailing them, having them corrected using something like track changes, and then having them e-mailed back to me with revisions to be made.  When working on a group paper, for example, it would be much more effective to have one document that everyone can view, edit, and revise without having a million and one versions floating around cyber space.  I would love to become more familiar with the GoogleDocs website.

The Adventures of Tinkerbell Voice Thread

Here it is, enjoy!

http://voicethread.com/share/2303146/

The Use of Technology in Elementary Classrooms

The Use of Technology in Elementary Classrooms

For how much access there is to technology in the majority of elementary schools and classrooms today, it does not seem as if technology is being integrated into them nearly as much as it could be.  I believe the main reason for this is because many teachers have not received appropriate training on the technology their school has available so they do not feel comfortable integrating it into their lessons.  Arends and Kilcher (2010) discuss the importance of using computers (or laptops) during instruction.  The internet is a tool that any elementary student can be taught to utilize for educational purposes to some degree.  While some schools may have one computer lab that all classes must share, many classrooms have their own sets of laptops with internet available for student use.  Students can use the internet to find information on a topic they were just introduced to or to conduct further research on projects they have been working on for a while.  I have seen the internet used as an educational tool frequently in secondary classrooms, but not so much in elementary classrooms.

            Barone and Wright (2008) discuss how they integrate digital and media literacies into a fourth-grade classroom in Fernley, NV.  They exposed students to new literacies with innovative text formats via the internet, had students further research topics on the internet, critically evaluate the internet sources, and communicate using word processing programs, e-mail, and chats.  They stress that there key elements a school must consider before deciding to use such a technology-based literacy program.  These elements include having the necessary technology available for use, enough time for teachers and students to learn to use the technology, and a technology support team.

            Although we have not had the students use the internet in my host teachers’ third grade classroom, we have had them use other forms of technology.  The laptops that are available to our classroom have a software program called Kidspiration installed on them.  So far we have had the students use the base-10 math program on Kidspiration to help them practice their place-value skills.  The students have used the AlphaSmarts a couple of times already for the publishing step of their writing pieces.  We also use the ELMO and the flat screen TV in our classroom on a daily basis to present information to and model lessons for the students. 

Pitler et al. (2007) discuss how the Kidspiration software can be an effective learning tool for many reasons.  One of these reasons is the idea mapping/brainstorming tool it has that we used in our first Technology class.  Students can use this idea mapping tool to organize their ideas during the first part of the writing process.  It allows them to not only see their own ideas written down but they can also move them around on the screen and link them to other ideas.  I know not a lot of schools in Juneau have purchased this program but almost, if not all, schools have at least limited access to other word processing programs that would allow their students to do similar tasks.  The possibilities are endless when it comes to using technology in the classroom, we just need to educate more teachers about what is already available to them so they can put it to use!

References

Arends, R., & Kilcher, A. (2010). Teaching for student learning: Becoming an accomplished             teacher. New York: Routledge.

Barone, D.& Wright, T.E. (2008). Literacy Instruction With Digital and Media Technologies.  The Reading Teacher, 62(4), 292–302.

Pitler, H., Hubbel, E.R., Kuhn, M. & Malenoski, K.  (2007). Using Technology With Classroom                Instruction That Works.  Denver: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning.

The Fabulous Foo Foo Morphologies

Ted Wilson, Principal and Technology Extraordinaire

Interview with Mr. Ted Wilson, Principal, Glacier Valley Elementary:

What kind of educational software programs are available for teachers to use?

            The laptops and most desktop computers are equipped with programs such as KidSpiration, Comic Life, Office Suite, iWorks, Garage Band, Google Earth, Accelerated Reader, Power School, e-mail program, Safari, and a program to record PALS data.  The desktop computers in one of our rooms are equipped with All the Right Type keyboarding program. 

What led you to be so proactive in integrating technology use in our school?

            When I was a freshman in high school (~1981) our school received a grant to be immersed in new technology that was available at the time.  This allowed me to experience how beneficial technology integration can be to one’s educational experience.  It gives teachers more instructional options.  When I arrived at Glacier Valley in 1997, there was some technology already available and shortly after I arrived here we had the opportunity to purchase more technology tools for our school so I got to be influential in deciding what would be beneficial for us to purchase.  I wanted wireless internet, the newest computers and laptops available and video and audio software.  Having a wireless system allows us to do things such as have off-site meetings.  Technology should be central in a school setting and making current technology available for students in school is important because it is a big draw for them.  Even with all of the technology we have, we are behind yet because of the new iPads, tablets, etc. available.  We do have four iPads being used in our special education department but they are not yet supported by the district so we are pioneering the idea in a sense. 

How were you able to obtain the technology tools that are now available in our school?

            In 1997 a bond issue was passed that allowed us to start purchasing some new technology tools.  Another bond issue was passed that allowed us to finish the purchases that we had already started.  A few years later the legislature approved money for us to use for more purchases.  Our school was then renovated which provided even more technology funds.  However, we do not yet know what our new sources of technology funds will be, we are still working on that.  Geoffrey Wyatt has written some smaller technology grants before and Laurie Heagy has experience writing grants for other things.

Why is technology important in a school setting?

            It involves the same idea as hooking kids up with outdoor education, art, drama, etc.  There are things that can be outside and/or integrated into the curriculum that hooks the interest of our students in what we are teaching.  Technology also allows us to extend the learning of those students that need it.  For example, when I was teaching, if students finished up a writing project early I would have them make a video or other kind of presentation to publish their work.

What has the students’ response been to technology integration in school?

            The students seem very comfortable with it.  Many Kindergarten students taking the MAPs tests are experiencing computers for the first time.  I have found that they can handle the track pad on a lap top much easier than a mouse for a desktop computer.  It seems that students are more open to integrating new forms of technology into their lives when they have been exposed to it at an early age.

What is your favorite technology tool to use?

            Probably the digital cameras because they give you almost instant results.  For example, you can take pictures in an activity you are doing with the students in the morning, print them out at lunch or on your prep, and have them available to use for an afternoon activity.  This allows for very engaging lessons and gives students first-hand experience with technology tools.

Glacier Valley's Slew of Wonderful Technology Tools

Glacier Valley Elementary Technology Inventory

We have a wide array of technology tools available to us at Glacier Valley Elementary.  Available to every classroom are three carts with 24-30 Apple laptops each; ELMO devices; widescreen TVs that can project information from various sources such as a computer or ELMO and are equipped with cable; speaker systems with a microphone for the teacher to use, electronic science tools such as a USB probe scope; the library has a flip camera, wireless microphones, and a digital still camera that anyone can check out.  Although the electronic science tools are available for anyone to check out, there has been little training to staff on their use as yet.

            There are Alpha Smart typing devices for students in 3-5 grades to use; Geoffrey has wireless Neo devices; the library has a smart board with a laptop attached to it; our gymnasium is equipped with a full audio system; the commons and gym have large projection screens equipped with an internet connection.