For me to be able to complete the GAME plan I have set out for myself, I will be in need of a "few things". Most of what I need, I already have access to. The biggest hurdle is making sure my kids have their laptops and are not currently on a "TV" better known as a tech violation (which means they lose their take home privileges for 3 to 5 days).
Our laptops come pretty well stocked with MS Office, OneNote, Publisher, PDF Creator, Email and more. The educational portal to track work, grade lessons, record grades and submit work is provided via our district and is named Moodle. It is a free web based portal that simple requires the district to provide server space. Lastly, the animation program SCRATCH is free on the internet for educational use thanks to MIT.
The OneNote program from Microsoft is a key element that I have already spent 2 weeks training my students how to use. Today (Jan 20th) we implemented the plan of using OneNote with Moodle instead of printing 125 – 18 page packets for 3 weeks of work.
The worksheets, activities, creations projects and even lab activities are mostly “pre” done for me from previous year’s lessons. Some new technology twists is that I assigning the kids to create their crossword puzzles, make their own Avatar and graphic organizers.
My “shopping list” would include
Websites such as:
www.voki.com
www.wordle.net
www.puzzlemaker.com
www.scratch.mti.edu
www.brainpop.com
Hardware student all have their laptop.
Software: OneNote and access to District Server with Moodle
Graphic Organizers and worksheets are pre-designed templates through MS Office’s Publisher that I have made and modified for our previous units for this current unit’s topic.
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Wow- your district certainly seems to have technology as a priority! We are lucky to have one computer lab with really old computers working for the entire class! With your students having so much access to computers at school what types of projects and activities do you have your students complete? It really opens up a lot of doors for you to have that kind of access and support from other teachers and administrators. I noticed that you have Brain Pop on your shopping list- my district has a license for it and the students really enjoy using it with the SMART Board. How has having so much technology altered your teaching/teaching style?
ReplyDeleteNicole,
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you are training your students on how to use the programs that you want them to use. I have not heard of the animation program SCRATCH. Is this similar to FLASH animation? How do you implement this program in your science curriculum? What kind of projects your students create? I like to take a constructivist teaching approach in my classroom but sometimes we lack the time to cover all the required TEKS and then do the enrichment (more hands-on).
Moodle is a great educational tool that can save printing and distribution of learning materials but one disadvantage is that every students would need to have a computer with internet access at school and perhaps at home if homework is assigned. This is unfortunately not the case in every school district and every household. Another advantage of using Moodle is that the students are self-directing their learning when they independently reading, following instructions, and performing the required tasks.
Good luck with your GAME plan.
Yolanda
WOW!! Goes for me too. I am highly impressed at the technology that is available to you and your students. I feel that my school has a lot to offer but I am shocked at what all you have. It is great that your are already implementing alot of what we are covering in your classroom. It sounds like you have a great idea of what you want to do with your students. I love that your students have access to laptops. Most of my students do not have access to computers away from school, but they are only kindergarteners. Good Luck with your GAME plan!
ReplyDeleteAdriane
Thanks for all great comments - Have this kind of technology has improved my teaching, my creativity, my differientation abilities and more of all it has improved my students work, productivity, understanding, and pride in their education.
ReplyDeleteScratch is a FREE webbased program from MIT. If you Google "scratch from MIT" it should come up.
Moodle is great for cutting down on printing but I like it more for how it can grade your student's work and how easy it is for them to turn in the work. I love OneNote for truly saving paper. This week was the first week I did not need to print only 5 packets for a total of 50 pcs of paper rather than the 1500 pcs of paper I am use to using every 2-3 weeks.
Teachnology is great for ALL ages, even Kindergarteners. My 13 year old is my "tech support" when I need help. What it takes me 30 minutes to do, he can do in under 10. It'a amazing.
Thanks for the support and encouragement.
Power to our children of today. They are tech-savvy. With one look they can figure out what will take us a few minutes. Your school definitely supports your growth in terms of technology in the classroom. It must be really great to work in such an environment. I am mightily impressed with the way you organize your classes in order to have smooth running. I hope your students enjoy and appreciate all the hard work you put in to making their lessons interesting and fun.
ReplyDelete