Few educators would question the positive role that computers can play in education. Most claim that ready access to computers in K-12 classrooms has a beneficial effect on educational outcomes. These proponents believe computers will make the classroom a better environment in which to teach the difficult concepts that lead to higher academic achievement (Johnson, 2000). But are classroom computers delivering on this expectation? Does access to a computer or use of a computer in instructing students improve their academic achievement?
Reference: Johnson, K. (2000). Do computers in the classroom boost academic achievement? Center for Data Analysis Report.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Best Methods for the Use of Blogs in the Classroom
Blogging in the classroom can be a powerful and effective technology tool for students and teachers. A blog which is sometimes called a weblog is a tool allowing instant publishing of text, artwork, links to other blogs or web sites, and other content. The postings that are entered are text entries similar to a journal which include a posting date and can be commented on by classmates and the teacher. The following are some of the benefits and downsides of using a blog in the classroom.
Benefits of blogging;
• Blogs are easy to use and require minimal technical knowledge. They are easily created and maintained.
• Blogs are convenient and accessible from home or the school computer lab
• Blogs are a convenient tool for communicating with students
• Educationally, blogs are motivating to students, especially to those who might not become participants in the classroom,
• Blogs provide excellent opportunities for students to read and write
• It provides a forum for collaboration where students and teachers can work to further develop writing. Teachers can offer tips, students can receive peer feedback, and cooperative research projects are possible.
• The blog allows for the teacher to mentor and scaffold students
• A classroom blog can aid in management as it is used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts and homework assignments, and act as a question and answer box.
• The blog can be a great tool for communicating with and informing parents of procedures and obtaining permission
• A class blog opens the way for discussion of topics outside of the classroom where students who are too shy to speak out in class can share their thoughts. It allows students to be reactive and reflective.
• Blogs are a great place to organize student work into a digital portfolio.
• Knowing their work will be published, spurs students on to do their best.
• Students can share information and ideas and read what others think.
• The teacher can read what the students think about the class and content, and writers can share their writings with people outside of the class
• A blog opens up networking opportunities with teachers and students across the country or even across the world. A whole new vista for gaining knowledge and information is available.
• The blog is a forum for building enthusiasm for learning as a student learns something new and wishes to share it with everyone.
• Blogs give students ownership and authenticity over their own learning.
• Blogging helps students see their work as interconnected with other subjects and helps them to organize their learning.
• Regular blogging can foster the development of writing and research skills and teach a variety of skills
Disadvantages of Blogs:
• Rules must be clear and enforced
• Blogs take time to keep updated
• Students may blog about things unrelated to the class
• Students without a computer at home are at a disadvantage
• Be sure to follow district Acceptable Use Policies and get permission from parents
• Students must be trained on acceptable use regarding access, privacy, security, and free expression.
• Students must never be defamatory, libelous, or infringe on the rights of others
• Blogs need to be updated regularly or students will lose interest
• Be careful the blog does not get off- track from its intended course
• The teacher must monitor to make sure it is always appropriate
• You may not want others outside of the class to be able to access your blog
Tips for How to Use the Blog:
Elementary Ed
• Begin simply by posting class information and assignments and deadlines. This will get the students to regularly check the blog.
• The instructor should work on the blog at first by adding links to interesting sites about class topics. It will set the tone for the students to realize what is expected.
• Have students explore other blogs to get an idea of what their class will be doing. This will foster reading and critical thinking and they will learn much about writing posts and responding to posts.
• Create a reason for the students to write. Have them write about a current event, a writing assignment, or something that they are studying in one of their subjects
• Encourage interaction and the reading of each other’s posts.
• Be sure to address any negative issues immediately. Bullying is especially unacceptable
Secondary Ed
• First model how you want students to write or respond to someone else’s writing, and make your presence known so they will stay in check
• Create a purpose and tie it to an instructional objective.
• Set up a discussion focusing on one or two essential questions at a time with a time period and cut-off date for posts.
• Everyone should be required to participate so that the blog does not get abandoned and die and so that everyone will have a place to be heard.
References
www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47
Academic VoIP Blog for Elementary Schools
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/blogonlineclass/index.htm
Kimberly White's EDM310 Blog
Benefits of blogging;
• Blogs are easy to use and require minimal technical knowledge. They are easily created and maintained.
• Blogs are convenient and accessible from home or the school computer lab
• Blogs are a convenient tool for communicating with students
• Educationally, blogs are motivating to students, especially to those who might not become participants in the classroom,
• Blogs provide excellent opportunities for students to read and write
• It provides a forum for collaboration where students and teachers can work to further develop writing. Teachers can offer tips, students can receive peer feedback, and cooperative research projects are possible.
• The blog allows for the teacher to mentor and scaffold students
• A classroom blog can aid in management as it is used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts and homework assignments, and act as a question and answer box.
• The blog can be a great tool for communicating with and informing parents of procedures and obtaining permission
• A class blog opens the way for discussion of topics outside of the classroom where students who are too shy to speak out in class can share their thoughts. It allows students to be reactive and reflective.
• Blogs are a great place to organize student work into a digital portfolio.
• Knowing their work will be published, spurs students on to do their best.
• Students can share information and ideas and read what others think.
• The teacher can read what the students think about the class and content, and writers can share their writings with people outside of the class
• A blog opens up networking opportunities with teachers and students across the country or even across the world. A whole new vista for gaining knowledge and information is available.
• The blog is a forum for building enthusiasm for learning as a student learns something new and wishes to share it with everyone.
• Blogs give students ownership and authenticity over their own learning.
• Blogging helps students see their work as interconnected with other subjects and helps them to organize their learning.
• Regular blogging can foster the development of writing and research skills and teach a variety of skills
Disadvantages of Blogs:
• Rules must be clear and enforced
• Blogs take time to keep updated
• Students may blog about things unrelated to the class
• Students without a computer at home are at a disadvantage
• Be sure to follow district Acceptable Use Policies and get permission from parents
• Students must be trained on acceptable use regarding access, privacy, security, and free expression.
• Students must never be defamatory, libelous, or infringe on the rights of others
• Blogs need to be updated regularly or students will lose interest
• Be careful the blog does not get off- track from its intended course
• The teacher must monitor to make sure it is always appropriate
• You may not want others outside of the class to be able to access your blog
Tips for How to Use the Blog:
Elementary Ed
• Begin simply by posting class information and assignments and deadlines. This will get the students to regularly check the blog.
• The instructor should work on the blog at first by adding links to interesting sites about class topics. It will set the tone for the students to realize what is expected.
• Have students explore other blogs to get an idea of what their class will be doing. This will foster reading and critical thinking and they will learn much about writing posts and responding to posts.
• Create a reason for the students to write. Have them write about a current event, a writing assignment, or something that they are studying in one of their subjects
• Encourage interaction and the reading of each other’s posts.
• Be sure to address any negative issues immediately. Bullying is especially unacceptable
Secondary Ed
• First model how you want students to write or respond to someone else’s writing, and make your presence known so they will stay in check
• Create a purpose and tie it to an instructional objective.
• Set up a discussion focusing on one or two essential questions at a time with a time period and cut-off date for posts.
• Everyone should be required to participate so that the blog does not get abandoned and die and so that everyone will have a place to be heard.
References
ClassPress is a commercial blogging site where no one outside your class can view or participate without your permission. This might be worth looking into.
cmiseval@dtwd.wa.gov.au www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47
Academic VoIP Blog for Elementary Schools
http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/blogonlineclass/index.htm
Kimberly White's EDM310 Blog
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Teaching with Prezi
1. Prezi enables the teacher to dissect long sections of text into more manageable pieces, thus allowing for a more meaningful analysis.
2. The ability to zoom in and out on images and text helps students focus on what is important.
3. The ability to zoom in can also be used to expand on the meaning of a particular word, and clarify that meaning by associating the word with an image.
4. Teachers must be careful not to overuse the zoom and move functions. When used correctly they can be highly effective instructional tools; however, overusing these functions will decrease their effectiveness and may induce motion sickness.
5. Prezi goes beyond viewing images and diagrams, allowing students to dive in and explore.
6. Frames gather and collect information in any way a teacher prefers, allowing for a clear and concise means of presenting whole concepts.
7. Using Prezi, you can create a pathway but choose to leave it at any time to explore additional content. You can then return to your pathway, just as you do when your teaching.
8. As opposed to other tools like PowerPoint, which follows a traditional linear style of information presentation, Prezi allows teachers a greater level of flexibility and the ability to adapt to their students' curricular needs.
9. Images and videos can be embedded directly onto a Prezi presentation.
10. Prezi helps students see the bigger picture and understand relationships and sequences.
References:
http://prezi.com/rfsnedhqmhqa/thoughts-on-using-prezi-as-a-teaching-tool/
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
WebQuest Pro's and Con's
1. Pro - Enhance Learning: By requiring students to complete a Webquest before studying a particular topic provides background information and enhances the learning experience.
2. Pro - Engage Students: Helps engage students by utilizing the internet. Students today typically enjoy surfing “the web”; thus, they enjoy completing a Webquest.
3. Pro – Student Centered Learning: By using a Webquest, students are able to learn things for themselves, rather than listening to information provided by the teacher. They get to “fuss” with information by navigating through various websites; thus, they are able to gain a better understanding.
4. Pro – Self Paced Learning: Students are able to learn at their own pace. They can spend as much time on one particular site until they understand the concept or find the required information.
5. Pro – Structured learning: Webquest’s assure students access correct information. The internet is full of information – both reliable and unreliable. The creation of Webquests allows student to access the internet for research and assures that they access reliable sources.
6. Pro – Cross Curricular: Webquest’s can create bridges between various subjects. For example, if an English Literature teacher is teaching Shakespeare, he or she can create a webquest where the students learn about the Elizabethan Era as well.
7. Con – Time consuming: Depending on the student, it may take a considerable amount of time to complete the quest.
8. Con – Limiting: Students cannot venture outside the constraints of the Webquest, therefore they cannot solve the problems in other ways. They must follow a predetermined path.
9. Con - Lack of collaboration: Webquests are individual based projects. To eliminate this, teacher should require some type of collaboration during “the quest”.
10. Con – Computer Access: Not all students will have access to computers at home. As a result, Webquest’s should not be used as homework assignments.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Teaching with Inspiration
1. An effective outlining tool.
2. Rather than providing actual content, you can link directly to content.
3. Visually engaging for students.
4. Helps students dissect dense information into more manageable parts.
5. Demonstrate the connectivity of both obviously related as well as seemingly disparate parts.
6. Provides a graphic organizer for project planning.
7. A con is that it provides only high-level details as opposed to specific information.
8. Enables dual-coding of information by delivering information both visually and verbally.
9. While inspiration provides a platform for disseminating information in a number of dynamic forms (i.e. pictures, fonts, sizes, colors, etc.), information can easily become morass.
10 Color and size grading helps in distinguishing between key concepts and their importance.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Teaching with PowerPoint
1. By careful mixing media, a presentation can appeal to a number of different learning styles (i.e. visual learners, auditory learners, etc.) and be made more stimulating.
2. The templates provided have been designed to default to good presentation criteria. Using the styles of the default templates can significantly improve the clarity and structuring of a presentation. This helps to avoid the common use of excessive text often found on overhead transparencies. Even as a tool to create better-designed black and white or color transparencies, PowerPoint enforces simple but important rules of highly effective media design in the point sizes of text, bullets, framing, and layout.
3. Clipart samples in PowerPoint can be used to illustrate any number of things. For example, in a Geography course clipart can be used to illustrate the flags, crests, maps, currencies, and landmarks of a country or region.
4. Because many students, particularly in elementary school, have not traveled outside of the United States, a "virtual tour" of countries featuring photographs of people and places in the country in question, accompanied by a loop of national music, can help students relate to a place they have never been.
5. Photographs from Microsoft Bookshelf, the World Wide Web, and other sources can be used to illustrate slides. Short video clips from CNN could be inserted to add variety and a dynamic quality to presentations.
6. Although PowerPoint can be used effectively without photos, clipart, or charts of any kind, the real attraction of the software is the seamless integration of text and visual elements.
7. PowerPoint is ideal for teaching with the case study method, beginning with the "facts of the case" and then turning to the questions and discussion.
8. Quizzes and tests can be presented as a PowerPoint presentation, and ask essay, fill-in, or multiple-choice questions, reducing photocopying costs. Many students have found quizzes on a TV monitor to be more legible in many cases than black and white overhead transparency quizzes.
9. A PowerPoint quiz can test students' recognition of leaders, flags, and maps; such a quiz may involve an essay reacting to a chart, graph, or photograph, moving students beyond the goal of grasping secondary knowledge and toward reacting to and interpreting primary data.
10. PowerPoint’s electronic file format allows distribution and modification for/by students unable to be present or who have impaired visual or auditory difficulties.
11. Editing of each PowerPoint file is very easy with minimal associated reprinting costs. This ease and potential immediacy of revision facilitates reflection upon, and evolution of, teaching materials by staff whilst minimizing the consequences of any revision in terms of either workload or time.
12. The portability of the files allows presentations to be given wherever the technology is available or distributed where appropriate. Presentations can also be set up to run automatically if required e.g. as demonstrations/instructions within a laboratory
13. PowerPoint slides and presentations can be easily reproduced in the form of handout sheets with the bullet points clearly printed out. This allows students more time to focus on class lecture and discussion, rather than rapidly taking notes. These sheets can also be photocopied as a course pack by a local vendor and available to students at the beginning of the semester.
14. Extra information can be ‘hidden’ within files for answering predicted questions or for providing feedback to students using the file in a distance-learning context.
2. The templates provided have been designed to default to good presentation criteria. Using the styles of the default templates can significantly improve the clarity and structuring of a presentation. This helps to avoid the common use of excessive text often found on overhead transparencies. Even as a tool to create better-designed black and white or color transparencies, PowerPoint enforces simple but important rules of highly effective media design in the point sizes of text, bullets, framing, and layout.
3. Clipart samples in PowerPoint can be used to illustrate any number of things. For example, in a Geography course clipart can be used to illustrate the flags, crests, maps, currencies, and landmarks of a country or region.
4. Because many students, particularly in elementary school, have not traveled outside of the United States, a "virtual tour" of countries featuring photographs of people and places in the country in question, accompanied by a loop of national music, can help students relate to a place they have never been.
5. Photographs from Microsoft Bookshelf, the World Wide Web, and other sources can be used to illustrate slides. Short video clips from CNN could be inserted to add variety and a dynamic quality to presentations.
6. Although PowerPoint can be used effectively without photos, clipart, or charts of any kind, the real attraction of the software is the seamless integration of text and visual elements.
7. PowerPoint is ideal for teaching with the case study method, beginning with the "facts of the case" and then turning to the questions and discussion.
8. Quizzes and tests can be presented as a PowerPoint presentation, and ask essay, fill-in, or multiple-choice questions, reducing photocopying costs. Many students have found quizzes on a TV monitor to be more legible in many cases than black and white overhead transparency quizzes.
9. A PowerPoint quiz can test students' recognition of leaders, flags, and maps; such a quiz may involve an essay reacting to a chart, graph, or photograph, moving students beyond the goal of grasping secondary knowledge and toward reacting to and interpreting primary data.
10. PowerPoint’s electronic file format allows distribution and modification for/by students unable to be present or who have impaired visual or auditory difficulties.
11. Editing of each PowerPoint file is very easy with minimal associated reprinting costs. This ease and potential immediacy of revision facilitates reflection upon, and evolution of, teaching materials by staff whilst minimizing the consequences of any revision in terms of either workload or time.
12. The portability of the files allows presentations to be given wherever the technology is available or distributed where appropriate. Presentations can also be set up to run automatically if required e.g. as demonstrations/instructions within a laboratory
13. PowerPoint slides and presentations can be easily reproduced in the form of handout sheets with the bullet points clearly printed out. This allows students more time to focus on class lecture and discussion, rather than rapidly taking notes. These sheets can also be photocopied as a course pack by a local vendor and available to students at the beginning of the semester.
14. Extra information can be ‘hidden’ within files for answering predicted questions or for providing feedback to students using the file in a distance-learning context.
References:
www.technologysource.org/article/use_of_powerpoint_in_teaching_comparative_politics
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Group Survey Results
School Names
Emerson Elementary
Spring Lane Elementary
Blessed Sacrament School
Principals:
Emerson: Dan Bergman,
Spring Lane:Vicki Rickets
Blessed Sacrament: Matthew Devol
Classrooms visited:
Emerson Elementary: Amy Nelson – She is the Library Technology Teacher (which includes media specialist). She must care for all of the technology that teachers can check out and make sure they are in good working order besides regular library duties and teaching every class every week for 45 minutes. She usually teaches some kind of technology lesson.
Spring Lane: Byron Bath - 4th grade teacher.
Blessed Sacrament: Rob Luke - Computer & Technology teacher; Melody Franco – 2nd grade teacher.
Overall View of Technology
Emerson
Amy’s perspective on current and future use of technology in the classroom:
Amy feels that technology is the future. Students are growing up with all of this technology, they know how to use it, and employers are going to want them to know how to use it. It is the expected norm now. Students need to be technically savvy.
Spring Lane
The more a teacher can incorporate technology into instruction and learning the better. As is the case with instruction in general, it is pretty much up to individual teachers to teach the curriculum in the manner they wish (or are capable to). So, the use of technology is teacher specific. Some are able to go crazy with it and others not much at all. I personally am using more and more all the time, as are the students. I teach 4th grade and by the end of the year they will have worked with Word, PowerPoint, Photo Story, Movie Maker, Poster Forge, Touch Typing, Publisher, and in the future it is hoped that our class with be chosen to have I-Touches for each student.
Blessed Sacrament:
Blessed Sacrament school has a high value of technology. The school harnesses various technological tools to enhance the education of its students and communicate with its parents. The Board of Directors, Principle, Teachers and Staff all recognize the importance of computers and technology. Therefore, the school makes it a point to continually upgrade its technology and provide computer education to its students.
Does the school have its own website?
Emerson Elementary:
Yes it does and the district maintains the main site. The principal, the computer aid, and the media specialist. The URL is emerson.slcschools.org
Spring Lane Elementary:
Yes, maintained by a tech-savvy teacher.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Blessed Sacrament has its own website that is maintained free of charge by a parent volunteer. This volunteer is responsible for creating and maintaining all the aspects of the site. The website is a valuable tool for parents. It provides an overview of the curriculum for each grade, enables them to sign up for volunteer hours, monitor upcoming events, view the monthly newsletter and sign up for parent/teacher conferences. The school views the website as a powerful tool for communication and uses it for its main source of
information. Parents know if they need to learn about an upcoming event, policy, or expectation they can find it on the website.
Do teachers have classroom blogs?
Emerson Elementary:
The district blocks blogs, but UEN has a blogging feature. Amy uses this as a feature of the library. “What is Your Favorite Book and Why?” Students can enter their favorite book and tell why. She checks all of the entries to make sure they are appropriate.
Spring Lane Elementary:
No, but each teacher has a website that the students may access.
Blessed Sacrament School:
The Middle School Language Arts Teacher is the only teacher using a blog. The blog’s primary purpose is to provide information on school awards, recognitions and upcoming events. This teacher also has a website. The site provides a recommended reading list, a list of Catholic High Schools and other things pertinent to her students and classes.
Do all classrooms have computers in them?
Emerson Elementary:
Every classroom has a teacher computer and one student computer. The school does have a classroom set of laptops that teachers can check out. There are two ‘Engaged Technology Classrooms” ETC, in the building. The teacher who teaches here must commit to two years of taking the ETC training where you learn the fundamentals behind technology. You teach in the classroom that has a computer for every student and you must teach the ETC curriculum.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Most, but not all. A few teachers have only their teacher computer. Others have only a couple of PC’s. Most have 4-6 PC’s. Three teachers have a half classroom set of laptop computers. And one teacher has about 8 mac laptops.
Blessed Sacrament School:
All classrooms have computers, and generally there are about 3 in each room. Each teacher uses the computers differently. Some classes use Weather Bug, a web based weather monitoring tool, other’s use computers for science or social studies topics. Many teachers use the computers as a reward for completing work in timely manner. Students who finish early can use the computers in the classroom to play educational games.
Is there a computer lab?
Emerson Elementary:
The library has 40 computers and there is another lab in the school that the teachers visit once a week. The teacher does whatever she wants in the lab. Amy’s library computers are sued for her lessons in research. She teaches a research unit in grades 4-6 where they come everyday to the library for three weeks and she teaches them the whole research process. She has the students do projects such as a photo story, power point and a fact flipper.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Two computer labs, 35 PC’s each. All teachers are required to have students work on Math/Language/Reading programs weekly. Some teachers sign up for extra time to work on class projects (PowerPoints, research, etc.).
Blessed Sacrament School:
The school has one computer lab with 15 computers. It is used by all the grades. Each grade is given 1 hour of computer instruction per week. From an early age students are introduced to computers. Kindergarten, First, and Second grade classes are taught basic keyboarding and point and click skills. As they get older, students learn how to utilize the internet for research and how to use a variety of MS Office products, including power point and word. Once in middle school, students are encouraged to learn how to write on computer, meaning that they start expressing their thoughts through typing. According to the computer teacher, this is an acquired skill and students must be taught this to be successful later in life.
Some of the software programs used include: Mavis Beacon, Typing Tutor, and MS Office.
What kind of computers and equipment are in the school?
Emerson Elementary:
There are Smart Boards and Document Readers in every class, as well as projectors. Teachers have microphones. They use Smart Board Notebook, Word, Power Point, Fast Math, SRI, UEN, Reading.
Spring Lane Elementary:
The school has PC’s mostly, some laptops. Each classroom has a projection system and a big screen and speakers. All teachers use a voice enhancement system as well. Some classrooms have document cameras, based upon who actually uses them.
Blessed Sacrament School:
The school uses a combination of PC’s and Mac’s. All the computers in classrooms are P.C.’s, while the computer lab and library uses Mac’s. Due to a grant given by a private donor, Blessed Sacrament just changed their computer lab and library computers to Mac’s. As a result of this recent change, the school is learning the best way to use these new computers. Starting in second grade, each class room has a smart board. Each teacher has a PC for his/her own use in the classroom. There are also laptops on rolling carts. These laptops can be rolled in and out of classrooms on an as needed basis.
Can teachers use the Internet in their instruction?
Emerson Elementary:
They are starting to. Amy uses it all of the time. Students do their research using it with Google search, UEN, Pioneer (an online library the state has developed which has data bases like culture grams where you can search the states. SIRS, which is a magazine for kids to research topics.
Spring Lane Elementary: Some do, some don’t. The projection system is a fantastic resource for showing what is on the teacher’s computer, a number of teachers use it expressly for this purpose.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Absolutely, and they do.
How does a teacher get further training to use technology?
Emerson Elementary:
The SL District offers summer day classes on word, Excell, Smart Board, and they are free. The principal can pay for training, but with the low budget the technology specialist trains the teachers.
Spring Lane Elementary:
There are sometimes in-service professional development opportunities, especially on newly rolled-out district programs. However, the teacher is responsible for seeking out most professional development through other means.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Most of the teacher training is done in-house by the technology manager, Rob Luke. Some times teacher will seek outside instruction on their own.
What is the % of students who might have a computer in their home:
Emerson Elementary:
Amy did a questionnaire of one class and only 4/28 did not have computers. It is not a Title 1 school and is in a nice neighborhood.
Spring Lane Elementary: The teacher believes it to be between 40-60%.
Blessed Sacrament School:
About 90% of the students have computers or multiple computers at home; although, the computer teacher pointed out that not all students use computers at home. He acknowledged that there is a notable gap between the students who use computers at home and those who do not.
Did I observe students using technology?
Emerson Elementary:
They just finished using a flip camera to video skits that they created showing themselves breaking the library rules. The best videos will be made into a show to show to the entire school.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Students at the school participated in mandatory computer programs that they work through in Math, Language, and Reading. In the classroom, students would use a few computers to play instructional games during free time. Beyond that, it was the teacher who mostly utilized the computer based tech. to further deepen the level of instruction.
Blessed Sacrament School:
No.
Summary:
After discussing the technology available in the various schools, our group determined that technology varies not only across schools but also within a specific school. Some schools find it vital to have computers in every in class and available to every student, while others do not. Also, within the individual school the level of access a student has varies depending on the teachers comfort level with technology and computers. Based on our research, it is apparent that there is no standard for technology in the classroom and what children should be taught regarding computers. We wonder if there will soon be a need to develop a core curriculum for computer education.
Emerson Elementary
Spring Lane Elementary
Blessed Sacrament School
Principals:
Emerson: Dan Bergman,
Spring Lane:Vicki Rickets
Blessed Sacrament: Matthew Devol
Classrooms visited:
Emerson Elementary: Amy Nelson – She is the Library Technology Teacher (which includes media specialist). She must care for all of the technology that teachers can check out and make sure they are in good working order besides regular library duties and teaching every class every week for 45 minutes. She usually teaches some kind of technology lesson.
Spring Lane: Byron Bath - 4th grade teacher.
Blessed Sacrament: Rob Luke - Computer & Technology teacher; Melody Franco – 2nd grade teacher.
Overall View of Technology
Emerson
Amy’s perspective on current and future use of technology in the classroom:
Amy feels that technology is the future. Students are growing up with all of this technology, they know how to use it, and employers are going to want them to know how to use it. It is the expected norm now. Students need to be technically savvy.
Spring Lane
The more a teacher can incorporate technology into instruction and learning the better. As is the case with instruction in general, it is pretty much up to individual teachers to teach the curriculum in the manner they wish (or are capable to). So, the use of technology is teacher specific. Some are able to go crazy with it and others not much at all. I personally am using more and more all the time, as are the students. I teach 4th grade and by the end of the year they will have worked with Word, PowerPoint, Photo Story, Movie Maker, Poster Forge, Touch Typing, Publisher, and in the future it is hoped that our class with be chosen to have I-Touches for each student.
Blessed Sacrament:
Blessed Sacrament school has a high value of technology. The school harnesses various technological tools to enhance the education of its students and communicate with its parents. The Board of Directors, Principle, Teachers and Staff all recognize the importance of computers and technology. Therefore, the school makes it a point to continually upgrade its technology and provide computer education to its students.
Does the school have its own website?
Emerson Elementary:
Yes it does and the district maintains the main site. The principal, the computer aid, and the media specialist. The URL is emerson.slcschools.org
Spring Lane Elementary:
Yes, maintained by a tech-savvy teacher.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Blessed Sacrament has its own website that is maintained free of charge by a parent volunteer. This volunteer is responsible for creating and maintaining all the aspects of the site. The website is a valuable tool for parents. It provides an overview of the curriculum for each grade, enables them to sign up for volunteer hours, monitor upcoming events, view the monthly newsletter and sign up for parent/teacher conferences. The school views the website as a powerful tool for communication and uses it for its main source of
information. Parents know if they need to learn about an upcoming event, policy, or expectation they can find it on the website.
Do teachers have classroom blogs?
Emerson Elementary:
The district blocks blogs, but UEN has a blogging feature. Amy uses this as a feature of the library. “What is Your Favorite Book and Why?” Students can enter their favorite book and tell why. She checks all of the entries to make sure they are appropriate.
Spring Lane Elementary:
No, but each teacher has a website that the students may access.
Blessed Sacrament School:
The Middle School Language Arts Teacher is the only teacher using a blog. The blog’s primary purpose is to provide information on school awards, recognitions and upcoming events. This teacher also has a website. The site provides a recommended reading list, a list of Catholic High Schools and other things pertinent to her students and classes.
Do all classrooms have computers in them?
Emerson Elementary:
Every classroom has a teacher computer and one student computer. The school does have a classroom set of laptops that teachers can check out. There are two ‘Engaged Technology Classrooms” ETC, in the building. The teacher who teaches here must commit to two years of taking the ETC training where you learn the fundamentals behind technology. You teach in the classroom that has a computer for every student and you must teach the ETC curriculum.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Most, but not all. A few teachers have only their teacher computer. Others have only a couple of PC’s. Most have 4-6 PC’s. Three teachers have a half classroom set of laptop computers. And one teacher has about 8 mac laptops.
Blessed Sacrament School:
All classrooms have computers, and generally there are about 3 in each room. Each teacher uses the computers differently. Some classes use Weather Bug, a web based weather monitoring tool, other’s use computers for science or social studies topics. Many teachers use the computers as a reward for completing work in timely manner. Students who finish early can use the computers in the classroom to play educational games.
Is there a computer lab?
Emerson Elementary:
The library has 40 computers and there is another lab in the school that the teachers visit once a week. The teacher does whatever she wants in the lab. Amy’s library computers are sued for her lessons in research. She teaches a research unit in grades 4-6 where they come everyday to the library for three weeks and she teaches them the whole research process. She has the students do projects such as a photo story, power point and a fact flipper.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Two computer labs, 35 PC’s each. All teachers are required to have students work on Math/Language/Reading programs weekly. Some teachers sign up for extra time to work on class projects (PowerPoints, research, etc.).
Blessed Sacrament School:
The school has one computer lab with 15 computers. It is used by all the grades. Each grade is given 1 hour of computer instruction per week. From an early age students are introduced to computers. Kindergarten, First, and Second grade classes are taught basic keyboarding and point and click skills. As they get older, students learn how to utilize the internet for research and how to use a variety of MS Office products, including power point and word. Once in middle school, students are encouraged to learn how to write on computer, meaning that they start expressing their thoughts through typing. According to the computer teacher, this is an acquired skill and students must be taught this to be successful later in life.
Some of the software programs used include: Mavis Beacon, Typing Tutor, and MS Office.
What kind of computers and equipment are in the school?
Emerson Elementary:
There are Smart Boards and Document Readers in every class, as well as projectors. Teachers have microphones. They use Smart Board Notebook, Word, Power Point, Fast Math, SRI, UEN, Reading.
Spring Lane Elementary:
The school has PC’s mostly, some laptops. Each classroom has a projection system and a big screen and speakers. All teachers use a voice enhancement system as well. Some classrooms have document cameras, based upon who actually uses them.
Blessed Sacrament School:
The school uses a combination of PC’s and Mac’s. All the computers in classrooms are P.C.’s, while the computer lab and library uses Mac’s. Due to a grant given by a private donor, Blessed Sacrament just changed their computer lab and library computers to Mac’s. As a result of this recent change, the school is learning the best way to use these new computers. Starting in second grade, each class room has a smart board. Each teacher has a PC for his/her own use in the classroom. There are also laptops on rolling carts. These laptops can be rolled in and out of classrooms on an as needed basis.
Can teachers use the Internet in their instruction?
Emerson Elementary:
They are starting to. Amy uses it all of the time. Students do their research using it with Google search, UEN, Pioneer (an online library the state has developed which has data bases like culture grams where you can search the states. SIRS, which is a magazine for kids to research topics.
Spring Lane Elementary: Some do, some don’t. The projection system is a fantastic resource for showing what is on the teacher’s computer, a number of teachers use it expressly for this purpose.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Absolutely, and they do.
How does a teacher get further training to use technology?
Emerson Elementary:
The SL District offers summer day classes on word, Excell, Smart Board, and they are free. The principal can pay for training, but with the low budget the technology specialist trains the teachers.
Spring Lane Elementary:
There are sometimes in-service professional development opportunities, especially on newly rolled-out district programs. However, the teacher is responsible for seeking out most professional development through other means.
Blessed Sacrament School:
Most of the teacher training is done in-house by the technology manager, Rob Luke. Some times teacher will seek outside instruction on their own.
What is the % of students who might have a computer in their home:
Emerson Elementary:
Amy did a questionnaire of one class and only 4/28 did not have computers. It is not a Title 1 school and is in a nice neighborhood.
Spring Lane Elementary: The teacher believes it to be between 40-60%.
Blessed Sacrament School:
About 90% of the students have computers or multiple computers at home; although, the computer teacher pointed out that not all students use computers at home. He acknowledged that there is a notable gap between the students who use computers at home and those who do not.
Did I observe students using technology?
Emerson Elementary:
They just finished using a flip camera to video skits that they created showing themselves breaking the library rules. The best videos will be made into a show to show to the entire school.
Spring Lane Elementary:
Students at the school participated in mandatory computer programs that they work through in Math, Language, and Reading. In the classroom, students would use a few computers to play instructional games during free time. Beyond that, it was the teacher who mostly utilized the computer based tech. to further deepen the level of instruction.
Blessed Sacrament School:
No.
Summary:
After discussing the technology available in the various schools, our group determined that technology varies not only across schools but also within a specific school. Some schools find it vital to have computers in every in class and available to every student, while others do not. Also, within the individual school the level of access a student has varies depending on the teachers comfort level with technology and computers. Based on our research, it is apparent that there is no standard for technology in the classroom and what children should be taught regarding computers. We wonder if there will soon be a need to develop a core curriculum for computer education.
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