I really want to teach students to use a library diigo account so they can have safe access to needed URL's and links without having to type the URL into the address bar. Also, I hope to spend more time teaching students how to conduct searches using Boolean terms. This knowledge will help them successfully access online databases and resources online and in our library catalog while helping them refine their research topics.
My participation in the 11 Tools really hasn't transformed my thinking about the learning that can take place using technology. I have long believed that technology will play a major role in the future education and employment of our students. Our biggest struggle will be making it equally available to all students and not just a select few. Having the tools in the classroom can help provide that equity and will happen as long as educators incorporate ways to enhance the learning in their classrooms using the various tools.
One unexpected outcome, and it shouldn't have been unexpected since I work with a great group of professionals, is how readily the majority of our staff took the initiative to learn all they could about the 2.0 tools and how they could use them in their classrooms to enhance the curriculum.
Showing posts with label 11 tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 11 tools. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Tool 8
My situation in the library is a bit different from what our teachers are going to experience this fall since I have had most of these tools in the library for some time. Over the past few years I have actively looked for ways to get the tools into the hands of our students. While the library tools are often used by classes as they are conducting research I have also helped facilitate podcast and video creations using the webcams and photo capabilities on the netbooks and MacBooks.
The iTouch/iPads do need some syncing with a teacher computer from time to time. One thing that I didn't expect is that once I had apps loaded the tools were really low maintenance and only needed to be updated periodically-not daily or even weekly! Actually I have spent more time making sure they are cleaned from time to time with a soft damp cloth or Clorox wipes.
The day to day management has been managed by my library helpers. At the beginning of the year I select 2-3 students I know I can trust and depend on to get out and put away equipment based on my instructions. Students love to help and having only a few trained in the beginning help control the situation until I feel confident that the tools are being taken care of the way I need. Then I can have those few train others. One teacher suggested picture cards showing what the station will look like if done correctly. I think I may try that next year, especially with the Wii tools.
One of our teachers shared with me that on the iTouch/iPads we can move seldom used icons over under another icon so that students won't see them. For elementary that could be very helpful since we can "clean" up the screen and declutter it of things that will only cause problems for our younger kiddos.
The district has had an Acceptable Use Policy in place for some time. It is very important for students and parents to understand their responsibilities when using the school technology. However, it is my understanding that this year will be the first time that families will have to opt out of the policy which should make things much easier when implementing the use of technology in the classroom and I look forward to that change.
The iTouch/iPads do need some syncing with a teacher computer from time to time. One thing that I didn't expect is that once I had apps loaded the tools were really low maintenance and only needed to be updated periodically-not daily or even weekly! Actually I have spent more time making sure they are cleaned from time to time with a soft damp cloth or Clorox wipes.
The day to day management has been managed by my library helpers. At the beginning of the year I select 2-3 students I know I can trust and depend on to get out and put away equipment based on my instructions. Students love to help and having only a few trained in the beginning help control the situation until I feel confident that the tools are being taken care of the way I need. Then I can have those few train others. One teacher suggested picture cards showing what the station will look like if done correctly. I think I may try that next year, especially with the Wii tools.
One of our teachers shared with me that on the iTouch/iPads we can move seldom used icons over under another icon so that students won't see them. For elementary that could be very helpful since we can "clean" up the screen and declutter it of things that will only cause problems for our younger kiddos.
The district has had an Acceptable Use Policy in place for some time. It is very important for students and parents to understand their responsibilities when using the school technology. However, it is my understanding that this year will be the first time that families will have to opt out of the policy which should make things much easier when implementing the use of technology in the classroom and I look forward to that change.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tool 2
We had another good turn out after school today to work on Tool 2 and to help beginners get started. All in all I think things went well. Something I really enjoyed watching was peer helping peer. I work with the greatest professionals around! Building Personal Learning Networks or PLN's as mentioned in Tool 2 was evident as I watched attendees reading through blog comments and then adding comments on fellow teacher's blogs. While some of our teachers are beyond the immediate school community everyone has to start somewhere and I for one am proud of the efforts I witnessed. One thing I have found it commenting on someone's blog can be intimadating when the person is someone you look to for help and advice. When I visit blogs by Librarian in Black or i Teach Technology I still find it hard to leave a comment. With that said I will continue to grow and I will continue to grow my PLN!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Tool 1
What an adventure we had in the library at our first after school help session. If you missed it there will be another one next Friday, May 20th right after school. There were nine of us gathered around the library computer bank, helping each other learn about browsers, Google Chrome, shortcuts, links, tags/labels, blogs, Voki's and html code.
If you visit https://sites.google.com/a/springbranchisd.com/11tools2011/home/terrace-elementary you can click on the hotlinks to visit the blogs teachers have already built. The Voki's are great too so make sure you click on the arrows and hear their welcomes.
While this wasn't my first time to do this it is always good to put yourself back into the position of learner and revisit past learning. Along the way I always seem to learn something new. I guess that is why they call it life-long learning!
If you visit https://sites.google.com/a/springbranchisd.com/11tools2011/home/terrace-elementary you can click on the hotlinks to visit the blogs teachers have already built. The Voki's are great too so make sure you click on the arrows and hear their welcomes.
While this wasn't my first time to do this it is always good to put yourself back into the position of learner and revisit past learning. Along the way I always seem to learn something new. I guess that is why they call it life-long learning!
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