I have taught fifth grade for the last three years. For the last one and a half of those years, our school provided a technology coach. The reason why is because our school had purchased a Smart Board for every Learning Support teacher and one Smart Board for one regular education teacher in each grade level. Of course this caused a lot of hurt feelings for those who did not receive one. Anyway, Tracy, the coach, conducted "Learning Lunches" in which she introduced various ways to use technology in the classroom. I tried almost every option she suggested.
One of the things I tried was making a wiki and having my students make a wiki. A wiki is similar to a blog. Tracy taught the kids and I how to make movies on Movie Maker. A group of students made a movie each week pertaining to the vocabulary words. This project really helped them understand the words better. We once used Power Point to create our own math test on fractions. By doing this, the students learned what a fraction is and isn't. This really benefits kids who like to be creative and active.
Below is a link to my school Blog which gives more detail about these projects and more.
http://www.smith505blog.blogspot.com/
I love using technology and allowing the students to use it. I feel that it is so important for them since the world seems to be going full speed ahead with it. I am so glad to be taking this class to brush up on my skills and gain even more tech knowledge. The little things we learned already like how to use different buttons on the D2L make life so much easier. It is amazing and almost hard to believe what one can do on Google. I can't wait to learn more!
That's a really nice idea and your lucky to work in a school that is so willing to give you resources that you can use AND train you how to use them.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who wants to take on more of a leadership role at my school, I love the idea of Learning Lunches!!! Were these all participatory or required for teachers? Did the school provide lunch on that day? What accountability was there for using the material learned in the learning lunches? Please tell me more about the structure of these learning lunches!!
ReplyDeleteThe Learning Lunches(LL)were great Emily.You just provided your own lunch and met in the Tech Coaches room a couple days a week. LLs were not mandatory, but you did receive Act 48 hours for attending. Sometimes she would have laptops set up for us to use while she was teaching.Tracy would come to your room or a computer lab to work with you and/or your class to get a project started. I went to every LL and tried everything she taught us. I wanted a Smart Board so bad, but all of my efforts did not pay off. I worked hard to gain access to computer labs and the laptop cart to let the kids use technology as much as possible. I really do love using technology and really wish that every school had equal opportunity to have more. Wouldn't it be great if every student brought their own laptop? Let me know if you have any more questions or want more information on a specific project.
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDelete