Digital Age Learning Environments
"Technology coaches create and support effective digital-age learning environments to maximize the learning of all students." (From the ISTE NETS-C website).
Thoughtful selection of new technologies to enhance teaching and learning is first and foremost. Since most promising technologies are accompanied by large price tags, it is important to carefully test and consider the beneficial impact of each. Technology that is educationally and cost effective is a top priority to teachers, students, and taxpayers. Once a new educational technology is targeted, we carefully research the system with teachers that will take the time to learn and use it, evaluate student response and learning, and share their findings with other staff. Some recent examples are listed.
Thoughtful selection of new technologies to enhance teaching and learning is first and foremost. Since most promising technologies are accompanied by large price tags, it is important to carefully test and consider the beneficial impact of each. Technology that is educationally and cost effective is a top priority to teachers, students, and taxpayers. Once a new educational technology is targeted, we carefully research the system with teachers that will take the time to learn and use it, evaluate student response and learning, and share their findings with other staff. Some recent examples are listed.
Enhancing Visual and Tactile Learning ISTE Nets-C 3a, 3b, 3d,
From the years 2004 to 2009, the use of visual and tactile learning styles was promoted by creating in-house grant opportunities where teachers could apply for a Smartboard and/or ceiling-mounted projector. After creating the in-house grant RFP form, I juggled the budget very carefully in order to set aside funds in the technology budget for as many of these devices as possible. The grant was a simple, two-part form that included the following areas:
From the years 2004 to 2009, the use of visual and tactile learning styles was promoted by creating in-house grant opportunities where teachers could apply for a Smartboard and/or ceiling-mounted projector. After creating the in-house grant RFP form, I juggled the budget very carefully in order to set aside funds in the technology budget for as many of these devices as possible. The grant was a simple, two-part form that included the following areas:
- Explain how you would use an interactive whiteboard and/or projector in your classroom, including how students will interact with the device.
- How will you check to see if the use of the equipmeJnt has a positive impact on student learning? Describe your method of evaluation and the data you will gather to show the impact of the interactive whiteboard on student learning.
Transforming Teaching with One-to-One Computing
ISTE Nets-C 3b, 3e, 3f,
During the fall of 2009, as one-to-one mobile devices started becoming a bit more affordable, I proposed that we begin a school-purchased mobile device plan. The administration decided to use the grant application process once again. Teachers had the options to apply for a classroom set of mobile devices, a grade level set of devices, or a subject area set of devices. Through this process, we saw a lot of hesitation from teachers about this scenario, but also a great deal of interest. The group that submitted the best application was the fifth grade teachers, who applied for a grade level set of mobile devices. During the 2010-2011 school year, every fifth grade student (and teacher) received a netbook. Rules and polices were established along with support for using the device. Each successive year, the students take their mobile device with them to the next grade level and new mobile devices are purchased for the incoming fifth grade students. During the 2013-2014 school year, every student in grades 5-8 will have their own mobile device. Once again, teachers say they cannot imagine teaching without each student having a device at their disposal. Lessons are becoming more engaging and classrooms look much different than they did three years ago. The majority of teachers in these grades use the Learning Management System called "Moodle" for coursework as well as online quizzes. Throughout the use of school-owned technology devices, I have provided support for broken machines, software that needs installed, and other software and hardware support.
ISTE Nets-C 3b, 3e, 3f,
During the fall of 2009, as one-to-one mobile devices started becoming a bit more affordable, I proposed that we begin a school-purchased mobile device plan. The administration decided to use the grant application process once again. Teachers had the options to apply for a classroom set of mobile devices, a grade level set of devices, or a subject area set of devices. Through this process, we saw a lot of hesitation from teachers about this scenario, but also a great deal of interest. The group that submitted the best application was the fifth grade teachers, who applied for a grade level set of mobile devices. During the 2010-2011 school year, every fifth grade student (and teacher) received a netbook. Rules and polices were established along with support for using the device. Each successive year, the students take their mobile device with them to the next grade level and new mobile devices are purchased for the incoming fifth grade students. During the 2013-2014 school year, every student in grades 5-8 will have their own mobile device. Once again, teachers say they cannot imagine teaching without each student having a device at their disposal. Lessons are becoming more engaging and classrooms look much different than they did three years ago. The majority of teachers in these grades use the Learning Management System called "Moodle" for coursework as well as online quizzes. Throughout the use of school-owned technology devices, I have provided support for broken machines, software that needs installed, and other software and hardware support.
Bring Your Own Technology ISTE Nets-C 3c, 3f,
During the winter of 2012, students and staff in grades 9-12 were surveyed about their thoughts on bringing personal devices to school to use for educational purposes. Staff surveys were mostly positive with a few concerns. Student surveys consisted of asking students if they had mobile devices, would they bring them to school, and did they feel this would be a positive or negative change. There was quite a split from the students on their thoughts on this policy. Administrative policy was changed and students are allowed to bring personal devices to school, with an emphasis on using them only as directed by the classroom teacher and for educational purposes. Along with creating and administering the surveys, I was also charged with ensuring the district's wireless access was able to reach full coverage. The wireless access is now in place and the BYOT initiative is making steady progress.
During the winter of 2012, students and staff in grades 9-12 were surveyed about their thoughts on bringing personal devices to school to use for educational purposes. Staff surveys were mostly positive with a few concerns. Student surveys consisted of asking students if they had mobile devices, would they bring them to school, and did they feel this would be a positive or negative change. There was quite a split from the students on their thoughts on this policy. Administrative policy was changed and students are allowed to bring personal devices to school, with an emphasis on using them only as directed by the classroom teacher and for educational purposes. Along with creating and administering the surveys, I was also charged with ensuring the district's wireless access was able to reach full coverage. The wireless access is now in place and the BYOT initiative is making steady progress.
- Learning Styles Inventory ISTE NETS-C 2e, 2h
All students in grades 3-12 were given a learning styles inventory to see how students learn best; visual, tactile, auditory, etc. The data received from the vendor was a text .csv file that needed sorting to allow teachers to make sense of it. From the data, I annually created an Excel spreadsheet for every class. Data was displayed in both numeric and graphic formats. Teachers were able to use this data to better understand the various learning styles of the groups of students they encountered throughout the day. - Educational Websites ISTE Nets-C 3c, 3d,
Scouring the web for great educational tools is a fascination of mine. To support staff and students in their use of educational tools, a web page was created to help maintain a collection of these valuable resources. Organized by grade level and subject area, websites selected by teachers and myself are shared on this site for everyone to use.