Need Help?

Do your teachers need a personal trainer?
By Aileen M. Owens

Teachers sometimes need support when it comes to their classroom and some help with technology as well. By partnership with Duquesne University Instructional Technology Department, teachers were able to get one-on-one help with technology. The program is meant to help teachers before, during their breaks, and after school; teachers are also required to meet 45minutes weekly. Not only does the program help teachers with technology but it helps teachers target areas in what their students need help on. The partnership helps by brainstorm in ways to enrich the lesson by researching available resources, technology, and other instructional strategies that can increase learning for the students and give teachers the chance to teach the concept in a new way. After the teachers finish the project and like the results they would immediately would begin a new project.

Duquesne University, came up with a Student Internship Program for Instructional Technology, the internship is meant to help match the teachers needs in by identifying the students skills. There were many rewarding stories by having interns helping in schools. An example was using word to create an animal project. The teacher and intern were able to see the areas of difficulty students would have. One of the problems was changing the font, color, and size; what the intern identified was that students would get frustrated but they were missing the first step which was highlighting the word. So, what was decided was to create a game were students were divided into groups then asked question in how to use word or other computer programs. This program helps teachers get support and training in were they most need it, in the classroom.

I think any teacher would appreciate having another pair of hands to help the students get the best education. I would like to have an intern in my class that would be able to help me with the technology I would use, and to help me target the areas in were the student needs the most help in. It would also be a good idea to have another person help enrich the curriculum.

One-On-One

Assessment made easy
By Andrew A. Zucker

Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST), was the first public charter high school to on one-on-one laptop school. With a donation the school was able to buy computers for every student attending the school. By having a laptop for every student the school test score improved dramatically and every graduating senior were accepted to a four year college, which is rare.

Students and teachers said that by having test and work done through the computer students were able to receive feedback instantly, and teachers received responses and knew what their students needed help in. by receiving responses immediately students were able to see in what area they needed more help and knew where they stand in the course. This also gave more time for the teachers to correct other work that need more attention, for instance essays. Also, for language art teacher this system is great because students are able to upload their papers and the teachers can project them to the whole class, of course they can make the name confidential. By projecting the papers students are able to see the corrections and why, they will understand their mistakes others so they will not commit the same mistakes.

This would be something I would love to have in my class, having a system where students can receive feedback on their work, and test right away. This would help my students and me to see where my class stands on the subject being taught, and my students would also know right away in what they need the extra help in. The only thing that I see that would cause problems is in that I know that not all schools will be privileged with donations, or having a laptop for every student.

Video Games

Virtual Worlds in the Classroom

By Maureen Brown Yoder

In the article, it explained how by 2011, there are going to be an additional 20 million children who will be members of Internet-based multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs). This program is a program that some educators have been using to keep their students interactive with class subjects. The program is about creating a virtual society and a virtual person that is called an avatar. In playing the virtual game, students learn about the environment, social skills, and life skills. The program is for any age; if it is being used for educational purposes by the teachers, they would choose private projects where only the teacher and the students are able to see the progress of the virtual worlds.

The MUVE is not only about a virtual world but a mixture of virtual world technologies with real world challenges. An example was a high school science teacher blending in class activities with virtual world activities. Students would enter the virtual program and learn about science; they learned about energy alternatives, photovoltaic solar cells, hybrid cars, and more. After learning about a certain topic, the students would present their findings on a billboard. By introducing this program to students, students’ interest in science increased making them want to stay in class and continue with their work. The program also allows teacher to alter and/or tailor an activity were all students can participate, from low-performing to advance. The virtual program also promotes students to be creative, express their interests, and find an identity. The program is founded by humanities, art, science, and technology---subjects that are being taught to students every day.

The program has been a success for some educators. As a future educator my worry is how I will keep the students engaged with daily lesson plans, especially when most children are becoming dependent on technology. In reading about MUVEs, I feel like this may be a program that I would use with an older group; maybe for a 4^th or 5^th grade class. This program would be fun for students because they would be playing but it will still be educational. By participating in a virtual world I would be able to alter some activities to fit my needs and also the students and I would be able to combine their findings with actual lectures in class. Hopefully this will also promote discussion in class with all students comparing virtual world with the real world.

Technology In the Making

Web 2.0
Today’s Technologies, Tomorrow’s learning

By Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas

Technology has been a challenge for most people, and well for teachers it has been a challenge to cooperate it with their lesson plan. The issue is having students interested in the work their teachers have them to do vs. playing with video games or going online to visit their website of choice. Many students feel as if their choice of digital games and social networking are unwelcome in their classroom. Many teachers have told their stories in how video games and social networks have a disruptive influence in their classroom and school. Researchers at MIT’s Education Arcade have dedicated time in understanding how technologies to students can help the teachers implement these technologies in to their lesson plan and a way they can understand. A group of people (educators, researchers, and designers) are finding/exploring ways to see how networking technologies can be beneficial to education. By having students and teachers working they can create a strong community in teaching and learning. Networks like Ning well be available always to both teachers and students, this network allows to create a private social network for the class. Using this network it allows students to communicate with their classmates, share resources, and post research projects.

Hal Scheintaub, a high school teacher has been using a program called Starlogo in his classroom for eight years. The free program developed my MIT has allowed students to create simulations and games. This program/game help students understand the concept of evolution; it helps students to post questions and to generate more than one answer. Instead of student always looking for one correct answer it help students see multiple answers. Teachers can research games that can be beneficial to their classroom, there are many games that teach students to analyze situations and decision making. It may be difficult to implement games in the classroom but like any tool some will prove beneficial and others will not. There is still a lot to learn about social networking, simulations, and digital games in how it can be implemented and valuable to the classroom. But with research and trying out web sites, and support/sharing from colleagues teacher can find ways to use technology to engage their students in the classroom.

It may seem difficult implementing games in the classroom as educational but with the high school teacher, giving his example and explaining how his students benefited from Starlogo. I feel as if with research and testing out the games I can find digital games that would be valuable in the classroom. The one network that would be a yes for me is something like Ning, were it creates a private social network. In working with younger children I think this would be important, keeping discussions and classroom work private. I would be using Ning with elementary students I feel as if they will need more surveillance in using the internet. By having a private social network parents will be informed and able to supervise their children on websites they visit.

Tech Tools

What Is Your Favorite Ed Tech Tool
By Paul Wurster

What tech tool would you pick as a favorite? In the article there were four choices: internet tools/resources, general productivity tools, interactive whiteboards and projectors, and portable digital devices. The tool that most teachers voted on that was their favorite was the internet tools/resources. These tools include: emails, search engines, creative commons, and more. But of these tools that technology has to offer us have been helpful in class, it has given the ability to help students and improve their education. It has also given the teachers the time and ability to improve their curriculum every year without starting fresh every year. A tool that I feel necessary is that general productivity tools that include word processor have been taken for granted. I know that without word processor several of my assignments would have taken me a great time to complete. In my opinion I feel as if general productivity should have been the favorite tech tool, because this is a tool that is of the most use in a classroom; from a teacher doing and setting up for their daily schedule/curriculum, to students doing their homework. But overall every teacher had their favorite tool but say that every tool has been a help in their classroom. With technology always improving and new tools coming out, teaching a classroom may change as technology changes and improves.

These tools are tools that I can incorporate in a classroom, especially the general tools. General tools is going to be a tool that I would depend on when setting up grades for the students, writing my curriculum/assignments as well, and even writing letter/notes for the parents. Not only will this tool be helpful for me as a future teacher but it will be helpful for the students as well when it comes to doing projects. I would be able to use word for written projects, and power point for visual presentation. Another component that would complete a classroom is the internet. The internet as become an important aspect in many people’s life. The internet holds pretty much everything: information on certain subjects to communication with others around the word. I feel that these tools help students learn more and have fun at the same time.

chatting it up

Chatting it up online, by Pamela Livingston

In the article written by Pamela Livingston, she explains how using chat can be educational for students by getting them interested in the subject being taught. For instance, at Chestnut Hill Academy, a class had the opportunity to be able to use chat to receive more insight on an author they were reading books from. The set up was not easy; the teacher had to investigate first and learn everything she could about chat. Then she had to sign-up which took longer then what they expected, but the advice the teacher gives is to not tell the students about what one is doing, in case the project does not turn out well. By doing this, it avoids disappointment among students. After the teacher received confirmation, the teacher went to class and told the good news to the students. Immediately the teacher and students went to work, the teacher had to get the set up and inform the technician in case of complication, and the students prepared by coming up with open ended questions. The author goes on describing how chat was a success among the class and how much they learned about not just about the books, but about the author who wrote them. By learning the inside story and the reason of why the author writes, I think this gives students more than just a lesson to learn, but an inspiration in that one day they too can become authors they want to be.

This idea about chat is something I think I would be able to adopt into my classroom one day. Of course I would have done a demo first just to give the students a firsthand feel first, so when they go home-if they have a computer available-they will be able to do it themselves. I might try to do chat as a weekly assignment, but an assignment that would be done in class as a group. I would split the student into groups so they can work together. I would also give a lesson about how to use chat and the different types of chat that are available, and how to chat appropriately when chatting with others/strangers. This will give them a firsthand experience of technology, communicating with others and learning more about the subject being taught at the same time. Also by working in a groups this will make the students interact with each other.

Technology is the future

In a Digital Future, Textbooks Are History, by Tamar Lewin

The article explained how students in Empire High School use computers to do their daily lessons, do work and even review lectures from their teachers. At another high school, students who own their laptops are allowed to register to “digital sections” on several subjects. Beyond Textbook is encouraging teachers to use technology as a way to teach their students the subject they are teaching. Many educators believe that textbooks one day will be replaced by digital versions. Children in these days rely on technology more and depend on digital equipment. By adopting technology into their curriculum, teachers will be able to use more resources then just what the textbook can offer. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hopes that digital versions of books will replace textbooks, and by having digital versions, it will contain more resources to help students with the subject they are learning. Not only will a digital version help students, but it will also save hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Students already get most of their information off the internet, and by having a digital text it will also save them from carrying textbooks. By using technology as a learning tool, students may learn more on the matter of the subject by creating videos, websites, and PowerPoint. Although it may take awhile for educators and district schools to adapt to the new concept of digital texts, it will happen; digital text is the new future for teachers and students.

As a future teacher, the way digital text would be incorporated in the classroom is by using it as if it was a regular text. Students will have a copy of the text in their computers. They would not have to carry textbooks back and forth or use the excuse that they lost their book. I feel as if they would be able to get more out of it by highlighting, and writing side notes onto their digital text. For a younger group it may be a little more of a challenge in that they would have to be taught how to use a digital text by the parents, and making sure they have a computer available to them. But by using technology in the class, students may learn more and be more interactive with the lesson plan, and the digital text would have extra resources to help the student with the matter of the subject.

The way this fits with NETs for teacher is number 3, as for a student it would be number 5 and 6.