This past fall each individual set a personal technology goal and an instruction classroom technology goal. After assessing these, 83% felt they reached their personal tech goal in some capacity--meaning some actually had multiple aspects to their goal and mastered it to a certain degree. This leaves 3% that did not meet this goal and one TBD (this is scheduled to take place shortly). 96% of us stated we met the classroom/instructional goal, leaving 4% that did not. The feedback regarding goals was very positive. Many individuals stated they were still focusing on these items and wanted to improve upon them next year. I personally am thrilled by all that we have accomplished at the IS and look forward to next year and what it brings.
What about our direction for next year? We have a tech book study group that will spend valuable time researching and checking into various resources for our building. They will have different opportunities (blog, staff meetings, PD days etc.) to share these with our building. There was discussion of this group (along with any other interested individuals) creating tutorials on topics such as: options in SISK12, running AR or Star reports, how to create a detention letter, sending an office referral, etc. Another great resource will be the District's technology coordinator and having regular scheduled meetings during team plan periods with her. Some of the items that have been suggested are: clickers, blogs, merging clickers with Discovery Education probes, and the Discovery Education system.
I encourage you to add your thoughts regarding our growth in technology, and any additional thoughts you have about what you would like to see happen in the future.
I think we have come a very long way this year. I went from using the SMART Board very little, and basically only as an overhead, to doing all kinds of lessons, activities and games. Although I intended to create my own and did create some, I found many activities and lessons already created and ready to go. Thank you to Veronica Love who showed me numerous websites for games and learning activities.
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased that my students did a project which included making a SMART board game or activity. They loved it! I think our building will be an awesome resource for other teachers in the district as they branch out in technology.
This was one book study that I really enjoyed and I was so amazed at all the possibilities with technology. I managed to meet my two goals but now I am ready to tackle some new ones. Even though I was hesitant about my technology skills I have quickly learned that you just have to jump in with both feet and know that there are many on the staff that are so knowledgeable and willing to help out. I can't wait to see what the next school brings.
ReplyDeleteI have had a good time using Google docs for the power point project this spring. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive, since it was not my class that they learned about it, and the students knew more about it than I did. The program is very easy to use and was not difficult, for the students or for me. Grading was much easier also. Just a few issues with technology going down....but what's new. We still managed and everything was done in time. Students love using technology and we will too, as soon as we become comfortable. Like Jane said, just jump in with both feet and try it.
ReplyDeleteI do feel more encouraged to utilize technology in my classrom. I enjoyed sharing the technology part of the children's story book project with my students. Thank you Janice!
ReplyDeleteI believe merging the clickers with Discovery Education will be very beneficial. I'll welcome all helpful ideas from the technology book study.
I definitely saw great enthusiasm when my students were working with technology. I am looking forward next year to fine tuning those projects and finding new ones. There are so many options. Learning all the nuances of google will be challenging as well as exciting. To have everything all together should make life simpler.
ReplyDeleteI have actually been amazed at all we have been doing and learning. I am excited about having a new technology book study group that will have time to research things presented in our book and other things that we just ran out of time to do. There are exciting possibilities in the future.
ReplyDeleteAs with any new thing to learn, it takes time and baby steps, and practice, practice, practice. I was glad to see my fellow team mates taking risks with technology and trying new things. I hope that next year we can have some time scheduled to create, such as for clickers and Smart Board notebook.
ReplyDeleteI think that as a school, we have come a long way with technology. I am excited to see what next year brings with it as well. I think that we have so many good things to use that we will just continue to do more stuff with it as well!! I agree with Crystal, I think that it is important to have the time to sit down with others who are experts and plan something that would be used in our classes. So many of us don't have time or are a afraid to do this on our own or can't remember what to do next. Like I said, I am excited to see what next year brings!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am excited about next year and the possibilities! It is so pleasing to see so many teachers in one building that want to create new activities and engage students with activities. The lab has never been busier and with so many diverse activities. Nearly every teacher in the building at one time or another brought their students into the lab to create! That is truly the most exciting thing about this process-engaging students and allowing them to design their own products while meeting standards that teachers set for them. This is only possible through the enthusiasm that our staff has shown toward technology and the opportunities that it creates for students!
ReplyDeleteI have come a long way with technology just by posting on a blog! I have learned much this year from others that have shared their technology expertise. With the book study on technology next year, our building is only going to get better. I am looking forward to learning how to do more with technology next year and want to thank those that have helped me this year!
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat with Diane. I used Google Docs to take a test and also used it for a power point project. It was more accessible for students to work on outside of school and easier for me to navigate through to grade. Giving the test was very easy to create once I knew what I was doing and the students really enjoyed taking a test on the computer instead of on paper. The only bad thing I can say about these experiences was that technology doesn't always want to cooperate, but it does make your students and your life easier when it works.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to have the different book studies going on next year. I think it will be valuable to gain information from multiple books at the same time. I am looking forward to working more with technology and helping other teachers integrate technology into their lessons.
ReplyDeleteI, too, like Google Docs. It was great to use this program for our research papers as well as book talks. This way students could easily complete their projects at home and submit their work to me for editing. It was very helpful when students were absent. I could communicate with them and help them out while they were absent instead of having to play catch up when they were back at school. Sometimes it is frustrating to learn new programs and figuring out ways around the kinks, but it's usually worth it in the end!