Tech Inservice January 18, 2008

Notes and Links

Opening Session:

• Tech Integration

Technology integration is no longer an add-on. It is an expected part of the daily educational environment. Teachers of all subjects should plan digital lessons that are developed and used by students as part of their regular learning activities. Keyboarding is an option given to students in place of handwriting to produce artifacts for assessment. Accessing up-to-date information through digital resources is replacing opening books as the classroom standard worldwide.

Atlas Rubicon

(Once you log into Atlas, click on "References" and then "Technology/Library Icons" under "Curriculum Mapping")

• Mobile Computing

Computer labs are disappearing as 1 to 1 digital assistance becomes a required tool of every student. OLPC is not a laptop but an educational program. It's about accessing the most current information and resources anywhere anytime to manage, develop, produce, and evaluate in constructive and problem based learning activities. It applies Blooms Taxonomy in some of the most efficient, organized and motivational way possible.

One Laptop Per Child

• Changing Role of the Tech Team

Computer teachers are becoming integration coaches and unit development resource people for teachers. Librarians are becoming specialised in the use and creation of digital media. One of my roles as Technology Coordinator is to make sure WBAIS is aligned with other American International Schools in its use of digital tools.

Atomic Learning Site

(username and password available through our library webpage )

• Simulation Exercise/Discussion: You've just been informed that the entire school is going paperless. Many laptop schools have done away with printers and copiers, and we are following suit. All students have access to laptops, and connectivity is great. The school has provided all teachers with a laptops for a number of years so the potential use of this digital tool is something you've had plenty of time to explore. What can you do right now to meet the challenges of this paperless environment? What would you like to do in the future to adjust to this change in the learning environment?

Video clips meant to show change and help introduce the simulation:

• Monk opening a book

• Office Show (watch from minute 10:00 to 11:00 ONLY!!)

Small Group Sessions - Notes and Links

Food for Thought from the Tech Team

• Many tools are available for doing work, turning it in and checking it digitally
• How can we find a balance between digital and non-digital work in school?
  
• What is the best way to find the best tool for each task? Is the best tool different for each student?
• Does accepting different modes of work (digital and not) from different students encourage differentiation?
• Is it a student's or teacher's right to decide how work is done and turned in?
• Do we have a responsibility to continue requiring transcribing/handwriting skills K-12?

General notes from group discussion

K-3 Group

More difficult with this age group as they can't keyboard yet but they're good with one finger and small tools like cellphones. They may do well with handhelds and a stylus..also idea of touchscreen.

Which digital tools can we use now to move towards a paperless environment k-3?

• Going Paperless Page
• Rocks and minerals - kids take pictures and create Powerpoint
• Brainpop videos
• Audacity - kids reading their poetry - recording modern language/ELL lessons
• Library week-kids made podcasts
• Clicker
  
• Point and click interactive programs
• Starfall reading program
• Virtual trips to museums

4-8 Group

Concern:

1. What does the student lose when you go to a paperless environment?
2. What skills are lost? Motor coordination?
3. We are now swamped with paper.
4. Wireless holds the potential for students to become more organized.
5. What affect does paperless have on teachers, ex. eyes?
6. Everything in moderation, including computers.
7. Some students/parents "don't get" need for computers at home.

Which digital tools can we use now to move towards a paperless environment 4-8?

• Problem now with security in turning in papers, only the student can see the paper and can not change the grade
  
• What options are there to paper?
  
• SmartBoard: Handouts/research are on the board (not paper) and it becomes interactive -- kids like it.
  
• Uses iGoogle as a homepage and posts documents online. Assignments, to do list, and notebook, etc are all
• Documents with corrections on G drive, not that hard once every student has a computer.shared. It is very "share" friendly. Ability to bookmark resources.

9-12 Group

1. There must be verification to show that students accessed and submitted materials online.
   
2. What about the differences between handwritten and computers in terms of authenticity?
3. How do we replace connection between mind and hand in terms of learning?
4. Is the ability to multi-task worth it?
5. Technological issues: connectivity, language-enabled

Which digital tools can we use now to move towards a paperless environment 9-12?

• Think about "handwriting" on computer-screen tablets.
• Give feedback digitally -- use verbal and visual recording tools to give comments.
• Need to consider classroom management for a room full of laptops.

Topic Ideas for Discussion

• Smart Board use

• iGoogle

• Google docs

• Track changes Word Processing

• Peer editing Blackboard

• Wikis - on Blackboard and elsewhere
  

• Digital Presentations

• Digital Publishing

• Discussion Boards

• tablet Presentation

• Digital Drop Box, Google Groups/Share

• Collaborating

• File Management Docs/email/

• Digital Storage

• File Transfer

• Power Teacher tools

• Mobile Tools