Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

The article that I found was a about a field test that was taken in Canada with different schools in the area. It was a time where iPads and iPod touches were introduced in the states for classroom use and finally reached Canada. After reading the article I took three main ideas from the article that are true and helpful for the library.

 The first point was that the students responded positively to the iPod touches and iPads being brought into the school. On the elementary level the students were excited to work with the devices because it was as if they were working with video games. The high school students enjoyed it because they were able to research current information and receive instant feedback. The devices sparked an instant interest in the students and motivated them to learn.

 Second point was because they were introducing the devices to the classroom the teachers had to become students first and learn how to use them. They could not just give the teachers the devices without training them on how to use them. The teachers realized how convenient the devices were as well. Again, they could give instant feedback and create new and innovative lessons for their students.

 Lastly, the school and district would have to accommodate the devices by adding a "digital common" that would allow the teachers to add more apps and share more (Crichton et al., 2012). With iPads and iPod touch being linked with ITunes, there has to be a computer that they could use that would allow the task of syncing and sharing. ITunes is usually set-up with one main account for purchases and syncing and using this in district would require more than one account or a "digital common" (Crichton et al., 2012). Therefore, schools would have to make sure they are prepared to adapt the use of these devices by making sure their school is equipped with the proper wireless internet and support staff.

 IPads and iPod touch have already been introduced in my district and I have not been able to use them because there were not enough for everyone. However, once I am in the library I am eager to begin to introduce to the students new techniques in research, presentations, reading books and more. There are apps that will help with literacy for the younger grades that I can use. Phonics apps are beneficial with my bilingual and monolingual students because it is hands-on and they can get a variety of practice without the use of pen and paper. This generation is all about quick, easy and fast and with the devices they will receive just that. Applications like iMovie will be great with my older students to present projects without using the traditional PowerPoint. With the use of these devices I can sync data to share with administrators and staff on what needs to be improved or what is working. This will indeed improve literacy on my campus which is the main focus this year.

 References

 Crichton, S., Pegler, K., & White, D. (2012). Personal devices in public settings: Lessons learned                        from an iPod touch / iPad project. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 10(1), 23-31.

Class Projects

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

According to the ISTE Standards for Teachers (2008), I would have to say that my strengths are standards 2 and 3 because I effectively use them in my classroom daily. I plan on using each of my strengths to introduce new programs to my school to promote literacy.

·         Standard 2: “Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments” (ISTE Standards for Teachers, 2008).

o   When I plan my lessons I make sure I have some source of technology in the lesson to capture my student’s attention. 

o   My students work on the computer using MIDI or CD-ROM programs that reinforce the information taught in class that day.

o   Various internet sites are also helpful in class, because they allow the student to see the information in a variety of ways.  If we are working on the Renaissance Period, I can show videos from that time period to give a visual for the students.

o   I use clickers to help assess the student’s knowledge.  The students find it fun and engaging because it is not pen and paper but more like a video controller.  This also limits cheating and incomplete work by using the clickers.  Each student is held accountable for their answers.

·         Standard 3: “Model digital age work and learning” (ISTE Standards for Teachers, 2008).

o   As team leader of my team, I began a team newsletter that I can email or my team can access by using the school’s webpage.  The newsletter provides information for the month that they will need to know.

o   On the school’s website, I post events and links to help my students and parents.  For my fourth graders, we have various activities and the links are there to help the students at home practice what they need.  Program dates are listed to inform parents of the different events that their child will be performing. 

o   I have shown my students websites and programs that they can use to create their own music and save it to a CD to share. 

My weaknesses according to the ISTE Standards for Teachers (2008) would have to be standards 1, 4, and 5 due to the fact that I have not had much experience as a facilitator or leader for the school.  As a librarian, I believe I would be able to display the qualities of these standards because they all have a common goal of promoting technology to students, teachers, and parents.  Standard 1 focuses on the teacher being the voice to inform the appropriate audience of how to use technology in different and inventive ways.  Standard 4 is about being an advocate for your school and community to be civil and respectful while using social media and other internet based communication sites. Lastly, standard 5 promotes going out and learning about the new technology and programs that will help your school in succeeding.  Collaborating with teachers and the community on new ideas to help the schools environment is a way described to help in this task.

As an educator I can improve my weaknesses by becoming more involved in the committees at my school.  I am music teacher at the present time and so I focus more on my art area more than anything else.  Anything that is not of relevance to me I tend to ignore and pass up as not important.  However, with my pursuit of becoming a librarian I know that I will need to be in more of the academic planning meetings, attend more professional development workshops of each content area, and get to know my school’s community better.  Once I accomplish the task of becoming more involved then I know my weaknesses will evolve into strengths because I will have a better understanding on how to use them effectively.  I would love to learn more about how to use handheld devices in my classroom because I know it will grasp the attention of my students.  Knowing the programs for Ipads, nooks, and kindles can help me in planning lessons for my class and the teachers that will help improve literacy.  Bringing in new tools always gives a boost of energy to learning and with the 21^st century learners, technology is a key component in doing just that.

References

ISTE Standards for Teachers. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-        

          14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf