Friday 29 May 2020

Some new tools!

Over the past months, technology has been a friend and a foe. The days have been long stretching way into the night with researching, designing implementing lessons/activities to keep my little ones learning and engaged. Within my own classroom this is seemed to be seamless but remotely I feel challenged. I am one of the fortunate ones as during this remote period I have engaged in useful and immediately relevant PD. Which to be frank is not always the case with PD. I am taking my Part 2 of Integration of Information and Computer Technology in Instruction (signed up for my Specialist at the end of June!), and our board has provided free access to a variety of webinars through Ed Tech Canada. I feel like I am getting there....things are not as ominous as they once were. I am gaining a different perspective of tools that I had used in the past but not in my classroom. One such tool is Google Forms. I was used to using and completing these forms during PD sessions, community surveys and hockey meetings. After participating in an Ed Tech Webinar, I realize that these forms can be utilized within my primary classroom. To be honest I had never thought of using pictures as a choice option within Google Forms. I have now used them twice within my remote program and the kids love them. The second tool is Jamboard. I have only used it once with my class so far but I can see endless possibilities. I was introduced to this tool within my IICT course and during an EdTech Webinar. My students are doing presentations next week for their final plants and animals projects so I am looking forward to using it for peer feedback. Below you will find some other examples for using Jamboard, not only for feedback but in math etc, to record student understanding. https://jamboard.google.com/d/1RbNvRMCrRJB6pn1iSrejqkXnuujaJiWnvtWIohouZSM/viewer

Friday 8 May 2020

Technology is a ladder that you climb not a pond that you jump into. Well these last few weeks have been a whirl of information. School return extensions, Ministry and Board messaging about the use of "asynchronus" and "synchronus" learning, (and no, the message has not been consistent) and of course the resources and learning within my IICT Part 2 course. It really is easy to become overwhelmed, especially in this climate of "emergency remote learning". We are planning and delivering content in a way that is new for many of us. One thing that has been constant is my concern for equity for all of my learners. In some ways this way of teaching has highlighted issues that perhaps I was not versed in. Types of jobs my parents have, families caring for elderly people, families with significant health issues within the home,lack of comfort and accessibility to tech and internet. I have been privy to a vast amount of ideas surround apps/programs which I am so thankful for. The SAMR model however, was one bit of learning that I feel will guide me on this tech integration journey. It really demonstrated to me how I have been using tech within my classroom (really more of just a substitution tool) rather than something could truly enhance my students learning. What's surprising though is how simple modifications of use can make such an long lasting impact on understanding.
How has my learning over the last several weeks link to the Standards of Professional Practice? COMMITMENT TO STUDENTS: I continue to be sensitive to the needs of my students, their home situations and families PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE: More than ever, this material is current and relevant to our present schooling scenario. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE: Responding to student needs and capabilities using relevant technology. LEADERSHIP in LEARNING COMMUNITIES: Thankful to be surrounded by colleagues within and outside of my current course who have provided me with resources for student success. ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: The learning continues...we are only half way through this course and at least a month or more of "remote learning". This learning journey of mine will continue. I am sure that I will still have moments of being overwhelmed with the plethora of information that is out there....I will however try to keep in mind that learning about authentic and meaningful technology integration is a ladder I must climb and not a pond to dive into.