sept28raymore



=Agenda=
 * 1) Introduction
 * 2) The Technology Enabled Classroom
 * 3) The Technology Enabled Teacher
 * 4) The Learning Technologist and You
 * 5) Conclusion
 * 6) Links

=Introduction=

First of all, just for fun:

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" **//Learning Technology is not a fad, it's a progression//** ."


 * ACID Strategy:**

//Education is changing rapidly. Not everyone agrees on the necessary direction, but it is clear that there are many things that need to change. Our education system has struggled to keep in step with learning technology, innovations in teaching practice, and the realities of our students lives outside the classroom.//

//As you watch the following video, list one thing that://


 * //you **agree** with//
 * //**confuses** you//
 * //**interests** you//
 * //you **disagree** with//

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//Share your ACID responses with your **pizza** partner.//

"//**The cause of resistance to technology is often misinterpreted...people do not resist the technology itself. People resist what the technology may represent - change, confusion, loss of control, impersonalization. As long as this concerns remain unaddressed, technology adoption in any organization will be an uphill battle**//." George Siemens =The Technology Enabled Classroom=

In Horizon School Division, a technology-enabled classroom consists of:
 * Laptop/Desktop Computer
 * Projector
 * Sound system

In addition, you may have a document camera, smart response systems, or other components, such as a digital microscope, scanner, headset or so on.

According to a survey conducted last year, more than **half of Horizon's classrooms** are technology-enabled.


 * The question, however, is does the technologically enabled classroom lead to improved student outcomes?**

//Take 2 minutes to think about and jot down answers to these questions.//
 * Think-Pair-Share**
 * //How has technology changed the way you teach?//
 * //How would you characterize this change? Positive? Negative? Neutral?//
 * //What does technological change mean for the future of education in your opinion?//

//With your **hamburger** partner,discuss your answers.//

//After another 3 minutes or so, the pairs will share their combined thoughts with the larger group.//

=The Technology Enabled Teacher=

The technologically enabled classroom will benefit students only if the teacher is knowledgeable and skilled in its use. The teacher still remains the number one factor in student achievement, despite the influence of technology.

I think being aware of technology is important. Learning how to use it in the classroom is even better. We can get bogged down, though, in the details of the technology, but what we want to focus on is helping students be better learners in the main areas: literacy, numeracy, social awareness, scientific thinking and understanding, and physical and mental well-being. These things don't change. The question is how can we use technology to support learning in these areas.

Consider the following question: **"Is it okay to be a technologically illiterate teacher in 2011?"**

//Find your **taco** partner. In pairs, brainstorm as many sentences as you can in the following format://
 * Synectic Activity:**


 * //A teacher who cannot use technology is like because .//

//Then join with another pair and share your best sentence with them.//

If you are interested, check out the article entitled "Is It Okay To Be A Technologically Illiterate Teacher?" for an thought-provoking perspective.


 * // Questions, concerns, and comments??? //**

There are challenges. Access to computers, financial resources, technological know-how, and access to service technicians are all limited. Also, students come with a certain set of expectations which can make classroom management difficult. Bandwidth usage continues to be a challenge for us all.

As far as I know, Raymore School is still waiting for its bandwidth upgrade from Sasktel.

We are working on creating a new culture surrounding internet use.


 * Link:** Creating a Culture of Responsible Internet Use in Horizon Schools

The personal computer and the Internet have changed teaching. It is important to get onboard with it.

How to start:
 * Look at what others have done.
 * Follow other educators on blogs and in other forms of social media.
 * **Don't be afraid**
 * Start small, but start somewhere.


 * // Questions, concerns, and comments??? //**

=The Learning Technologist and You=

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There are many websites with resources and tools that you can use with your students for a variety of purposes. There are more and more popping up all the time. Some examples:
 * Kidblog
 * Popplets
 * Storybird
 * Voicethread
 * Prezi
 * Gapminder
 * Scribblemaps
 * Glogster
 * Google Docs>

You can also learn how to work with video as evidence of learning using flip cameras as well as other media.
 * Photo Stories
 * Context Words
 * Image Manipulation and Editing
 * Video production
 * eBooks
 * Skype Conversations

There are also many websites for teachers looking to use technology to simplify and streamline their jobs.
 * LearnBoost
 * Engrade
 * Planbook

For an idea of what we do as learning technologists, as well as ways we can support you in infusing technology, please check out our summary of the Horizon Learning Technology Plan.


 * Link**: Horizon Learning Technology Plan.

Another source for ideas is in the work of other educators. For example, The Super Book of Web Tools for Educators has many sites and ideas for all levels of teacher.

The key is not so much giving students information, but to train them to use their minds to gather information, critically evaluate it, and produce evidence of their ability to do so.

I will be at Raymore School for education week **(October 17-20**) and possibly in November if there is interest. I will be able to work with you on infusing technology into your practice. We can approach this in two ways:
 * **Co-teaching** - I can teach with you, helping incorporate technology as you teach in the classroom.
 * **Projects-Based Learning** - I can lead projects with you that relate to the concepts the students are learning, giving you the opportunity to try the projects while I guide you and the students through.

I will be available for the rest of the afternoon to discuss and help plan whatever type of infusion you want to do with me.


 * // Questions, concerns, and comments??? //**

=Conclusion=

//** "Using technology to improve education is not rocket science... it is much, much harder than that." **// (Diana Laurillard, Opening Up Education, 2009)

Ways to Get Up to Date on Learning Technology:

 * Read blogs and articles on learning technology
 * Start your own blog or Twitter
 * Going to professional development on technology in education
 * Get involved with a Professional Learning Networks (PLN) - Powerful Learning Practices, Discovery Educator's Network
 * Keep informed on technology committee activities and have your say
 * Attend conferences and webinars online, such as the K-12 Online Conference
 * Attend conferences, such as iTSummit in Saskatoon in May

//On a piece of paper or Word document, list://
 * 3-2-1 Strategy:**
 * //**3 challenges** you perceive in using technology in the class//
 * //**2 ideas or thoughts** that struck you// as interesting or enlightening
 * //**1 thing** you are interested in trying or doing in the future with regard to educational technology//

//Share the results of the 3-2-1 activity with your **sushi** partner.//

I will also be leading the January early dismissal day. Please leave me a comment or send me an email with suggestions for that inservice. It is my hope that we can get into some programs and strategies that you can use.


 * // Questions, concerns, and comments??? //**

=Links=

Wikis

 * wdsinfusion.wikispaces.com
 * watsoninfusion.wikispaces.com
 * imperialinfusion.wikispaces.com
 * baronsinfusion.wikispaces.com
 * vcsinfusion.wikispaces.com
 * cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com
 * k12learning20.wikispaces.com

Blogs

 * Free Technology for Teachers
 * Langwitches Blog
 * iLearn Technology

Resources

 * Horizon School Division Learning Center
 * Saskatoon Public Schools Online Learning Centre
 * North East School Division Instructional Tools
 * Good Spirit School Division Grade Level Resources
 * Prairie Spirit School Division Teacher Resource Toolbox
 * Technology Enhanced Learning from Regina Public Schools