Blog


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August 28 3:20-4:30 PM ** I met with our 8th grade math teacher who has agreed to let me mentor him this fall. Basically discussed what they were hoping to gain from the experience. We also had a dialog about what they were comfortable with and what technology they were currently using in their classroom teaching. I definitely felt like they were intimidated with new and emerging technology. It seems as if they were willing to use what they knew, but were much more apprehensive when we discussed other ways to integrate different technology in their teaching. Overall it was a productive meeting allowing both of us to get a feeling for where the other is comfortable and plan how we can both get something from the experience.

We had our second meeting today and were able to discuss at a deeper level exactly how he were using technology in his teaching. The Smartboard was used to demonstrate math problems and solutions. He allows students to come up to the Smartboard and solve equations, which encourages interaction and participation as well as a deeper understanding of the process. He also uses the Smartboard to present operations and calculations as an instructional tool when a concept is presented for the first time. From what I could assess it primarily is used as a presentation tool. I showed him some of the additional tools that they can use with the Smartboard such as the vortex to assess math facts with the class. He was very excited and thought he could use it immediately.
 * September 6 11:30 AM-12:30 PM**

Today I met for the first time with our Family and consumer science teacher. She is getting a Smartboard installed in her lab sometime before the end of the semester. She talked to me about some ideas she had with using the technology in her room. Initially it sounds like it will be used to present information about topics in her area. I had her come back to my room and showed her some of the interactive features that can be used to create crossword puzzles, vortex sorts, and matching terms for review ideas or to check retention of information immediately after it has been taught. The interactive feature she seemed to like the best is the ability to create multiple choice questions with the Smart technology and give 4 to 5 questions immediately after her teaching. I asked if she has ever seen the senteo' clicker response system and told her that can be implemented into the lesson as well. Needless to say she can't wait for the Smartboard to be installed, but she is still a little apprehensive about converting some of her old material into the new format.
 * September 17 3:15 PM-4:30 PM**

I had a casual conversation with our media specialist in the Library today which turned into a discussion on diggo and how it could be used to assist students with a current research project going on. It saved her from having students print many of their research articles being used. We also explored the social networking side and how it allows you to look at other related sites that people have found useful on similar or same topics. Needless to say she was excited and energized by the possibilities that it has to help students find and use relevant information in an online format. She asked if I would be willing to present or tutor some of our English teachers as well.
 * September 29 11:30-12:40 **

We had our first "power hour" meeting today for our curriculum mapping initiative today. Many in my group seemed to be overwhelmed with the process of curriculum mapping and the eventual need to use the software so it can be accessed district wide. I gave a brief demonstration on the software showed them how to initiate the process and set up the curriculum map in an online format. Then went a little deeper showing them how the software can locate similar maps in their content areas from across the country. I think by the time I was done they found out that the technical side of the curriculum mapping process wasn't as intimidating as it first seemed. They were really excited about the ability to see other maps from schools throughout the U.S.
 * October 9 2:30-3:45 PM **

I had a follow up meeting with our 8th grade math teacher to see how things were going and to find out if he was having any questions using some of the Smart tools we covered earlier this fall. To my amazement I found out that not only was he using some of the tools I showed him, but he also found some additional tools that he is using on a daily basis in his teaching. Needless to say he was very enthusiastic about what he had found and how it was helping in his classroom. I introduced him to the possibility of using the senteo' clickers to further interact in his class. He has seen someone use them in a demonstration last year, but has not tried them in his room. We decided a follow up meeting with some examples would be the way to go.
 * October 21 3:15-4:30 PM **

Today I showed our other business teacher how a Wiki page can help him in his General Business class. It started as an informal conversation about how he doesn't really have a textbook that he teaches out of because his class units are so diverse. He mentioned to me that he uses a lot of web based information to get information to his students. The problem is if they are absent they miss the video or website that was used and it is difficult for him to help those kids catch up. I suggested posting those sites to a class wiki and showed him the one I was using for this class. It really seemed to perk his interest as we discussed that this is a way for the students who missed the class to make up the day by being able to access the site he used without hassle. I also showed him how he can post video or study guides on the site so they could view, download, and print the information.
 * October 25 11:45-12:45**

**Our 8th grade math teacher and I sat down today and set up the clicker system in his room. Initially he was intimidated and nervous about setting it up and having it work in his class. We did some sample questions on the board and showed him how it can give immediate feedback and deeper understanding of material. We continued into the discussion about how this could engage those kids who tend to be "wall flowers" and forces them to get involved in the class discussion and sample questions. He decided he'd like to try this in his classroom sometime next week.
 * November 7 11:30-12:30

Our industrial technology teacher had an issue with his outlook address book today. He asked me to come down and take a look at what was going on. I handled the problem for him and started talking to him about how he uses outlook on a daily basis. I showed him some of the general uses like the task menu and how you can track the completion process of a task that has an extended time frame. He loved it and thought it could be something that can help him keep track of his kids projects in his class. I also showed him how to use the calendar feature and how he can request and set up meetings based on availability of other members of the group. As the conversation continued we talked at length about how he is currently using technology in his teaching and some ideas as to improve what he is doing. Initially his most used feature is specific CAD software that he teaches and uses in the classroom to plan for the building process. I was very impressed as to what he is doing with some of the limitations that were in his curricular area.
 * November 15 1:45-2:30 **