The resources that I would need to carry out my game plan for NETS-T indicator 2a is to have computers, a variety of software, internet access both at school and at students’ homes and the access to either a Wiki site or a blog site.
The information that I will need is what are my limitations to using the Wiki and Blog sites? Are there district policies against it or guidelines to follow? I can gain this information hopefully from our computer teacher at school.
The steps I have taken so far is allowing students to use the computers we have, but I wish I had more computers in my room so students can all use them at the same time. I’ve been letting the students show me what programs they use at home that they would use to help them with a project. And I have been showing them some sites and software that can also help their projects. The problem though is some of the things they use aren’t accessible at school, and some of the things we have at school, they do not have access to at home. In the near future I will reserve some computer lab time, but sometimes the times available do not correlate with my schedule.
For NETS-T indicator 3b the resources that I would need are a computer with internet access with access to a Blog site. For my students and parents they would need a computer with internet access as well at home.
Again the information I will need is what are the guidelines to using an outside source such as a Blog to keep parents informed? Our district gives every teacher their own webpage, but at times is very difficult to update regularly. Blogs are easy to set up and update.
The steps I have taken is that I have created my own blog where homework is posted everyday. I haven’t expanded just whats for homework just yet. I did have parent teacher conferences and made it known to all the parents that I am using this new tool. Most thought it was a great idea but others say they aren’t around or use a computer very often. So I will evaluate perhaps in a month the effectiveness of this Blog and move on from there.
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Nishan,
ReplyDeleteContacting your technology teacher is a good place to start to see what kind of limitations your district has for wiki's and blog sites. The technology teacher may even be a good resource for finding out how certain limitations can be altered or lifted. If the technology teacher is willing and able you may even want to brainstorm with them how to integrate some of your content area curriculum into their curriculum to combine projects. Other colleagues may also be interested in using these tools, try reaching out/brainstorming either through grade level meetings, email, or set up a blog for teachers.
The school, parent and teacher access to computers, programs, and software and technology tools can sometimes be tough. The Internet offers a multitude of free downloads to software for educators, parents and students. Research for these tools can either be obtained with a click of a mouse or dedication to investigating. A technology teacher or other technology savvy teachers could be a good source of information for this knowledge. The library is one way to obtain limited access to technology but our district was able to obtain a grant for a computer for parents to access during school hours at the school. Our district has also offered parents basic knowledge of technology tools through evening workshops. There are all kinds of available grants. You could incorporate the help of colleagues to investigate grants for additional classroom computers, one to one computers that the students can use at school and at home, or parental involvement grants that will provide computers for parents to use during school hours.
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ReplyDeleteNishan,
ReplyDeleteYour use of your classroom blog to post homework and other important information for both parents and students is a great use of technology. Blogs provide two way communication for parents or students to communicate with you if they is a question about homework or any other information you post. I was wondering though if you have some way to edit comments from parents prior to their posting. I have created a web page with resources for my students and parents to access at home. One of my concerns is that not all my families have access to a computer at home. Sometimes I have homeless students in my classes and this would be problematic for them. So even though I have created a classroom web page, I also send home hard-copies of my classroom newsletters and have them translated for my ELL students. I look forward to the time when all students will have access.
Dolores
I had similar issues at my last school, where it was difficult to work around the computer lab schedule. I had two student computers that I was able to have students rotate into throughout my class period. This year I am in a school that does not have student computers in the classroom (was promised two at the start of the year). We do have a mobile laptop lab that we are able to schedule into our classes. There has yet to be a time that I have asked for the computers and not been allowed to use them. Hopefully schools will utilize funding to ensure that out students have the technology that we need to survive our current world.
ReplyDeleteKindergarten Earth Helper,
ReplyDeleteI too have students who are homeless or also have no computers at home. A hard copy is always sent home, but I do try to limit the amount of paper I use in my classroom.
Susan,
There arent many computer savvy teachers in my building. And sometimes the computer lab teacher asks for my help. Most of the staff in my building did not grow up with a computer so they stray away. I would like to work in an environment where more people want to use technology just as much as I do.