I chose to use google forms in combination with a simple google sheets document. This allowed for me to administer a forms survey that uploaded directly onto the sheets document. My goal with this is to use it for teacher observations around SEL. This is a part of my consulting work, where a simple interface to gather information is necessary. I expect to use this document in practice in the coming months.
For my capstone project I hope to use the same combination of apps, along with an auto-grading and mail feature. My hopes is to have a survey schools, or teachers can complete, it will assess their educational climate and culture and give them an automated response with a "score" with suggestions. I will explore the add-ons that help to achieve this goal. I also would like to play around with using these functions within an mobile app. Google Forms Doc Google Sheets Doc
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One tool that I've found engaging with students is ToonDoo, a free online website that allows students to create their own cartoon strips, and save/share them on the ToonDoo website. One project with 5th/6th grade students introduced mindfulness practices, and asked them to relate their own experiences to the topic using the Toondoo website. This was engaging and also allowed me to create a database of cartoon strips around students experience with mindfulness practices. As the program spread to an additional school this semester, I was able to share other students insights around the practices through the easy-entry cartoon strips. This made the sometimes serious topic of mindfulness more approachable and fun to explore. The Toondoo website allows for quite a bit design features to create your own cartoon strip. It's free and allows you to save your work, including tags to your work also allows for an easy search to access the creations. Within the site you are able to modify most elements, you can select the number of storyboard boxes, cartoon character to use, including facial expressions, postures, and size. Once the charters are inputed into the boxes, you can add dialog and commentary boxes, symbols, and objects. This also allows for some practice around visual literacy, how to express ideas visually for maximum effect. Students enjoyed this tool, and were able to create some great cartoon strips. I would rank this website 5 out of 5. The EnGauge 21st Century skills article provide a great framework for creating digital-age literacy. Though I found this article very outdated, the foundational period around 2000 did provide a focus on how the use of technology would influence education. I specifically liked how 21st century learning included digital-age literacy, inventive thinking, effective communication, and high productivity.
Of these insights, digital-age literacy is the starting point for teaching digital literacy. Since I work with high school students, I don't focus on the primary skills of using a keyboard, learning the basics around computer use, etc. I do assume most students are digital natives in this way, but I do not think this is a privileged or naive mindset, rather it reflects my experience with my students and goal to begin within the zone of proximal development. I would focus on digital-age literacy to really serve the whole student interaction with technology. EnGauge explores digital literacy through the following domains:
In her article, Deborah Rein asked if effective integration of technology really makes a difference. From the readings and the experience of most teachers new to using technology, it really depends. Technology adoption needs to mature into the appropriation and innovation realms, were the teacher uses technology in ways that are meaningful and relevant. The main crux of this goal is time. How to remain strong with content knowledge and pedagogy while remaining equally current with emerging technologies that can bring lessons and collaboration to life. The most complex and informative model for 21st century learning arrives in the final reading about integrating technology, pedagogy and content knowledge. Looking at the interplay between these realms also gives teachers the ability to monitor their own methods, to see where design may be lacking . Thus, if my CK content knowledge, and PK pedagogy knowledge are effective and relevant, but my TK technology knowledge is merely adopted for function, I will not arrive at the final goal of TPACK; bringing the 3 realms together within the context of the subject of study. CASE STUDY: Civil Engagement in the Digital Age
Video Link: https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/digital-age-civic-engagement-edda A. What is the nature of the case? This video in a social studies class in Oakland USD, is engaging students to be involved in their own community and social issues, through research, collaboration and action for social causes. B. Share some descriptive details: In collaborative groups, teams decided on a social issue to address, they then created info graphics, petitions, and social media campaigns to make a difference. OUSD has the goal to engage students to be college, career and community minded. The enthusiasm and involvement of students showed their motivation, and success developing 21st century capacities. This type of engagement led to further innovation, as the next ideas for project and ways to support social action were investigate and shared by the group. C. What new and useful information did you learn? It's new to bring such current issues into the classroom, one teacher was discussing a social action group, and put it upon the student to research further and learn about the group's involvement in their community. It is useful to see such powerful investigation into matters of immigration, police brutality and racism, the teacher provided some scaffolding, but in the end, motivation was intrinsic in the student; a great goal to achieve in any learning environment. D. Could you potentially use this lesson? I would use this type of engagement with my students, promoting investigation into topics that matter to them, and use of technology to have a voice in the current discussion. Rate the film experience 1 - 5: 4 Prezi Presentation: http://prezi.com/hrngbbjbv8zd/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy 1) The Keyboard Station
Elementary Classroom Hacks: Big Ideas at Little Cost http://www.edutopia.org/blog/elementary-classroom-hacks-big-ideas-little-cost-samantha-mcburney Mrs. Mcburney demonstrates use of a keyboard (without computer) to introduce computer competency. Through her simple classroom hack, she acquired keyboards for her 1st grade students to practice their spelling words. This keyboard station is within her classroom, and has been effective to learn QWERTY keyboard use. By the time her students get to use the limited computers available, they already have familiarity and are able to adapt to the technology quicker. I found this to be a clever way to re-use outdated technology, and provide scaffolding to the next stage of technology use. 2) Evaluate Formula Formula Operators and Math http://www.schooltube.com/video/f050c135a125f769640b/Excel%20Basics%20#5: Formulas Operators and Math Teacher Mike Gel demonstrates the use of formulas within Microsoft Excel to evaluate the order of operations. He organized the lesson within an Excel document, with sequential instructional points found on each tab. The main tool was the use of the evaluate formula within the Excel program, this allows students to type in their expression and see step by step how the order of operations would apply. This gives students a way to review their work and gain deeper understanding. I've used Excel in math instruction in the past, it works well to organize computations, and aquatints students with the excel formula functions. 3) Project Based Learning Physics Instillation NOVA espisode: School of the Future http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/school-of-the-future.html The many case studies within the episode shows how technology can alter the way the brain functions. One specific component revealed a physics class that was given a PBL assignment to show physics in action. The group decided to create a physics amusement park, with an exhibit that tested 8 different laws of physics. The main element that I observed was the pedagogy technique of PBL, the students had to figure out from start to finish how to present their ideas, they were clearly engaged, and came up with an amazing product on their own. I would love to use this lesson, if the resources were available. |
AuthorAs a teacher and community advocate I strive to remedy the challenges of adverse childhood experiences (ACE), poverty and violence. I'm intrigued by the motivation that is cultivated by different supportive and discouraging learning environment, and how overcoming the achievement gap can transform our society. Archives
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