Tools for the 21st Century Classroom

Within the few weeks, hundreds of laptops will be delivered to all our classroom teachers. This shift from desktops to laptops will allow elementary instructional classrooms to receive 2 additional student computers. Within the next several months, LCD projectors and a sound system will be installed in each classroom. Finally, by the end of next year, document cameras will be deployed as well.

The primary focus of these digital tools will ho  to directly impact instruction. Teachers will love the mobility of the laptop and how lessons are enhanced by the highly visual and interactive document camera. The potential for engagement of the students will be incredibly powerful, as our children live in a media-rich world and rely heavily on visual sources for information and understanding. As these tools help us shift the use of technology, particularly the computer from a productivity tool to an instructional tool, there are a few important things to consider.

Classroom setup
The teacher's computer is no longer strictly a productivity tool. Initially, classroom teachers' laptops along with the docking station will be placed on their desks. Many teachers have their desks positioned in the back of the class and out of the way of the students. However, in a few months, the docking station will also be connected to an LCD projector, sound system and a document camera. Teachers may have to rethink the placement of their desks or come up with an alternative surface to place the laptop/docking station so they can be in a position to interact with the students and allow for optimal classroom management. You don't want to be projecting media from the back of the class and talking to the backs of your students' heads. 

Student engagement
The addition of this new technology into instruction will require a great deal of flexibility and "thinking outside the box". It's important to recognize how students become actively engaged in the learning process when visual media is used to reinforce concepts, and support comprehension. The availability of the Internet creates endless possibilities as teachers access images, video, maps, graphs, virtual tours, and other primary resources. In addition, access to teacher examples and student work helps visually demonstrate the process for writing, solving a math problem, or doing a science experiment. Keep in mind that students can lead instruction by using the document camera to manipulate objects and explain what they are doing. Using technology to devote more class time to students demonstrating their thought process, sharing their work, and gaining confidence in their abilities directly impacts student achievement.

Unexpected benefits
  • Decrease in copying expenses as content can be displayed on the projector
    • Place 1 copy of a quiz or worksheet that was scanned in and have the students write their answers on a piece of paper
    • Overhead transparencies are no longer needed as the computer/document camera can project the content (use the copy machine to create a scanned file)
  • Use the image capture feature of the document camera
    • show the steps in a process, various drafts of a writing piece, or create an image of an object that can be uploaded to the teacher's website as a study guide or incorporated into a test - using a picture of exactly what the students saw during the lesson
  • Provide much needed background knowledge, particularly to our ELL students
    • demonstrate experiments in 3D - dissecting a flower, examining an insect
    • accessing real world examples from the Internet or by using manipulatives

There are so many wonderful examples of the digital tools of the 21st century classroom. I can email you some handouts that I've obtained from other schools if you want to explore this topic further. In addition, if you teach in a classroom that already has these tools, please email me your reflections about how they have impacted your students' learning. I would like to compile some documentation about some of the great things our district teachers are doing with technology to enhance instruction!

Web resources

http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00002162.shtml

http://www.edtechnetwork.com/document_cameras.html

http://www.umesd.k12.or.us/techlinks_100ideas

http://www.timbedley.com/articles/article05.htm

http://www.elmousa.com/files/ShowMeGreatLessons!.pdf
 
 
Have you heard of Wordle? During the presidential campaign it became pretty popular with the press. Wordle creates a visual representation of text. The frequency of a word in the text shows itself in the size of the word. The bigger the word, the more frequently it is used in the source text. The online program allows the user to paste a bunch of text (any text) into a field and then when submitted, in a few seconds, a visual like this one appears.
 
 
I've been asked to talk a little at the elementary Language Arts teachers' meeting. It's really hard for me to say "just one thing", but I'll create this post to help me focus :). Our district has 5 Flip video cameras for check out. They are really easy to use and there are so many ways to use this kind of technology in the classroom. Just so you know, once you are sold on using the Flip - Terry Clarke from Carl Sandburg Junior High recommends you but a few Vado video cameras. Here's a link to where you can get those for around $40! Take a look at this presentation. It's a collaborative effort of several teachers to show at least 40 ways to use a little video camera in your class!
 
A Look at Ning 08/30/2009
 
There is a great deal of research which points to the benefits to a group when the members have the opportunity to engage in another level of collaboration beyond the face to face meeting. Positive results can be achieved if the members have a common purpose and clear goals. The availability of Ning can be a wonderful opportunity for creating on online community. Ning is an online platform for people to create their own social networks, which is a way for people to connect and collaborate together, working toward the same goals but perhaps different contexts. For example, administration can implement a Ning when they are looking for ways to network and collaborate across all schools in a large district. Collaboration in a professional learning community is one of the essential features of this online tool.

The value of the tool is only as good as the participants make it. Members will be compelled to participate when there is good information available that will help them do their job better or consistent interaction such as comments to a blog post or responses to a forum post. In order to really understand it's value, members shouldn't view it as "just another thing to do", but as an extension of what's already being done. When groups are already meeting face to face on a regular basis, specific goals emerge and follow up becomes important. That's when the asynchronous nature of communication can really enhance the development of ideas and making plans for follow up.

This tool is not without it's issues, although the issues are not so disruptive as to discourage the users from participating. First of all, it's important to note that Ning is not Facebook, but it's open to any group of people, not just educators. Some content or subject matter may be offensive to some. In addition, Ning is open to spam in the form of unwelcome requests for membership from people who are trying to gain exposure for commercial purposes. Access to the content and membership can be carefully controlled by the privacy settings, invitation only, and the ability to moderate by the Ning organizer. Finally, unless the organizer pays for premium service, Ning includes Google ads on the right column of the page. Some find the ads distracting.

Check out these rich communities that utilize Ning to collaborate with educators all over the world that have been set up by an organizer to share resources or help facilitate support for it's members to enhance their teaching practices:
Smartboard Revolution - share tips and resources on using interactive whiteboards in the classroom
ISTE Commnity - The International Society for Technology in Education organizes this site for it's members to collaborate
Teacher Librarian Network - developed for teachers and school library staff
The English Companion - very active community of English teachers who are there to help others
Classroom 2.0 - extremely large group of teachers who interested in using technology in the classroom, a great place for beginners
Fireside Learning - an opportunity for anyone to reflect on teaching practices and anything about education
Gifted Education - a community of teachers who are intereted in helping each other when working with gifted students
Art Education 2.0 - a global community of teachers who use Ning to facilitate the use of new technologies in Art class
 
 
I'll admit it - my experience with Interactive whitboards is pretty limited. Since the past several years of my career have been spent out of the classroom, I have never prepared a lesson or used a whiteboard with students. I've seen presentations and I've even taught teachers how to use them, basically - but I haven't spent a great deal of time designing lessons like I have with every other technology application known to man. When I did some research to prepare some resources for this site, I've decided I don't really need to design lessons. There are so many great teachers who have been working with this kind of technology and are passionate about their value in the classroom. Don't ask me for a lesson plan, ask Jim Hollis or any of the enthusiastic educators who partcipate in the Smart Board Revolution Ning! I compiled some sites on the Interactive Whiteboard page on this site, but it's by no means exhaustive. If you think I missed any really important sites, please pass it along!

One thing I know about SmartBoard (not to endorse any particular product) is that with their software comes over 6000 pieces of media. The first thing you should do with your board (regardless of the brand) is check out what comes with the software! Based on your learning objectives, find graphic elements and prepared activities that built right in. You could create or adapt using what's already there before you even turn to the internet for lessons. You should absolutely check out the network of educators for tips an tricks. That might be the most valuable information for a beginner.

My goal: Use the interactive white board to present at my next professional development workshop. Wish me luck.
 
 

Professional development must be crafted to respond to a wide range of learner readiness, interest, learning style, and comfort level. Specific examples of techniques include providing many opportunities for reflection, conversation, and reading of professional materials. It is imperative to cultivate a nurturing learning environment where teachers can be mentors to each other, engaging in peer observation, collaborative planning, reflective assessment, all with the existence of on-site support. That being said, what are some of the best strategies for introducing teachers to new tools - and especially how these tools can enhance teaching and learning? Just to brainstorm a bit....

Weekly Workshops - Some technology coordinators conduct weekly workshops; Tech Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays.... The drawbacks of weekly workshops include the fact that teachers are so busy with what needs to get done, in addition to their home life, that afternoons might be tough for some.

eNewsletters - Teachers might enjoy reading a regular newsletter or blog post about current technology and specific examples of how students can use a tool to demonstrate what they've learned or communicate an idea or story. On the other hand, with all the information teachers are bombarded with, especially emails, how much more information without the benefit of face to face interaction would be too much?

Online group or webinar -  Using some kind of social networking tool like Ning or Google Groups would allow for some degree of interaction. The ability to ask questions and get feedback is a real bonus and if screencasting and or handouts with step by step instructions can be included, many teachers might benefit from the learn at your own pace feature. However, if technology is already an obstacle, using technology to learn more technology might block out some learners.

I'll be exploring some strategies for reaching teachers and I hope that I can find a good balance of making good use of teachers' time and getting the information out in a way that compels them to act on what they've learned.

 
A Blog a Day 07/21/2009
 

As you can tell from the collection of resources on this website, I love to find new websites that teachers can use with their students to enhance their lessons and activities. New sites are developed every day and I'm very grateful to two busy educational bloggers for helping me learn about them.

The first of my favorite bloggers is Richard Byrne and his blog Free Technology for Teachers. I found Richard through Twitter and I've found that his blog is amazingly informative and practical from a teacher's standpoint. He introduces his readers to new tools, new sites, and rich resources on a daily basis. He not only summarizes the content but explains the application of the resource for the classroom.

The next blogger that I read on a daily basis is Larry Ferlazzo and his blog Websites of the Day. Larry is an English as a second language teacher and he evaluates every site that he find for usefulness for his ELL students. On a regular basis, Larry compiles a list of websites that are "the best" in every imaginable topic. He also explains how the site or resource can be used with students.

I appreciate these two awesome educators. I learn something every day from reading their blogs.

 
 

In a recent blog post, Dr. Scott McLeod put out an appeal for bloggers in the educational technology world to write about leadership. As I reflect on the posts of others and examine what it means to be a leader, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce you to my dear friend and mentor, Sr. Mary Therese Freymann, BVM. Sr. Mary Therese has been in education since 1955 - most of that time teaching 8th graders. (Anyone who can teach 8th graders for over 30 years has got to be great, right?) She’s currently “retired”, which is a ridiculous term for her since at least 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year she works with inner city schools - writing grants, organizing and facilitating professional development, helping the Archdiocese of Chicago implement their technology plan and pretty much doing every thing she can to make sure that students in her schools have the resources they need to be prepared to live and work in the 21st century. I’m quite certain that she’s spending at least a few weeks this summer imaging machines (she’s on a Mac, by the way). She is one hard-working lady. By the way, her accomplishments include a ISTE’s Making it Happen Award, complete with Pink Jacket (not the one she’s wearing here)!

She has a tremendous capacity to persist under the most difficult circumstances and she remains positive and enthusiastic (not to mention she possesses a wicked sense of humor). She is the epitome of a life-long learner. In fact, she just waits for her teachers to say, “I’m too old to learn this stuff,” so she can remind them to take a good look at her and “do the math”.

I’ve known Sr. Mary Therese since I began my position as a technology coordinator for a large Catholic School in suburban Chicago around 8 years ago. I can’t remember exactly our first meeting but I’m pretty sure I met her at an ICE-COLD meeting. I do remember that soon after our first meeting she convinced me to take on the role of President of our chapter of ICE. I greatly appreciate how she must have seen something in me to encourage my own ambitions to be an educational technology leader. She brags about the time she encouraged me, “Of course you should present for the ICE Conference. You’d be great.” I think she was prouder that I was this past year when I was asked to be a “Spotlight” speaker (something she’s also done for the ICE Conference.)

When I reflect on what it means to be a leader, I believe that Sr. Mary Therese is such a person because she has vision, extremely high standards, and is influential because she takes steps to elevate those around her and expects us to use our gifts for the good of the students. If you want to know any of her secrets for remaining a life-long learner, you might send her a tweet!

 
 

One of the sessions I attended at NECC was Building 21st Century Skills into Core Subjects. As much as I love learning about new tools, I purposely look for opportunities to explore specifics on how technology fits in to core curriculum areas. This session consisted of a panel of representatives from NCTE,
NCGE, NSTA, and NCSS to discuss ways to effectively embed 21st century
skills into core subjects.

I’ve been to the website, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. The best way to explain this organization is to check the About page on the site.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has emerged as the leading
advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into
education. The organization brings together the business community,
education leaders, and policymakers to define a powerful vision for
21st century education to ensure every child’s success as citizens and
workers in the 21st century. The Partnership encourages schools,
districts and states to advocate for the infusion of 21st century
skills into education and provides tools and resources to help
facilitate and drive change.
 The resources available from this organization are quite significant. The workshop was introducing the latest in a series of curriculum maps the outline concrete examples of best practices in Science, Social Studies, Geography, English, and Math. These documents are definitely worthwhile for any teacher or administrator who is making decisions on shifting the learning environment to gain relevance in these changing times. The curriculum maps are a little hard to find. Here’s the link to the page with all publications - scroll down to the bottom to find the maps.

 
 

I try really hard to know as much as I can about current technology. Even if I’m not able to put every available tool or trend into practice in my personal or professional life, I pride myself on at least being aware of what’s going on out there among the most tech-savvy. I’ve been asked dozens of times, “How do you know so much?” My answer is, “I read a lot!” I read blogs, del.ico.us links, articles, and occasionally, books. I also listen to podcasts and watch videos of presentations, or sometimes at least look at the presentation, even if it’s without the presenter. I spend sometime everyday expanding my knowledge about what’s going on in the world, especially when it applies to education.
Here are a couple of the coolest tools that I use on a daily basis:

  • Del.icio.us - this is a public book marking site. I have collected over 1000 links. I always start by looking at “popular” and “recent“. One can find great articles, new web2.0 websites, and other useful web resources. I also have a network of educational technology experts that I follow and I check to see what they’ve bookmarked to make sure I don’t miss anything important.
  • Google Reader - This is an aggregator that helps me keep track of all the blogs I read and news websites from this site as well. When I find a blog or new site I want to follow, I copy the link and “add the feed”. Every time I return to my Google Reader page, the articles that have been posted since my last visit are available. I will eventually take advantage of the shared items feature so I can create a shared items page for my friends.
  • Clipmarks - This site/tool is hard to describe. Basically when I read articles that I want to keep for future reference, I use a clipmark to highlight the important parts of the article and the site saves my articles in a collection and using tags, I can access them later. It’s important to read what other people are clipping and “pop” the articles from others as a way to participate in the clipmark community sharing information.
When I find a resource, website, or article that I want to keep, I decide how to mark it for future use. I usually bookmark the site on Del.icio.us. If it’s an article that I want to refer to in a future presentation or blog, I use Clipmarks. Google reader lets me “star” a blog entry or news article. If I find a resource that I know is useful for teachers, I’ll add the site to my wiki.

I have a real problem with collecting all this stuff. I need time to sift through all the information and organize and annotate the best resources. I have a huge collection of interesting stuff. I just need to put it to good use.