Tech Talk

They Like it Simple

2011-04-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

For the past 11 years, I've been what's been called a 'Technology Resource Teacher.' That is, I help teachers use technology in their classes. I've done many, many an hour one-one-one with a teacher, walking them through all kinds of things technology.

And what have I've learned?

When working with adult learners, i.e. teachers, take things slowwwwww.
Let them use the mouse.
Let them ask questions. (just try to remember where you left off)
Don't point at things on the screen with fat fingers (they inevitable click something to the side or below my fat finger)
Focus on the 4 P's: patience, praise, positivity, and play. Win them with patience, wow them with praise, focus on positive progress, and make it as fun as you can.
Keep everything super-duper simple

And also....don't talk much. Listen and do.

The Man or the Machine?

2011-04-04T21:16:00.000-05:00

I wonder now and then about which is the more important part in the equation, the man or the machine? In my job, there's plenty of opportunity to observe this interaction between man - or woman -and their technology. Making my rounds between 3 buildings, over a hundred teachers, eight grade levels, and 2400 students, I see the visible and the invisible spectrum of technology application and use. I normally don't evaluate their use, be it inspiring on the one extreme or embarrassing on the other. But, it is very curious to observe what is truly a very personal interaction between man and device. Here are some things I've casually noted about classroom teachers and their technology:

Whether the teacher loves or hates the technology they use, it's theirs. No, really! It's theirs. Ever try to take it away from them? During a class?
It appears that the technology being used - be it a Smart Slate or the projector showing a class wiki - becomes one and the same with the human. What would that be called then, techno-humanizational morphism? That is, the manner in which the technology is being used effects the technology itself and takes on the persona of the individual using it. So, the animated teacher makes the technology come alive. The same technology in the hands of the quiet, demure teacher, demands a bit more attention will have to be paid by the audience.
The user often exudes an air of confidence that his use of the technology is effective.
Most teachers are amazed, even grateful, to be shown new ways to use technology they thought they already knew well.

With all that said, which element is more important, the man or the machine? It's a silly question I suppose and though not as deep as some thoughts go, I'll stop my rambling and begin to make a conclusion with the following: Both elements- man and his technology -are interdependent and are of equal value when used appropriately. Personality of the human certainly is a key factor here and its importance can't be diminished. If technology were taken out of the equation, good teachers could and normally would still be good teachers. Technology in the equation could however, equate a sum greater than without. The technology seems to accentuate the personality, stratify the experience (good for different types of learners), and personify the individual. You know...like Winston Churchill with his pet bulldog.

Would love to hear what you think.

Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many

2010-09-24T08:06:00.002-05:00

Article: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Did you read the whole article then? What are your thoughts? Perhaps, you could read some of the comments given in response to this article. In the 4th comment, someone projects the thought that using technology for most teachers is perhaps too daunting of a task. What would you say to that? To top off the discussion, where does the stress of keeping up with standards fit in?

What I know now....

2009-01-09T07:35:00.002-05:00

So....now that you have had 'technology' for nearly 6 months, what new wisdom have you acquired? Do you think your teaching is better? Do your students learn more? Are they more attentive? More interested? Do you share more now with colleagues than when you didn't have technology? Let's hear from you.

Discovery Videos

2008-11-18T08:07:00.001-05:00

How do you best use Discovery Videos (United Streaming)?

Classroom Projectors

2008-11-18T07:46:00.002-05:00

How has the ceiling projector changed how you teach? What are some of the ways you've put it to good use?

PowerPoint

2008-11-18T07:43:00.000-05:00

Now that most classrooms have a ceiling projector, how has your use of PowerPoint changed?

How I Use the Elmo

2008-11-18T07:38:00.001-05:00

The Elmo has been a great tool for the classroom. How do you put it to good use?

What Can You Share?

2008-11-05T07:25:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday, November 4th, LBMS teachers spent the whole day with Mr. Andrew Kinney, who talked about the MAX way of teaching. In your own words, what 3 things did you come away with from that seminar that you plan to try in your own classroom?

Got a Good Story to Tell?

2008-10-09T10:28:00.002-05:00

We live in a sea of stories! From the 2 sentence narratives we write each other via email to the long-winded stories we tell each other in the halls. We all have stories to tell. And we all don't seem to mind to listen to other people's stories.

There's quite a bit that can be gleaned from a story. Stories can show us where we've been, where we need to go, what the over-all picture of a situation is, or they're just plain fun to listen to.

Stories can portray emotion - fear, joy, frustration, pride....

I have quite few of my own stories to tell. Of course, the ones I'm talking about and am looking for from you are about technology.

We certainly have an abundance of technology, don't we? For the most part, it would seem apparent to me that it's changed the way many teachers instruct.

So....here's a task for you: Write me a story about technology. I don't care how you get it to me - respond to this blog, email it, tell it to me in the halls. It can be 2 sentences or 300 words. Just share with me a story. I don't care if you whine or shout out for joy. Just write.

As an example, here's one from me:

I was in a classroom the other day and the teacher had signed out a set of laptops. The students were huddle together, two in a group per desk. The look on their faces were of focus. They dared quick glances at other nearby groups, but snapped right back to work. The mood was harried.

And then I heard the giggles. And I literally felt radiated joy. Simply said, they were having fun. I didn't know exactly what they were doing, but it didn't seem to matter at that moment. Everything seemed suddenly clear.

What was even more interesting, was that this was Math class. Not that kids shouldn't like math. But, they seemed to really like what they were doing.

While I was in there, the teacher yelled out some directions or questions - the specifics failed to make my long-term memory. What stuck there though was that not one kid looked up.

The teacher yelled out louder.

Still, no takers.

I saw his face, for the briefest of moments go angry, then melt into a knowing satisfaction.

He had realized that the math website the students were on, was so compelling and motivational, that they were in fact - learning.

Ahhhh

The Great Elmo

2008-09-29T06:23:00.002-05:00

So....now that you've had a chance to use the Elmo in class for a number of weeks, what surprises, 'ah-ha' moments have you had about how it affects your teaching? What do you use it for most? what classroom activities do you find the Elmo the most efficient? What features does it lack? Has it replaced your overhead? Do you find it more more effective than the dry-erase board? Why or why not?

What Inspires You Most?

2008-08-14T07:42:00.002-05:00

You saw many different technology toys and software these last few days. Which one are you the most excited to put to use in your classroom?

Cable in the Classroom?

2008-02-21T12:20:00.009-05:00

Just kind of curious.... We're getting quite a bit of technology in LBMS rooms thanks to the STEM grant. Every room will have a ceiling mounted projector that's connected to the web, to your S drive, to the network. Every room might get some interactive equipment - perhaps like the 3 Interwrites we now have.

My question to you is this: What are your thoughts if we could add cable television to every room? How would you use it instructionally in your classroom? Would it distract from learning? Do you think some teachers would abuse the privelege of the service?

Note: The cable companies must provide free service to schools

Article -About Cable in the classroom from ericdigests
Also - Cable in the classroom

Discussion: What is left behind

2007-10-18T07:17:00.000-05:00

What do you think?

Do your students use technology?

2007-01-16T07:35:00.000-05:00

Students in my class currently use technology:
* Not at all
* Very little or for one or two types of activities
* In a few different ways
* In a wide variety of ways

So what would you answer to this? How often do YOU integrate technology into your lesson?

What if we took ALL technology out of your rooms?

2006-12-04T13:37:00.000-05:00

Hmmm...what would education be like without computers? Without email? Without spreadsheets, word processors, without the web, without digital cameras, scanners, calculators, etc, etc. What have we gained with technology in the education realm? How has it helped us? How has it hurt us? Lets hear what you have to say.

Online grades

2006-10-25T09:56:00.000-05:00

Do online grades increase or enhance student achievement? Do you think it's a helpful or hurtful feature? What are some of the pros and cons?