Integrating Technology in Schools to Increase Engagement
Assignments for Jay Gross
Instructor: Dorothy Vanderjagt
Instructor: Dorothy Vanderjagt
Module #1
Assignment for Module 1 - Read the following articles and submit a one page reflection on what resonated with you and what you will try to implement this year.
For this assignment I found the collaboration piece from the article "8 Engaging Ways to use Technology in the Classroom to Create Lessons That Aren’t Boring" especially intriguing. I am huge on having students work together on assignments, research projects included. To accomplish this, I have devised a way to have them work together using GDrive and the Doc section to make the work their best possible. This article helped reenforce what I have been doing, making me feel I have been doing it right.
The section that read: '#5 Having Students Collaborate" and the paragraph of: '
Powerful? That is an understatement. I have attached my criteria for the assignment. What is amazing is the fact I choose the teams (balanced by writing abilities), and there is absolutely zero talking in class. Everything must be done on technology. I explain this is to have them ready for post-high school things when people cannot meet do to schedules. They will have to use tech to chat/finish the work. I have seen them use texting, Google Chat, Chat box in GDocs, Moodle chat, email, and even Skype/Google Hangouts. I watched on student really utilize this tool. He had chat open. He was emailing a member who did not have a phone. And at one point this student was texting his mom, who was actually researching at home for his group! So powerful!
I have used this the past ten years. At times I have colleagues who don't seem to see the benefit of this. This makes me doubt myself at times. Reading through this article, this helps bring back the confidence I had that I am doing it right. That along with some very positive student feedback makes me stronger!
GDoc Challenge Criteria
The section that read: '#5 Having Students Collaborate" and the paragraph of: '
- Collaborative Document Editing with Google Drive: Google Drive lets you share and collaboratively edit Google Docs with anyone else who has a Google account, for free. This is a powerful capability.
Powerful? That is an understatement. I have attached my criteria for the assignment. What is amazing is the fact I choose the teams (balanced by writing abilities), and there is absolutely zero talking in class. Everything must be done on technology. I explain this is to have them ready for post-high school things when people cannot meet do to schedules. They will have to use tech to chat/finish the work. I have seen them use texting, Google Chat, Chat box in GDocs, Moodle chat, email, and even Skype/Google Hangouts. I watched on student really utilize this tool. He had chat open. He was emailing a member who did not have a phone. And at one point this student was texting his mom, who was actually researching at home for his group! So powerful!
I have used this the past ten years. At times I have colleagues who don't seem to see the benefit of this. This makes me doubt myself at times. Reading through this article, this helps bring back the confidence I had that I am doing it right. That along with some very positive student feedback makes me stronger!
GDoc Challenge Criteria
| gdrive_challenge_criteria.pdf |
Module #2
Assignment for Module 2 - Watch the following videos and submit a short reflection on a new learning or wondering.
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I chose the article on Tech Buddies: Building Technology Skills Through Peer Teaching. I was very happy I did. Students learn so much when they get a chance to teach and show their knowledge. Having older students help out the 'little ones' has to be a powerful experience for both sides. I use this to a point with my Digital Media class and our 'Share and App Fridays'. Students pick an app they feel will benefit their peers and present it in class, tech them how to use it, and answer questions. It has gone over so very well! The latest was using the app called Alfred. It is amazing! They showed us how it turns a phone into a monitoring system with recording, lighting, and sound... all for free!! Feel free to check it out HERE.
I know this. I never really learned anything until I had to teach it. I over prepare when I teach to be sure I don't let my students/peers down. I want to give them my best. So having students do this, and trying to guide them down the same road I use, to be the best, I am excited to add more of this next year in all of my classes, especially with Seniors teaching younger students about portfolios. |
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Module #3
Assignment for Module 3 – No assignment
I know there is no assignment for this section but I love being reminded of what is out there and what is new. I use/have used Pixir, photoshop, Animoto, WeVideo, iMovie, HaikuDeck, ThingLink, and Prezi. The rest were new but seemed user friendly.
Module #4
Submit a short reflection on what you will try to implement in your classroom or school, so something new you learned from the article(s)or from the Kahoot site.
After reading the article, 12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers, I was surprised by how much I do use tech. My main focus has/is the following:
I prefer Quizziz and Quizalize. Both are similar to Kahoot but allow students to work on individual screens either with time or without. I get spreadsheets for class/student analysis of data immediately and can cover the tough questions right then there with my classes. Both are very easy to use and have creative elements that make them unlimited in how a teacher uses them.
- PowerPoint “Game Show Review”
- A class webpage
- An online grading system
I prefer Quizziz and Quizalize. Both are similar to Kahoot but allow students to work on individual screens either with time or without. I get spreadsheets for class/student analysis of data immediately and can cover the tough questions right then there with my classes. Both are very easy to use and have creative elements that make them unlimited in how a teacher uses them.
Module #5
Assignment for Module 5 – Submit a short reflection on a tool that you will try in your classroom.
LOVE Monica Burns! I subscribe to her posts and get so many new ideas. I actually chatted with her one time! GREAT lady on top of her game with technology.
From her reading on 10 Free Apps and Tools for Starting Out (and Staying) Organized, I took away something I have needed to hear for a while. Google classroom and its ease of use for my classroom. More and more teachers have been using it here at Shepherd. And that includes administration. I have always used either Blackboard or Moodle and even designed my own course using GDrive and building folders. After dabbling in Classroom though, the time is right to get on board and use it with all my Google stuff. So I decided to sign up for the training this June with my friend John Sowash. Hopefully, after it is over, I will be ready to rock with my classes for fall of 2018!
From her reading on 10 Free Apps and Tools for Starting Out (and Staying) Organized, I took away something I have needed to hear for a while. Google classroom and its ease of use for my classroom. More and more teachers have been using it here at Shepherd. And that includes administration. I have always used either Blackboard or Moodle and even designed my own course using GDrive and building folders. After dabbling in Classroom though, the time is right to get on board and use it with all my Google stuff. So I decided to sign up for the training this June with my friend John Sowash. Hopefully, after it is over, I will be ready to rock with my classes for fall of 2018!
Module #6
Submit a one page reflection on your discoveries from searching this article or any of the recommended resources.
Okay... hit a soft spot/nerve here with this section... LOVED everything this had to offer. I had no idea so much is out there to help. And what is sad is I am often asked about it. I bookmarked this page to be able to refer people to.
What really stuck home was the article on Year-Round Resources for Autism. My wife and I have adopted three boys, one who has been diagnosed with autism, and another currently being tested for it. Having Jodi Murphy's Geek Club Books site to go to was amazing. I didn't even touch the tip of all the information available here. I copied her link and emailed to my wife, who responded with, Where was this a year ago when we were going crazy?" I agree. We can never stop learning... And what we really liked was the approach through the kids' stories and pop culture webisodes they did! I read "Understanding The Spectrum" with my youngest son, The Goob. He loved the comic and the pics and asked if he could read it to me. When it was done... he almost broke my heart... he looked at me and said, "Dad... is that what's wrong with me?" No words...
I can seriously see me wife and me getting a lot of use from this site for our own kids, which in turn will be translate to our school kids.
What really stuck home was the article on Year-Round Resources for Autism. My wife and I have adopted three boys, one who has been diagnosed with autism, and another currently being tested for it. Having Jodi Murphy's Geek Club Books site to go to was amazing. I didn't even touch the tip of all the information available here. I copied her link and emailed to my wife, who responded with, Where was this a year ago when we were going crazy?" I agree. We can never stop learning... And what we really liked was the approach through the kids' stories and pop culture webisodes they did! I read "Understanding The Spectrum" with my youngest son, The Goob. He loved the comic and the pics and asked if he could read it to me. When it was done... he almost broke my heart... he looked at me and said, "Dad... is that what's wrong with me?" No words...
I can seriously see me wife and me getting a lot of use from this site for our own kids, which in turn will be translate to our school kids.
The Goob liked Archie and agreed he gets confused at times and doesn't know how to tell us.
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Here was the part where The Goob related to being different... and wondering why...
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Module #7
What is something from the readings that you could share with a colleague? Submit your reflection on what you could share that would be beneficial.
Okay! This one could NOT have come at a better time! I have a Digital Media class I have been teaching the last three years. In it I have a blog assignment. The students are struggling with it. I just cannot seem to get them to connect to the idea of writing/speaking to a specific audience. The article on "Three Great Ways for Teachers to Get Their Students to Blog" shined some light on my dilemma!
The 'learning idea game' was really cool! Gave me an idea to chat with colleagues from other departments and see if I could make this cross curricular. I liked the idea of The World War II blog, especially all of the contributor links to the right side! How cool to be able to contact the writers!
In the past I have had kids do blogs ranging from snow boarding and motorcycles to best hot dog in Mt. Pleasant and understanding people with disabilities. One senior young lady wrote about growing up with her brother and his disability and how people reacted and how she wished they reacted. It was a very neat perspective from a credible source! One other one that caught me off guard was a young lady who wrote her bog to herself... with a twist. She wrote to her 'freshmen self... her middle school self... future self... and Christian self'. It is HERE. This is creativity I cannot teach. I can only guide, stand back, and turn them loose.
The 'learning idea game' was really cool! Gave me an idea to chat with colleagues from other departments and see if I could make this cross curricular. I liked the idea of The World War II blog, especially all of the contributor links to the right side! How cool to be able to contact the writers!
In the past I have had kids do blogs ranging from snow boarding and motorcycles to best hot dog in Mt. Pleasant and understanding people with disabilities. One senior young lady wrote about growing up with her brother and his disability and how people reacted and how she wished they reacted. It was a very neat perspective from a credible source! One other one that caught me off guard was a young lady who wrote her bog to herself... with a twist. She wrote to her 'freshmen self... her middle school self... future self... and Christian self'. It is HERE. This is creativity I cannot teach. I can only guide, stand back, and turn them loose.
Module #8
You will be submitting a project for your final assignment. You may select one of the following choices:
2.) Submit a short video of your class or school utilizing technology in student learning.
2.) Submit a short video of your class or school utilizing technology in student learning.
My Class using Quizizz
I decided to do the video project. Mostly because I can use this as an example while speaking on technology. This will give audience members a 'feel' of how I actually use it with my students.
This video was shot during a formative assessment for our unit on Frankenstein. We were about 1/3 into the book and I was looking to get a read on how they were understanding the book and our class discussions. There were about 30 questions. It had a time limit on each question of 45 seconds. When we were finished, we looked at where they were strong and where they were weak. I addressed mistakes/concerns right then and there. Any form of this such as Quizalize, Kahoot, PollEveryWhere is a powerful, powerful tool to check for understanding and give immediate feedback. I always throw in a little competition between classes or even women vs men to keep it interesting.
This video was shot during a formative assessment for our unit on Frankenstein. We were about 1/3 into the book and I was looking to get a read on how they were understanding the book and our class discussions. There were about 30 questions. It had a time limit on each question of 45 seconds. When we were finished, we looked at where they were strong and where they were weak. I addressed mistakes/concerns right then and there. Any form of this such as Quizalize, Kahoot, PollEveryWhere is a powerful, powerful tool to check for understanding and give immediate feedback. I always throw in a little competition between classes or even women vs men to keep it interesting.