BCLUW 1:1 Visit

I visited BCLUW in Conrad on Thursday, March 29 to see how year 3 of having a 1:1 laptop program was going and how it compared to our year 2 of having a 1:1 laptop program.  It was awesome to see how the teachers are incorporating technology into their curriculum with their students learning and it was awesome to see that we are progressing at the right pace and on the right track to integrate technology into the student's curriculum and to make the teachers feel technology as just a tool and nothing more.  It was good to hear that phrased at the meeting that:

Technology is just a tool
Technology is an enhancement not a crutch
Good teachers are still going to be good teachers, with or without, technology

Of course we could always be doing more, doing it differently but so could everything else, to be done more to be done differently.

We are getting there (with technology)

Final agenda for the H-D District Tech Committee - March, 8, 2012

Well our first try, back on February 23, for the H-D District Tech Committee meeting did not work out due to weather.  So our second try for the H-D District Tech Committee meeting is going to take place on Thursday, March 8, 2012.  Below is the final timeline for the committee members and presenters.  Should be a good day.

12:30-1:05 - Lunch Provided
12:50-1:05 - Introductions (while we eat lunch)
1:05-1:35 - Technology Activity
1:35-1:45 - Tech Presenter - 6th Math & Reading/7th Math & Science
1:45-1:45 - Tech Department Information
1:55-2:05 - Tech Presenter - 1st Grade
2:05-2:10 - H-D Technology Survey/Research Information
2:10-2:15 - Break
2:15-2:35 - Tech Presenter - 4th-8th Grade Technology
2:35-2:40 - Times are Changing Video
2:40-2:50 - Tech Presenter - 4yr old Preschool
2:50-3:00 - Development of School Fusion page requirements; how are we doing?
3:00-3:10 - Tech Presenter - Family & Consumer Science
3:10-3:20 - Tech Presenter - 5th Grade
3:20-3:45 - Conclusion/Thoughts

H-D District Tech Committee Meeting

The Hampton-Dumont District Tech Committee Meeting is just around the corner with ideas flowing galore and presenters from the various H-D schools getting ideas ready to showcase to the Tech Committee.  This year we are very interested in seeing how teachers throughout all of the H-D schools are integrating technology into their curriculum, using technology to benefit them as educators, and their students using technology to benefit them as learners.  Listed below is a tentative agenda on the information we are wanting to showcase and have showcased to members and presenters at the H-D District Tech Committee.

12:30-1:15 - Lunch Provided
1:00-1:15 - Introductions (while we eat lunch)
1:15-1:45 - Technology Activity/Break
1:45-1:55 - Tech Presenter
1:55-2:05 - Tech Department Information
2:05-2:15 - Tech Presenter
2:15-2:20 - H-D Technology Survey/Research Information
2:20-2:40 - Tech Presenter
2:40-2:45 - Shift Happens Video/Break
2:45-2:55 - Tech Presenter
2:55-3:05 - SchoolFusion
3:05-3:15 - Tech Presenter
3:15-3:25 - Tech Presenter
3:25-3:30 - Conclusion/Thoughts

Findings at the AEA 267 InfoTech Advisory Board Meeting

I learned about TrueFlix (very similar to BookFlix but for 3rd-5th graders) yesterday at an AEA 267 meeting.  I have played around with it a little bit, but it is affiliated with AEA267 and uses the same AEA267 Username and Password assigned to each building.  It is not on the www.iowaaeaonline.orgweb site as not all AEAs in the state subscribe to it yet.  Take a look around, see if it would work for you, a couple students or all your students and if you think it might be beneficial add as a link to your SchoolFusion page(s).

I also learned about neibors.lib.overdrive.com for your AudioBook and/or eBook needs through the public libraries.  When you get to the web site, click on the Quick Reference Guide on the left hand side for more information, but essentially if you have a public library card you have access to download free audiobooks to be played on your computer or mp3 devices and access to download free ebooks for your ebook devices such as Kindle, Nook, iPad and more.

Lastly I learned that AEA267 will be offering, hopefully before May, a new online print center so we are able to order larger prints and more graphical prints over the internet, just like you would order something online through Amazon.com.  You can place your order, upload your order, track your order and create an order to be printed and then shipped to you instead of having to fill out a form each time and email it along with your attachments.  

Also Iowa AEA PD Online is looking for more online instructors to teach classes online to other teaching professionals needing certification or graduate credit hours.  If you feel this is something you are interested in check out the Iowa AEA PD online link above.

Findings at the AEA 267 Technology Integrationist Meeting

Findings at the AEA 267 Technology Integrationist Meeting shows that Hampton-Dumont, compared to other schools, has some technology areas to improve on, but is excelling in many areas of technology that we should feel accomplished about, yet wanting to further achieve more.

Areas to Improve on
Using software, applications, online tools to promote student learning, K-12
Using Google Forms for formative and summative assessments including Semester Tests to try and make testing a more paperless environment
Exploring the possibility of iPads
1:1 Laptop Classroom Management
Returning students documents paperlessly (Google Docs Collections is a possibility)

Areas we are Excelling
Teachers use of technology through Tech PDs
Teachers showcasing their use of technology through Tech PDs
Uses of Bulldog Byte in classrooms and outside of classrooms
Using the 1:1 Laptops
Turning in student documents through SchoolFusion

Technology Instructional Rounds

Starting next week I am going to make some more Technology Instructional rounds, as the 2nd semester is beginning at the HS and MS on Monday.  I am hoping to get into most of the classrooms for 10-12 minutes to gain a better idea of what the students are learning, what the teachers are teaching, and how technology can better enhance/differentiate the learning and teaching in the classrooms to provide a well-rounded education for all participants.

My hope is to gather a least 1 piece of information from each class to be able to build upon and look into to better provide technology ideas to the teachers and students.

We will see what happens and what I can gain from listening to the teachers, watching the students and seeing what items on their walls will better help me understand their curriculum.

3 Technology Resolutions for 2012

A few things to try out with Technology for the 2012 year and the rest of the 2011-2012 school year.

Find or be an edtech mentor/friend with another educator at your school.
     You most likely have a mentor/friend that you converse with related to teaching and learning.  Use that same mentor/fried or find another mentor/friend that you feel comfortable using technology with to be a edtech mentor/fried when you need help or support with technology personally and/or with students.

Try Twitter (really!)  www.twitter.com
     I have been user twitter for the past year, without even personally posting a comment, and have gained numerous ideas and thoughts related to technology and a variety of educational topics.
Try searching and following #edtech or #edchat when you setup a Free account.


Join a Professional EdTech Network
     I have recently done this but have not explored it enough.  Very similar to how local Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) might be setup between you and your colleagues, try joining an online Professional EdTech Network to receive emails or notifications with ideas and content related to your interests.  Below are some to look into.
www.iste.org
www.edupln.org 


Thoughts and ideas gathered from: http://www.guide2digitallearning.com/blog_jim_vanides/3_edtech_tips_resolutions_2012

Tech Integration Meetings

My Technology Integration Meeting goal is almost complete.  I have been and still am actively setting up reoccurring monthly Tech Integration meetings with subject levels such as Social Studies, English, etc. at the High School, by open Periods of the school day such as Period 1, Period 7, etc. at the Middle School and by Grade Level such as Kindergarten, 3rd grade, etc. at South Side Elementary.

At the High School I am able to meet with more than 75% of the staff 1 time each month for 15-20 minutes, taking the time to showcase a few technology tools and taking the time to gather thoughts and ideas from them to help them integrate technology into their classrooms.
At the Middle School I am able to meet with more than 50% of the staff 1 time each month for 15-20 minutes.  I am still working on a few grade levels, trying to find a common time once per month to meet, but it has been tough, which is a fault to no one except the busy schedules the teachers and staff have each and every day, all day.
At South Side Elementary I am starting to meet with more than 75% of the staff 1 time each month for 15-20 minutes.  I am hoping to make this a reoccurring monthly meeting for the rest of the school year as I have only had 1 meeting with each grade level compared to 3 meetings with the High School teachers already throughout the school year.

These meetings have been great to showcase Web Site Resources that I have gathered, allow teachers to use applications more extensively than they have used them before, and to provide them the opportunity to just "play around" with different online tools such as their Gmail and Google Docs.

In time I will be gathering resources from them to better support the foundation of their curriculum through the use of technology.

Technology Tools Advent Calendars

The season of Advent is always filled with eagerness and expectancy.  Build some of that anticipation into your school day by allowing students or yourself to unlock a new secret on the advent calendar each day.  Use these advent calendars with the whole class on an interactive whiteboard or projector, or set them up as a quick center activity that students can visit.  Use the advent calendars that reveal a story to practice looking for foreshadowing clues, using context clues to guess what will happen next, or as story starters for students own stories.  

The potential curricular related advent calendars are wonderful for teaching students some of the history of Christmas and the way that other cultures celebrate the familiar holiday.  

The technology tools advent calendars showcase a different Web 2.0 Technology Tool each day for teacher use, student use or both.

Technology Tools Advent Calendars

http://www.wix.com/ktenkely/advent

http://www.librarycraft.com/festive24things/2010/12/01/

Potential Curricular related Advent Calendars

http://dirtdirt.com/advent/09/?tillchristmas
Click on a number and an animation will be added to the tree.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/index.html#calendar
This is a fun way for students to test their knowledge and learn about the ways that Christmas is celebrated all around the world.  As an extension, plot the places around the world that they are learning about on a world map.

Morton Mondays REborn

While at Waukee I started Morton Mondays during the months that I was not committed to coaching HS Football and HS Track & Field.  I have extended the Morton Mondays to the Hampton-Dumont CSD again during the months that I am not committed to coaching HS Football and HS Track & Field.  So that means Morton Mondays takes place from the very end of October to the very beginning of February, during 2 Mondays of each of the months in between.  I am offering 1 Morton Mondays session on a Monday after school hours, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm and 1 Morton Mondays session on a Monday before school hours, 7:30 am - 8:30 am.
I will be holding my 3rd session on Monday, November 28 after school with the focus being on Creating a Paperless Environment.  So far my other sessions have covered Google Docs, Google Calendar and Google Mail, and Pages, Numbers and Keynote.  The attendance at these sessions have been much appreciated with 1 HDCSD staff member attending during the 1st session and 2 HDCSD staff members attending during the 2nd session.
I am really hoping more HDCSD staff members will be attending the upcoming sessions in support of the topic being showcased and in support of using that time as additional technology support time.
Morton Mondays is being provided to the HSCSD staff members to allow them to learn a little bit more about technology and to allow them an opportunity to gain technology support during times when they are less busy.

Technology Professional Development

Here are some Technology Based Graphic Organizers that you could:

-Create, print and individually provide to the students
-Create and project through your LCD projector to work as a class
-Put on your SchoolFusion page for students to individually use on the laptops and then print for their portfolio or as an assessment piece

http://classtools.net/
http://www.thinkport.org/technology/template.tp
http://www.vrml.k12.la.us/cc/vp_gle/2nd/more/graphic_organizers.htm





Downloadable Organizers
http://my.hrw.com/nsmedia/intgos/html/igo.htm
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

http://edhelper.com/teachers/graphic_organizers.htm

KidSpiration/Inspiration

-Reading/Writing has Comparing, KWL Chart, Venn Diagram, StoryBoard
-Math has Fact Families, Measuring and Comparing Furniture Sizes
-Science has Alike and Different, Cause and Effect, Comparison,
-Social Studies has Community Comparison, Culture Comparison, Wants & Needs, Where I Live

Bulldog Byte students helping out at Tech PDs

The Technology Professional Development held at the High School on Wednesday, October 26 was the first professional development that the Bulldog Byte team (HS technology students) were invited to speak, participate and assist.  Yes, that is what I said assist.  2 Bulldog Byte students volunteered to assist me during the Tech PD which focused on SchoolFusion, staff finding 1 web site to use personally, with students or both, and to better understand the Iowa AEA Online web site and its resources.

For the very first time, that the Bulldog Byte students were invited to participate with teachers, outside of the school working hours, it was AWESOME.  These students were shown the agenda for the Tech PD that day, and then they just hit the ground running.  They assisted with typing in the answer to the teachers questions that were projected through a LCD projector onto the screen, when the teachers were given time to find 1 beneficial education web site the students helped the teachers explore the web site(s), bookmark the web site(s), and add them to their SchoolFusion page(s) and the students showcased why they use certain web sites from the Iowa AEA Online web site and for what purposes.

These students did an awesome job helping out the teachers, and this experience will definitely be something that will be filtered down to each Bulldog Byte student having the opportunity to do.

So what if students know more then teachers do.  Use the students as a resource and a guide for your teaching and learning.  Let them help you out and problem-solve.  This is how we learned.  Being able to problem-solve certain situations for success or failure but in both cases real-world experiences were obtained.

Another Interest of Mine-Local Meetings

I finally get the chance to discuss Technology ideas and practice with educators from around the State of Iowa.  I have 2 AEA 267 meetings this week.  On Tuesday, at the Clear Lake AEA, I have a meeting with other Instructional Coaches from around the AEA 267 area.  This meeting provides the opportunity to share and provide ideas, but more importantly to gather ideas from other local school districts in relationship to technology and its uses in school with the students and with the teachers.  This is my first meeting with this group of educators, so it should be interesting to see if I know anyone, to see if I have met anyone previously and to hear what discussion topics we explore on, related to educational technology.
On Wednesday, at the Marshalltown AEA, I have a InfoTech Advisory Committee meeting that meets just 3 times a year.  Based on the agenda some of the items will be new to me in the area of technology, some of the items will be things I initiated while at Waukee, and some of the items will be things I have gathered and deployed while at Hampton-Dumont.  Again this will be an awesome experience to meet with this group of educators to see if I know anyone, to see if I have met anyone previously and to hear what discussion topics we explore on, related to educational technology.

The Day of Technology Professional Development

Wednesday was a busy day full of fixing technology, setting up and showcasing technology, and professionally developing the High School teachers to learn and reapply technology.

At the Middle School I had opportunities to fix a light bulb in a LCD projector and to wirelessly connect a LCD projector for teachers to effectively use.  I also had the opportunity to setup 2 Elmo document cameras for 4 teachers to share.  Document cameras allow teachers to set aside the old technology of overhead transparency projectors and replace them with document cameras hooked up to already mounted LCD projectors to be able to show transparency copies, paper copies, books, pencils, manipulative s, flash cards, hand-written stories and so much more.

In the afternoon I visited North Side Elementary and was able to discuss technology needs to more than half the teachers within the building.  Teachers were interested in learning more about Pages through the use of Atomic Learning (need AEA username and password), and about purchasing LCD projectors to share and Promethean SmartBoards and/or MimioTeach to use to make their instruction more effective and differentiated.

While the students dismissed early, the High School teachers had a chance to learn more about effective Technology through their first Technology Professional Development session of the year.  The theme was, "how to/forgot how to" to make sure the teachers' laptops and their resources were ready for the school year and to showcase effective tools for them to use throughout the whole school year.

Showcased to the teachers was:
How to use the LCD projector/remote effectively
How to access the online HS library catalog
Making sure each laptop was connected to the correct printer driver
Proper care of the laptop
Online copyright information
Seeing if Google Notifier should be installed for effective uses
Iowa AEA Online Student/Teacher web sites
Understanding Google Docs
Checking login into SchoolFusion