In order to move forward with my goals of teaching students
how to use digital tools to investigate and solve real-world problems and uses
technology to create individualized learning activities I must inventory my
access to software and web-based
programs, as well as become proficient in their use.
Some tools that are available throughout my school that I am
already familiar with and comfortable using are Inspiration, Kurzweil text to
speech, SmartBoards and digital cameras. These are tools that I have used and
taught others to use. However, Kurzweil has additional features that support
writing with which I am unfamiliar. I will need to seek training in this area
by contacting a teacher who presented this tool at a department meeting or
accessing county wide training offered next year. Last week my department
received an iTouch with photo and video capability. I am sure that this tool
has many other capabilities that I am not yet aware of; I will use online
resources to develop my knowledge in this area over the summer. Another
resource I will access to develop in this area is the CAST website (www.cast.org). This website has a variety of
technology tools and resources that can be used to individualize activities to
meet students’ needs.
The most important resource for my success will be my
colleagues. Their knowledge of content and technology will provide an
invaluable support that will prevent me from carrying all of this alone. One
tech-savvy teacher has already offered some iTouch lessons. The technology
teacher will also be an important support. She will be able to provide
information and training on the tools available in my school. My next step is
to reach out to colleagues and create a more thorough list of technology tools
available while developing my proficiency with those tools.
Ellen-
ReplyDeleteYou definitely hit upon the most important resource that we all have available to us, our colleagues. I think many times teachers forget to utilize each other and their specialties to help them carry out their goals and lessons. We can learn so much from one another that could really help enhance our lessons. If we want our students collaborating together, we need to show this is an important skill to have by modeling this as well! My school has created a folder on the school server where we share all of our technology websites and resources with one another. I would like to get more staff development days to have all the teachers practice them though. It is always great to have them, but if you aren't trained to use them, it makes it very difficult.
It sounds like you have a lot of great technology resources at your disposal and that you are very fluent with them as well. Have you had your students try using an Epals site before? I was just curious as a fellow English teacher if you had used this to coincide with any novel units. I too am always looking for help integrating technology with my writing units besides the concept maps that I can have students create on Inspiration. Do you have any suggestions for that? The Cast website looks great by the way. I am looking forward to sitting down and playing with it some more. Thanks for the resource. I think you have a great set up for your goals started!
Hi Kori,
ReplyDeleteI have not used Epals before, but have connected my students with eBuddies, a program developed by the Best Buddies program. Students get matched with friends with developmental disabilities in another state and communicate weekly via email. As a special educator with about 50 functional life skills students in my school, I am a big proponent of inclusive education. I have used this to promote electronic communication skills without the academic pressure.
I LOVE the CAST website and UDL in general. I hope you find some useful tools that can be implemented in your school!
Ellen