Do not worry too much about formatting - we can do that at the very end. Just focus on content; feel free to make any changes you deem appropriate - we also can always go back to one of the previous versions, if you delete something important. So, plug away! :)
Time frame
Total of 32 hours for the whole school year, including 3 hours in the summer (possibly August 22, 2008).
CEU's pending approval through (??). More information coming, check back at a later time.
Course Description
- Commitment expected, if space allows, interested teachers and administrators may drop in for a class (contact hours only).
Schedule
One 3-hr day in August and on Wed thereafter, 3-5 pm, at the Molly Ockett library (Jim LaPlante will sign it out). Other options will be explored.
Sept. 17
Oct. 15 & 29
Nov. 12
Dec. 3 & 17
Jan. 14 & 28
Feb. 11
Mar. 4 & 18
Apr. 8
May. 6
Topics
Getting Started
What is this course about? What are the tools we'll be using? Can we see what products other teachers come up using these tools? How much can my equipment do? Do I need to be technology literate? Can I use my PC or do I have to use my Mac? What topics would be of most interest? These and any other questions will be resolved during this session, as well as giving you a chance to start building a community among yourselves to make this a successful effort.
Basic technology integration - Transforming Learning with Technology - Sept 17th, 3-5 pm
We'll discuss what constitutes transforming use of technology (by Grappling's scale) and reflect on where most of your practices lie in that spectrum, as well as explore ways to move (where appropriate) towards the transforming side.
We'll analyze examples and establish potential areas for participants to try. Participants will formulate their technology goal, and how they envision using technology in the classroom.
All the links and resources are on this page.
Classroom communication (from newsletter to podcast)
What are the means of making your curriculum transparent and most importantly sharing information about your work with students and involving students? From reporting grades to publishing student work, from creating alternative assignments and "self-help" files in a number of formats, we'll explore how we can do all of this using software - or not!
Constructivism
Learn to recognize lessons which help students build on their prior knowledge and own the learning process; we'll evaluate existing lesson plans from the point of view of the constructivist theory and practice making one of your own, including the richness of technology in your classroom (which will vary).
Please go tothis page for all the session's activities.
Inquiry-based learning/teaching
How to plan and implement student-centered lessons based on the inquiry-driven learning. We'll need 5 camcorders.
Internet resources (basic) - searching, evaluating, using
There is more to the web than Google - even though Google is very very powerful, and we'll explore its features to help formulate more efficient searches. Save your searches online, save your notes online, share your findings with your students and your colleagues - do only half (quarter, third, one-tenth) of work.
Evaluate webpages for accuracy and make it a habit to cross-reference. Help your students understand that one resource may not "know it all", and they have to check their sources if they want to prove their story.
Click here to go to the Internet Resources page.
Contemporary literacy (Internet resources advanced) - search strategies & tools
You have heard of wiki, blogs, videos online, you have seen them
used - how to help students harness the power of the web to make a good
impression and foster collaboration in many ways for your students? We
are going to focus on creating a sustainable learning and communication
environment.
Go to the Contemporary Literacy page by clicking on the title.
Office tools (Spreadsheets) - classroom integration
Where to get raw data, how to put it in a spreadsheet, and how to then use it as graph to facilitate student learning. Based on various applications (including web-based solutions).
Office tools (Presentations) - classroom integration
Good old slideshows, or presentations, commonly known as "PowerPoints". How to make them more than a one-person show of reading what's on the slides? How to help students understand it's not just about the animation and sound effects and all those funky fonts and colors you can use on a slide, but more along the lines of presenting content in an engaging manner.
Office tools (Word-processing) - classroom integration
Tools for thinking
Using concept-mapping and graphic organizers to facilitate learning in your classroom.
Online projects
Make the world your classroom - find ways to expand your classroom beyond the walls of the school, gather data from around the world, discover new perspectives, talk to real people, learn about culture. Web tools allow you to create the scaffold for this kind of projects. Plan one or join an existing one to experience it.
Assessment
When you talk of assessment, do you really assess what you are looking for? Can a student do well on your assessment just because s/he is smart? Can a student who has worked hard fail it because s/he may misunderstand the question? How to find that balance? And what tools to use?
Instructor
Olga LaPlante, Educational Technology Specialist
To learn more about me and my work, please visit my blog.
looking forward to working with you
Sounds like it will be fun (and challenging!)
Now it makes sense that changing the screen background would be in system preferences!
I liked the sticker activity.
I am looking forward to learning some new aspects of computer technology.
Thank you very much. I learned a few new button tricks today! YIPPEE!
Thank you...each time there is so much to learn..and it does make it easier...will be anxious for what there is to learn next class!
May I work with Meg next week. I got some good websites. Dont give the periodic table to Mary.