Module 11: Final Vision Project Considerations
Final Vision Blog Post#2: Web Tools and Technologies
This is week
two in developing my final project for LIBE 477. Discussed in this post are my
evolving ideas, rationale, intended audience, and project design.
My project...
My project is essentially a customized collection of web tools and technologies that can be used by teachers and students at my school. In as many cases as possible I will provide examples of tools and apps used by students so that teachers are able to see how these apply to our learners.
Janelle Cox
highlights reasons why technology should be included in classroom lessons. I
have selected tools and technologies with these in mind:
1.
Ease
of use; build success with students and staff
2.
Availability
(our apps must be added and approved by district)
3.
Cost
effective
4.
Used
for a variety of purposes (collaborating, creating)
5.
Engaging
for students and staff
6.
Differentiation
7.
For
support in lessons (speaking apps are excellent for our learners trying to
develop speaking skills as well as those who struggle with written output and
who need another vehicle to express their ideas).
The last two points are very important for me and for my rationale. We have a strong proportion of students who are considered at risk in various components of literacy, and I aim to use technology to differentiate and offer other means to express ideas and learning. I feel the tools and apps that I have selected will achieve this at the beginning for our students.
The last two points are very important for me and for my rationale. We have a strong proportion of students who are considered at risk in various components of literacy, and I aim to use technology to differentiate and offer other means to express ideas and learning. I feel the tools and apps that I have selected will achieve this at the beginning for our students.
Rationale:
21st century literacies require the teaching and use of technology. When we are successful in teaching and learning it creates confidence and a desire to persevere. More educators need opportunities to be exposed to new technologies, tools and apps that are available to support them in teaching, and also to assist students with learning. As discussed throughout this course, hands-on learning opportunities and learning with teacher mentors, and PLNs are valuable and recommended methods. My final project aims to assist teachers with these ideas. Selected tools, apps, and technologies aim to engage teachers as well as learners. Having tried a few tools and apps with students, I have seen the excitement they generate in students. Only a few teachers have actively been able to be a part of the teaching experience with these technologies. This is for a few reasons, mainly a lack of collaboration time and traditional literacy outcomes taking priority in planning. I am hoping that these tools can be linked to literacy, as I believe they can assist students in developing literacy skills.
Even though the students in every grade are included in my ideas as I develop this project, the target audience is definitely for my fellow teachers. The students are already interested and invested in the use of technology, so it is teachers that I need to appeal to. I need to showcase options and provide opportunities to show them apps that have been successfully used with our students.
In my blogpost from module 7, I addressed some teacher barriers/constraints in regards to technology in the classrooms. A lack of time, confidence, and a resistance to change were listed on an individual level, while lack of training and resources were identified on a school level. I'm keeping this in mind as I go through the process of developing my project to ensure that as many barriers as possible are avoided. I would also like to include the video from that post, titled What If? Let's Reimagine Learning. Technology Can Help
As of Now I've developed 5 pages on Weebly:
- Home: This describes the purpose of the website, along with some basic introductory ideas and reasons to include technology
- Tool/Apps: This page will highlight selected apps, including a description, example, and in some cases a tutorial. I am hoping to include at least one tutorial developed by myself, although this is still in the works
- Research: The research page highlights key documents, articles, and resources for the uses and benefits of teaching with technology. Digital literacies and curriculum are linked here
- More Resources: This will include other resources that may interest teachers (such as TeacherTube, SchoolTube, EPIC books, Simple English Wikipedia, Kiddle, etc) It will also list other potential tools and apps that I am hoping to add later in the year.
- Contact: This includes a brief description of me, as well as contact information and a place to submit questions or comments
The Following are tools and apps that I’ve selected, or are still considering:
Chatterpix (This is one of my favourites!)
Padlet using Qrafter (A great collaboration and check-in tool)
Flipgrid (I’ve used this as part of the Global read aloud projects but there are district privacy concerns so I need to modify it)
Kahoot (A kid pleaser, and teacher time saver)
Voki- I'm not 100% sure I will include this
Wordle (on Chrome) We are in the process of developing a whole school wordle about the library to display
Sketchnoting (This is still a hope, not yet confirmed)
Greenscreen by DoInk (This is halfway completed and we’re loving it)
I’ve started the basics and made outlines for each page on the Weebly website. I have to admit that it has not been as smooth as I was hoping.
This clip art image accurately depicted me at the start of this week. I have definitely had some challenges with building the website and now truly appreciate the effort that goes into developing and maintaining one. Formatting has been difficult and I did contemplate switching to Google Sites. Luckily I have a colleague who has used Weebly before and she is showing me some tricks, which is helping. I still have quite a bit to add so I'm sure I'll be depending on her again. Consulting tutorials online have also been helpful. (Barraclough) It's a great reminder of using PLNs and seeking assistance when it's needed. After all, I'm developing this project to encourage co-workers to collaborate and seek assistance with technology so I need to practice what I preach.
I've also been rereading earlier Blog posts to include ideas and research that I've already collected. Realizing that I already have some good articles, links and ideas has helped me in this phase.
I've also been rereading earlier Blog posts to include ideas and research that I've already collected. Realizing that I already have some good articles, links and ideas has helped me in this phase.
Video Title: Why is technology important in education?
- Finish compiling and organizing research (Almost done)
- Complete student projects with selected tools/apps (Halfway done)
- Create tutorials for operating some of the tools/app (I've installed a screen recorder and have briefly tried it, but need to actually do it now)
- Continue to work on embedding information and organizing the layout of information (In progress)
Labels: Final Project, ICT, ICT Skills, Technology, Web 2.0 tools
5 Comments:
Wow, Amy! I'm sure the resource is going to be super useful when you share it. As you highlighted, I think the key to adoption will be the examples you show of how the tool can be used.
After I read your post I had a little chuckle to myself because our posts this week contrast each other. I, like you, see the value in adopting digital technologies to enhance the learning experiences for students but I was writing this week about my own struggles and insecurities around sharing my final project with staff in my school because I'm not sure how it would be received.
I get the sense that many of the staff in my school believe students are exposed to too much technology in their lives already and thus any recommendation to incorporate more screen time into students' days may not be well received.
I think I saw that Sketchnote awhile ago but thanks for sharing it again. I love Sketchnotes because they synthesize information so well. I appreciate the part about sharing as well as thinking about the WHY? I think those concepts are so relevant to our practice.
I have also played with Weebly a bit in the past and will start to delve into it again this weekend. I find it frustrating as well hence me returning to try to figure it out, so I will likely commiserate with you soon. You have already made a lot of progress - impressive! Your list of tools and apps looks really useful and relevant.
Thanks Christopher, I have a few good examples made from students, I'm now just trying out how to best link them..
I just finished reading about your struggles in your post. It makes it tough for sure. I'm not getting pushback about using technology in the same sense as you are (although I have seen it before in other school settings), rather my struggles with technology seem to be more around finding time to connect with teachers for proper implementation and showing the uses it can have in supporting lessons and learning. I'm hoping this projects helps!
Hi Lara,
I think the sketch noting is super cool and another great vehicle for recording and sharing learning. I haven't yet been successful in creating my own yet (not one of a quality worth sharing) but it is still going to be a goal for me. Not sure if it will make it into my final project yet but I will definitely be encouraging it as another tool for students to access.
I've figured Weebly out a bit more but am still finding it a bit glitchy for some things-especially adding different kinds of files. I've found a colleague that has shown me a few things. My new strategy is to get all of the important things on there and then play around with it after.
Well done checkin post on your progress and also reflection on who this is for and how it be finished. You did an excellent job outlining where you are at and what is left to be done, as well as share your struggles and challenges in building this so far. You've pushed yourself into new territory and it is helping you understand your student's and colleagues perspectives, which will make this a more accessible and useful tool. Good details, reminders and plans for the final push!
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