Teacher, Tech, and the Classroom -- Reflecting on What I Know #10

     After all of this study and reading on technology integration in the modern day classroom, I wonder what can I do to 'get ready' for a lesson in which my students use computers? One idea is making a step-by-step sheet for you and other teachers to use when planning the implementation portion of an NTeQ lesson. Though one could prepare for implementation in a variety of ways, one such list could include:

• Prepare Handouts
• technical step-by-step guides for students
• Resource guides
• Assessment tools
• Prepare Technology
• Create digital folders
• design templates
• load specialized software
• bookmark Internet sites
• Turn on computers and open applications

     One might also ask so, where does the "computer part" come when I am teaching a lesson? Once you have objectives and a problem that you want your students to solve, there are two factors to consider when planning this "computer part" of your lesson. First, ask yourself, "what activities will students be involved in while using a computer?" Think about how students will obtain the information needed to find an answer. These are the activities that revolve around the computer. Once they are prepared (before computer activity), students use the computer to find the information needed, organize the information, and/or present the information. So, the short answer is, the "computer part" of your lesson comes after background knowledge and before assessment of knowledge :)
     Many schools only have one or two computers per classroom (especially in the younger ages). This makes it a little more difficult to plan these kinds of lessons - but not impossible. Make sure that your lessons include rotating activities. Such as a before/after activity as well as a during computer use activity. Students rotate from one activity to the next in order to complete the project.

     

Graphic Organizers -- Reflecting on What I Know #9

     Graphic organizers are wonderful tools that help students go beyond memorization to a deeper understanding and learning. These organizers provide visual displays that demonstrate relationships between various concepts. You can be much more certain that students understand a concept when you assess their use of a graphic organizer. For example, if my Pre-Kindergarteners can design a concept web of "Pets" (example below), I can be more sure that the students understand what a pet is (rather than just memorizing what I've said in class).

     Graphic organizers also aid the teacher in discovering student misconceptions either from prior knowledge or from something they misconceived in the current lesson. For example, if students were making a KWL chart about U.S. presidents and several students listed "George Washington had wooden teeth" as part of "What I Know", you (the teacher) have uncovered a common misconception in students and can organize your lesson to help students discover the truth about Mr. Washington's not-wooden teeth :)
     Graphic organizers are one method of transferring student ideas into written, more-organized thoughts. One excellent app to use in this transformation process is "MindMash". Students can create all kinds of virtual graphic organizers. My personal favorite for large group brainstorming sessions is the "Drawing Mode" in which students can freely sketch their ideas. This promotes all types of learners as they draw words, pictures, 3D, 2D, etc. and then create their own graphic organizers as a group.

PhotoStory

Any PreK teachers out there ever heard of PhotoStory? Maybe I'm behind the times, but I just discovered this wonderful tool!

What is it? -- Y'all ready for this?? (adapted from wikipedia) Microsoft Photo Story is a free app that allows users to create a show and tell presentation from their digital photos! (WHAT WHAT!!) The software allows the user to add narration and background music to create a Windows Media Video movie file with transitions and pan and zoom effects. Once a photo story has been made it can be played on Windows Media Player or burned to a DVD or CD.

So, there are tons of ways to use PhotoStory in the classroom! How about an orientation/Welcome to School PhotoStory to show parents on "Meet the Teacher" night? (idea from pre-kpages.com). OR you can prepare a PhotoStory to communicate with parents techniques and activities they can try at home to enhance learning in the classroom.

Here's a good one -----> INSTRUCTIONAL TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOM. Check this out!

http://vimeo.com/469913

HOW TO GET GRANTS FOR TECHNOLOGY IN THE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM!!!!!!!

I CANNOT tell you how EXCITED I am that I stumbled upon this blog article, "Technology Grants A pre-k pages: Inspiration for Early Education". Links and instructions include how to write grants, where to submit grants, websites that are taking grant requests, AND MORE! I am studying up on grant writing presently, and this is some GOOOOD information :)

SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE SHARE

http://www.pre-kpages.com/technology-grants/

Great Website Arguing FOR Computers in Early Childhood Classrooms!

Readers,
I just wanted to share this wonderful article about why every Early Childhood classroom should have at least one computer. It discusses the benefits of using technology with early childhood aged children as well as how to incorporate a computer center (AWESOME!) into the classroom. Check it out! Includes references :)

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=302

Integrating Software -- Reflecting on What I Know #8

     What are the benefits of using problem-solving or educational software? I can't list them all, but I can give you an example of the benefits of using one of each of these types of software in a Pre-Kindergarten classroom. A problem solving software such as "3 Great Adventures with Max" from Tivola, provides a fun, motivational way to encourage young students to use their noggins! This particular software is "a collection of exploratory software that encourages users to be observant, decisive and mindful as they try to find secret passageways and hiding places. Fun, rather than intellectual challenge, makes this program best-suited for younger children" (superkids.com). Educational software such as "Reader Rabbit", "Millie's Math House", and "Jumpstart Preschool" is a great tool for reinforcing the concepts learned in the classroom while preparing students to use technology for learning!
     How do I choose the correct software? There are some criteria for evaluating software for the classroom. The five key criteria for software evaluation are:

• Is the software effective in meeting instructional objectives?
• Does the software assess learning?
• Is the software easy to use (appropriate for your grade level)?
• Is the content accurate?
• Does the software use research-based instructional strategies?

     When I integrate problem-solving or educational software into a lesson, what changes will be needed? First, identify the basic function of the software to see whether or not it aligns with your objectives. Next, figure out how the software manipulates the data to aid in the students' process of learning. Ask, what do I need to add to this software to complete the objective? How much time should be allowed? How will the students present their results? Last, plan activities for before, during, and after computer use. The "during computer use" portion is simple -- students will use the selected software. Plan the before use to prepare students to use the software with background information or key vocabulary or skills that they may need to know to be successful. After computer use, allow students to complete activities that provide feedback on the software's effectiveness.

WWW -- Reflecting on What I Know #6

     Now that I have access to the Web, how can I use it effectively?

     How do I manage students' use of the Web in my class?

     Which features of the Web do I use?

The Softer Side of Things -- Reflecting on What I Know #5

     There are so many types of software; how do I know which ones to include in my lessons? Include the software that best matches the content and pedagogy of the lesson. There are many to choose from. Software can be divided into five categories: Productivity, research, communication, problem-solving, and educational software. I will give an example of how to use a particular software in each of these categories. A Word Processor is the most commonly used productivity software tool in the classroom. Preschool students can use this tool to practice finding letters, spelling their name, or typing out sight words. For research, students can use search engines such as Google, Ask, and Yahoo to find words that begin with the letter "a", for example. Students love to communicate via podcasts. Try letting them record a favorite song, poem, or story and then play it for the class to hear. Of course, preschool students love to problem solve using games! Starfall.com has many games for students to choose from. Educational software can contain drill and practice programming which can be used for memorization work in the classroom.
     I understand why students should use educational software and the Internet, but why should my fourth-grade students learn to use spreadsheet, database, or video editing software? This is a question that I hear often, especially in the realm of early childhood education. These types of software are important for any student growing up in the current technological day and age. The ISTE standards state that students should be learning creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking/problem solving and decision making, digital citizenship, and technology and concepts through the use of technology beginning at the very youngest school age and moving all the way up into adulthood. The use of these types of softwares allow students to meet these criteria.
     How can students use of different types of software help improve scores on state tests? Almost any area in which students perform poorly on a state exam can be improved through the use of software. Not only does this type of assignment improve motivation and cause students to want to learn the material, it allows students to take in information in a variety of ways. Students who learn about the presidents of the United States by doing a WebQuest and then creating a FakeBook are more likely to retain this information for the state exam than one who simply reads a textbook and takes a multiple choice test.

Validating Websites

Recently I tried to find 15 websites that, after being evaluated, proved to be respectable. This was much more difficult than I thought. Unless it was a blog, an author or creator was often hard to find. A publisher was non-existent except with original resources. There was rarely a date. Links were only present half of the time. And when trying to validate the evidence there were mixed returns. Many sites claiming to be educational were either ONLY trying to sell a product or threw that little tidbit in at the end of the spill. This assignment took twice as long as I thought it would because many sites that I thought would easily pass "inspection" proved not valuable in the end. The Web 2.0 sites were a jumble of results within the evaluation process. Many of the tools did have creators but the reviews are so wishy-washy! To prove that they do what they say they will, a person has to try out the tools for a longer period of time than one sitting. After reviewing other's Delicious accounts I realized that, though there were a couple duplicated sites, many of my sites are centered around early childhood education while my peers are focused more on the elementary age. The fifteen sites that I finally did select are useful, have an author or generator that at least seems credible, don't try to sell anything, and have positive reviews (if applicable).

Multi-Media -- Reflecting on What I Know #7

     It seems to be a challenge to incorporate technology (especially multimedia) into the preschool classroom; however, it is not impossible. I repeat, it can be done! Here are a few ways that you can get young students to use multimedia for their projects. Allow students to summarize (tell you about) their favorite story book from class on video. Play the videos back for the class to listen to (and laugh with! They love to watch themselves!). Create a "Plants at Our School" documentary. Use photos you take with a digital camera to create a ten-slide presentation that has a title slide followed by a slide with a photo of one object, then a slide with a photo of two objects, and so on. Use this when teaching counting. Let students make their own presentations with your help.
     There are many applications available for creating a multimedia presentation such as the ones listed above. These include iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Powerpoint, and Prezi.
     There is no doubt that you will encounter some problems while undergoing these projects. Here are a few ways to place limits on how your students use multimedia in order to avoid some of the foreseen problems. I will use the ten-slide counting presentation as an example. While creating this presentation, students may become distracted by all of the different options that are available to them as far as colors and shapes and fonts. As a preschool teacher, focus on applying the pictures and, if time permits, at the end of the project give students choices as to what color background/font/shapes, etc. they would like to add to enhance the slideshow.