Managing Technology in the Classroom!

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Edward Sagmiller on October 19, 2011 at 12:00pm

There is a laptop for each student in my class, but they are allowed to bring in their own as well.  A wireless network with a shared drive and some custom built chat software lets the student post messages to the class, ask questions receive answers, post screen shots, post white boards.

As the teacher, I can allow a student to take control of the whiteboard software from their laptops, and each whiteboard segment can be saved on its own, so each student can use it to work on their version of an answer, let me if they are ready, then I can post their solution.

File Attachments, screen shots and even full folders can be attached to the messages/questions, and searched at any point.

 

I do not have a smart board or similar, but I do have a projector for a virtual white board, and a drawing tablet for smoother operation than a mouse provides.

 

This is actually isolated to my class and not managed by any overhead in the organization. 

 

It is mixed age groups based in interest on the topics, typically all in 9th-12th.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Hendrix on November 1, 2011 at 10:47am

High school has came a long way!  We had transparencies, chalkboards, and VHS tapes.  Thank you for your feedback Daniel! 

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Edward Sagmiller on November 2, 2011 at 9:11pm

This is actually for a private school, not a high school.  The class is programming (Games, Sites, Databases, Etc...) and mixes kids from various age groups typically grades 9-12

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Permalink Reply by J. Morrison on November 2, 2011 at 3:07am

That's amazing, Daniel. I'm in a state primary school in Australia, currently completing my final practicum as a student teacher (pursuing a Master of Teaching), and what is provided is fairly minimal at the school I'm currently teaching at. Our classroom is fortunate enough to have an electronic whiteboard (many simply have a dry-erase board and a chalkboard), and there are a few computers at the back of the classroom, but they are outdated PC's that serve little purpose beyond allowing students to participate in 'Mathletics.'

 

I try to promote the use of technology in the classroom, often using Prezi or Keynote presentations during lessons, and sometimes even create trailer-style videos (using iMovie) as a tool to engage students and get them excited for upcoming units (I've even begun offering to work with students in my own time to learn how to create such videos). However, despite student interest, actually having students interact with and participate in using the technology has been quite a challenge, due to the very limited resources.

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Permalink Reply by Aimee Kaniper on November 2, 2011 at 8:58pm

In the county where I am currently teaching, we use an online program called Edline.  Teachers are able to upload their lesson plans, as well as all lesson materials (worksheets, quizzes, or presentations) to an online class page.  These class pages are easily accessible to both students and parents.  If a student is absent, they are able to log onto my class page and access the work they have missed that day.  It also allows teachers to store their class materials in a safe, electronic format that is easy to edit.  This program has greatly reduced the amount of paperwork both me and my students complete on a daily basis!  It has been a true time-saver!!

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Forster on November 3, 2011 at 7:40am

Hi Aimee,

Schools in my District also use Edline, but we haven't established a policy on what teachers are required or expected to post, other than grade reports. I see a disconnect b/w how more savvy teachers are using the platform compared to others that aren't comfortable with it and only post what is required.

Can you tell me approx. how much time your teachers are spending each week to post everything to Edline? I ask b/c one grade level here, in particular, seems to use it similarly to the way that your school uses it, but I've been told it takes them between 2-3 hours a week in prep time just to collect all of the digital copies and post it all to Edline. Is there any way you could give me some suggestions on how to speed up this process and make it easier for teachers to utilize?

 

I've also run into the problem with teachers posting things in different places (not using the "combined calendar, etc." and this has lead to confusion among parents and teachers, as well. Teachers' attitudes towards Edline seem to be negative, but I'd like to change that. I think it may be driven by the fact that they (nor I) have been properly trained on Edline and all of it's features.

 

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give me.

Best,

Chris

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