February+22+-+Meeting+Agenda

HTA STAFF MEETING

Topic: Discussion surrounding technology -

1. Read Article

2. Discuss - (Brainstorm) "What is our understanding of the difference between: Using technology for Instruction and Using technology within instruction?

Brainstorm List: - As the article was saying, some people believe that computers can take over for good teachers. As long as technology is used for a specific purpose, than it is good. If it is used for the sake of using technology than, but doesn't enhance a teacher's lessons, it really defeats the purpose. -Classroom engagement is much more effective than on-line courses. It would be simple to replace classroom instruction with on-line lessons so it is possible to use technology for instruction but feedback is essential to sound understanding of concepts. If technology is used to support teacher instruction then technology is used within instruction and should be an essential part of all lesson plans. - We need to have students understand that in class tablets are books they are not to have sites that are not required open. - Outline the lessons and let them fill in the wholes - Ask questions for learning -the use of technology in the classroom should not supercede teacher led instruction [used for engagement and augmentation of course material] -students should be given the tools from technology [ie. course related apps, formative assessmnet tools [glogster, bubbl.us, etc.] to enhance self-learning practices, as well as design projects that relate to 21st century learning. - using technology for instruction: -- PowerPoint presentations, YouTube videos, etc. - using technology within instruction: -- This how we incorporate different technologies within our lessons. For example, you have the class answer a MC style question using a polling website (polleverywhere.com?). You can see the student responses and determine if the class has mastered the concept (assessment for learning?). This can be used to determine your next teaching move. - You can also use technology simply as the 'medium'. For example, students can work on projects in different formats (PowerPoint, video, audio, glogster, animoto, bubbl.us, etc.

3. Large Group Sharing- (Brainstorm) " What is my main challenge to fully integrating technology within my instruction?"

Braintstorm List:

- Understanding how technology can be used. Trying to get away from using paper, instead of using the computer for this purpose. I am still struggling in understanding where this technology is going and whether it is going to be used in Universities and Colleges. Until we see these institutions using technology for everything, I think we have to really have a good look at the benefits and detriments of it. My challenge would be to understand how to use all the different types of technology. It this point in time, I have a long way to go. -- Honestly, don't we lead many University professors in terms of best teaching practices. I think that we need to feel comfortable to lead, learn, and innovate best practices when it comes to integrating new technologies. - identifying best practices. Where and when is it time for technology to replace teaching. - I personnally find that technology is not 100% dependable. Textbooks are always readily available yet when a lesson depends on technology and sound is missing or internet is down creates problems that are disastrous when integrating technology fully. Further, not all students embrace technology. -- I agree. Enough said. -The challengeIi face is what to do when I do not what to do ie. I have a great idea but my tech. knowledge escapes me and I need help and it is 6:00 pm and I am the only left at the school. -- hmm. The age old question. Where the heck is the Geek Squad at 6pm? -Also what is out there so we do not always have to re invent the wheel -- Well actually, we kind of are 'inventing' new best practices. As a consequence of this, we will likely need to do some grunt work. I suspect there will be some resources out there. This is where PD and time to 'play' will become very important. - how do I sell this to parents and teachers what If we do not buy in 100% we see value in it but we also see value in face to face interaction -- I really don't see this technology replacing teachers. I see these tablets and such replacing textbooks, notebooks, encyclopedias, etc. much in the same way that white boards replaced black boards. The new technologies are simply more diverse. -Start small with students set up steps with staff and students -It will may be a difficult transition having the students __seamlessly__ work through course subject material and access the necessary resources to answer/respond questions relating to the course work. Perhaps there could be a day camp that introdcuues the students to the world of integrated technology learning. -How much REAL training a teacher receives will be crucial to how well they are able to implement good teaching practices through the use of students accessed technology -Every computer account working properly, having access to our own accounts that are accessible for students. -- Ha ha ha. Yes, the problem we already face could certainly be magnified even further. -Common shared folder for the whole school where anyone can dump content ie. pictures, videos and files -all students able to access their cloud from home. Some homes are still in dark ages with no computers or internet. -Internet connection is down - unable to access the cloud and its content - all textbooks are uploaded to the computer and novels, short stories and poetry -price of technology - are students required to purchase the computers themselves? or by families? I sometimes have a hard time with students unable to bring new equipment to the school to use in class ie. binders, calculators... -- Yes, socio-economic barriers will never go away. How do we solve this little pickle? -Would all schools have an live in tech person? or one that would be able to reset and fix computers for students at any time of the day? -- Definately something we need to consider. -Repercussions for the students that "forget" their technology at home for the day...day off then for the student? -- What do you do when they forget their textbook and binder now? I suspect that some things will never change. -Students appropriately using technology for the furthering their education and not just playing games or watching music videos. -- Yes, we always need our teacher radar on. This is the same issue we face in the CTS lab today. I would imagine you have your classroom rules and enforce your standards as you normally would. I do appreciate that it could be more challenging. -Apps that are more applicable to math concepts and user friendly. -- We need to skype an Oscar Romero Math teacher and have them show us what they do. - My biggest challenge is this; with course loads that we all have, I cannot implement major changes in all my courses at the same time. I think what we're talking about here is likely a major shift. I think that we need to have reasonable goals in terms of implementation. 1 course per semester? Even once we make changes we are likely going to need to tweak along the way. This could potentially take years to fully integrate. I teach 6 core courses, that's a minimum of 3 years at the previously stated rate, and I already have other professional goals when it comes to my teaching practices. I can see a lot of stress in the future; and I'm tech savvy.


 * Hey, isn't this a great forum to have a conversation? Can anyone see how you could incorporate this into a classroom blog?  I'm thinking that you could post a thought provoking question at the beginning of the week/unit/chapter and then have the students post responses on their own time.  Maybe then you could open up the blog in front of the class on the projector at the end of the week/unit/chapter and have an in-class discussion.