Topics Taught during Professional Development: Kim Dalton and I worked together present this professional development to our staff. We divided up our staff into two groups (K-2 and 3-5) to better fit their students. During the K-2 PD, we showed them Classtools.net and how they could incorporate the tools associated with this website into their classrooms. For the 3-5 group, we used United Streaming to show the assignment builder and other uses for it in our classrooms.
Technology Integration: We worked with our 3-5 staff first, showing them how to use United Streaming assingments with their students. To introduce this to them, we began with a PowerPoint shared to them through Google Docs. The PP was given to us from the technology facilitators and we worked through it adjusting and fixing it to work for our professional development. Our agenda, also shared through Google Docs, gave them the details of thier training sessions. As they looked through the agenda and noticed that it consisted of multiple sessions, of course they began to moan and groan. Kim and I worked to please our staff so we changed the way we would present the rest of the material from being whole group (3-5) to working with PLCs individually. While showing the PP and trying to pull up the agenda, we noticed some issues with Google Docs. This caused a minor setback in our training because we had to assist our staff in signing into Google. They brought their log-ins as we asked but there was an issue with the computers in our lab. For some reason pop-ups were causing some issues. We compromised by pulling it up on a computer at the front of the room so all could view it as we went through the training session. The next step in the workshop was allowing them to act as our students, completing an assignment. This gave the teachers the true feeling of what the students see. Once they explored the program a little, we assigned their homework. Their assingment was to come up with some ways they would like to use the assignment builder with their class. They were told to keep in mind that they will be creating one of these so it needs to be based on their curriculum within their grade. The second and third sessions were a little different in that we went to individual PLCs to work with the grade levels. Kim took care of the third grade PLC and I worked with the fourth grade PLC. We both worked with the fifth grade teachers. Some of the ideas our teachers came up with were weather, force and motion, states, planets, human body, and rocks and minerals. This incorporates a lot of the Science kits and even some Social Studies.
The K-2 learned how to use Classtools in their PD session. Kim and I provided a PowerPoint, shared through Google Docs for this groups as well. Again, we had some issues with Google Docs working for everyone. I feel as if the immediate feedback from this training was more encouraging than the previous one. The K-2 teachers were really interested in what we had to say and had a lot more ideas on how to implement the program into thier classrooms. Right off the bat, they began discussing how to use the site. Their ideas ranged from whole group to individual reading groups. This groups also seemed excited to use the program and I even had a few come up to me the next school day to share how they had already been using this resource.
Professional Growth: I really providing professional development pushes us as teachers to branch out. We have to come up with ideas that would be helpful to all involved while keeping in mind what our peers can/can't do. I believe the more we do, like with anything, the better we become and more comfortable we will feel. I have had several opportunities in planning for professional development because of my graduate classes but this was one opportunity that I was able to carry it out and actually do the teaching.
What I Would Change: From a technology standpoint, I am very pleased with the session for our K-2 teachers. I feel like everyone worked together and seemed to enjoy thier training. On the other hand, I believe that some of our 3-5 teachers were frustrated because they were confused about what we were doing or felt lost because their technology skills are at varying levels. The Google Docs not working properly was kind-of a good thing to give us experience in handling this type of situation. In the future, I will make sure that I check my links and log-ins from the computers that the audience will be working from. This would have thrown up a red flag and we could have fixed this before hand. To help our 3-5 teachers with their frustration, I think next time we could offer a leveled training, like the county did for our Smart trainings. Possibly giving the option to go to the United Streaming or the Classtools, based on their ability level with technology.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Google Apps for Success
As I think of ways I have used Google Apps in my teaching, with peers and students, several things come to mind. I will begin with using it with MY peers, the teachers in which I work with.
I am currently in graduate school, working on a Master's in Administration. In doing so, I have to complete A LOT of papers, data analysis sheets, conduct surveys, and so on. One way Google Apps has helped me to do this is sharing documents through Google Docs. I can send surveys in a Google Form and the responses come to me already organized in a table. This allows for easy analysis and discussion. I have also used Google Docs to share and collect data with my PLC. I created a document and shared with the team that allows them to just add the data into the spreadsheet. The document automatically calculates our averages for student, question, and grade level. When shared with the assistant principal, she took it to the county to be shared with the county.
I haven't used Google Apps with my students this school year but did use it two years ago with my high achieving students. When we completed our poetry unit, they did all of their poems and assignments through Google Docs for me to analyze and give suggestions to and then they uploaded their work to their own website. The website was branched from my classroom site so they could share their work with family members all over the world.
All of this is "THE GOOD"! I LOVE Google Apps and how easy they are to use. I wish I had more computers in my classroom to assist all of my students so that pencil and paper would not be the main tool in seeing their work.
I am currently in graduate school, working on a Master's in Administration. In doing so, I have to complete A LOT of papers, data analysis sheets, conduct surveys, and so on. One way Google Apps has helped me to do this is sharing documents through Google Docs. I can send surveys in a Google Form and the responses come to me already organized in a table. This allows for easy analysis and discussion. I have also used Google Docs to share and collect data with my PLC. I created a document and shared with the team that allows them to just add the data into the spreadsheet. The document automatically calculates our averages for student, question, and grade level. When shared with the assistant principal, she took it to the county to be shared with the county.
I haven't used Google Apps with my students this school year but did use it two years ago with my high achieving students. When we completed our poetry unit, they did all of their poems and assignments through Google Docs for me to analyze and give suggestions to and then they uploaded their work to their own website. The website was branched from my classroom site so they could share their work with family members all over the world.
All of this is "THE GOOD"! I LOVE Google Apps and how easy they are to use. I wish I had more computers in my classroom to assist all of my students so that pencil and paper would not be the main tool in seeing their work.
Monday, February 20, 2012
My Top Ten
Pinnacle Leaders are technology leaders within the school. Why should someone want to do this? We don't get paid for it and are expected to take time out of our days to help others! Well here are my top ten reasons I became a Pinnacle Leader...
10. We receive GREAT resources for my classroom
9. It was a goal I set for my self within my first 3 years of teaching and I wanted to accomplish it.
8. We get to see how others in the county use technology in thier classrooms.
7. We are a leader within the school setting.
6. We are able to learn new technology and try it out in my classroom.
5. We also learn how to teach others through workshops and trainings.
4. I REALLY enjoy technology and learning new things that can be used in my classroom.
3. We have opportunities to be apart of "Pilot" groups to try new things and give feedback.
2. We get to meet and collaborate with other tech-savvy people to spruce up my lessons.
And the NUMBER ONE REASON IS...
1. We have opportunities to help others use technology in thier classrooms.
These 10 reasons by far out weigh the other negative comments at the top!
10. We receive GREAT resources for my classroom
9. It was a goal I set for my self within my first 3 years of teaching and I wanted to accomplish it.
8. We get to see how others in the county use technology in thier classrooms.
7. We are a leader within the school setting.
6. We are able to learn new technology and try it out in my classroom.
5. We also learn how to teach others through workshops and trainings.
4. I REALLY enjoy technology and learning new things that can be used in my classroom.
3. We have opportunities to be apart of "Pilot" groups to try new things and give feedback.
2. We get to meet and collaborate with other tech-savvy people to spruce up my lessons.
And the NUMBER ONE REASON IS...
1. We have opportunities to help others use technology in thier classrooms.
These 10 reasons by far out weigh the other negative comments at the top!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A letter to.....ME
I usually try to be creative and have my own blogs to post but I liked the idea given to us from a tech facilitator. If I could write a letter to myself as a first year teacher, what would it say? Here goes...
Dear Newbie,
The first and most important thing I want to tell you is that you are here for the kids. Don't forget that! It will be so easy to get caught up in worrying about what everyone else thinks of you and your teaching. Don't worry about what they think. Do what you need to do for your students. Now, with this said, don't get caught up with those being just YOUR kids. Yes, they have your name by the homeroom section of their cumulative folders but they should be cared for by other teachers as well. In turn, you need to help/work with the other students in the school as well. You will later be introduced to something called PLCs. LIVE BY THEM!!! They will help you and the school to succeed.
Personally, you need to make friends and be friendly. Try not to get caught up in the gossip and wrapped up in the drama. There will be LOTS!! You can be friendly and sociable without being a gossip queen.
Parents will be scary at first but you can handle them. Don't let them get you discouraged. They should be there to help you, not scare you. Parents are just part of the team that will help make the students succeed. Another partnership you will need is the janitor!! :) Be best friends with him!! You never know when you will need that little favor done so a little courtesy goes a long way!
I'm sure there are other points of advice I could give you but these will definitely get you started. Keep your head up, there will be BAD days but you will see that it is all worth it in the end. Take each day as it comes!
Good Luck,
Your More Experienced Self
Dear Newbie,
The first and most important thing I want to tell you is that you are here for the kids. Don't forget that! It will be so easy to get caught up in worrying about what everyone else thinks of you and your teaching. Don't worry about what they think. Do what you need to do for your students. Now, with this said, don't get caught up with those being just YOUR kids. Yes, they have your name by the homeroom section of their cumulative folders but they should be cared for by other teachers as well. In turn, you need to help/work with the other students in the school as well. You will later be introduced to something called PLCs. LIVE BY THEM!!! They will help you and the school to succeed.
Personally, you need to make friends and be friendly. Try not to get caught up in the gossip and wrapped up in the drama. There will be LOTS!! You can be friendly and sociable without being a gossip queen.
Parents will be scary at first but you can handle them. Don't let them get you discouraged. They should be there to help you, not scare you. Parents are just part of the team that will help make the students succeed. Another partnership you will need is the janitor!! :) Be best friends with him!! You never know when you will need that little favor done so a little courtesy goes a long way!
I'm sure there are other points of advice I could give you but these will definitely get you started. Keep your head up, there will be BAD days but you will see that it is all worth it in the end. Take each day as it comes!
Good Luck,
Your More Experienced Self
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)