I am currently an elementary school principal of a building of PreK-3. I can see how I would like to use these tools as an administrator and how I would like to see teachers use them.
| Level | Definition | Examples from My Work Currently | How I would like to use this in the future |
| Substitution | Computer technology is used to perform the same task as was done before the use of computers. | A facebook group to work on communicating with teachers and parents on facebook. But it is 'frowned' upon. Teachers taking attendance, inputting grades still use report cards paper only Email blasts to parents- about upcoming events. Still put out paper as well | I think there is an level of importance that we have a group that will keep parents in the loop as most are on facebook. I use it with caution as it is a grey area in our tech policy. I would prefer to only use online digital access for parents. But I realize access is an issue. I also think it will help in accountability with us being able to see if and when parents have access the reports cards...etc. But I can see that making sure there was access will be a continually problem. Perhaps using a google doc that is linked to our districts website. Of course, this is just the same as with the report cards. Access to technology is still a problem for 50% of my school population. |
| Augmentation | Computer Technology offers an effective tool to perform common tasks. | Currently in my building students computers to perform simple games and some reading comprehension programs. This year they will take M-STEP (the MEAP replacement and I am scared!) They have been using computer labs to do the NWEA test. In my district, my son uses the clicker/CPI system that the teacher inputs test items and gathers instant data on whether the student answered appropriately or not. | Students take a quiz using a Google Form instead of using pencil and paper. My district just started using google apps for classroom and teachers. I am hoping that some teachers will start to utilize this. I would like my 3rd grade teachers to be able to use this system but we do not have access to the materials that are needed. |
| Modification | This is the first step over the line between enhancing the traditional goings-on of the classroom and transforming the classroom. Common classroom tasks are being accomplished through the use of computer technology. | My staff has been using shared documents on the network drive and have been trained in google apps, but have not been using its application in the classroom. Currently my school only has one laptop cart. They just ordered google chrome books for the building. HOWEVER, we do not have building wide wireless. It is only on moveable routers. This is source of frustration for not only me but several of my staff. | I would love to see an applied knowledge of my students writing and implementing a student news show. Students would gather a weeks worth of news, write and we would act out a script for a broadcast to our entire school. I could see them to do this using a screencast with maybe a background. It would be awesome to be able to use a greenscreen! |
| Redefintion | Computer technology allows for new tasks that were previously inconceivable. | None at this time! | I could see using a day in the life of a student video for my perspective as an administrator, so parents could get an idea of what their children go through in a day at our school. I could see teachers use this to create a wax museum of the 1930s. What would that look like for kids, would be that they all take an important character or event, investigate it, act it out and the teachers could record it for the class as a documentary or learning experience. |
Super interesting post. I loved reading it. I also enjoy that you are an administrator, it's nice to hear from the "other side". I thought it was really cool that you broke your post up into what you would like the students AND teachers to do. It sounds like your school is definitely lacking technology and the router situation sounds SUPER frustrating. I thought your "Day in the Life" idea was fantastic. The parents would LOVE to watch this. The wax museum idea was also awesome!
ReplyDeleteTry not too worry too hard about the M-STEP. It's definitely scary but we will all get through it!!
M-Step...just saying it gives me a rash! Thank you.
DeleteI like how you categorized your information in columns, which shows how creative and good designer you are!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Victoria, I enjoyed that you are one of the stake holders, that means you have a lot on your shoulders and the good thing that you have a say so in the district, you may demand up-grading your technology system in your school.
You have great ideas; stick to them and hold integrating technology workshops to your staff. I wish you the best.
Agreed! Time for a tech upgrade (and maybe a tech teacher too haha!).
DeleteI am trying hard to get a tech teacher like nobody's business.
DeleteIn your post you mentioned the clickers. I think that they are useful to a point. I found them useful only to gauge progress with multiple choice questions in my classroom, but in many cases my classes are CTE, so many things need to be demonstrated for understanding. I could see how they would work better for younger students.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we have limited WiFi in our building and its touch and go, in my classroom its just go, so I do understand the frustration.
Also, to connect with your "day-in-the-life-of", for our conferences, parents were given their students' schedule. From there, parents walked their students schedule and could see the daily journey of their student/s. Many were surprised about the length of their students walk, others wondered why their students were tardy so often when their classes were so close together. It was a great experience for many of the parents. There are always those who do not like things, this too happened in this situation as well. I guess we must take the good with the bad.
That's a cool idea! I'd like to hear what parents think about their students schedule and definitely why they are late so often! Ha!
DeleteVictoria- I thought the same exact thing!
DeleteA lot of schools are implementing the clicker system, which is what you would like to see in your A. Your R would be beneficial to everyone involved, especially prospective parents that might enroll their children in school the following school year.
ReplyDelete