Some Teachers Don't Feel Comfortable Integrating Technology

In 2011, almost 2012, why is technology still a class kids go to to learn to use a tool and not an integrated part of the lessons we teach?  I believe the answer to this question is because teachers aren't comfortable integrating technology into their lessons.  For younger teachers, this might not be the case, but teachers who are closer to retirement age could very likely feel this way.  Most of their teaching career didn't involve much technology, so they aren't comfortable using it now.  They are "digital immigrants".
At the elementary school where I work, technology is taught during library skills time, but I think several of the teachers do a great job of integrating technology into their lessons as well.  We have three eMINTS (enhansing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) classrooms in our building.  These classrooms have approximately one computer for every two students.  The teachers who have these classrooms do a great job of using the resources provided to them.

Effective Instruction is a Must

Both of these articles gave good ideas for effective instruction, although their ideas are a little different.  The first article, A Model of Effective Instruction, focuses on the QAIT model.  QAIT stands for Quality of instruction, Appropriate levels of instruction, Incentive, and Time.  Quality of instruction refers to how material is taught.  Appropriate levels of instruction means making sure all the students' needs are met.  Incentive is motivation to learn.  Time refers to the time spent teaching and time students spend on task.  Principles of Effective Instruction talks about standards that educators should think about when planning instruction.  The first principle focuses on reflective learning, students taking time to think about what they have learned.  The second principle focuses on the support of different characteristics at the same time.  Cognitive characteristics are supported by using prior knowledge and giving feedback on assignments.  Motivational characteristics are supported by incentives, which is part of the QAIT model.  Emotional characteristics are supported by increasing positive emotions.  Although they have some different ideas, both of these articles agree that in order for students to learn, instruction must be effective.  Good teaching is not enough.

Why is effective instruction so important for us as LMS or TIS professionals?  In the district where I currently work, the elementary school LMSs actually teach technology classes.  The things they are teaching the students are skills they really need to know, especially since we live in such a digital age, such as mouse skills, typing skills, PowerPoint, etc.  It's also very likely that the LMS or TIS will need to teach colleagues as well as students, so their instruction needs to be effective for everyone.

What is our role when it comes to helping teachers be effective?  I think our role is to provide resources to help teachers be effective.  There are many professional books and magazines in the school library where I work for teachers to use.  Teachers often check out those materials to get ideas.

PowerPoint Templates are Boring

This week we began studying presentation design.  I had no idea that the PowerPoint templates were considered to be boring.  I always try to find a pretty template and use it for my presentation.  The idea of making my own slides never crossed my mind.
Another thing I learned is that an effective presentation doesn't have a lot of text on the slides.  The more text a slide has, the less attention the audience will give the presenter because they'll be too busy trying to copy it all down.  This is something I need to keep in mind because I tend to make my slides on the heavy side with text.  I also need to remember not to put every single thing I want to say, word for word, in the PowerPoint.  Only important points should be included.  There's no point for the presenter to read the slides word for word because the audience can do that themselves.  Instead the presenter should use the PowerPoint to highlight important parts of the presentation.
Images are much more interesting than text.  They can really enhance a presentation.  I learned that its best for the presenter to use their own pictures or ones they find online.  Clipart, which I often use, doesn't do the trick for an effective, professional looking presentation.
These are just some of the many things I learned by watching these presentations.  I think these tips will help me to create better and more effective PowerPoint presentations.

Week 9: Instant Messaging

I am pretty experienced with instant messaging.  When I was in high school and college I used MSN Messenger all the time to chat with my friends and family.  I remember getting in trouble for staying up until 2:00 AM one morning chatting with friends when I was in high school.  Lol.  Now if I IM it's on Facebook.  I don't use it very much to IM, but once in a while I do if I see someone online I want or need to talk to.
I enjoy instant messaging.  It's another convenient way to communicate with people.  I haven't used instant messaging for work, just for personal use.  However, there is an icon for instant messaging in the email program my district uses, so if I ever want or need to use it, I have the option.

Week 8: Cloud Computing

This week I created a document in Google Docs, which I had never done before.  I found that it was really easy to do.  I emailed Mrs. H. when I first saw the instructions for this project and asked if we needed to invite someone from 23 Things Kansas and a colleague.  She said we could invite anyone.  So I invited my husband and one of my good friends to edit my document.  I wanted to make it fun.  I decided to create a quiz about me.  I typed ten questions in my document and labeled five for my husband and five for my friend.  Then I shared it with them.  They went in and each answered their five questions about me.  They both did pretty well with their answers. :)
Cloud computing was easier than I thought it would be.  It's a great tool for sharing and editing documents and other information. 

Digital Native

1. Because of my age, I would consider myself to be a digital native.  I am part of the generation Prensky described of being surrounded by technology all of my life.  Cell phones weren't popular until I was in about middle school, but computers, video games, video cameras, and things like that were always part of my life.  I remember my computer teacher teaching my class about email when I was in fourth grade.  Although I'm a digital native, I definitely don't consider myself to be very tech savvy. 
2. I'm a library aide, so I don't actually have a classroom.  However, I assist the LMS with teaching her kindergarten classes.  She teaches technology lessons.  The kindergarteners usually play games on Starfall that help them with their mouse skills.  There are also games she has them play online that help them with typing skills.  They love playing the games.  As mentioned in the article, games are a great learning tool for digital natives.
3. Like I mentioned, I am a digital native, so I know a lot of the "language" of multimedia.  The classes I'm taking and have taken in the past for this masters program are helping me to better understand the "language" associated with the Digital Age.  Another beneficial step to take to further my knowledge would be collaboration with other eductors about how technology is used in the classroom.
4. YouTube is blocked for student access at my school, but teachers are able to access it on their laptops.  I think this is good idea so that students aren't able to get to any inapproprite content.  If teachers want students to see a video its very easy for them to show it on the SmartBoard.  The only drawback to this setup is that students aren't able to upload their own videos to YouTube at school.  Teachers can upload videos, but students can't do it themselves.  Unfortunately, I don't really know of a good way to allow students to have access to YouTube without also having access to all the inappropriate content on the site.

Week Seven: Microblogging

This week I did something I never thought I'd do: joined Twitter.  I always heard people talk about Twitter, and I thought to myself that Facebook was enough for me.  I'm not really sure what I think about it yet because I'm still trying to get used to it. 
It was easy to find people to follow.  23thingsks is an organization I am following.  I'm sure I'll learn some useful information about technology by following them.  I also requested to follow two of my younger brothers.  They both have accepted my request and one sent me a request to follow me.  I'm glad they think I'm cool enough to tweet with.  Lol! 
I can see why people enjoy microblogging.  It seems like a good way to communicate with others for both work and personal use.  It would be easy to communicate with colleagues and others in the same profession.  You can even follow people in your profession that you don't even know and get ideas from them.  It's also a great way to keep up with friends and family.
Maybe I'll grow more fond of Twitter the more I use it, but for now, Facebook is still my social network of choice. :)