Integrated Technology Lesson Q & A

Integrated Technology Lesson Q & A Betty Hustead EDTC 614: Integrating Technology into the Curriculum November 29, 2010

Classrooms@Work • http://www.netc.org/classrooms@work/classrooms/jane/index.html • Otherwise named Travel USA! • Integrated project for 4th and 5th graders • Completed in groups and as individuals • Daily reflections and goals to be completed

Question #1 What do you want to know more about? How did the teacher find the time to create this entire project? I wish I could have seen a video clip of the work in progress. (Video(s) within site did not work)

Question #2 What project ideas does this classroom bring to mind? • Country research project based on the history of their food for Foreign and Gourmet class • Interior Design project about furniture and housing styles in different countries

Question #3 • What makes this project a successful learning experience for the students? • They are very active and have checklists per day to keep them on track. They do not work too long per task, which helps avoid scattered thoughts. They use 45 minutes in lab and then switch for the last 45 minutes to the group activities in the classroom. • A variety of strategies are available. (Burning Question, world-wide, Marzano)

Question #4 What do you want to accomplish in using technology for learning? I would expect to see a deeper learning that will actually be retained for life.

Question #5 How effective are these strategies at meeting the teacher’s intentions? According to the website, the teacher said she wanted to keep the students focused and engaged. Project learning is the key. Her goals are as follows: Skills: The skill areas addressed by this project include: Research: acquiring resources, critical reading, note taking, citing resources, and synthesis. Study: planning, evaluating work and progress toward a goal, and being a self-directed student. Group process: cooperative decision-making and problem resolution. (continued)

Question #5 continued Report writing: drafting a report, writing a table of contents, and completing an accurate bibliography.Oral speaking: drafting a speech and speaking from limited notes. These do include the content and technology standards for Oregon. (Tech standards are like the NETS.) http://www.netc.org/classrooms@work/classrooms/jane/assessing/benchmarks.html It is unlikely that these standards and goals would not be met upon completion of the project.

Question #6 What aspects of the project are appropriate for your classroom(s)? I would have to use the computer lab or the library or both to complete this project. Unfortunately, to be able to do this for an extended amount of time would be nearly impossible. This project would have to be shortened or done as homework as well.

Question #7 How is this school and classroom similar to or different from your classroom(s) or school? My classroom only has one computer and it is in a food lab, so it is not a typical set up. I also use the grouping by mixing different ability levels of students. • What would you want to explore further on the website? I would like to look at her assessments and the timing of the project itself. I really like her resource pages (ex: bibliography, rubrics).

Question #8 In what ways has technology supported student learning in this classroom? In Yours? Mine needs a lot of help in supporting student learning with technology at this point, partially due to availability of equipment, but also for the time needed to create a great lesson plan. This project allows students to create their own learning, to choose their own topics (within the parameters set up), and to select their own presentation methods. By having choices, students buy into a project much more.

Question #9 A list of additional resources for this activity is listed under Strategies within this topic’s reading and resources. How effective are these strategies at meeting the teacher’s intentions? I think the teacher did a very good job of integrating the lesson with technology. (continued)

Question #9 continued When looking at the “Technology Integration: Unit Planning” Guide from http://www1.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/tech/proj_plan.html the teacher appears to have incorporated all sections of the guide into the project. Many of the strategies listed on our class handout were also used, such as: • reflections - independent practice - model skills • graphic organizers - problem solving - cooperative learning • objectives/targets explicit - using prior knowledge.

Question #10 In what ways do assessment strategies demonstrate student learning and share student accomplishments? • The assessments are in line with the standards. • They evaluate the student’s effort level and accuracy of information. • Students have rubrics in advance to guide them. • Tracking progress is done on the board daily and in their diary. • Even parents and community members get to help evaluate and see the amazing learning going on.

Sources • Technology Integration: Unit Planning from http://www1.kent.k12.wa.us/curriculum/tech/proj_plan.html • Instructional Strategies from http://www1.kent.k12.wa.us/KSD/IS/tools_for_planning/instructional_strategies.htm Lesson website from http://www.netc.org/classrooms@work/classrooms/jane/index.html

Integrated Technology Lesson Q & A