Dynamic+Landscape+2011

Dynamic Landscape Documents and WebLinks

Netbook Pilot:

A goal I had for this school year was to increase student collaboration. I introduced students to wikis to help facilitate with this process. They could share information with each other using the class wiki. This gave them rights to make adjustments to the wiki but my wiki could not be altered by students. As the year was progressing a Google Ap pilot became available making collaboration even easier. Once students had the Netbooks we were full blown into collaboration and access!!! Show video

Developing Classroom Culture: We explained to the students that this pilot was a privilege. Given that I am one teacher on a three teacher team it was important to me that the students stay unified as a team. We discussed how this was a wonderful opportunity but not all the team would have this chance so students should respectfully accept the job of the pilot but not become braggarts. How would they feel if they were not getting the computers and the other class was? I feel this transition went well. Jobs that become part of the classroom (plugging in cart) add to a collaborative environment.

Background History: This year our district went to Open Office products. Suddenly students and teacher were dealing with some changes due to the differences in these programs. We worked together to discover how to do tasks previously used with MicroSoft products yet somewhat different. Students eagerly shared "Oh I know how to do that just....." Next enter Google Ap Presentation tool. Computer Lab trial and error time. Students working together to solve problems.

Students had been using wikis quite regularly for classroom assignments. Homework and links for all subjects were provided and modeled. As the year went on student began to take ownership of this task. When a new link was discovered they had two options. Send it to classmates using Goggle Mail or log in to my wiki and post it for all.

Class Work: DI: KWL: Example: Science Lesson What do you know about the brain. What do you want to know. This is what I want you to discover. What did you learn? They love sharing time about what they learned. First Paired Share and then some group share. Written Assessment. Moments where they are researching their item of choice you could hear a pin drop in the classroom. Note Taking students can share at the end of class helps IEP students Reading text in pairs, share a document and one types and other reads Group note taking everyone adds to it and one student takes on job of editor at the end Students email at the end of class anyone who was sick. Videos can be watched at own pace Google Earth assignment Geocaching tracking NewsCast Revealers Website

Using Web Cams: A goal I had this year was to increase video usage in the classroom. We used Flip Cameras to create study guides and newscasts. This went well but having webcams went better. Students learned how to drop video into the M drive and then collaborated on creating final pieces using the desk top. Go to Video WebLInk

Future goals: Expand on the computer usage in math class as the netbooks will be available to my math students.Continue to work on teaching the validity of the web. My idea is to have a training day or two with students **school-wide** so they can learn a variety of skills to make use of technology easier for classroom teachers. For example learn how to make videos.

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