Our Roles as Educators in the 21st Century

         Technology continues to shift our roles as educators as it brings more challenges to schools, teachers, and students.  With more and more technology being used around the world, education has to step it up.  Our students’ experiences with technology may begin in our schools, even at the elementary level, but many students already have encountered technology in various forms before they enter school.  Although many people are becoming more equipped with their own mobile technologies this doesn’t mean that all students will have the access they need to be proficient.  Schools must be willing and able to find the resources needed to give our students the technology experiences they need for the future.  Teachers must continue to learn about emerging technologies that can keep our students engaged in learning.  Technology can allow students to explore, learn, and practice new skills or ideas within our curriculums.  Students can communicate and collaborate with each other using technology as a connection to resources and people around the world. 

         Emerging technologies are going to continue to be topics of conversation in our schools.  Teachers must embrace these new ideas.  With proper training and by finding ways to incorporate more technology into our classrooms, the students will excel.  The more experiences we can offer our students using technology, the more successful they will be in the future.  

Game-based Learning - Choosing a Game

This week I was asked to find a game on my PC or hand held device. I found a great resource that I can use with my students. Although there were many options available to me, I chose one that my students would find valuable.


          I chose a game I found through my Droid. It is called Math Maniac. This game fits
21st century learning with its problem solving and quick thinking. Through my reading this week on game-based learning there was a focus on how gaming can create better problem-solvers. I agree with this idea and hope we can get educators to take game-based learning more seriously. Due to critical reviews of games in schools we will need to keep our minds open to the ideas and possibilities games can offer us.
          When I began browsing games on my Mac most of what I found was more scavenger hunts or mission games. Although I am sure I have some students who may be experts at these games I am not into that at all. I decided to look for something more educational that my students could benefit from. I decided to look through game options on my Droid and found Math Maniac.
          I thought since this looked like a basic math game of addition I could just start playing. Well, I was wrong. There were tips in the instruction on how to get more points by combining more numbers and using the same color of numbers while playing. I just thought I was adding. I wanted a game that would be appropriate for my students so once I learned how to score higher it was not challenging for me. My student will love it! They really enjoy puzzles, mind bender games, and anything that is a race of time is always popular.
          As I played this game with my family in and out of the room I felt distracted, much like some students may feel at times in school. Although I was able to finish a level while still responding to my family as needed I know some people, especially elementary aged children, may struggle to do so.
          This week has been eye opening learning about game-based learning. I know games can be fun and educational at the same time. I read about children who play games being able to filter what they need in a busy environment. This is definitely a skill that could be helpful to anyone in a school, a work environment, or even a family member trying to learn a new game on her Droid.

Game-based Learning

What is more exciting than games in school? Ask elementary aged students and hear their responses. Even though games receive some negative feedback from society, learning takes place in many forms. Games in the classroom that incorporate technology are a great way to get students involved and allow them to communicate in ways they feel most comfortable.

I have created a Slideshow with information and resources using Mentormob. Please view my playlist below.

Create your own Playlist on MentorMob!

Pencil Me In

Pencil Me In is a great book for anyone interested in technology.  It may be especially entertaining for classroom teachers.  Please read my reflection of this book.  

Book Reflection for Pencil Me In by John T. Spencer

         While I was reading this book it was easy to place myself right in it.  I have these uncomfortable feelings about using new technologies in my own classroom.  I thought Spencer really showed a true story of a teacher and staff that may think something sounds great but lack the time and/or ability to make it effective.  So many times it seems teachers are handed great new tools, books, activities without much explanation.  Without proper training and time to get somewhat comfortable with new programs, I don’t see teachers' attitudes towards new ideas changing. 

                                             

I loved how Spencer brought in uses of technologies by using names such as Ed Helper.  I also thought it was extremely creative to incorporate his ideas using the “i” such as itablets which made his ideas so modern.  His reference to pencils was humorous and kept me turning the pages. 

Due to many teachers lack of knowledge with technology I see our classrooms using more of project-based learning approach.  In my experience teachers have a few projects that they do with students every year.  The tools and activities don’t change as they should with our growing technology.  I believe students could benefit more from these projects with more up to date technology. 

                                   

         Today’s classrooms are what Spencer realizes near the end of his book.  When he is presenting to his own staff and beginning to understand why they are so resistant to his techno-self was the ah-ha for me.  This is where many schools are right now.  We all want the best for our students including the most up to date technology and resources.  But how do we get there as a community of learners?  Everyone has to be open to the new ideas and work together to share just like the sample school Spencer visited in the book.  It won’t be a fast process but with proper training and small steps I believe we can get there together.      

                                   

         I believe this book would really relate to many teachers and how they feel about technology in their own classrooms.  Although we (I) know where our world is going with technology, it is still intimidating for many people.  We (I) have to find ways to keep the teachers up to speed with technology so our students will be prepared for the technology of tomorrow.  

Mobile Apps

      This week we are focusing on mobile apps and how they can be used in education.  I have chosen some apps that I feel would be most beneficial to my students and our curricular needs.

     As I explored the possibilities of apps for my class I found great ways to practice math facts using Match Up Math and SkillsTutor Math Fact Fluency.  SkillsTutor even records what students do so that I can view their progress.  Teachers are always looking for ways to incorporate fluency practice into our daily instruction.  Using Fluency Timer would allow this to be completed in a station with students recording their fluency weekly, monthly, or as needed per individual student.  Writing is another area that I always search for something creative to do with my class.  With Storyrobe students can create books and record their own voices.  Timelines are something that we have been doing in classrooms for such a long time.  Using Tiki-Toki I found these timelines can be created by students.  This could be independent work or even a group project.  Finally, my school is always looking for ways to connect with families.  With Google Groups I have highlighted how teachers can create mailing lists and include parents, students, or even other teachers.

Please view the apps I have chosen to highlight.  I am excited to try some of these with my own students.

Apps	Brief Description/Uses
Storyrobe	Students can create books, record their voices, and share their books on the internet.
Match Up Math	With this app teachers could differentiate practice for students using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
Google Groups	Using Google Groups teachers can create mailing lists to share documents, such as class notes, sites being used, and even calendars with class information.  This could be shared with other teachers, parents, and students.
Fluency Timer	This app costs $0.99.  Teachers could ask their school’s PTO to purchase this app.  Students can record their fluency reading and teachers can review these recordings throughout the year.  This could also be shared with parents at conferences.
SkillsTutor Math Fact Fluency	This app offers instruction and practice for math facts.  Students could use this at home or school.  All the work is recorded so teachers could view it.
Tiki-Toki	This app so many possibilities.  Students create timelines.  This could be great for writing stories and creating personal narratives.  In Social Studies the class could keep a timeline for the school year keeping track of what they have learned.

Using Technology Tools in School

Throughout my technology course I have been keeping a list of my favorite technology tools and website to use with my students.  This really helped me to select my favorite resources to evaluate for future use in the classroom. 

I chose four areas of criteria to evaluate: Accessibility at School, Assignments Can Align to Standards, Interactive for Students/Teacher, Instructional for Age Group, and Promotes Social Networking.  Most of the tools I chose we already have access to at my school.  If I find problems with student access I can send a request to our technology department.  I believe all of the resource tools I chose are age appropriate after students have received some basic instructions.  Many of the technology tools will be interactive between the students and myself.  This will be very beneficial so that I can keep records of student work and give appropriate, immediate feedback.  Aligning these tools to standards is such an important question.  I believe using my own creativity along with students’ ideas we will be able to incorporate these tools with our standards successfully. 

            When creating this evaluation rubric, I was thinking of my own fourth grade class and the entire grade level.  As a grade level we do research with each of our classes and I know my team would be more than willing to explore some of the technology tools I have chosen.  I believe some of the tools will be incorporated into our Science and Writing curriculums easily.  I have simple ideas for class note taking using the type with me tool and class presentations using powerpoint or voicethread.  I know my students and they will love using these tools individually and as a whole group.  I am excited to share these ideas with my team of teachers. 

We do research across the curriculum and I would love to incorporate so much more with these resources.  I recently received an email about technology summer training and hope to be able to attend.  I know my team of teachers will be pleased to see how I will be using some or all of these new technology tools.  I have ideas, but would love to open up the discussion at a team or even a staff meeting to brainstorm more ideas.  Technology must be part of our daily instruction so students will be prepared.  Using technology tools, such as those I have identified and evaluated, would be a great place for teachers beginning to incorporate technology.  Once a teacher begins to explore with these tools, I am sure they will be pleased with how simple they will be for the class. 

I honestly had not heard of many of these before taking the W-531 class.  Although each week I find myself extremely intimidated when reading the instructions for the week’s activities, in the end I have found that the activities and projects weren’t as difficult as I had thought.  Looking at my classmates’ blog pages and weekly projects, it is very obvious that I still have so much to learn as I see very impressive, even professional-looking work.  I am pleased with what I have learned so far and am excited to see what my students will be able to so with these technology resources.  

Please view the Technology Tools I have chosen and my evaluation of each tool.  

                  Technology Tools Rubric

                   Renna Waalkens

	Criteria Evaluated
Technology Tool	Accessibility At School	Assignments Can Align to Standards	Interactive for Students/Teacher	Instructional for Age Group	Promotes Social Networking
Xtranormal	3	2	1	2	0
typewithme	3	3	3	3	3
scribd	3	2	3	2	2
voicethread	3	3	3	2	2
MyBigCampus	2	2	3	2	3
blogger/blogspot	3	3	3	2	3
slideshare	3	3	3	2	3
wikispaces	3	3	3	3	3
facebook	1	2	3	2	3
powerpoint	3	3	1	3	0
googledocs	3	3	3	3	3
Learn360	3	3	1	3	0

3: Excellent

2: Very Good

1: Good

0: Poor/None

21st Century Skills

21st Century Skills need to be utilized in every classroom so we can prepare our students for our technology world.  After studying 21st Century Skills, I now understand how important these skills are for my students.  Please view my Visual Story demonstrating my ideas about the 21st Century Skills.

21st Century Skills Visual Story