future application
As I move forward in my teaching practice, I plan on utilizing technology much more frequently; however, I also recognize that using technology effectively requires an investment of time in research and efficacy of tools and applications. Ideally, the more I am able to use technology that fits with interfaces that students are familiar with the easier it is to integrate said technology. As the Internet has evolved, many of the sites are adapting to a single sign-on, Google or Facebook for instance, simplifying the process of membership. Once there, many sites are also using a user friendly interface that mimics other interfaces making it simple for users to adapt. Students so far have been very receptive to increased uses of technology, especially those technologies that can use with their smartphones. Google Classroom is a great example. Over the last three years using the application, I have seen students really bond with the technology mainly because the smartphone app sends them notifications whenever I post anything, and they can turn in things easily through the Google Docs app. The more technology in the future makes students’ (and my life) easier, the more we will utilize it.
Fortunately, my district has invested in broadband wireless access throughout its school sites. This means that students are able to use the wireless capabilities on their personal devices, as well as school Chromebooks. Between these two technology solutions, 100% of the students are able to access the required technology during class time. In the past year, the school has also worked to identify students who do not have access to Internet at home and are providing Chromebooks to those students on a yearly checkout. Since moving to Google Apps for Education and Google Classroom, I have had very little resistance from students as there are no excuses for using the apps. Either at school, through a laptop loan, or public libraries the students are able access the lesson materials. However, there is always room for improvement in the arena of technology. For example, one of the sites I use frequently with my students is Actively Learn. Using the free subscription, I am able to access a decent amount of content and functionality; however, with a paid subscription I could have all of the English teachers in my school share content, access robust student data analysis, and have access to non-royalty free content. In the end, as technology gets better in the realm of education, companies see the pot of money that could be generated from school budgets. Unfortunately, that pot of money is smaller than most of the companies believe, making some of the best features of these new applications unreachable by schools. While I’d love to have paid subscriptions to every site, in reality I am able to do everything I want with free sites and applications. Being in education means making the most of what you have and for me technology is just the latest place to stretch the budget.
As an instructional coach in my department, I am going to be pushing hard with my colleagues to realize the value of creating visual resources for students. I have already shared my Prezi with everyone, but beyond that, I will share the TPACK lesson plan I put together for this course to help them see how easy and natural it is to thoughtfully integrate technology into lessons that yield high student engagement and outcomes. Through strong vertical teaming, we are helping students at my school have a unified English language arts experience over their four years. One of the best ways to ensure this vision comes to fruition is through a department shared PLE. Starting with the site I created for this course, I am going to create a shared PLE for my colleagues as a quick place to access technology that all students at the school should know and be able to use.
Fortunately, my district has invested in broadband wireless access throughout its school sites. This means that students are able to use the wireless capabilities on their personal devices, as well as school Chromebooks. Between these two technology solutions, 100% of the students are able to access the required technology during class time. In the past year, the school has also worked to identify students who do not have access to Internet at home and are providing Chromebooks to those students on a yearly checkout. Since moving to Google Apps for Education and Google Classroom, I have had very little resistance from students as there are no excuses for using the apps. Either at school, through a laptop loan, or public libraries the students are able access the lesson materials. However, there is always room for improvement in the arena of technology. For example, one of the sites I use frequently with my students is Actively Learn. Using the free subscription, I am able to access a decent amount of content and functionality; however, with a paid subscription I could have all of the English teachers in my school share content, access robust student data analysis, and have access to non-royalty free content. In the end, as technology gets better in the realm of education, companies see the pot of money that could be generated from school budgets. Unfortunately, that pot of money is smaller than most of the companies believe, making some of the best features of these new applications unreachable by schools. While I’d love to have paid subscriptions to every site, in reality I am able to do everything I want with free sites and applications. Being in education means making the most of what you have and for me technology is just the latest place to stretch the budget.
As an instructional coach in my department, I am going to be pushing hard with my colleagues to realize the value of creating visual resources for students. I have already shared my Prezi with everyone, but beyond that, I will share the TPACK lesson plan I put together for this course to help them see how easy and natural it is to thoughtfully integrate technology into lessons that yield high student engagement and outcomes. Through strong vertical teaming, we are helping students at my school have a unified English language arts experience over their four years. One of the best ways to ensure this vision comes to fruition is through a department shared PLE. Starting with the site I created for this course, I am going to create a shared PLE for my colleagues as a quick place to access technology that all students at the school should know and be able to use.