Using Technology as an embedded learning tool

a wall-less

brick & mortar classroom

Sandy Anaka

Jill French Nechako Lakes SD#91

Oct. 22-24, 2008

Our task…. how to use technology …..

as an embedded instructional tool …..

a blended learning environment

• face-to-face classroom setting

• computer mediated learning

Our Goals for this Presentation….

• why using technology gives ‘added value’

• how you can shift towards using technology more often

• to provide support links and examples to help you

You are welcome to revisit this presentation online at

http://www.sd91.bc.ca/frenchj/Educators/Rural_Schools_2008.ppt

• societal changes– driving changes in learning– impacting teaching

• technology– supports many of these changes

Why …

What….

Technology enables you to …

• ‘anytime’ access

• student feedback

• collaborative learning

• layered lessons

• opportunities to develop independent learning skills

• support teaching and learning

Benefits …

• increased engagement

• access to materials

• transparency of learning

• new ways to teach

• provides diverse types of reading • practice from concrete mid abstract

• safe storage

• disseminated information

Challenges …

• time − classroom− personal learning

• sufficient, reliable equipment

• displacement of other resources

• using computers in diverse ways

Technology used to support activities…

Hardware• SMART Board or white screen• digital projector• computers• digital camera

Software• All The Right Type • Adobe Photoshop• Elluminate (free access online)• Office - PowerPoint (OpenOffice), Excel, Publisher• Internet – Firefox• web space

Value of classroom online support

• own class website e.g. Mrs. French’s http://www.sd91.bc.ca/frenchj

Process of embedded technology for instruction

Value of real time involvement

• CBC News at http://www.cbc.ca/news/

Value of curricular importance• Ancient Egypt Project at http://www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/egypt/

• First Nations at http://www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/firstnations/

Process of embedded technology for instruction

Value of critical thinking …. using socially constructed knowledge

Webquests Water ........ what is all the fuss about?

You will be...... a Canadian politician who must make a recommendation about whether or not Canada should sell or export water to the State of California.

at http://www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/water/

Process of embedded technology for instruction

Value of socially constructed knowledge

SSHistory

• WWll, A Deadly Time and Place

Natural history• Cheetahs

Process of embedded technology for instruction

Examples from the classroom

Language Arts

• instruction– novel study - mini-lessons – vocabulary - literature– show what you know

Examples from the classroom

• personal learning process– e-journals

• socially constructed knowledge− wiki “comesee”

• reflective writing – blog “Northern Muses”

− story writing• RamboTrent! story writing

Language Arts

French

Interactive sites:• support teaching (resources, lesson

plans)

• support learning (resources)

• online pronunciation (essential phrases)

• online translation tool (paralink)

Examples from the classroom

This Webquest learning system asks that you:

... act as a travel agent and create a travel brochure that recommends from 2 to 3 travel destinations within the province of Quebec.

Examples from the classroom

Social Studies

French Canadian Culture Webquest .... for the development of students' understanding of Canadian provincial culture.

www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/Quebec

Science

Sturgeon Recovery Project

Benefits: • current, relevant text can provide the information

• Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative; Sturgeon Unit

• connections to local field trip opportunity

• review material e.g. Jeopardy

Examples from the classroom

Science

Salmonid Program• Protecting our Salmon at http://

www.bced.gov.bc.ca/technology/sampunits/salmon.pdf

• Salmon Resource Page for Schools at http://www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/salmon/index.html

Other (couldn’t find)• It’s a Jungle Out there! at

http://faculty.tamucommerce.edu/espinoza/s/ellis-blp1.html

Examples from the classroom

Math

Supporting students’ learning in math: •math term definitions

•post lessons and quizzes online

• menu for concept practice online

•see the ‘story in data’ weekly graph –pie charts –pie charts compared to other graphs

• visualization tools (addition with regrouping)

Examples from the classroom

Examples from the classroom

Working

Playing

School

Eating

Sleeping

Other

Mikayla's Usual Day

5.75 hrsWorking

6 hrsPlaying

5 hrsSchool

0.75 hrsEating

8.75 hrsSleeping

1 hrsOther

- graphing

Usual Day

Working 5.8

Playing 6.5

School 5

Eating 0.8

Sleeping 8.8

Other 1

Math

Paint and tessellations

Examples from the classroom

• critical thinking

− home page for teaching tessellations at http://www.sd91.bc.ca/webquests/tessellations/

• problem solving

Math

Fine Arts

Supporting Fine Arts content:• music (theory, how to play)

• drama (Readers’ Theater)

• math/art symmetry

• colour lessons

Fine Arts

Examples from the classroom

Visual arts

• novel writing/scanners

•problem solving

• critical thinking

Examples from the classroom

Making the shift..

…for a few more see handout Slowly Shifting

Traditional delivery

Technology

Format

Instructional benefitsInstructional benefits

daybook daily schedule synchronous or asynchronous learning

LA worksheets grammar independent practice

math textbooks and worksheets

math lesson

interactive practice

visualization

high engagement

problem solving activities

science textbooks and worksheets

science themes real time issues

ss Jeopardy social learning

French scenario #1 problem-based learning

fine arts software activities critical thinking

Further Resources (each of these links takes you to a list of many)…

• Learning Theories *

• Instructional Strategies *

• Social Networking Tools *

• Global Learning Communities *

• Blended Learning Environment

• More Professional Development Links

• SMART Technologies (lesson & activities) or (edweb)

* word document containing these links

Happy trails..

If you are interested in anything you have seen or would like

support from a peer …..

email us at frenchj@mail.sd91.bc.ca or

sanaka@mail.sd91.bc.ca we will try to provide it for you.

Jill

Sandy

take heart …

we leave you with this thought ….

if it seems that everything is a struggle …..

and you feel as those you are working way harder than you think you should be… then take heart ….

others take on challenges as well.Herding cats