Taking Baby Steps

In my first post, I talked about taking the plunge into being a publicly reflective educator. To many teachers out there, this may seem like old news--there are numerous blogs to be read which are posted by some of the most innovative and reflective teachers on the planet. To me, the 30 Goals Challenge is the perfect way to take baby steps into blogging about my practice. This year's theme, "Make the Difference," is especially apt as many of the students I teach struggle with poverty, learning difficulties, and behavioral  issues (sometimes all three at once). I truly believe that even though I see each class at my school once per week, I can devise lessons that allow them to learn library skills and at the same time be creative using technology. It's a challenge to get everything done in a 40 minute class period, and I am still learning how to balance it all.

I have decided that I must learn to sharpen my skills with with the technology piece so that the students at my school become more proficient in using technology for learning. I attended professional development this week and there was a brief discussion about using the iPads for student creation primarily rather that just as babysitters with skill and drill apps in a center (not that there's anything wrong with students practicing skills, but they should not be using these tools simply as gaming devices without accountability). Through Sophia.org I found a professional development opportunity to learn how to use Google products more creatively. Using the SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition) I would say that my students and I use tools such as Google Docs primarily as substitutes for Office tools. I want my students and myself to be moving into Augmentation (increase functionality) and Modification (redesigning parts of tasks) using Google Docs. I am learning how to do this and will be implementing these new skills in the media center soon. I am also working toward applying what I am learning to the apps that lend themselves to creativity on the iPads. I want to see the professional development translate into engagement and learning for the students at my school. I know all of this will take time and I am taking the baby steps to get there.

Reflection 1 for Chrome Classroom
How could I use a Google tool to promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness? (NETS for teachers 1.a)

A short answer for this is that students could use Google Presentation to create power point-like presentations to share their projects as a part of Genius Hour. Again, this is just using a Google tool as a substitute for an Office tool. Not particularly encouraging of innovative thinking and inventiveness. However, if we take the presentations and add student voices to them then take the presentations and upload them to a Google site for sharing with parents and the school at large we will be headed in the right direction. In all honesty, this would be great for the students at my school because the only other work they do with technology is reading and math practice.

Reflection 2 for Chrome Classroom
How do I address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources? (NETS for teachers 4.b)

Truthfully, I am just just beginning to figure this one out. Since I am not a classroom teacher, I don't always have knowledge of each students' particular learning needs, unless it is something obvious: closed captioning of videos for deaf students or using a text-reading application for visually-impaired students. This usually leads to "teaching to the middle" and then assisting others as best I can (it pays to wear running shoes to work each day). I try to choose tools that are appropriate to the learning outcome, as well as tools with which I am familiar so that I can assist as necessary. Since about 95 percent of my students haven't used technology much beyond math facts practice or reading practice, I spend a considerable amount of time teaching how to use the tools I have chosen. I am hoping to learn more about making learning with technology accessible for the students at my school.