End of the Semester Thoughts....

This class has taught me a great deal about integrating technology into our expansive curriculum. I have strived to incorporate technology as much as possible into math so that our school improvement goal is met. I enjoyed learning how to use Blogger and VoiceThread and am excited to incorporate these into my lesson planning. I enjoyed learning new tools with MovieMaker and ComicLife. My students are learning how to use the tools and are learning a lot from them. The PBL project was challenging but taught me a lot about what goes in to implementing this type of  project in a school and how it can help improve an area of weakness. The reflective paper allowed me some quiet time to digest all that I have accomplished and learned this semester. All of the discussions allowed me to collaborate and learn from others. It is wonderful to hear from others who come from diverse fields in education. I am excited to incorporate new concepts that I have learned in my profession and notice the benefits from doing so. I hope all to collaborate and share with my colleagues the new ways I have learned to integrate technology and hope that they use this new knowledge as well.

PBL Project

The PBL project was not my favorite for this class. I do not like group projects, as I much prefer working alone. Some of my group members had trouble getting on Googledocs and completing tasks. I did not like Googledocs. It is not something I would use ever again. A PBL project is not realistic for teachers. Number one, teachers don't have time to plan for such an elaborate project. Number two, we have such constraints in teaching to the test (CRCT), plus all the pre/post tests we have to give that I don't see it being feasible have a PBL project. Number three, I don't think most teachers have had any training or even have a clue as to what a PBL project is. Do I think PBL projects are effective? Yes. Do I think my group did create a final project to be proud of? Yes. Will I ever use it? Probably not. I am glad that I learned about PBL projects and how to create one, but it was a challenging activity.

Here is the link to our PBL website:  http://groupcpbl.weebly.com/

Movie Maker

This was my second time using Movie Maker and quite honestly, I had trouble using it both times. Having to convert the movie so it can be on YouTube or Blogger was a pain since I didn't know it had to be done. I am happy with the final product of both the movies I made. I especially think the bullying movie can be used at the beginning of each school year to show my students. I saw a lot of other good examples from my classmates as well on other issues adolescents face. MovieMaker is time consuming and really only feasible to me to use after CRCT since there is so much pressure before then. It would take a while to teach my students how to use the program too. I think iMovie is a much easier program to use and I would probably use it over MovieMaker in the classroom. Anyone else enjoy iMovie?

My Bullying Movie

Google Docs

This was my first time ever using Google Docs. It is a new way of collaborating. I like that you can share and upload excel docs and word docs. I like that others can share and edit work with permission, similar to a wiki. I don't think the communication on Google Docs is as fast as say using an instant messenger or texting but it works. I am curious to see how our PBL project goes using Google Docs.So far there isn't much progress and it seems hard to get everyone logged on and working collaboratively. I hope it isn't too challenging. Is anyone having issues so far? Any helpful tips to share?

PBL Activities

This week's discussion about PBL (project-based learning) activities gave me some great ideas for how to implement this in my classroom. PBL activities take time to plan and time to implement. They involve students having the larger role in their learning and teachers being more of facilitators. I truly enjoyed reading about everyone's different activities and can't wait to try some in the classroom. I am attaching my two activities here that I created for you to view. One is a sound choice board that integrates science, ELA, and music. The other activity is a colony choice board that integrates art, social studies, and math.


PBL activities

My First MovieMaker project

Here is my first MovieMaker project on death. Enjoy!

Death Video

Voice Thread Project for European Eploration unit

This was my first time ever using Voice Thread. It is a wonderful tool for online collaboration. It is easy to use which is great. You can upload videos and photos. Anyone can comment on your Voice Thread by verbally speaking into a microphone or by writing in their comments. I used my project as a tool for review. We study six European explorers in the fourth grade: Balboa, Columbus, Cabot, Cartier, Hudson, and de Leon. I uploaded various photos that went with each explorer. The students had to identify each explorer and explain their reasoning based on the pictures. The students did a fair job with this. It showed me that it is a unit that needs to be covered again because the students really struggled with it. I would definitely use this tool again for review or even previewing. The students enjoyed recording themselves for this project which was great. :) I can't wait to see everyone else's projects! I always enjoy seeing how others' use their projects because it gives me more ideas for my classroom. Enjoy my Voice Thread project! :)





My Eurpean Exploration Voice Thread project

Comic Life as a Technology Integration Tool......

This is the second time I have used Comic Life. I learn more about it the more I use it. It is fun to play with! Last time I created a math comic. This time I created a science comic. The students enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about the water cycle by reading, writing, and illustrating it. What amazed me most is that you can integrate so many standards by using technology. That is fabulous information considering fourth grade has roughly 120 standards to cover in a 7 1/2 month period that we have before CRCT. I have enjoyed looking at the other Comic Life submissions as well and now have more ideas on how to use the program the next time around. I even think it would be great to write a grant and see if I can get it purchased on the mobile computer lab so all our students could use the program. Has anyone purchased/received a grant for Comic Life for your students and used it with them?


My Comic Life Water Cycle Project

My Thoughts on Problem Based Learning...

Problem based learning or PBL is an integral part of education. Students have to solve problems in the real world and educators can teach them effective strategies for solving these problems. Technology is an important tool to use to teach this type of learning. We as educators have to be able to be facilitators and let the students be in control of their own learning. Does anyone struggle with this? I actually really enjoy when students construct their own knowledge and I am really there to assist and observe, rather than teach. I am excited to learn ways to use ComicLife, VoiceThread, MovieMaker, and other programs to enhance problem based learning. Here is a book I found about technology and problem based learning.   Technology and Problem Based Learning by Uden and Beaumont


:)

Blog Reflection

This blog experience has taught me a lot. This was my first time every using any blogging site so I still have a lot to learn. It is helpful to receive feedback from peers and also have exceptional examples of others' blogs to guide me in my blogging experience. I need to remember to always give credit to the pictures I am using in my blog. I have finally learned the difference between a follower and contributor! :) I also know that I need to work on communicating with others as several of us from the class have mentioned. It is hard managing time with another graduate class, teaching, and just daily life activities. I hope that by the end of this course that I have contributed to others' blogs and also have sparked communication through my blog posts.

Reflection

This blog is going to help me with reflection. Reflection is a significant part of teaching. It is important to think about what worked and what didn't work and why. There are always things to improve upon. Technology can be used in so many ways so it is important to reflect on the different ways I use it and  how others use it that I might want to try. I hope to reflect on all the projects I complete in this class and how they were beneficial or not in my classroom. Reflection helps us grow as individuals so this blog will be a great tool for that purpose. I am going to enjoy receiving feedback on all the projects and on my posts here. Getting feedback from my students about how they use technology will also be an important part of this process.

Technology Article-Quantity vs. Quality

Lei's article discusses that it is far more important to consider the type of technology and how it was used versus how much it was used. A study was shown between technology use and student learning outcomes. In the last ten years the U.S. has invested more than 66 billion dollars in school technology so we should be seeing some major benefits, if it is being used to support student achievement. This article argues that so far there is not enough evidence to support that student achievement has increased by using technology. The way technology is used in education varies from country to country. Two problems are discussed that contribute to the controversy over the relationship of technology to student learning. One is that technology is often examined at a very general level. Another is that there is more of a focus on the quantity of use of technology versus the quality of the technology itself. The study in this article addresses the quantity (time spent on computers daily) and quality of technology used (how technology was used). Student achievement, technology proficiency, and improved learning habits and developmental outcomes were the outcomes of this study. Seventh and eighth grade students participated in the study. Surveys were administered to assess the outcomes. The results are not surprising to me. It isn't the quantity of time spent that counts as much as the quality. That is where our focus should be as educators. This article is valuable to educators in that it reminds us to consider the technology we are integrating: Why did we chose it? What is it's purpose? Will every child benefit from it? Does it increase student achievement? Is it challenging? Is it stimulating? Is it easy to navigate? There are so many other questions to consider. A student could be on the computer all day but it not benefit him at all.

Reference

Lei, J. (2010). Quantity versus Quality: A New Approach to Examine the Relationship between Technology Use and Student Outcomes. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(3), 455-472. Retrieved from ERIC database.

Introduction

My name is Shadra Tomei Sparling. The purpose of this blog is to describe how I will be using technology in my classroom. I have taught fourth grade for five years and enjoy using technology on a regular basis in my classroom. My goals for this blog are as follows:
1) Show how I can integrate technology with a focus on the quality of the technology, not the quantity.
2) Show that I have learned how to use new types of technology (i.e.-VoiceThread).
3) Show how I have integrated technologies I am already familiar with in new and innovative ways in my classroom (i.e.- ComicLife and MovieMaker). 
4) Collaborate and communicate with others about technology integration.
5) Regularly journal about my classroom experiences with technology.

I appreciate and welcome all ideas and feedback! Thanks for taking time to read my blog! :)

Technology integration

Hello everyone! My name is Shadra Tomei Sparling. I am a fourth grade teacher who loves to use technology in my classroom. This blog is set up to describe how I integrate technology in my classroom. I define technology integration as:

Technology integration is the use of "tools, both hardware (physical) and software, that help us act an think better." Teachers thoughtfully align GPS standards and lessons with technology tools that will enhance the learning experience of students and give them different ways to meet the standard. Electronic tools are used to differentiate instruction and assist students with diverse needs. Technology integration involves student, teacher, school, and parental support. Training and support must be provided in order to have successful technology integration.

References

Egbert, Joy. (2009). Supporting Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Wedding Day Mugshot

This is my husband and I on our wedding day: June 19th, 2010 at Navarre Beach in Florida. :)