Week #5- 9/25

Promethean ActivBoard and its impact on learning in the classroom

- http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us/education/products/interactive-displays/activboard-300-pro

      I learned that the ActivBoard is a interactive whiteboard where students can engage in learning with sound, media, pictures, digital tools and many other resources. Using the ActivBoard can increase students interest in learning because they are in an integrated environment. The ActivBoard works with Promethean software and has USB power, two USB ports and simplifies the connection to your computer. It is downloaded onto your computer and is used with Windows, Mac and Linux. Studies have shown that using the ActivBoard decreases students confusion and disengagement. Also, it enhances collaboration and has two ActivPens which are used simultaneously during lessons. 

    One question that came to mind while I was reading about the ActivBoard was why do schools prefer to use this board rather than the SMART board or other interactive white boards. What is so special about the ActivBoard?  

Assignment #2

- The link to my lesson plan is 

  http://exchange.smarttech.com/details.html?id=fc508c74-dfaa-449e-a2f7-431bc9474654 

- The SMART board features I used are sound, pictures, and interactive games, activities that include pulling things, dragging words and making an insect. 

- NETS

Students: 

    3. Research and Information Fluency

    Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

    a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry

    b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media

    c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks

    d. Process data and report results

Teachers: 

   2.Design and Develop Digital Age Learning

Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

    a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote   student learning and creativity

    b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

    c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources

    d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching

      This lesson meets the NETS standard I have chosen because the students are going organize and evaluate the information they learned. They will also be using digital tools and record what they have learned. As for me, the teacher, I will use digital design and tools to develop the knowledge and skills about insects for the students. I have customized and personalized this lesson plan to fit the students learning and by the end, they will know all the body parts of an insect as well as some characteristics.

- Using a SMART board in my future classroom will improve their learning by providing interactive activities and grabbing their attention with technology skills. I believe students will learn better this way because technology is what they are used to working with at home and outside of school. Lots of kids favorite games now are on ipads and iphones so if I teach with a "giant ipad" (SMART board) I believe they will learn best. 

Week #4- 9/18

My experience with the SMART Board 

        I learned many things about the SMART board in class. I did not know that you could type something on the computer and it shows on the board. That is really amazing because it does not take much time to type something compared to writing it with the marker. I also learned small things like what certain buttons mean. For example, I learned  that the blue button with the screen on it means full scree or slide show. There was also cool things I learned like how to drag words onto a diagram or pull an object to reveal text or something hidden. I find the SMART board very fascinating and very useful. I know I will continue to learn more things and become familiar with the new technology. I have no questions right now but if I do I know who to ask!

-Angie Garza

Assignment #1 - Demographic Write up

Canyon View Elementary School

(Some of this information is fictitious)

1. Classroom Demographics

My 1^st grade classroom at Canyon View Elementary contains 30 students, 16 boys and 14 girls. Three of my students have special abilities, all of which have IEP’s. The parents are mostly supportive but there are a few who are not as involved as others. Almost all of them come to meetings and ask questions about how their children are doing. Some even offer to bring snack occasionally and lots of them have schedule play dates with other parents in the classroom. The resources of technology in my classroom consist of two Apple Mac computers (one for me and one for the students) a SMART board and an Elmo.

2. School Demographics

The location of Canyon View is east of Kennewick, Wa surrounded by suburban homes and mid to high income families. The school is strongly supported by parent involvement and has a good budget.

	Grade Level	Reading	Math		Writing	Science
	3rd Grade	87.3%	66.2%
	4th Grade	67.5%	49.4%		65.1%
	5th Grade	71.6%	45.1%			65.9%
Enrollment
October 2011 Student Count							509
May 2012 Student Count							504
Gender (October 2011)
Male				269			52.8%
Female				240			47.2%
Race/Ethnicity (October 2011)
American Indian/Alaskan Native				1			0.2%
Asian				1			0.2%
Pacific Islander				2			0.4%
Asian/Pacific Islander				3			0.6%
Black				9			1.8%
Hispanic				202			39.7%
White				275			54.0%
Two or More Races				19			3.7%
Special Programs
Free or Reduced-Price Meals (May 2012)				314			62.3%
Special Education (May 2012)				54			10.7%
Transitional Bilingual (May 2012)				62			12.3%
Migrant (May 2012)				35			6.9%
Section 504 (May 2012)				1			0.2%
Foster Care (May 2012)				0			0.0%
Other Information (more info)
Unexcused Absence Rate (2011-12)				120

3. Community Demographics

             Financially, this community could be doing a little better but they are not in a hole. There are lots of volunteers and people willing to help out with school events and fundraisers. One of our biggest fundraisers is through PTA and it is selling Pizzas and Pies. There is always support for new technology in this community but some of the financial departments cannot afford all that is wanted. However, this community is willing to be patient and  gather as much money is needed for new technology.

4. 1^st Grade Tech Standards

EALR 1 – Integration Students use technology within all content areas to collaborate, communicate, generate innovative ideas, investigate and solve problems. Components 1.1: Innovate: Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge and develop innovative products and processes using technology. 1.2: Collaborate: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. 1.3: Investigate and Think Critically: Research, manage and evaluate information and solve problems using digital tools and resources.

EALR 2 – Digital Citizenship Students demonstrate a clear understanding of technology systems and operations and practice safe, legal and ethical behavior. Components 2.1: Practice Safety: Practice safe, legal and ethical behavior in the use of information and technology. 2.2: Operate Systems: Understand technology systems and use hardware and networks to support learning. 2.3: Select and Use Applications: Use productivity tools and common applications effectively and constructively. 2.4: Adapt to Change (Technology Fluency): Transfer current knowledge to new and emerging technologies. (Grades 6-12 only)

- Angie Garza

Week #3- 9/11

Digital Natives Digital Immigrants Response

            I totally agree with Prensky and his view on new technology. I believe that in order to teach successfully, teachers need to be at the same pace and level of technology as students. If that is not the case, students will not learn to their best potential because there is a language barrier, the language of technology.

            I love the terms digital natives and digital immigrants because it makes so much sense to me. I know so many older people who ask their kids to do everything for them when it comes to technology but why is it like that? I think it is much easier to learn the new ways and do it on your own rather than having something do everything for you. Teachers especially, need to be up to date with where students are because they will be more successful at connecting with their students if they speak the same language. I think its amazing how the younger generation is ahead of the present one. I am excited to see where education would stand when all the younger generation becomes old and takes over .  

-Angie Garza

Week #2- 9/4

Sir Ken Robinson Response

         I think Robinson made some very good points and brought up important topics in education. First, he talked about people having a passion for what they do. He said some people do their job to get by and others do it because they love it.  One line that stuck out to me is when he said the reason people love their job is because it is who they are. That is what I believe teachers should be. Personally, I want to become a teacher because I know that is who I am. The talents God has given me allow me to connect, teach, love on people and I know that when I do my job, I will love it not only because I enjoy it but because it is who I am. Also, the quote by Abe Lincoln was very good. I loved the part about not rising to it but with it because it reminds me of a quote I once heard; we never rise to victory, we rise with victory on our side because Jesus is with us. In this case, we are reminded that we are not alone rising to difficulty but together and in unity.

         I believe that technology in education is very important because students can learn with more resources and can learn with more understanding to their fast growing culture. It is important for schools to be “up to date” with technology because students will understand better if the outside world is brought inside the “education world”.

- Angie Garza