I chose to take a closer look at the Travel USA Project. Something I
immediately want to know more about is the computer software Network Assistant.
I love that it allows the teacher to see all the computer screens of their
students at one time and it allows teachers to send pop up messages to the
student computers. I want to know what other capabilities it has and if it is
available for use on iPads, since that is the main technology I have access
to.
This research project makes
me think of our 3rd grade biography project. Each student studies a
notable person from history. There are a lot of ways I can enhance a project
that I currently teach to better incorporate technology. I would love to use
the Daily Effort Journal. It really teaches self-accountability.
This project is a
successful learning experience because of the required independent student
work. They get so much say in what they work on and are held accountable by
themselves and their group members. This project also does an exceptional job
of integrating many different content areas, such as reading, writing,
researching, social studies, and art. This is much more than just studying a
state.
By using technology in my
instruction I want to emphasize the importance of responsibility and
accountability in my students. I want to be able to assign them something, and
have them get to work on it independently without me having to worry if they
are just surfing the Internet. I also
want to teach my students that technology is a very effective tool that will
help them in their every day lives now and when they grow up.
I could use many of the
pieces of this project in my classroom. We do a biography research project in
third grade. I could have the students work in groups. I could set aside block
periods to allow them to work. Half could use technology at a time and then
they could switch. I also LOVE the daily effort diary for keeping them
accountable.
This school is very
different from my school. We have a very low percent of free and reduced lunch
students and a high population of Caucasian students. We also have a lot more technology
in my building. Their school has one computer lab with nine computers. We have
two computer labs with 30 computers each and every classroom has 4 iPads for
student use. We also switch classes for each subject starting in first grade,
which would make block schedules for work time difficult.
I will definitely be
exploring this website further in general because I love what a complete
picture they give you. We see videos and student work samples and complete
explanations of what they are doing and why. It is so thorough, which I find to
be extremely helpful.
Technology is definitely
supporting student learning in this classroom. They are learning technology and
research skills very organically and meaningfully. This project does not feel
forced. Technology has become a tool to get information, and she is no longer
teaching how to use the tool of technology. In my classroom I use technology to
enhance my students learning. I have a projector and document camera, which
allows me to show student work and model what I want students to do easily. I also
have iPads in the classroom to allow for independent practice that does not
need to be teacher directed.
This teacher uses
technology authentically to enhance her students’ learning and allows them to
create work that they can be proud of. I aspire to always be using technology
in such a manner. By making this a project with several different culminating
activities she caters to students with different learning styles. They have to
do a written report, a bibliography, a visual presentation, and an oral presentation.
Students are bound to shine in at least one of those assessments. She also does
formative assessment throughout in conferencing and the daily effort diary.
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