TCC09: Creating a Culture of Learning
Full Title: Creating a Culture of Learning β Modeling a Vision for Technology Use in an Online Environment to Impact the Use of Technology in the K-12 System
Liveblogged notes from the TCC online conference. My notes in italics.
Summary: “This session will share ideas of how to create a culture of learning in an online class at the university level so that it will impact the vision and use of technology at the K-12 level. Regardless of age, individuals learn differently. Creating an online learning environment that utilizes differentiated strategies to meet the needs of a diverse student population will be addressed.”
Presenters:
- Silvia Braidic, California University of Pennsylvania
- Joe Oliphant, California University of Pennsylvania
Joe was a teacher for 6 years, now graduate student/technology director working to help teachers use tools
Topics Addressed
- Background
- Lead by example
- Model and Infuse Effective Practices of Technology
- Technology Tools
- Enabling Others
- Increase Technology Awareness
- Research on Coaching
- A little Trivia
Their program follows Quality Matters–teacher & principal training
What steps can we take to impact how technology is used in K-12 classrooms?
Resources can be used for other fields, not just education
Their vision: Lead the way
University Program > University Student (Principal candidates) > Teachers > Students
How do we lead the way?
- Awareness of tools
- Understand what tools are capable of
- Learner-centered environment–need to get our learners involved
- Promote participation
- Instructional coaching for technology
Technology Tools
- Support communication
- Foster collaboration
- Meet diverse student needs
Skype
- Most people had used Skype
- I’m not taking notes on their overviews of the tools–you can get that info elsewhere. Ask in the comments if a tools is mentioned that you want to learn more about.
- Example: Live Webcam piano lesson via Skype
Feed Readers
- Someone mentioned that Twitter has become her feed reader
- Great way to spend a certain amount of time as a principal learning without having to go hunt for stuff
Google Docs
- They have used Google Docs for student feedback with comments–avoids the emailing back and forth
- They would like more administrators to start using it to model for teachers–maybe with Google spreadsheets with teachers for fundraising.
- Can start small
- As a tech person in the schools, Joe was able to model tools, get the principal to model, and have it start to trickle down
Google Forms
- Follow the wizard to create
- Compiles it automatically into a spreadsheet
Wiki
- Classroom websites for free
- Gave example of a 1st grade teacher with a very slick looking “bulletin board” with links to different projects
- Share info with parents w/o wasting paper
- Example given in the chat: all but the first page is student-created work: http://weewebwonders.pbwiki.com/
- Use wikis as archive of resources for students to refer to as needed
- Share documents together
- Multimedia posted on the wiki like Blabberize
Principals have walkthroughs for things to observe in classrooms, but often don’t have walkthroughs for their tools
ISTE has a free classroom observation tool: ICOT. Helps principals identify best practices being used in classrooms.
Funny parody video with technology for getting walkthroughs done–Walkthrough and Learning Objectives
Online Portfolios
- LiveText
- Get principals to model by creating their own portfolios
Steps to increase technology awareness for principals
- Show how supports teaching and learning
- Advocate tools available–lots are free
- Involve parents, school board members, staff
- Use a wiki to share best practices
- Model positive relationships between principals and tech coordinators
Coaching does improve use of technology
Common Craft videos as examples
Used a Google Form to share resources at the end–get everyone to participate
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