Tool #11 - Self Assessing and Reflecting

I've always viewed technology as a tool. a means to an end, and I consider myself well-versed in technology as I use it extensively both in and out of the classroom.  In addition, I have completed a couple of other online summer courses offered by SBISD,  so I must admit there wasn't really anything in the Eleven Tools program that surprised me.  It was, however, a practical, timely and effective review of alternatives and possibilities available through technology.

My favorite tools are always the graphic image manipulation and video/slideshow sites (see Tools 3 and 5) because they lend themselves to such creativity and endless possibilities. I'm going to use the Trading Card Maker on Big Huge Labs for a Theatre project in which students will research playwrights and create trading cards with facts they learned in their research.

All in all, my classroom is already largely adapted for the 21st Century learner and the additional technology devices we are scheduled to receive.  The broadcast studio will serve nicely for additional stations for the new devices as will the counter running the length of the north wall in the room. I am looking forward to implementing new projects and my pre-existing altered projects that will be made possible with the additional technology.

Tool #10 - Underneath it All - Digital Citizenship

Technology is so prevalent and so commonplace today that most students take it for granted as a part of their daily lives. Still, it is important for students to understand proper online etiquette and safety precautions both at home and at school. Three of the most important things students should understand about being good digital citizens are:

1. Make wise decisions to stay safe, like not sharing personal information and visiting only appropriate sites. Also if a site makes you feel uncomfortable or if you feel a site is inappropriate in any way, stay away from it.
2. Always post only appropriate comments and respect others on the Internet. Cyber-bullying is real and hurtful; there are consequences for cyber-bullies, and victims should report it.
3. Remember that once you post something, it's permanent. Be wise and cautious about your posts and comments, because you may think you've deleted something, but it's still out there floating around in Cyberspace.

One of the best resources I found on the SBISD Ed Tech site was a link to a site called Digital Citizenship. This site has some useful "contracts" for both students and parents that outline precautions, guidelines, and expectations for student use of technology in the classroom.  These would be useful as part my syllabus packet that I send home with students at the beginning of each semester.  With students, I would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship by using the Child Pledge for Digital Citizenship I found on the Digital Citizenship site, and to share this idea with parents I would use the Parent Pledge for Digital Citizenship found on the same site. Having both parents and students sign "contracts" would emphasize the importance of digital citizenship, and later on the contracts could be used as reminders should some students stray from the contracts' explicit expectations.

Tool #9: Incorporating Classroom-Based Devices as Tools for Learning

The first two questions in this tool seem rather obvious to me; they drew from me a kind of "duh" response. Don't all good teachers plan lessons according to objectives? Shouldn't all good teachers hold students accountable for their assignments? Of course the technology used in a lesson should be tied to the lesson's objective(s) so that the class period isn't just play time. In fact technology shouldn't be used just because it's technology, but because it benefits the lesson's objective(s). In the same vein, absolutely students should be held accountable for the assignments using technology. Otherwise, at least in middle school, the lessons won't be taken seriously.

I visited several of the links offered in this tool, and sadly discovered that very few of the sites were applicable to my courses. After extensive searching, I finally found an interactive "game" on Thinkfinity called "Fractured Fairy Tales" that lends itself well to a unit I often use in my Theatre classes. In the past, we have read fractured fairy tales, and even watched a few on DVD from the old animated television show, before creating our own fractured fairy tale scripts to be played out in short scenes. Using Thinkfinity's interactive "Fractured Fairy Tales" would offer students a useful guide for writing their scripts.


Also in the SBISD Interactive Database, I found "Animation Creator Lite" which creates comics. Communication Applications students would have fun using this to create graphics to enhance their presentations. As I mentioned before, Animoto would also be useful in student presentations.


Finally, I found in the SBISD Interactive Database some fun apps. for iPod Touches and iPads that apply to my courses . Sometimes in Theatre I teach a unit using "Mad Libs." Using the "Mad Libs" app. would really streamline this unit. In addition, the "Idea Sketch" app., could be a useful tool for students in Comm. Apps. when planning speeches. We finally could begin moving away from paper outlines and plans.

Like I've mentioned before, I'm very excited about getting these new devices. I've always wanted to create a unit in which students create a "soundtrack" for an original skit or movie. Perhaps when I get the iPod Touch and iPad, I will load suitable music on them using iTunes and allow students to use this music for their soundtracks. I'm sure once I have the devices to play with, I'll think of countless uses applicable to my courses.

Thing #23: Summarize Your Thoughts about This Program

Technology is like a box of chocolates - so many tidbits to discover and enjoy.

Like the delicious all-chocolate piece, I was already familiar with some of the tidbits in 23 Things, but I believe I came away from each Thing with a new tasty tool, skill, or insight into technology and how to apply it to my classroom. Here's a few of my observations:

• My "Favorite Things" include the ones covering Google tools, especially Google Reader, image/text generators, and finding, embedding, and using video. Google Reader enables me to stay current in topics that interest me like never before, and the image/text generators and video applications offer many possibilities to add a touch of creativity to documents or assignments that might otherwise be somewhat bland.


• Overall the program encouraged me to delve deeper into the opportunities technology offers and provided me with interesting new tools to use both in teaching and privately.


• I can't believe it, but I LOVE blogging! Admittedly, I was skeptical when first instructed to start a blog, but before long the blog bug bit, and I was hooked. I actually look forward now to creating new posts, reading comments on my posts (sadly very few, but still nice), and following other players' blogs and even professional blogs, especially the political ones. The infinite opportunities for blogging in education excite me, but are also somewhat frustrating because so seemingly few of us are interested in and willing to utilize this tool to reach and collaborate with colleagues, students, and event parents. Unfortunately the wheels of change tend to roll at a snail's pace in our field.


• With my newly discovered fondness for blogging, I eagerly sought friends and colleagues also playing 23 Things, but I found it a little difficult to find blogs to follow by authors I actually know. Following the blogs of educators from other districts was helpful and informative, and it was helpful to see SBISD bloggers identified, but it would be even better if bloggers were identified not only by blog title but also by name. Making this information available might encourage those teachers working together to share ideas specific to their school and learning environment.
  
• Would I play again with L2P? You bet! When does the next game begin? My only hesitation would be playing during the school year for fear that I would spend more time playing than teaching. Summertime, however, is a perfect time to play.


• Describe 23 Things in one word? Enlightening
• More detail? 23 Things broadened my technological horizons while providing a worthwhile and fun summer staff development experience.

Thanks, team captains, for developing and organizing the game and giving me the opportunity to play!