About this Blog

This blog was started as a way for me to commit to print my ideas for implementing websites, applications and other technology tools in the elementary classroom. I want to acknowledge the elementary technology liaisons from our district who met and developed the basis for many of these lessons.

What these lessons are NOT

• teaching the tool
• skill and drill practice

What these lesson ARE

• independent projects
• flexible so students can create and problem-solve
• modifiable and adaptable

As a technology trainer, I found that I was good at showing off sites to teachers or explaining how to do an activity, but not so great at following through with the actual implementation in the classroom. Because the websites are so easy to use or the activity so easy to accomplish, I assumed they would be easily implemented in the classroom. I did not take into account the roadblocks an average teacher might encounter such as 

• availability to student computers; 
• student access to printing and file storage locations; 
• student technology skill levels; 
• teacher comfort with technology (troubleshooting as well as training)

Overcoming Roadblocks

These lessons are designed to address these roadblocks or at least minimize them.

Availability of student computers

Our district classroom design is moving toward more center/station oriented schedules, with computers being one of them. These lessons are designed so that there should be no need for the teacher to assist - as least after minimal instruction as a whole group. 

Student access to printing and file storage locations

Our district provides student log ins with private student drive storage. But if a teacher wants the students to use the generic student log in, they will need to determine where and how they want students to save files. 

Printing is another consideration. If the teacher wants to collect and print the final project themselves, they need to determine how they will collect the projects. Most of the lessons provide suggestions, but if a teacher needs guidance, they may want to work closely with their campus technology liaison to work out these details.

Student technology skill levels

Each of these lessons are designed to require minimal technology skills. Most of the activities can be introduced in a whole group setting as a demonstration or hands-on in the lab or using classroom sets of computers. After the initial introduction, students should be able to complete the projects independently.
Once students learn the website or application, and are familiar with the classroom process for completing projects, the lessons can be modified and adapted to meet different TEKS for different subjects.

Teacher comfort with technology

If a teacher would like an extra hand on deck when introducing or implementing any of the projects, they are welcome to work with their campus technology liaison or one of the district technology trainers. 

Comments

I welcome any and all constructive comments on these lessons. I will adjust and revise accordingly.

There are many links to external websites, so if you find any are down or have issues, please contact me so I can take care of it.