One area I would like to strengthen is in promoting and modeling digital citizenship. Specifically, I would like to “develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools” (ISTE, 2008). To achieve these goals, ideally I want to become an active member of epals, an online global community for educators. Using this tool, I would like to find a classroom in which to collaborate with from another culture or region of the United States. Each student in my class would receive a pen pal. Students would collaborate on a similar project that emphasizes each students’ unique culture.
My second goal is to extend my knowledge of digital tools for educators, or “…to model and facilitate effective use of current emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate and use information resources to support research and learning” (ISTE, 2008). I plan to achieve this by meeting with an expert. Thanks to one of my friends, I have a one-year APPLE computer consultation. This allows me to have one-on-one tutorials with an APPLE representative. During the session, I hope to gain confidence using new digital tools. This in turn will increase my ability to model how to effectively use these tools in the classroom.
After locating a resource and digital tool, I will strive to implement the digital tool seamlessly into the curriculum. The success of using the digital tools will be based on what students learn from it. Students’ journals and reflection will help indicate whether or not the goal was met, along with my personal reflection along the way.
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Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI just had to say that I am envious of the one-on-one tutorials you have through an Apple representative. Maybe my life is too dull but that is a dream come true! If you don't mind telling me, how did you come across this opportunity?
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ReplyDeleteMe again. I'm not sure what grade level you teach but here is another epal-like resource that is designed for students under 13 and their teachers. Heard some good things about it, good luck in your endeavors!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ks-connection.org/
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI was able to get the apple one-on-one consultant through a friend. I was helping her buy an apple computer. With the purchase of a new laptop, you can subscribe to a year of apple consultation. My friend was kind enough to buy an extra one for me.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to another epal like site.
Epals is becoming more complicated than I had bargained for. I plan to check this out...thanks again!
Rachel, I've tried to post this comment twice before...Third time's a charm? Here goes:
ReplyDeleteI’m happy that you have chosen modeling cultural understanding and global awareness as one of the ISTE indicators you would like to focus on. Though I do not discuss it in my blog, this is definitely a big one for me, too. Living in Germany, my English students do not have many opportunities for authentic communication with English speakers. Often their ideas of Americans (or Brits, or Aussies, or you name it) and their culture are colored by the “information” and images they are exposed to in the media. Using digital collaboration tools like epals could really help these learners to both improve their English communication skills and to experience other cultures in a more realistic, less stereotyped way. I’ve had the epals homepage open on my browser for the past four weeks, intending to explore it thoroughly enough to begin using it to collaborate with another class. However, as the “keep it on the browser until the right moment hits” approach hasn’t yet yielded any actual results, it might be time to change tack. Perhaps we should consider starting a collaboration between our classrooms? It could be an excellent opportunity to get started…
I am in a similar situation to yours in terms of limited student access to technology. Many of my students do not have access to the internet at home, and the only internet access available at school at the moment consists of two computers located in the library. Like you, we also have a lab, but it is not currently up and running. There is no internet access in the classrooms, few digital projectors, and I don’t think anyone has even heard of a smart board. Needless to say, it is incredibly difficult to integrate digital tools into curriculum and instruction when those tools are not readily available for use. Still, I believe we can and should do all we can to be ready to go digital whenever the opportunity arises. Last year I managed to do a digital storytelling unit with a few borrowed lap tops and a lot of juggling, and my twelfth graders found a way to collaborate on a wiki. This year I have planned an online inquiry unit for later in the fall which will require use of the (still defunct) lab. I have determined to take whatever action I can to help the group responsible for getting the lab up and running to succeed in their task. So far this has meant attending their committee meetings, offering my help, and giving encouragement. With any luck, my unit will start on schedule! Keep your chin up and don’t be afraid to dig in and help make things happen at your school. Good luck!
Oops, that second bit about limited access was meant for another blog. Hence its complete irrelevancy to your post. Sorry!
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