And then there was normalcy..

I've discovered a comfortable compromise between all-out tech and teaching/learning with tech.  With the beginning of second quarter, I laid out a plan to rotate daily work with our devices. I vary my "bellringers" between edmodo assignments, socrative quizzes, polleverywheres  voice recordings, old fashioned "paper" bellringers and non-graded activities like online language games, and realia.  It keeps things less robotic and routine and each application has individual benefits and reaches/appeals to different students. I still use edmodo as the vehicle to link to the other sites. It's just so direct and easy.  It's also simple to post, check work and give feedback.

Our devices are daily - just not every class and I'm finding it easier to integrate technology now.  Surprisingly, that came when I allowed myself to relax and "go back" to my style of teaching.  I just wasn't connecting with my students because I was doing TOO much technology.  Yes, Marty and others said "start slow", "ease into it" - but, I felt very strongly compelled to use the devices 24-7 - to model their effectiveness and because I felt compelled to demonstrate my commitment to the Pilot program, (oh and yes - I do love technology!!).

A big help was that our systems technicians worked their magic and now we're up and running in much less time.  That's helped immeasurably.  And finally, I moved the students' seats from groups of four to pairs of rows.  I can see all the computer screens from the back of the room at one time, yet they can still partner up to help one another while I keep more of their attention. Even though I'm feeling less than successful instituting what I perceived the Community of Learners ideals to be, I believe we've in fact become a real Community of Learners because of the bond, affection, respect and positive atmosphere we share together now that we've settled into routine and "normalcy". Come see for yourself - Room 401 - Kernersville Middle School!
 

Putting the Horse back in Front of the Cart..

After posting my last post, I readjusted by lesson plans narrowing the technology down to only Edmodo Bellringers.  Going forward, I'll plan the lesson based on curriculum and objectives and then decide where technology will support and strengthen the material, not visa-versa.

We had our first 1:1 Device Pilot meeting last Thursday evening at Mount Tabor (Katherine's school).  It really helped to listen to the other teachers voice how they felt there were behind teaching, how getting the technology up and running was a struggle.  Katherine hadn't gotten out her laptops since Day 1.  They praised her! - I was surprised, but because Common Core and Curriculum has got to take top priority, we're to integrate technology afterwards.

Several high points:  World Languages is doing a PBL - and even though I set out markers/paper/scissors etc.. in case they wanted to do their presentation the old fashioned way - they went right for the computers to create their presentation: Powerpoint, Glogster..

Finally, finally! I had one class that everyone got onto the internet and into Edmodo! - Day 14! (well, day 7 of A/B day).

The students have done a FANTASTIC job recording themselves and the Clear.msu dropbox is a superb app.  I can see it really being a great way to build their speaking confidence from the very beginning. I'm going to try to record questions for my 7th & 8th grade students to get them using their language.

My big job now is to get everything graded!  They gave us access to NCWise early last week.  I've set up my classes, but haven't posted any grades - that'll happen this weekend.

I think I might have finally gotten all of my permission forms back - or almost - that has been the absolute worst.  I'm not sure that could be cured, but if the District is actually going to roll out personal devices into 3700 teachers' classrooms, they'll have to find a remedy for that.

There's a fine balance to everything

Today, I taught.  Yes, I know we've been in school almost 3 full weeks now, but with my new laptops, I've not been teaching.  The recognition that I'm not connecting with my students has been coming to me over the past few days - because we're trying to work out the ins and outs of using technology to get our work done.  I feel like I'm teaching a mile wide and an inch thick! 

So, today, during 6th grade French, I taught the old fashioned way - with music, flashcards, document camera, whiteboard, note-taking, repition and Edmodo - but only to start off with - then they shut it down. I LOVED it!  (And I think the students loved it too!!)

I've got to strike a balance with technology or I'll never get anything taught - I think I'm doing technology just to do technology - and that's not the way to integrate it.

When I sit down to plan this weekend, I need to look at my old stuff and then consider how to join the two.

We're under way!

I've been posting to our District site because we're required.  It's not a chore, and if it weren't mandatory, I probably wouldn't do it - just like with this one.  I've already gotten bogged down with the day to day work that comes with teaching. 
Here's a rundown of my responsibilities:

11 classrooms 240+ students (I'm not going to stop to count), 6 preps, (5 different on one day!!) French - 3 levels, Spanish-2 levels and  1 World Language Class.

Overall, I think my students are great.  I've run into a bit of a snag with a group of 7th grade entitleds.  I've called home, tried to re-direct and forced a laptop to be closed and stay closed the rest of the period because rules weren't followed.

I've been using Edmodo a lot - I think it's going to  be great!! - I'm finding it's got some programming glitches sometimes.  And I'm finding the students like to write notes to each other like they do on Facebook.  I've cautioned them that it's offtask and that they will lose privilege if they continue.

I'm wondering if I can form the bond I create when I teach-teach versus now when I'm using the laptops as the tool.  I find myself at the background - but I'm not connecting.  Some appear bored ( and those are the ones that post about it!!)  I think I'm going to have integrate more of myself with the technology.

I've been using Powerpoint to keep the students up with what's next in the class, but it keeps me stationary.  I'm struggling to keep everyone's preps and reviews and intros on target and add Tech Facilitator responsibilities along with that - which I thoroughly love - but takes time and energy too.

Well, back to lessons - and I haven't even begun to grade papers yet!!

Lessons Learned

Good fortune shone on me because Friday turned out to be an excellent OVERVIEW day.  The devices were in the middle of their table groups, (the signal that they will be used that day).  After completing unfinished business, we reviewed the three signed forms (had they read the forms before signing? (answer: no)). 

Then, each retrieved their assigned device, and by way of a powerpoint, we examined them, and their ports and dedicated keys. We talked about their handling and care and procedures (like a new pet); "45", (closing screens to give their attention to me), "90", (re-opening),  closing the screens for off-task behavior,  and "Ask 3 Before Me", (thanks peers in our Device Pilot group! - great advice.)

Not turning on the devices was the best way to deliver the lesson. By telling them upfront that we wouldn't turn on their devices, (collective "awwww"), we focused on laying the groundrules and learning about their devices instead "can we turn them on now? .. now? .. now?!"

It is really difficult not just putting the devices into my students' hands and beginning our first learning unit.  I'm struggling juggling content with laying a strong classroom management foundation.  I know from experience we've got to do that first, but my goodness, I'm itching to get INTO using the devices.

This weekend, I will put the finishing touches on my first unit lessons plans, (6 preps - whew!!) Following our Essential Standards and FL Pacing Guide, (thanks, Ms Baldwin/FL Peers), I've been investigating which technology will best lend itself to learning the required objectives.  I'll create Symbaloos for links. I'll also review a new link offered by one of my Twitter peeps, www.edutoia.org/stw-project-based-learning-best-practices.  ut, mostly, I'll enjoy Labor Day weekend; the time dedicated to honor the contributions all of us have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our great country.  Go USA!

Day 1. 179 more...

Day 1.  179 more to go..

1st days always wear me out - and the students too!

Great 1st day though.  I used my Glogster Introduction, which implemented Google Docs, my website, Animoto, Tagxedo, and Voki.  After I passed out the 1:1 Device Pilot form and the Laptop Rules for the Classroom for parent/student signature. I talked a bit about what we're getting this year.  As part of the explanation I told my students that we going to use the laptops to learn - just like I used it to introduce the beginning of the year policies and procedures - as a tool, not a toy.

As an icebreaker, I bought a 30 piece puzzle and had the students come up and build the puzzle demonstrating the "each student is a piece". The puzzle was the picture of a  "Community" (clever, don't you think). After I got them to identify the community theme, we talked about our classroom being a community of learners and how we needed everyone in order to complete the puzzle; that without all the pieces, the picture wasn't done.  We also had extra pieces, so I asked who also might help our community of learners; Administration, Media Coordinator, parents, other teachers were suggestions offered.  We talked in one class how it took longer to complete as a group than doing it on your own, because everyone had opinions and ideas about where things should go, but that ultimately it all came together because we cooperated, took turns and were patient.

I ran out of time in most classes. I feel I barely scratched the surface. Once I began to go over things, I'd remember something else I wanted to cover. I need to take a lesson away myself from today's classes - I've got to remember to pace myself and lay my own puzzle pieces of how things are done in our classroom completely and carefully so that a successful community of learners emerges.

Open House Last Night...

We had Open House last night at the Middle School level. Once I started sharing about our Mobile Learning Community, it became "real". As I talked with parents about differentiated assignments, working in groups to complete tasks using authentic resources with the technology our students are already using as tools not just "toys" and how it will offer them better career opportunities, I felt the project begin to grow legs.  I explained how our District was looking forward to integrating students' devices to help them learn, how we were going to be "guinea pigs", (my students liked this), beginning the process.  I explained how I thought our class would look, and how we would have visitors; that we'd be blogging so others would be able to follow. The parents were very impressed and pleased to hear about the technology - let's face it, when was the last time they were told, "look, we have state of art technology in the classroom that your child will be using daily to learn"? 

What was I thinking??!!

On the eve of going back to school, I post what has been going through my head since the laptops were delivered last Thursday, "What was I thinking???!!"  When I saw the invitation to request participation in the 1:1 Device Pilot, I pounced on it!  I am a diehard Technophone, (if Francophone means loving everything French, then "Technophone" can mean loving everything technological...  I was the first to create a whiteboard using a Wii remote, the first to use QR Codes, and to use Polleverywhere in my classroom. I have been a technology leader for.. well, forever. 

So, of course I applied to participate - and the most joyous thing occurred.. I was chosen!!  When we all met to begin planning, my confidence wavered - so much "new" stuff - copyright, internet safety, PBL  -  suppose.. suppose I ... fail?? And then, when the laptops were delivered and there are a few minor glitches, it tweaked my anxiety further - Can I possibily manage 30 laptops in a classroom of 11 to 14 year olds with all of the typical "tech" problems; laptops not charged, network down, websites blocked by the firewall? And what about those students?  Will they recognize the gargantuan opportunity and responsibility we're been offered and "buy" into this new way of learning?  Is my ability to cultivate, inspire and support my students' learning strong enough to make this endeavor successful?

I have a lot of  positives going for me - I love my subject - Foreign Languages - I love my co-workers, (and that's what they'll be) - my students.  I have the respect and support of my Administration and peers and our District is firmly dedicated to the success of this pilot, so why am I asking, "What was I thinking!?" 

Because, my generation, we adults who weren't born with technology coursing through our blood, we are first generation immigrants.  This new language and culture we're learning; technology,  is foreign to us and so we struggle with culture shock.  That's what I'm struggling with now, a good dose of culture shock.  I'm about to move to a foreign land full of new and scary experiences - a land where I don't speak the language fluently as those who are at home in the culture - my students. 

Like spending two months in rural Ecuador vaccinating children against tuberculosis when I was 17, I'm going to have to trust in my own abilities and in those people leading the program. I'm going to have to believe in the mission and recognize I've got to rely on the very people I came to help in the first place and who will ultimately benefit from this new venture - my students - in order to accomplish our goals.  I'm sure there will be "bats, rats, and cockroaches", (well, there were in Ecuador!!), but there will also be, (as in Ecuador), the most beautiful fertile and verdant land, unbelievably delectable food, and never-to-be matched social experiences. So, all of us working together, we can accomplish what we set out to do. I believe it. Comenzamos! Let's get started!

Paperless?

The laptops have arrived! We've logged them onto the network, and all but three were happy to be part of the KMS Network - the relcalcitrant ones were taken back to Central Office for re-programming.. (There's a lesson in there someplace!!)

Marty and I had a discussion about going paperless and he suggested this would be a good time to try. I said I thought I'd give it a go, but that I hadn't used Dropbox so I was pretty much clueless. After discussing the options; Google Docs, (log-in, over 13), Dropbox, (not educational, less constructed for our purpose), he recommended using Edmodo.  We also agreed that, just like he has been upfront with our group that he doesn't know everything and that we're all learning together, that that's the approach I should take with my students.  I have confidence my students will come along for the ride! (and help paddle!)

PBL, Project/Problem Based Learning is my plan for instruction delivery.  We discussed how much input the students will have with creating assessments built around objectives.  I believe by the end of the school year, my students will be active participants in partnering with me to create their assessments based on our objectives.  I think he's skeptical.  We did discuss the benefits of a whole school being PBL-based, (Hanes Magnet) and how, by the 8th grade, the students should be creating/producing some very amazing end products.

Also have heard that Dr. Weyker, our District Assistant Superintendant - Technology, has coined the phrase to describe our District's march toward 1-1 devices:  Mobile Learning Community! Very Catchy! I like it!!  (I had been playing with the idea of my classroom being a "Student Learning Community", so the idea of a Mobile Learning Community is in that same vein!)

Beginning

This past June, I was chosen along with 5 other teachers in the WSFC School system to particpate in a 1:1 Device Pilot during the 2012-2013 school year.  I teach middle school Foreign Languages; French, Spanish, and Intro. to World Languages.  I'm a lateral entry teacher, 8 years experience.  I've gotten a lot of opportunities to learn in the years I've been with WSFCS. - Looks like this might be the grandest of all.

The first contact was a congratulatory call from the Assistant Superintendant for Technology, Betty Weyker.  We joined our principals, Tech Facilitators and other particpants in a conference call.  It was.. exciting.

I met with Marty Creech, District Instructional Technologist one-on-one to talk about my initial thoughts of how I want my classroom to "work" and what I'm hoping to accomplish this school year.  I'm a Techie by nature so I've already had lots of experience with apps, and online resources in the classroom, but having each student have a laptop (and that's what I was chosen to "try out"), is definitely going to be different.  My students have done some individual/group technology work - but daily?????!! Really?  How could I get everything else done if the students were going to use them daily?

Marty passed along my Lenovo X130e - so we could get to know one another - it's a sweet, light, sturdy, great battery-life, good operating memory a built in camera  - I think it will do the trick.

I've looked at the Flipped Classroom model.  I like it. Marty says we have to consider if everyone will have a device at home and will it be compatible.  Good Point.  He introduced PBL - Project Based Learning with the concept "Community of Learners"    The simple idea is students are introduced to the objectives they need to learn, we create a "project" to cover the objectives, adding formative assessments along the way and they learn the material together in groups - I facilitate.

For 3 days last week, 5 of the 6 of us joined together to begin to figure out the nuts and bolts.  I'm attaching an Animoto I created the 2nd day to overview Day 1.  We talked about Community of Learners, Copyright, Internet Safety, Best Practices, Classroom Management, Internet Use Survey - to mention only a few.  I'm very lucky to have been given the laptop to pilot - 3 others are using tablets - and I just don't think they're as easy to integrate as laptops.

Oh, we're using Edmodo to communicate amongst one another - it's great! Marty has created a blog for us to reflect ~wkly.  It really helped to have all of us together last week creating/sharing set up documents: Tech Survey, Classroom Management, Copyright, Acceptable Use Policy, I'll attach those as well. Just remember, these were all created BEFORE we stepped into our Learning Communities! You know how things change when you close that classroom door!

I remember teaching a couple classes in Computers several years back when I was trying to stay full time, splitting between two schools.  The toughest part was to keep the students synchronised while trying to accomplish the same task.  Although, I have bad dreams about that struggle, I recognize that we won't be acomplishing the same task. Each student will be on his or her own task.  My job will be to guide, not drag.