Enriching Technology.

Enriching Technology.

Idea: Set up Facebook groups for Every teacher.

Subjects : All subjects

Details: Set up a facebook group for every teacher. Facebook groups would be voluntary (or the teacher could make a list of students who have joined and make it mandatory). Updates of tests, quizzes and assignments would appear on the students' newsfeed. Lessons and Handouts could be uploaded to the group for the student to browse at their leisure.

Technology required:
Computers and Internet.

Pros:
- Handouts and Lesson Powerpoints can be uploaded to the group.
- Reminders for Tests and Assignments can be easily seen on the students' newsfeed
- The number one time-waster for most students is facebook. May as well give them an oppurtunity to do somethign a little productive.
- No student can say "I forgot"

Cons
-Not everyone has facebook. However, the handfull that don't can easily set one up.

People required to make this work
-Teachers to manage the group
-IDC Students to teach them how to do stuff/ set it up
-Willing Students

eInstruction.

We currently use technology primarily in the Math and Science hallways so we can show some great exampels of teachers using powerpoint or the Netbooks to teach. However, in our social sciences departments, its much harder and we can use that as an example as to why we need more money for some technology in the class. It's become a habit for Social Science presentations to never actually occur within the classrom due to the class almost always being moved to the Presentation suite.
We might want to try and use a rap song since replacing words of a rap song is a little bit easier and makes it sound alot more natural and less awkward.

As for what song we should use, i have no idea.

Future Shop

We have many technology oriented initiatives at Mackenzie. For that reason i think we have a good shot at applying for it. Our MaCS program and the fact that were the only school that offers Programming credits at the AP level are just examples. Our video could show however the state of some of the older classrooms where we still need to rely on Overhead Projector and pulldown screen instead of powerpoint presentations.

Staples

I believe our school has an impressive amount of enviromental initiative. SWITCH, the solar panels, Gardening Club and the Environmental Club are all such examples. We should interview a representitive from each of these organisations and use these interviews. Perhaps we could even get a Writerscraft student to write the essay for us. I feel that we are an easy contender for this as we meet every criteria in their checklist.

Project 2

1) Netbook Cart Team
2) In depth software development
3) Web 2.0 tools

I chose Netbook Cart team as first because i previously worked with the netbooks and have a goo idea of how to troubleshoot and use them. Furthermore, I enjoy working with students and would love to hold training sessions.

I chose option number 2 because it also involves teaching teachers in a session and i think i would enjoy that. I placed web tools 2.0 as my lowest choice because it looks like it is more of n individual task than a group task.


I believe if i were in the Netbook cart team i would thrive in a group enviroment and especially with delivering presentations. My skills with computer hardware and troubleshooting would als come in handy.

I do feel like the web 2.0 apps would not be the best choice for me because for most of the time it is individual work, which i can do, but i feel like I do better work in a group enviroment.

Doing Old Things in New Ways

I believe that at this stage, doing old things in new ways is the best option. Ideally wed like to start doing new thigns in new ways, but the problems mentioned in the article have not been fully addressed as of yet.
We are certainly making great progress with "One to One" computer as evidenced with the netbooks. However currently it is hardly "One to One" for every student. Technological adaption is the second problem addressed. While i would venture a guess that 90% of the student body is proficient with technology, that remaining 10% will feel alienated and confused if they do not catch up. I believe this problem will fix itself across the years to come though. While its not quite 100% yet, its making steady progress there and i would expect to become the truth within a few years.
Because of all these problems, I believe it would be reckless to attempt to integrate technology in our school all at once with "new things in new ways". We must work it into our system slowly and carefully until it eventually becomes second nature for a generation of students.

The Second Coming

For my second post, I've been asked to produce an evaluation of our IDC-4U class so far.

So far I'm really warming up to the class. The enviroment is very different from the hustle and bustle of a regular teaching class and i for one appreciate the break. The activities are fun (customizing the netbooks was fun), and this blog, despite my cynical tone, is hands down more entertaining than any assignment I've gotten from my previous classes.
So far I dont believe I've experienced enough of the class to make suggestions as to how it can be improved. As far as I'm concerned it can't.

So there, my second post. I'll post again whenever the next edict from the brass come down to me.