I have to admit my mind has been running since the start of this course. This is due in part to the nature and content of the course and the fact that it has made me try to project out into my future classroom. You see, right now, I do not have any computers in my classroom, so I have to make some assumptions about what will and won’t work for my students and me. Add to this the fact that 3 weeks ago we were informed that the 1:1 devices that were supposed to make it to my grade next fall might not be happening and you can see why my head has been spinning. The good news for me is that I am an eternal optimist and last week I got official word that 1:1 would be in my classes next year and so my envisioning of the future Mrs. L. Smith’s Classroom continues.
So to the question of what works for me? I think two of the most powerful tools I have received in this class were the SAMR model and the Technology Integration Matrix. Since I was introduced to them they have really helped me to look at technology and learning in a new way and I think they will help to guide me as I develop curriculum and integrate technology next year. I feel very comfortable with the concepts of blogging, web 2.0 tools and even online assessments, but really looking at technology for more than just technology’s sake can be difficult for me. I mean, I love to have kids on the computer, but was I making their learning anymore authentic or meaningful? Now I have the tools to help me evaluate just this question.
I’m not sure yet what will be hard to incorporate. I know that sounds like a copout, but it really isn’t. Again, because I am an optimist I sort of go in to things believing they could work until I see that for me and my situation they can’t. As of today, I don’t really feel that way about anything we have studied in class. The only thing I think that may be issues are the programs that we have explored that have an associated cost. For instance I LOVE the idea of VoiceThread, but it looks like to use it the way it was described in our exploration would cost money and money is going to be something that we won’t have a lot of. So that will be the hard to incorporate part, but there is so much out there that is free I think I can find a workaround.
I agree with you, and I have had similar circumstances as you. I actually do currently have computers in my classroom but not enough for every student so we have to share for many activities. I, too, was told that we were going 1:1 next year, then told well we don't have the money. Right now I still do not know if I will have more computers or not. I currently have my students write about each project they complete and thought that having them use blogger would be useful but that requires each student have an e-mail account which is not accessible for students at my school. Voice Thread also looked promising but the money factor is an issue. Hopefully things will work themselves out or the state/federal department of ed will start funding technology initiatives for all schools!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got the good news about 1:1! We are supposed to be 1:1 with iPads ourselves next year and I am more excited than ever. I agree that the SAMR model and technology Integration Matrix are two very valuable tools that should help us all become better at integrating technology.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so interesting that even though we know we are teaching digital natives and we have to make the change to technology that money just isn't available, but I guess that's one of the biggest problems with education. We are always trying to find ways to do more with less and that doesn't lend itself to reform that costs money.
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