I would like you to create a vision as to what you think effective technology use should help a school become, in other words, envision a school that uses instructional technology effectively. What would that look like? How and why do you feel technology should be used in the classroom?
The format of the vision statement can take any form you would like. I have included links to exemplars of other educator’s statements. You may model your vision statement after theirs, or choose to go in your own direction. Please post your completed vision statement to our blog for others to view. When adding your vision statement please place in the title your name.
Exemplars
https://www.msu.edu/~blocksar/Personal_Technology_Plan.PDF - Vision Statement created by Sarah Milarch a professor at Michigan State University
http://www.sun-associates.com/resources/visions.html - A collection of various district wide vision statements
http://www.classchatter.com/edtech/vision_statement.pdf - Vision statement created by a group of college students for an Ed. Tech. Class
Technology Vision Statement
ReplyDeleteThe effective use of technology integration for all members of the Pelham UFSD learning community;
• utilizing technology as an integrated tool to meet high standards of academic achievement.
• engaging students and teachers in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
• creating a technology-rich environment that is collaborative
and supports creativity, innovation, and risk taking to
enhance teaching, learning, and student achievement.
• possessing the knowledge and ability to choose and apply
appropriate technologies.
• sharing the responsibility for the safe and ethical use of technology.
My Responsibilities
I have a responsibility to integrate technology and stimulate the exchange and creation of knowledge. I will facilitate an integrated environment that fosters an open, collaborative, and unifying culture.
Effective Instructional Technology Vision Statement: Anne Calacci
ReplyDeleteInstructional Technology will not have stagnant pedagogy!! It must change as technology evolves; however, technology should have a distinct purpose in achieving the goals of the lesson.
Students and teachers should be able to:
• Utilize technology independently.
• Incorporate technology into their life-long learning journey by continually acquiring new skills.
• Integrate any technology available for the subject area when researching a topic.
Instructional Technology will help:
• teachers differentiate their lessons.
• students develop a global view
• create responsible users across all technologies, including appropriate communication styles, sensitivity to all users, and safety.
Instructional Technology is a MEANS, not an END.
Technology can be defined many ways. Using dictionary.com one definition is the sum of the ways in which social groups provide themselves with the material objects of their civilization. My vision of effective integration of technology within the classroom includes creating a wide variety of parts of that whole that when added to create a sum the social group, or class of students, can provide themselves with the material substance of their education. It includes providing and using a wide variety of resources and paths which a student can take to reach their final destination. Ways to listen, ways to question, ways to explore, ways to gather, ways to evaluate and ways to reflect so that all parts or ways provide themselves with all possible promises.
ReplyDeleteI envision technology being seamless within the classroom; with the teacher using it effortlessly and in multiple ways.
I envision technology to be individual and to look different to each teacher in the classroom yet the common thread being creating a variety of components that encompass the whole.
I envision students accepting all elements of technology without question, for they are often steps ahead of the teacher.
I envision technology as a way of providing more details, so that one can better understand the whole.
“How do you turn this thing on?” is a statement often uttered by my mother. Not a total Luddite, my mother is a baby boomer whom, while capable of word processing, would rather retype an entire document than learn how to copy and paste. Technology use in the classroom has, needless to say, come a long way since my mother was a student. In fact, classroom technologies have transformed since I myself was a student. However, the changes that have occurred over the last five years while I’ve been an educator in Pelham are some of the greatest I have witnessed. I might even venture to say that the average classroom in Pelham is beginning to come into alignment with my vision of effective instructional technology. Instructional technology should not be viewed as a “special” part of education that is used as infrequently as chalk. It should instead be a set of tools with which a student’s learning can be enhanced and with which s/he is able to more easily participate. My vision of a well-equipped learning environment is one that not only has the necessary physical components—SMART Boards, document cameras, multiple computers or access to class sets of laptops, and working headphones—but one where there is a shared mindset amongst all teachers and administrators. This shared frame of mind can be achieved by establishing a shared understanding of instructional technology accomplished by intense training, hands-on experiences, and a glimpse at positive results. As a teacher first, technology coach second, I envision students embracing technology because it has been embraced by their teachers. I see a learning environment where students are not bogged down by technology (or technological blunders such as non-working desktop computers, damaged projectors, slow internet connections, out-of-ink printers, etc.) but where they consider it an integral part of a complete, enriched learning experience. Can teaching and learning occur without the bells and whistles? Sure. But why would we want to risk the teaching and learning that could occur? We are aware of the myriad learning styles that exist in our classrooms. Providing students with opportunities to express, question, participate, present, and create via technological formats will allow us to reach, teach, and value myriad learners.
ReplyDelete“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”
ReplyDelete-Arthur C. Clark
Technology is something that tends to send people into a panic, as most people define technology as being proficient with computers and computer chips. Technology encompasses much more than that, but yet is simple to explain: it is a tool to help make tasks easier. For example, people used to travel by horse and buggy to get from place to place. This was an effective practice until someone found a faster way to travel, and thus the car was born. What makes technology so tremendous is that it is constantly evolving and finding ways of improving every day life. Perhaps one of the most important places people learn and use technology is in school. Gone are the days of children copying down notes from a chalkboard and craning their necks to see manipulatives in their teacher’s hands. Now there are computers, SMARTboards, document cameras, and flip cameras (to name a few) that can both assist and enhance the learning experience.
Technology is something that is worked on and shared by both teachers and students in school. It is used by teachers to communicate necessary information and as a general teaching tool, and it is used by students as both a research and presentation tool. Technology also fosters collaboration among everyone in the classroom. One wonderful new aspect of SMARTboards and document cameras, for example, is it is now possible to show the pictures of a picture book to the whole class by putting it under the document camera and having it projected onto the SMARTboard screen. It is much easier to have a class discussion about the book because everyone can see every detail on each page and bring meaning to it. This activity can also inspire students to create their own picture book through digital storytelling or other software. Technology allows for more teachable moments and natural extensions of the curriculum.
Students should be able to understand technology and use it to not only produce work, but to also further their own understandings. The possibilities with technology are endless, and the best part about it is that it truly does bring magic into school.
The PMHS vision states that “we are dedicated to developing confident, well-rounded life-long learners ready to become productive individual contributors and the leaders of tomorrow.” The tools and instructional methods to achieve this goal have advanced dramatically since we all stepped into the classroom. New technologies offer tremendous opportunities to students and educators as a way to quickly reach a wide variety of learners and provide opportunities for all students to participate, question and further their understandings of the concepts we present.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked in other schools, I feel we are in the unique position of being provided with the latest technologies to help us do our jobs. In order for us to be effective in the classroom with these new technologies, we need to be provided with intensive, hands-on training with the products so both teachers and students will be able to use the technology to its fullest potential.
A variety of tools should be made available to all teachers to enable them to teach their courses most effectively. Such a variety should include those tools that incorporate advanced technology. Because both the disciplines of music and visual art are inherently “hands-on” in nature, they tend to be largely materials-and-tools-based courses. In visual art, these tools and materials include paper, paint, brushes, crayons, and glue. In music, they include xylophones, recorders, percussion instruments, whiteboards, and sheet music. As effective teachers, it is our duty to begin to use the more technologically advanced tools as they become available. Such tools for visual art would be the Adobe Suite, scanners, printers, and digital cameras. Such tools for music would be Smart Boards, Sibelius, Garage Band and Hyperscore.
ReplyDeleteTechnologically advanced tools must be appropriate for the courses in which they are used. Although many software programs are now available to teachers, there has been very little standardization of use, and the use of such tools in these disciplines is largely still in its infancy. Many art and music teachers still do not use any technological tools. It is for this reason that visual art and music teachers need to become educated in the usefulness of such programs as they are incorporating them into their teaching. In the large catalog of technologically advanced tools available for use in music and visual art classes, it is important to only use those tools that are relevant to the lesson plan. Many software programs are designed as “flashcard” programs that are only appropriate for individual use. Many are created as clerical tools and have little instructional relevance. In order for the most effective instruction to occur, it is the teacher’s duty to use only those appropriate to the subject matter.
Additionally, the hardware used for such applications must be appropriate. Many applications may work better using a Smartboard with large group instruction. Others may be more appropriate for individual use in a computer lab.
It is the responsibility of every educator to become “technology literate.” As they are charged with the vital task of educating and guiding students, teachers must become familiar with all tools that are available to them, and to gain skills on the tools that they plan to use. Teachers must take advantage of training workshops, classes, and computer-based tutorials as they are offered. However, it is also important to “filter out” unnecessary information, and not to waste time attending training sessions that are not relevant for the teacher.
Instructional Technology Integration Vision
ReplyDeleteBy Alissa Schaps
In order for a school to meet its full potential in the 21st century, it is essential for teachers to be given extensive technology training, up to date resources, and ongoing support. Once those needs are met, teachers can then incorporate into their teaching practice in a meaningful way. As a kindergarten teacher, I believe that the following technology resources: the SMART Board, Flip Video Camcorder, document camera, and Kid Pix would be beneficial for most kindergarten classrooms. The use of technology can significantly impact the art of teaching and students’ knowledge in a variety of positive ways.
The use of a SMART Board and document camera can be beneficial at the most simple level because students can clearly see the work that is being presented. The large size and magnification of the SMART Board have resulted in a tremendous change from the days when children had to crowd around a small piece of chart paper or gather around the teacher to learn how to play a game on the rug. The document camera is also an effective tool when used in conjunction with a SMART Board. A teacher can put materials under the document camera, which are then displayed on the SMART Board. The document camera also captures movement in real time. For example, a teacher can place a book under a document camera and the children can notice how the teacher points to one word at a time because his/her hand will be displayed on the SMART Board. The document camera can also facilitate the sharing of student work on a large screen in a timely manner. The children can peer edit a piece of work without actually writing on the original document. While the SMART Board and the document camera are so helpful in providing a way for all children to clearly see what is being taught, the SMART Board should be used to its fullest capacity, which would encourage student interaction.
Having the students come up to the SMART Board to write, move objects, and interact with posed problems is a beneficial way for students to learn and share their knowledge. The students are eager to manipulate the SMART Board, which often results in a higher level of engagement and increased participation. Kinesthetic learners may find it helpful to use their gross motor skills to trace a large size letter on the SMART Board before actually writing on standard piece of paper. The SMART Board also helps children who have difficulty communicating orally because they can share their knowledge by manipulating objects on the SMART Board as opposed to speaking. Teachers can also help their students to use the Flip Video Camcorder to share their learning with others. The children could create a play, puppet show, song, etc, which would help the children to demonstrate their knowledge in a variety of ways. It is important for the students to have multiple ways to express their knowledge as demonstrated by Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences (Gardner, 1983).
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ReplyDeleteIntegrating technology across the disciplines is a meaningful way for the children to learn how to use technology. For example, when learning about insects, the children can use Kid Pix to write and illustrate a fact that they learned. After, they can record their voice and create a slideshow on Kid Pix to share their knowledge with their class or school. In addition, the children can use a document camera to magnify and record their insects’ behavior. This allows for an interdisciplinary study that incorporates technology.
Technology can also serve as a wonderful tool for assessing students and differentiating instruction. For instance, if a child completes his/her work on the SMART Board or the teacher scans a child’s work onto a computer, then the teacher can create an online portfolio of the child’s work. The Flip Video Camcorder can also be used for interviewing students about their work and their understanding of concepts in addition to recording student behavior. It is essential to have a variety of means for assessing students in order to accurately portray a child’s development over time. Using computer based technology is advantageous because the children’s work can be saved. Therefore, the teacher can carefully reflect upon a child’s work, share the information with his/her parents, and differentiate the instruction.
Ultimately, if teachers are effectively using technology in their classrooms, then our students will become competent and prepared for their future in the workforce. Companies across the world utilize technology on a daily basis and our children need to have a strong background in this area in order for them to compete with their global counterparts.
“Nothing is ever achieved without enthusiasm.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
ReplyDeleteCompared to ten or twenty years ago, the advancements in educational technology have really come a long way. I remember using huge disks and monstrous sized computers in my elementary computer classes. The only computer program we used dealt with geography; Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Long ago I never thought we would have the technology we have today: SmartBoards, Document Cameras, Web 2.0, Podcasts, etc. Now, however, as an elementary educator I have my own vision of what an effective instructional technology plan looks like.
I envision walking to any school throughout the country and all the classrooms are equipped with SmartBoards and more than one computer with internet access. A laptop for every student is ideal. Active engagement with the available technology would be second nature, for both teachers and students. Teachers, both new and seasoned, would have had the proper amount of professional development so that they are comfortable with all of the equipment that they are expected to use. They want to use technology and are encouraged to do so by the administration that also uses it. It is a means of communication and a primary tool for learning for everyone.
Proper implementation and maintenance of technology requires the collaboration of all persons involved. Administrators, teachers, students, and the community each play an important role. Administrators supply up to date software, equipment, and professional development. Teachers attend professional development with an open mind and willingness to use what they learn in their lessons for the good of their students. They aim to reach each of the eight intelligences through use of technology. Students use the available equipment appropriately for research tasks and assignments. The community provides moneys through fundraising and their own time in order for all this to happen.
Abraham Maslow developed a theory of personality based on one’s hierarchy of needs. I have developed the following hierarchy as the needs for an ideal environment of instructional technology: students benefit, teachers integrate facets of technology in the daily curriculum, administrators have a technology plan and a support teachers’ use of technology, and involvement of parents and community members.
Effective Technology Integration Vision Statement:Regla Guzmán
ReplyDeleteWith effective technology integration, I envision students engaged and enthusiastic for learning; taking responsibility for their learning and achieving high standards. I envision the government, communities, schools, parents and teachers communicating and collaborating to ensure that every student has the tools, knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this very complex, culturally diverse, technological and completive nation.
And, what better way to achieve these goals than by using a medium that is familiar to us all, is enjoyable, and is used on a day-to-day basis? The answer is obvious, but for educators the challenge is how to effectively integrate it in the curriculum.
It can be a challenge for many schools to effectively integrate technology in the curriculum. It requires proper planning, funding, training and continual support. And yet, it is the future and is a win-win situation for everyone.
For students:
-It is the medium students prefer, enjoy and find easiest.
-It is the means in which students can learn, process, and demonstrate content, while expressing uniqueness, creativity and innovation through hands-on activities and projects.
-It is where students can work independently and/or collaborately, using his/her preferred learning style, intelligence and need, while working at their level and pace.
For teachers:
-It connects them with their students and helps them better understand them.
-It helps keep better records of each student’s assessment grades and progress throughout the year.
-It makes communication easier and more efficient both with parents and students.
-It enhances and supplements lessons.
-It improves classroom behavior.
In addition, my vision of technology in the classroom as a world language teacher is to effectively develop my students’ language skills and enhance their social, cultural and global awareness. With the endless amounts of online resources and other technological tools, such as videoconferencing, distant learning and SKYPE, foreign language classrooms come alive. Students can travel to different countries, communicate in the language, visit museums and speak with expert about art, history, music, traditions and more, without ever leaving the classroom. I feel privileged to be able to provide this quality of education to my students and hope to share my enthusiasm for technology with both students and colleagues.
Wendy DeVito
ReplyDeleteTechnology Vision Statement
When it comes to technology in the classroom, an open mind and heart is important in order to improve learning for all. When considering any new technology, either an apparatus, such as the document camera, or a web based activity, like a Wiki, the technology needs to be, above all, useful. It should build upon and improve our own craft and, therefore, our students’ experiences. Classroom technology must be relevant and effective. If it is, it will improve and enhance teaching and learning.
Technology in the classroom should not be about the “bells and whistles,” but about literally improving the fundamentals of the classroom experience. Technology should facilitate learning. If an apparatus or program hinders our teaching, then we shouldn’t use it. Additionally, if any teacher feels like a new technology restricts or weakens his teaching, that teacher shouldn’t be forced to use it. However, we should all be exposed to and try the new technologies that are available to us. If we don’t try something, then how will we know if it does or doesn’t work for us? I think, as someone who was, at first, reluctant to incorporate new technologies into her own teaching, that there are many new media that do improve my own teaching, without changing the fundamentals of my curriculum. From the perspective of an English teacher, nothing should replace the art of a well-crafted essay; but students could surely participate in blogs or create digital stories.
Technology can actually bridge the traditional classroom (and its very worthy and still relevant) techniques and the modern student. For example, a reading journal could be replaced by a reader’s blog. Or the traditional multi-genre binder portfolio can find a digital home. Many modern poets are using podcasts to publish. Why can’t our students? With all of these proposed changes, nothing in the art of teaching has changed, but only the mode of expression. The reader’s blog still requires the student to reflect on what he reads; the digital portfolio still contains a variety of work produced by the student; and the podcast still requires the student to write a poem. But the newer media might be more exciting for our students, and therefore for us.
When I look at my students and my own children I am excited and somewhat bewildered by the very different world they are about to experience. We need to stay relevant to prepare them for it, but also hold fast to the very basic skills that helped us grow as students. The old-fashioned skills of grammar are still relevant, but the twenty-first century student can be tested on these skills with Castle Learning, as well as with the traditional pen and paper test. I do not want educate a generation of kids who see writing only as texts and tweets; but we need to acknowledge that these are relevant forms of expression. Additionally, a technologically literate teacher is able to better assess student products. The technologically literate teacher knows the difference between hard work and fancy clip art, and can guide students to more challenging differentiation.
Hopefully we will all embrace new technologies. If we learn them and find what we enjoy and feel comfortable using, it can only improve learning for all.
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