Well, with this entry, I'm going to make an attempt at further clarifying what my thinking is for my project at this point. I spoke to my LSTC and TST yesterday and found out that the SMART Board will be set up in the Sugarloaf Lab (at Cedar Hill) next week. Obviously, that is a good thing, considering that my project will inevitably center around the use of this technology. As far as what I'm actually thinking of doing, I will probably develop something to guide and/or supplement instruction in the Rocks and Minerals unit in Science or the Maps and Globes unit in Social Studies. In either case, I feel the combination of the available technologies and interactivity typically instilled in these lessons will provide a base to start from. What I will actually do with the SMART Board and how I will elevate instruction to at least a LoTi Level 4a (Integration: Mechanical) is still up in the air. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Now, as far as my goal to actually reach this level, here is an excerpt for the LoTi website regarding the instructional focus for Level 4a:
"Instructional focus is on applied learning to the world outside of the classroom and supports an inquiry-training model of teaching. Student products are authentic, relevant and embed complex thinking strategies. Student-generated questions dictate the content, process, and products. Teacher experiences management concerns with the successful integration of 21st Century Skills and/or Themes."
The Social Studies unit might provide an angle for the "applied learning to the world outside the classroom" part by tying in GPS related to the Democracy unit (Greece, Rome, etc.) or others. Arguably, students could virtually search for, manipulate, and study types of rocks and minerals (Science unit) using the SMARTBoard, as well.
Actually making something under a student directed, inquiry based model will be the challenge. Facing severe time constraints, a tight daily schedule, and impending Benchmark tests administered by the county, I will have my work cut out for me to develop something that inspires student learning and ensures success on upcoming assessments.
I know my thoughts have not been completely concrete in this posting, but I'm trying to flush out some thinking moving forward. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
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4 comments:
I am not a regular user of interactive boards, so I am not sure I will be much help at this point. I wonder, however, if your students could develop interactive board activites that could be used to teach various GPS concepts of their choosing. In other words, the students select a curriculum topic they feel would be enhanced by manipulation on the whiteboard. I don't really know what these activities look like or how easy they are to create. I have only heard that if you go to various websites there are pre-existing templates and activities to be used. In this case, your students would be creating their own activites and/or templates to help others and themselves learn the content and everybody will be learning how to use the "new" technology. This may not even be feasible...???
Hi, Mark,
I've been watching interactive whiteboard demos on YouTube to get a feel for what you can actually do with them since I have never used one personally. I think the possibilities are almost endless, however.
You've chosen two really good topics to pick from. I've Googled both topics---rocks & minerals, & maps & globes---plus LoTi Level 4 this afternoon and noticed that there are a good many examples on the Internet of units that have already been created by teachers which are at Level 4. Looking at what other teachers have done would probably be a good way to start narrowing down your topic and getting ideas for activities to include in your unit and lesson plans.
What other types of technology are available for student use at your school?
I'll be looking forward to hearing more about your project.
Lenrose
This is kind of an interesting website because it has a section on how to make sure your learning activities reach LoTi level 4:
http://www.fisd.us/CharacterED/lessonplans/JohnHineman/character_road_trip.htm
It may not relate directly to your project, but I think it might be a good reference for all of us.
Mark,
First let me apologize for not posting sooner.
I'm thinking you have some very good topics that lend themselves to the use of technology. I would image for maps and globes you could use or develop something with Google Earth. You might could have some fun and use Google Mars too. The students would find Google Earth very interesting.
Here is a website I found that might be useful.
http://www.gelessons.com/lessons/
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