PLN+Seven


 * PLN 7: Sarah, Paul, Erin M., Alice**

__**Finding EdTech Resources:**__
Online Planning & Assessment Tools

RubiStar at []

RubiStar is a resource for building effective rubrics to be used in the classroom. This is a free resource, and can be accessed from any internet connection. While this site says it is specifically for Project-Based Learning projects, rubrics can be used for any subject, assignment, or project. Rubrics are a great form of assessment, and can be written in language for the students so that they are clear on what is expected of them from any task.

National Science Resources Center (** NSRC **) [] The National Science Resources Center (NSRC) was established in 1985 by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academies. Its mission is to improve the learning and teaching of science for all students in the United States and throughout the world. It has a wealth of tech related (especially computer based apps) ideas for incorporating into project based science lessons.
 * Online Professional Organizations & Research Centers:**

Online Teacher Tools: http://www.adrianbruce.com/ - This website is colorful and engaging and has a wide range of information for teachers. There are games and posters in many subjects (K-5) that are free and printable. There is a link to professional development workshops. He also has a blog called Teacher Toolbox.

Magazines & Publications Education News, New York Times Online []

This site isn’t divided specifically for Ed Tech, but the technology aspects are interspersed with the rest of the features, videos, and articles. There are digital links to online versions of newspaper sections, like the insert Education Life. The education section spans concerns in preschool through higher education, most recent articles are highlighted, and archives are accessible as well.

**EdTech Realities**
Organization and school structure

Three main points: Organization of the technology and the ways it is used allows for collaboration. The teachers and administrators are able to organize time to meet and decide how to use technology and learn about it.

When teachers have the knowledge and support of administrators, their grade team and parents they have more power and confidence to implement and use technologies in their classroom.

Principals/administrators can influence the success of technologies used by teachers by providing positive feedback and cheerleading for further technology use.

Real world examples: A principal at Edgewood acquired itouches for the school and personally went into classrooms to show the students and teachers how to use them.

There existed technology at Riverbend but the principal wasn’t visibly active in training or using them herself.

Viable solutions: More training for teachers and administrators. Teachers might support one another in earning the benefits of various technologies. ___

Wordle Posts

erin's

Sarah's

Alice's

Paul's



File below is the in-class assignment for 7/15/11:



Sarah Bouwkamp -





All four posts are excellent, outlining feasible, meaningful approaches to differentiation! ~Mrs. L.


 * Exploring PBL Websites**: Connecting Math to Our Lives


 * Why did you choose this project as the favorite of the five?**

-Variety -Allows for differentiation -Involves community/families -Makes math useful/meaningful -Gets outside of classroom -Interaction -Can also be viewed globally -Create awareness of how math surrounds them


 * What higher-level thinking skills does the project utilize?**

-Analyzing -Collaborating -Creating -Understanding -Evaluating -Integration -Synthesizing


 * Is technology integrated into the project? Yes!**

-The information is posted and shared on a global level through a forum. -Can be integrated even more individually; the product that the student is making can be technological or not.


 * What (if anything) about the project can be improved?**

-We cannot think of anything, this is a great project.


 * Scenarios For Differentiation**

Objective 1: Students will be able to read and demonstrate comprehension of the book Charlotte’s Web

Sherry: Content- Key vocabulary support Process- Reader’s theatre Product- Post-it at the end of the chapter where she records an idea about how the chapter relates to something else she know—another book, person, etc. Environment- Small group where she organizes and chooses the group members

Jack: Content- Graphic organization for organizing what he needs, mapping out the farm, etc. Process- Gathering and assembling materials to represent the setting of the book Product- The set for reader’s theatre Environment- If possible, visit a farm or have a farmer come to the class as an expert.

Philip: Content- Independently reading and processing the story, preferably a bit ahead of class so he can be helping the rest of the class Process- Work with the small groups to oversee the reader’s theatre, casting, set design, and report back to the teacher Product- Director of the groups and reader’s theatre Environment- Circulates around the room

These charts outline the pros and cons of teaching digital natives. == by Sarah and Paul by Erin and Alice =EdTech I= =ntegration Mind Maps (6/23/11)=
 * Pros and Cons of teaching Digital Natives, created in class 6/27/11**


 * How can instruction be enhanced or improved through the use of technology?**


 * Choose one of the 10 ideas presented in the "[|Getting Started]" article and diagram an action plan/flow chart, detailing how to build upon the idea chosen by the group.**



=e-Room Investigations (6/23/11)=

[]
 * This website (listed under other interface) had a ton of information but organized in a very thoughtful and manageable way. The main page has an up-to-date blog feel with the News & Notes section. Then along the left side of the screen the tabs offer more than enough information which allowed us to get a good feel for how the class is run and what the students are up to. There are many interactive tools for the students to use at home as well. Finally, there is also an additional section of Teacher Links and information about how he developed the site (which has taken over ten years!) and a link to his own blog which continues with discussions about the profession. Overall, there is a lot of information but it is easily accessible and fun to explore!