Finding%20Time%20for%20Technology

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Finding Time for Technology

• Margaret Whittaker
• Pingree School

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Why do teachers need it?

• Todays workplace demands knowledge of basic
  technology word processing, spreadsheet,
  Powerpoint, etc.
• Technology benefits curriculum by providing new
  ways for students and teachers to learn and
  show what they know
• Students are progressively more and more
  technologically literate challenging teachers
  to keep up

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BUT WHEN????

• Half-day workshops before the start of
  school Its still summer Takes up time used
  for planning and organizing classes and
  curricula Special events and duties

After-school Offerings Athletics Clubs and
Organizations Family Commitments
One-on-One-on-Call Effective for
learner Disruptive to trainers
schedule Reiterative for trainer
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What do they need?

• Individual learning schedule - within their own
  timeframe and at their convenience
• Personalized approach accessible trainer who
  understands how the school works and knows the
  systems that are in place
• Reinforcement and encouragement
• Incremental approach step-by-step building
  blocks

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How It Began

• Incoming students from a variety of schools with
  varying levels of technological expertise
• Developed program to even the technology playing
  field word processing, spreadsheets, ethics,
  Powerpoint, web pages

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Going Online

• Save those trees! a paper-less course
• Assignments posted on a server, accessible to all
  anytime anywhere
• Individual student folders on server, allowing
  freedom of computer access
• Online homework drop-off

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And Then.Email

• Advantages
• Assignments are always available
• Homework can be uploaded anytime from anywhere
• Bulletin Board allows students to post questions
  to each other and teacher
• Calendar keeps track of important course dates
• Improves communication, accountability, prepares
  students for the online college community

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So What About the Teachers?

• Similar to student population varying levels of
  expertise and comfort with technology
• Recognize the need for basic skills
• Desire to learn but hampered by time constraints,
  uncertainty and unease with technology

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Teacher Tech Prep

• Canvassed faculty for what they wanted to learn
• Modeled lesson plans on Student Technology
  lessons
• Provided modular lessons and electronic bulletin
  board where questions could be posted and
  answered either by colleagues or the trainer
• Kept it confidential

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Nothing New??

• Standard features of online classes
• On-line communication channels
• Modular lessons
• Privacy and security
• But .

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Whats Different?

• Applicability School-based applicationsKnowl
  edge of the school, the applications and routines
• Availability
• Lessons no expiration date, no deadlines, no
  grading.
• Accessibility the personal component of
  training and help when needed

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How To Get To It
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What It Looks Like
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Whats Inside
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The Modules
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In Each Module
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The Guides
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The Assignments
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The Layout

• Lessons
• Bulletin Board
• Homework

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Developing the Lessons

• Keep in mind
• Needs of the faculty
• Level of expertise, anxiety, frustration
• Give yourself enough time to develop the lessons
• KISS Keep It Short and Simple!

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The Ingredients

• Visuals screenshots, diagrams, etc.
• Explicit instructions step-by-step
• Examples of results
• Printable handouts for reference
• And most important .

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• Understanding their needs
• Knowing your audience
• In other words
• The Personal Touch - YOU!!!!