Promethean Challenge

Great software to keep kids engaged!

BYOD

I liked the idea of students registering their device on FCPS and only using this wifi access point so it's filtered.

Project Based Learning

Project based or hands-on learning allows students to become more engaged and gives them the opportunity to express themselves while learning about a particular subject. Since the advent of MAP we seemed to have moved away from this teaching style and have become too focused on testing content. This leaves little or no time from extended projects.

Digital tools and writing

Digital tools for writing are just that...tools. Using these to incorporate sound and video to a writing piece will enhance the presentation and spark a greater interest in writing. But this alone will not produce better writers. There is still a need for basic punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure as a foundation for writing.

What students can do with ipads

Reading about various activities and assignments associated with ipads excites me with the prospect of receiving our own ipads. I think this will allow teachers a greater convenience and hopefully students will opt for an ipad rather than smaller devices that are more difficult to monitor.

Learning Through Failure

I  agree with the concept of learning through failure, even though it seems to go against the way teachers are expected to teach and the way students are assessed. While I don't feel there is a cure-all in teaching, I do feel many different approaches are needed.

Device lesson

5th graders are studying weather and are reading weather gauges. They are analyzing data and making weather predictions. One of the things they are doing is calculating wind speed. They are using their personal devices as a timer while they count the number of spins on an anemometer for a period of one minute. They are also calculating a class average of wind speed on the same device.

Watch This Video

I agree that technology is going to take us to places we can hardly imagine. I also agree there are great teachers who don't use technology. But to say they are not teaching if students are graduating not knowing how to use technology is ridiculous. Every kid around us is using and  understands it to a greater or equal degree than adults. The focus should be on how to use it properly and appropriately. The real question is the device teaching anything or is it a convenience?

What does it mean to be a 21st century teacher?

A 21st century teacher needs to have an in depth knowledge of the subject they are teaching. Research has shown that teachers who are considered specialists in particular areas convey it to students to a greater degree than those who do not. Yet in the elementary setting there seems to be a push toward self contained classrooms where the teacher is expected to be an expert in all subject areas. This is rarely the case. We end up with "Jack of All Trades" teachers instead of specialists.