Topic: What is technology and how is it used in schools?

Date: Week 1

Objectives:

Students will:

•      Become familiar with KidPix.

•      Know the course expectations.

•      Define “technology.”

•      Differentiate between teacher productivity and instructional tools.

•      Differentiate between “curriculum” and “instruction.”

•      Adeptly format word processing documents using standard formatting tools (e.g., font, justification).

 

NETS-T Standards:

•      1A. Teachers demonstrate introductory knowledge, skills, and understanding of concepts related to technology.

•      3B. Teachers use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.

•      3C. Teachers apply technology to develop students' higher order skills and creativity.

 

Materials:

•      Computers with Kidpix, a word processing application, and WebCT access

•      Teacher computer with PowerPoint slides

•      Projection device

•      Copies of syllabus

•      Copies of course outline

•      Papers with the Kidpix assignment description

•      List of daily objectives and lesson outline

•      Example Technology Journey assignment

•      Expectations for the Technology Journey I assignment

•      Digital camera

•      Tape/Magnets to hold up lists

•      White board markers

 

Procedures:

 

Stand at the door and individually greet students. Introduce yourself to students, get to know their names, and encourage them to get to know one another. If time permits, take their pictures (for a visual class roster).

 

Sponge Activity: “Using KidPix to Describe Feelings about Technology” (45 minutes)

 

As students enter the class, invite each to choose a computer (Mac or PC based on personal preference) and hand them a paper with the directions. On the computer will be a running copy of KidPix.

 

The directions read: “Have fun using KidPix to describe how you feel about technology. When done, save your work in a manner that will allow you to access it from somewhere else on campus, but keep it on your screen. Then, move around the room viewing what your classmates created. The rules are: (1) Be creative and honest. (2) Feel free to ask anyone for help, and to help others.”

 

Once all students finish, invite them to move their chairs to a central position and begin class discussion by asking if anyone would like to share what they created. After a few students share their work, ask the following questions:

 

•      How did it make you feel to express yourself using KidPix?

•      If your class of elementary students were familiar with KidPix, what similar types of activities could you do with them?

 

Segue into the course content by noting that this course is designed to prepare future elementary teachers to incorporate technology into their courses.

 

Opening (5 minutes)

 

Announce the daily objectives

Announce the daily outline

 

Lecture (20 minutes)

 

Pass out syllabus and course outline (note that both are subject to change)

Review the course structure, readings, expectations, and assessment procedures

Discuss requirements for class participation

 

Lecture/Discussion (30 minutes) - See lecture slides/notes

 

1.) Ask students what technology means.

Define technology.

 

2.) Have students brainstorm ways teachers use technology. Enter their answers into a word processing document.

Differentiate between productivity and instructional tools.

Have students identify which of the items they brainstormed were productivity and which were instructional tools. Separate these into a table in a word processing document.

 

3.) Differentiate between curriculum and instruction

 

Review (10 minutes)

 

Ask students to get into pairs and answer the following questions:

•      What is technology?

•      What is the difference between productivity and instructional technology tools? Give at least three examples of each.

•      What is the difference between curriculum and instruction?

•      What do you think 4^th graders learn in math? (Note that this question is a precursor to the lecture topic for next week.)

 

After 5 minutes, ask if there were any questions or comments that came out of these paired groupings.

 

Demonstration (25 minutes)

 

Describe the “Technology Journey I” assignment and encourage them to use word processing features when and where appropriate in their upcoming papers.

 

Have students return to their computers and open a blank word processing document. Tell them to write down any areas demonstrated features they do not feel competent they could use independently. I will plan to stay after class to assist those students lacking in these skills. Then, demonstrate, as students replicate on their own machines, use of the following features of word processing:

•      Font type, size, color, and style

•      Justification

•      Spacing

•      Tabs

•      Page set-up

•      Headers/footers

•      Bullets

•      Toolbars

•      View size

•      Tables

•      Spell checking

•      Grammar checking

•      Dictionary/Thesaurus

•      Track changes

 

Closure (15 minutes)

 

Review daily objectives and outline

Assign readings

Remind students to keep back-ups of all documents (from this or other courses) they feel they may want to later include in their e-portfolios

Remind students the “Technology Journey I – Draft” is due when finished, no later than class next week

 

Note: Send a follow-up email this week.