This question can show my true feelings at times when trying to direct and facilitate my students in using the many technological tools available for the classroom. However, after checking out the Technology Integration Index and locating myself and my classroom, I found that my class is working in an active adaptation stage.
In the active adaptation stage, students work independently with technology tools in conventional ways. Students are developing a conceptual understanding of technology tools and begin to work independently with these learning tools. I usually choose which technology tools to use and when to use them. The students are developing a conceptual and procedural knowledge of the technology tools, so I don't guide students step by step through activities, rather help with any troubleshooting. The laptops are used everyday with a variety of tools for student use.
Now that I have pinpointed where I am currently, I can set goals for where I want to be with students in my classroom. Teaching a class of twenty nine second graders, I want to be careful to set reachable goals for myself and my students that are realistic and on their level. I feel my students are capable of collaborating with each other on projects, reading centers, and math skill practice. Allowing the choice of technology use during these times is something that students could not only benefit from, but enjoy. Moving toward collaborative infusion with technology and tools is an achievable goal for me.
To make these changes happen, I feel we will have to set new expectations for work time and procedures for technology use as a class. All students will need to be monitored more heavily on time management and may need projects broken down into smaller steps while they are still learning to maneuver the technology they are using. More time may be needed to model samples of programs and projects so that when students are collaboratively using the tools, their time is efficient and effective for learning.
We have had the chance this year to get our toes wet with the technology tools available for our class, so now it's time to jump in. The more I stretch our technological muscles, the more results we will get in time. I won't have to ask myself "Where am I?" but will be confident in the moves we make on the Technology Integration Matrix.
I, too, teach second graders and work diligently to incorporate technology. From reading your blog, I see you have access to laptops each day. Does each student in your classroom have a laptop all day for each subject? Our school is currently in the process of making baby steps to work towards every classroom being 1:1 with ipads. We have had discussions on wether ipads, laptops, or tablets would be more beneficial for primary students. I am curious to know your opinion on laptops and how efficiently they have worked for you this year. Best wishes as you move forward.
ReplyDeleteWe do have laptops available for each student, but we share with another class so it is not available for all subjects. The students work well with the laptops...sometimes a little too well. They sometimes change the settings around on the computer to inhibit programs. Overall, students are very comfortable completing programs on the laptop computers. We also have iPads to use, but have not tried them yet. I cannot speak from experience as a whole class, but I would guess that iPads would be the best bet for primary. Good luck with whatever you choose!
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