Things I did...

During this class I was able to look at 2 areas to build upon.  The first was Collaboration and the second was using multimedia presentations.

ARTIFACT #1
Collaboration is something that can drive conversations, especially when students are using technology.  For this artifact I use Padlet to drive movie/documentary notes.  This link shows a Paddlet that my students used to create movie notes in real time. It allows students to see what others are typing and are encouraged to respond to each other and build off each others information.

ARTIFACT #2
This assignment is an extension of the use of Padlet.  Using all the information from the note taking, students (in groups) would develop a presentation through Prezi.  This link is an example of what I would like to see. I feel that this would allow students some expression in what they build.  This would force students into gathering information and find what is the most meaningful, and then find more information on it.

Artifacts of Learning

While taking a summer class isn't always the most exciting thing in the world, when you're able to have something tangible at the end is always huge benefit.  Looking back over the past 8 weeks, a lot has been accomplished, by the instructor and the learner.
Being a "non traditional" educator (PE), I, at times, get lost in creating things for students and how the digital world can apply to my physical world in which I teach.  However, being in a class with other teachers (all disciplines) I have found some things that possibly can be applied to my discipline and that my struggles are also others.
I have been able to create/refine a few of my lessons as a result of this class. One of the most beneficial assignments was creating/building collaborative assignments.  During this time, i was able to look at i use paddlet as a place for movie notes and study guides and was able to see how Prezi's can be used in class as more interactive lessons that not only I can create, but something students could create as well.

What did you do Ray....

Remember that scene in Ghostbusters, when the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man showed up to devour the city and the other Ghostbusters started yelling at Ray.. "What did you do Ray!!!" Well, integrating technology into your classroom for the first time can feel  exactly like that.  Fear not, it gets easier, but you must start the fight somewhere....and it's ok to cross the streams...

I have been fortunate enough to teach in a district that moved to 1:1 situation at the HS level 2 years ago.  During that process, we covered many of the models that were introduced this week. Of them all (TPACK, SAMR, Etc), the one I keep coming back to, both for this discussion and at my school, is the below picture.  This illustration is a combination of the SAMR model and some of Blooms Taxonomy.   

("SAMR and Bloom's Taxonomy: Assembling the Puzzle", 2017)

SAMR was a simple way to realize how we (teachers) can make a move to a more innovative classroom through technology.  There is a line between Augmentation and Modification of the SAMR model that can start to transform classroom instruction.  I think its important to understand that not EVERY classroom activity has to live above the SAMR line..just like not every activity has to be working at the highest level of Blooms.  When first starting out using technology in a classroom, teachers should look to Substitution and Augmentation.  This allows not only the teacher to get comfortable with technology, but also the students. 

Like anything that we do, there has to be a progression in learning.  We cannot expect to go from zero to hero overnight.  Start small, build confidence in oneself, and look for better things. Also, don't  be afraid to ask student's to create on their own.  Give them a problem and let them go.. you'll be amazed in the products they can create.