Sara+Snowwhite

=E2T2 Portfolio Page for Sara Snowwhite=

Summary
Engaging experiences for students to experience //The Crucible// through collaboration and communication with web 2.0 tools such as Google Docs, Prezi, etc.

Shared Lessons, Units, and Resources

 * ~ Daily Lessons ||~ Instructional Units ||~ Other Related Resources ||
 * [[file:2nd Trimester.doc]] || [[file:2 lesson plan for the crucible unit.docx]] || [[file:1 UBD the crucible.doc]] ||
 * ||  || [[file:Final Project Planning.doc]] ||
 * ||  || [[file:Final Project.doc]] ||

Student Work Samples
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Summative Narrative
“Remember, it’s not about the tool, it’s about the Curriculum.” Jason repeated this over and over throughout the training. He wanted us to realize that technology wasn’t a cover for bad planning. Taking students unprepared into a computer lab is asking for chaos. Like all good lessons there needs to be clear objectives, expectations and practiced procedures. The E2T2 grant has not only pushed me to use more effective technology but caused me to dig deeper into my own curriculum and align it with state / district standards.

Over the two trimesters have I developed a battery of websites student can use to present information as well as clear expectations for research, note taking and citing. Our class room presentations have been taken to a whole new level. We have videos, animations, interactive posters and PREZI’s! Even kids who still use Powerpoint are being challenged to make them more engaging. I have students who have stopped using Microsoft Word and switched to Google Documents for the convenience of cloud computing. We “gchat” on the weekends about assignments and I send them electronic copies of their rubrics. We are now communicating and collaborating online and this have been invaluable in learning and relationship building.

The training and collaboration has been incredibly useful. There were times I felt we moved too slow and would suggest two skill level groups in the future, teacher proficient in technology and one for those less skilled. I was impressed how the whole school seemed to pick-up what we were learning. I know our schools use of technology will continue to increase. My “high-level priority” according to the Loti Survey is Professional growth and leadership., which basically means I and my students need to collaborate more. This summer I will research sites like http://www.globalschoolnet.org/ and try to implement that into my curriculum for next school year. I have a new commitment to finding new and innovative ways to meet and challenge my student in this age of technology.

One of my biggest struggles is getting into the computer lab. In a perfect world students would have access to computers at all times, but unfortunately that is not they way it works. We do have three computer labs and the media center but it can still be difficult to get in there when you need to. Knowing how long to let student work on a project such as an animation. In our discussions, students admit to spending a lot more time on adding facial expressions and props to the characters than working content. Maybe if they outline their animation on paper before they go into the lab as much time wouldn’t be wasted.

Citation and good research is an important theme in my classes. I tried to mode this as well as fair and proper use of the internet. I feel this one of the most important skills I can teach my students. Good writing skills are also important. I have been using Google documents to help with this task and would like to continue.

Literature Review
“It’s not about the technology, it’s about the curriculum,” repeated Jason Douglas throughout our training. This has been my guiding principle while working on the E2T2 Grant and a majority of the articles I read supported Jason’s training. Another common theme I saw was, how to prepare students for the technology they will need in college and the workplace. Technology in the classroom should support the curriculum and prepare students for their future

My Education professors were the best in all of my years in college. They scaffolded, they modeled, they repeated, they grouped, they differentiated, and they connected the content to our background information. Even though I only graduated in 2007, technology in the classroom was not a focus. The E2T2 Grant has allowed for tremendous growth and knowledge about technology. It has also reinforced everything I learned about teaching. The curriculum needs to be strong supported by good pedagogy.

Developing the curriculum can come from issues related to technology. For instance, college students are expected to be able to, “Choose a search engine, construct an effective search, critically evaluate website quality, incorporate web site information, and cite the website ethically and responsibly” (Oakleaf 1). I have scaffolded these skills over the trimester. All of my students are familiar with these issues and many have mastered them.

The most important skill for students to learn in using technology is that it will change. Larry Livingston explains, “The stable days are gone, perhaps forever” (61). . There will always be something new and we need to prepare our students for this. Modeling adaptability, problem solving and challenging your students to do the same will help them be prepared for the 21st Century.

“Beyond just operating technological tools, at the root of technology literacy, are the abilities to use those tools to solve unique problems, analyze information, and model complex ideas” (Judson 272). There has always been problem solving, analyzing and modeling in high school curriculum. Our goal as 21st century educators is to integrate the old with the new and through our content teach (and model) ethical use of technology.