Examples for direct classroom use

A quick background – I am a mother of 3 school age children, went back to work recently after being a stay-at-home Mom, found my dream job as a Technology Integration Specialist (K-8) and don’t have the ability to physically attend classes for my desired Master’s degree (not enough hours in the day!). The solution – Lesley University’s TIE Master’s program where I found superior professors & classmates from around the world and courses on topics that I can implement right away in my classrooms.

We are teaching our students about the idea of “global community” and “flat classrooms” in which the physical walls of the classroom can be broken down through use of technology so that students can see and interact with others across the world. Imagine how empowering this is to a student when they realize their voice and their work can be seen and heard by an audience greater than what we find in the confines of the physical classroom!

Let me share a couple of examples with you. In ECOMP5004 (Technology in Language Arts) we did a version of the Monster Exchange. Paired up with a partner, each of us created a monster. I used the drawing tools in PowerPoint. Next we wrote and revised descriptions of our monsters and exchanged them (our pictures were not posted yet). From the written description, I had to draw my partner’s monster. I posted my picture, she posted the original, we compared them, and reflected on the process. She did the same for mine.

This is something I can implement in a classroom immediately. Having the first hand experience of being a student in the process gives me insights that will be invaluable in bringing the activity into a classroom. This was a fantastic assignment that brought strong literacy skills together with technology.

A second example comes from ECOMP7010 (Emerging Technologies). I am fascinated with Google Earth and all the potential this resource has for use in the classroom (such as Google Lit Trips). However, it was a bit daunting to try tackling the learning of such a vast resource on my own. An assignment in this course provided me a structured activity to explore and create. Along with the guidance of my professor and input from my peers, I tackled Google Earth. I can now teach my students and help staff members create Google Earth trips and all are enthusiastic about getting started!

Challenge yourself to learn about the educational technology that fascinates you and learn in a constructive, positive environment. Learn to use technology to enhance curriculum rather than just decorate it. Check out the TIE program at Lesley. It was one of my best decisions.