I am a high school computer teacher and also
responsible for the computer lab, including desktops. I have met with some of
the teachers and have developed a plan for the integration of educational
technology in the classroom, specifically Digital Storytelling. The
possibilities are endless. There are so many resources available on the
Internet to create stories that include visuals and sound.
There are many teachers that have never
used Digital Storytelling and before starting work in using digital
storytelling some teachers need training or practice for the use of this technique
in the classroom. Although there are many resources available, I would
recommend MovieMaker to help get teachers familiar with the
technology that is easily available on the computers at the school.
It
is noticeable among the teachers that there was an interest and excitement for
the use of this technology. They
feel that this technique is important and they have found that students will
improve many skills, including speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The success of teachers and the
development of the project have been set with certain rules to help develop the
importance of using this technique and integrating it into the classroom.
After that, a scheduled time slot is set
weekly for each teacher to use the computer lab to explain and clarify the
project for students. They also put in lab hours for students who have some
problems. For students that are struggling, there are some resources I
would recommend to pursue such as Story
tools and storyboarding
to help develop the students' skills and use high level thinking through
digital storytelling in the classroom.
I am our school's media specialist at our K-12 school, and one of my jobs is to manage our computer lab for middle and high and teach computer lab to our elementary students. Like you, I have already met with some of our teachers about the posibilities of digital storytelling. One high school class is already involved in a PowerPoint/Prezi project in their Geography class. The excitement is truly evident as I see our teachers beginning to react positively to the prospects of technology integration in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned that teachers need to be trained and be given the time to practice using the technologies, it brought to mind the fact that you and I are in a such an integral position and one that can actually take our schools into a whole new direction. I look forward to hearing your school's success stories as your team embraces technology integration. Thanks for sharing!
You know, people automatically think that all teachers know everything about stuff, but it comes as a shock if they are not tech savvy. The fact that the teachers are excited to learn this new technology gives me hope for our school system and the future direction it is taking. I'm glad that your school has a computer lab for the students to use, so they can have access to this technology if they do not have it at home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience
Anthony Roma
Thank for sharing too;)
ReplyDeleteMuneer
Not only do students need curricular instruction, but if we are to expect them to be creative and technical, they will also need specific platform instruction.
ReplyDeleteIf we spend time teaching our students, shouldn't we also spend time teaching our teachers? My district offers professional development...however, the most technical it gets is Excel and Powerpoint. I would LOVE to have had an opportunity to learn about Blogging, educational social networking, and alternate presentations (digital storytelling) before this class. I am using this class as both an educational stepping stone AND professional development. Since we have started this semester, I have taught several of my peers (more old school types) how Blogs could be used and how to use Prezi (as best I could).
I have a question that I would like to ask...and I am asking all of my classmates:
How much time should content area teachers spend teaching students how to use programs like Prezi or other digital storytelling platforms? I mean, in a time when we are given more content to cover and fewer hours/days to deliver it...can we afford to spend time showing students (those who do not understand) how to use the digital platforms? Or better yet, can we afford to NOT teach them?
Hi mike,
ReplyDeletedepending the school, How is,,, "big"??
I spent 18 to 24 hours a week, but ( if you mean for one class, I spent 2 to 3 hours a week) and also put in lab hours for students who have some problems!!!
Thank you for sharing.
Muneer