The Michigan Online Learning Requirements for K-12 Students,and the Companion Document has a descriptive explanation on the technology requirements for those students in grades 6-12. I believe if we start introducing these ideas at the elementary level as whole class projects, then when students get to middle school the teachers can focus on content exploration versus learning how to manipulate the technology. Unfortunately, working at an elementary school I do not have access to training provided to our 6-12 teachers on technology integration and the projects in their curriculum. I am aware that at the end of each trimester throughout our Middle schools, the 8th grade students in the computer class complete the MET's online assessment. After exploring our District website I noticed we have links to a Moodle account and Student Webmail for teacher and student access.
Next year, we will be integrating more technology at the elementary level within our Reading/Literacy blocks, as we have just adopted a new reading curriculum that has multiple technology opportunities through whole class, individual work and home connections. Each student will receive a login to their account (which will be linked to math and reading) where the teacher can individualize the activities according to the students ability levels. Teachers will be able to use Smartboard activities to discuss and share the weekly story either in whole group or in small group. Students will be able to complete literacy work station sessions according to their level and there is even an opportunity for research and exploration according to their interest around the weekly story. Parents will be able to read the stories at home with their child online and complete comprehension activities to be sent back to the teacher for review.
In a small step we are making technology more accessible for our students and touching on some of the standards highlighted within the MI Online Learning Requirements. After exploring more to find all the PK-12 Michigan Educational Technology Standards I now understand why technology has to be a primary focus with all teachers from PK-12 grade. There are a lot of skills students need to be able to understand when they get to middle school, and not just starting to explore the skills as they move into 6th grade. As a teacher leader at the elementary level I need to help teachers integrate and introduce technology to all students across all content areas.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Data Warehousing (DW)-DataWise
Data Warehousing (DW) in our district is driven by the DataWise product from Measured Progress, which is an online, password protected web based "All-in-one classroom assessment platform". The DataWise Platform allows teachers to collect data points, analyse data across assessments, group students according to like ability and/or skills, and to create and administer assessments in line with the Common Core State Standards. Each teacher was provided a login and password to access DataWise, teachers are only able to see students their current students and their previous students, within a building the principle, coach and specials teachers have access to the entire building. DataWise contains data from standardized tests for the past 3 years (ITBS, EdPerformance/Scantron, MEAP, DIBELS).
As we were developing our School Improvement Plan and analyzing our data, we used DataWise to look at our scores and the trends over the last few years. Then we were able to disseminate the data according to race, gender, and economical status to complete the SIP's individual reports. In addition to school reports, teachers are able to take their class information and compare one assessment to another and student group to student group within a school year and across multiple school years.
As stated from the Measured Progress website: Measured Progress Partnership press release McREL (a private education research and development corporation that specializes in turning knowledge about what works in education into practical guidance and products for educators) and Measured Progress (who operates on the belief that assessment is more than just a score; it should be a roadmap that gives educators the guidance they need to adjust instruction and improve outcomes for both students and teachers) have developed a partnership to help districts ease the transition for teachers to instruct and assess according to the Common Core State Standards. As this element is explored more with our teachers in the district, our instruction across all content areas will become individualized and targeted to all our students academic needs.
As we have only begun to explore our new Data Warehouse-DataWise with 4 mini training sessions this past year, I am excited to learn more about the various reports and how to develop assessments according to CCSS. This technology advancement will allow our teachers to prepare our students for the new assessments coming in 2014-2015 with hands-on examples and test items in relation to current content.
As we were developing our School Improvement Plan and analyzing our data, we used DataWise to look at our scores and the trends over the last few years. Then we were able to disseminate the data according to race, gender, and economical status to complete the SIP's individual reports. In addition to school reports, teachers are able to take their class information and compare one assessment to another and student group to student group within a school year and across multiple school years.
As stated from the Measured Progress website: Measured Progress Partnership press release McREL (a private education research and development corporation that specializes in turning knowledge about what works in education into practical guidance and products for educators) and Measured Progress (who operates on the belief that assessment is more than just a score; it should be a roadmap that gives educators the guidance they need to adjust instruction and improve outcomes for both students and teachers) have developed a partnership to help districts ease the transition for teachers to instruct and assess according to the Common Core State Standards. As this element is explored more with our teachers in the district, our instruction across all content areas will become individualized and targeted to all our students academic needs.
As we have only begun to explore our new Data Warehouse-DataWise with 4 mini training sessions this past year, I am excited to learn more about the various reports and how to develop assessments according to CCSS. This technology advancement will allow our teachers to prepare our students for the new assessments coming in 2014-2015 with hands-on examples and test items in relation to current content.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Internet Evaluation and 21st Century Literacy
After reviewing the Critical Evaluation of a Website by Kathy Schrock, I was surprised at how much I did not have any idea what the evaluation was talking about, or where to look to find the information within a website. The evaluation was very overwhelming because of all the technical information and how little I know about the mechanics of a website. This was a huge eye opener to me about what we are asking our students to do at school and what they can be exposed to, because I do not currently have the knowledge to know what makes a good vs. bad website. Asking students to explore the web to find information has always been a concern for me because of how easy it is to find inappropriate information, I now have another worry that students can find inaccurate information that is presented to be believable.
I know that in different ways students are skilled at searching the Internet, because when our district has blocked various websites (gaming, radio stations, videos, facebook) they are able to maneuver through other sites to get to the site that is blocked. But when teachers assign specific searchers to find information the students type in their search and take the first 2-3 sites that come up and go with the information there to find what they need. I have also watched my 5th grade daughter search the web for information and stay at one site the entire time to get all the information she needed, without cross checking it to see if the information matched other sites.
To meet the 21st Century Technology Literacy Skills educators and administrators need to become knowledgeable about the design, organization and reliability of the web. We need to have more (yes I said more) Professional Development on the use and implementation of technology across the grades, the most beneficial PD is where teachers have computers in front of them completing the tasks as they complete the course. After seeing my limited knowledge, and knowing what the Common Core Standards are expecting in the areas of research and technology, schools have to rethink what teachers need to successfully met the standards and to stay current with what their students know and are able to do.
I know that in different ways students are skilled at searching the Internet, because when our district has blocked various websites (gaming, radio stations, videos, facebook) they are able to maneuver through other sites to get to the site that is blocked. But when teachers assign specific searchers to find information the students type in their search and take the first 2-3 sites that come up and go with the information there to find what they need. I have also watched my 5th grade daughter search the web for information and stay at one site the entire time to get all the information she needed, without cross checking it to see if the information matched other sites.
To meet the 21st Century Technology Literacy Skills educators and administrators need to become knowledgeable about the design, organization and reliability of the web. We need to have more (yes I said more) Professional Development on the use and implementation of technology across the grades, the most beneficial PD is where teachers have computers in front of them completing the tasks as they complete the course. After seeing my limited knowledge, and knowing what the Common Core Standards are expecting in the areas of research and technology, schools have to rethink what teachers need to successfully met the standards and to stay current with what their students know and are able to do.
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