What Shall I Do?

My colleagues and I have been discussing ideas for my EDIT 7500 project. We are currently learning to use our iPads that were given to us in May of this year. We recently were informed that the Apple trainers will be on our campus in September to assist us in using iMovie and any other app or assistance we need in using our iPad. We are required to have some footage of class activities, which may include us teaching and/or using technology in the classroom, for the time we will spend with the Apple trainers. Teachers will have a year to explore ways to use the iPad in the classroom in preparation for students receiving them next year. So I have thought about developing a project in which teachers/students have to use the iPad.

This year, our school also incorporated Studywiz as part of the Elementary Digital Learning Environment. Studywiz is an online learning management system in which teachers may communicate with students and parents. As part of my internship this summer, I had an opportunity to provide training sessions for my colleagues as well as create video and written tutorials to assist them in becoming acquainted with this tool. As we continue to explore the different functions of Studywiz, there is still a need for training sessions. Julia Osteen, Technology Integration Chair, will be offering training sessions for teachers. However, I also would like to continue providing some support to my fellow colleagues as they continue to use Studywiz. I have thought about hosting a blog in which they may ask questions. Another idea is to develop an Elluminate session in which teachers may ask their questions and actually go through the process while in the Elluminate session.

Today I had an opportunity to explore Julia Osteen's Blog, Reflections from the Trenches. In that blog, she shared the effect subject matter experts have on students. Although she is an expert in her field, the students somehow were enamored when the same information was shared by Ed Leonard, Chief Technology Officer at Dreamworks. This triggered an idea that our team discussed last year. That is to invite SMEs--authors, editors, etc.,-- into our classroom via the internet. We are incorporating book clubs into our reading program this year. Having an author or illustrator meet with the students via the internet could be a motivator for the students to read and share what they are reading. So that is another idea that I am pondering--how I can incorporate that into a lesson for our team. So much to think about as I plan for my final project for this degree program. So excited to see what the end will be. Stay tuned... Off to read the standards.

Introduction

Hello, welcome to the Tech-Knowledgy blogspot. This blog will be used to share knowledge that I will gain from researching different technology tools, articles, and websites as a requirement for EDIT 7500 at UGA; (the last class for completion of my Ed.S. degree in Learning, Design, and Technology). The excitement begins as I explore to increase my tech-knowledge and share with my fellow colleagues. Enjoy exploring with me.