Field-based+Hours+-+Summary,+Logs,+and+Reflections

=Field-based Hours - Summary, Logs, and Reflections=

Reflections
Helped Ms. Swope with Techno Gym grant. ITSE Standards/Indicators: I.A, I.B, V.C, V.D
 * Field-based Activity: ** Summer staff development introducing the new Promethean Software. I was able to explore the new features and changes coming this fall.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators ** : V.A, V.B, VI.B, VI.C
 * Reflection: ** I realized through this activity that change is hard. Last year we spend hours in training and taught using different software than what we will be using this year. There are not a ton of changes in the new software, things are just not in the same places and you cannot access tools the same way before. I compare it to switching between a Mac and a PC. What makes it so frustrating is that we don’t want to be fumbling around looking for things in front of the students. I am lucky to teach elementary kids and they usually understand when this happens, but it does not help my classroom management. Many of the other teachers were stressed and complained a lot about having to learn something new. My thinking is that we have to do it and complaining about it is not going to make it any better! ||
 * Field-based Activity:** Promethean Cohort Meeting. Given tips and troubleshooting the new Promethean software. Transferred flipcharts into the new software. New software was downloaded to our rooms.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators:** V.A, V.B, V.C
 * Reflection:** This meeting we worked with our own files and helped each other with the issues we have noticed while using the new software. Many teachers are still transitioning into the new software and are still frustrated with the change. I am still puzzled by the amount of frustration and complaints. This activity helped me get a better understanding of professional practice because I am have able to see how teachers respond to a change and gave me ideas of how to ease them into the change. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Worked with a colleague to create a Social Studies unit, integrating technology, for local government. Created tables and charts for students’ notes and a Jeopardy presentation for review.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, II.A, II.C, II.D, II. E, II.F, III.A, III.B, III.D
 * Reflection: ** I had a blast working on this project. Helping teachers plan technology lessons and units has been my a favorite of mine! I just wish I had the time to be in the room and help them put the plans into place, but I have to teach my own class. I guess that is important, too! For part of this activity we did combine our classes to play the Jeopardy game and I really enjoyed helping the teacher and the students use the technology. We were using the ActivExpressions for the student to “ding in” when they knew the answer to the question. The problem was that there was a delay from with the students pressed the button until the computer received the signal and some students’ devices were always delayed and their group could never “ding in” before the others. I will have to plan a different way to manage the game, or get better devices! I am sure the later is much harder to accomplish! ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Promethean Cohort Meeting. Passed out and explored features of the dual pen functionality of the software. Active Hubs were updated.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** V.A, V.C
 * Reflection: ** During this activity I was able to see how the software can be updated away from the computers. The wireless software for our Promethean Boards signal is received from a hub plugged into a USB port on our computers. Since the Active Pens are wireless, only the hub needed to be updated, not the computer it self. It makes since, but I had not thought of that before. We just brought out hubs with us instead of the Instructional Technologist having to come to all of out schools and classrooms. It was much quicker, because some times I have to wait over a week to get an update installed. The dual pen feature is a great addition to the classroom. I have have two student working on the board at once where before only one pen could be used. I know the students have loved being able to use two pens, especially during centers, because more of them get to interact with the board. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Presented Promethean Board to PTO members during monthly PTO meeting.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** VII.B, VIII.C
 * Reflection: ** This was a last minute opportunity and I loved it. Right now only 4 of our classrooms have Promethean Boards at my campus. These are great tools and really enhance student engagement and participation. Many parents know nothing about the boards. Our principal wants to add as many Promethean Boards to the campus as possible and wants our PTO to get some information on the boards and the benefits of them. Two of the other teachers and I planned a presentation to show off our boards and some of the features we are fond of. We also were able to share some of the research behind interactive white boards and our own classroom success with the boards. I know the power of good communication with the PTO and want them to back us in support and maybe funds in adding more Promethean Boards to our campus. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Teaching team to enter data electronically through AIMS WEB.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators ** : IV.A, IV.B
 * Reflection: ** I find teacher become stressed when trying something new with the computer. In the past our campus’ reading specialist would enter our DIBELS data in to AIMS WEB for us. I can’t imagine how much time it takes her to do that for all teachers K-5. This year we are doing entering the data in ourselves. The teachers on my team panicked! In the fall I took them in to the computer lab so I could show them on the projector and they could follow the steps with me. I walked them through the process step by step. So, when the next round came and we needed to enter data in gain, I figured it wouldn’t be a problem since the teacher just went through this process just a few months ago. I figured wrong. I helped several teachers one on one and realized this was taking too much of my time. So I typed up directions with screen shots to help the teachers on my team. Everyone loved the directions and it even freed up a little bit of my own time to work in my room and get my own data entered! ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Promethean Cohort Meeting. Planned flipcharts to assess students’ knowledge. Shared flip charts created. Feedback given to each other and shared ideas.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators ** : IV.A, IV.B, IV.C
 * Reflection: ** Another meeting and a chance to talk with other colleagues that teach third grade like me! I am the only third grade teacher at my campus with a Promethean Board, so I always enjoy getting to share ideas with other teachers and share resources that are prefect for my students. This month we worked on creating flipcharts that assess students’ prior knowledge and content knowledge. This was a little tough for us elementary teachers because we only have 8 of the student response devices. The middle school and high school teachers have a full set of 32 devices so they are able to access their whole class at once and for us, at the elementary level, we have to assess our classes in three different groups. The system is not set-up to do this quickly and effectively and unfortunately I created a flipchart I will not use with my students one on one, but rather as a review for a unit where the students can participate in groups. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Created and shared spreadsheet designed to create and analysis student responses on TAKS released tests.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators ** : IV.A IV.B, IV.C
 * Reflection: ** I am much too impatient to wait for the district to post our TAKS release test scores to DMAC. I created spreadsheets that total the student scores per objective and the class per questions and objective. I shared these spreadsheets with my team who also used them. When using the spreadsheet to compile the data quickly, I was able to quickly pull student groups and work on the objectives. By the time the district has the data up, I had already gotten the students to correct the tests and started groups based on objectives they needed help with. My colleagues were also able to begin reteaching before the data from the district was ready for us. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Promethean Cohort Meeting. Planned flipcharts to meet Marzano’s 9, identifying similarities and differences. Shared flip charts created. Feedback given to each other and shared ideas.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators ** : I.B, V.A, V.C, VI.B
 * Reflection: ** This meeting we focused on one of Marzano’s 9, identifying similarities and differences. The teachers seemed more excited about this month’s task as opposed to last months of assessment. Identifying similarities and difference is a powerful skill for elementary teachers and we were all excited to see some of the resources available to us focusing on this skill. Creating flipcharts in this area required use of containers in the program. I was able to help several teachers in getting their containers and flipcharts to work properly. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Planned activities with fourth grade teacher using Promethean ActivExpressions.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, I.B, II.A, II.B, II.C, III.A, III.B
 * Reflection: ** A fourth grade teacher commented that since she taught mostly language arts, she was not using her ActivExpressions as much as she would like. She could not think of ways to use the student response devices in reading and writing. I offered to come and help her come up with ideas and lessons incorporating devices. I was able to show her how to use the word seed function which allows the students words to be entered into a flip chart. The students could then use the words to create a story or poem. We also created open ended reading response questions to the book they were reading in class. The students could enter in their answers then discuss what the others wrote and decide the most accurate response. All of the these ideas engaged the students and all participated. Once again, I wish I could have been in the room and helped when she put the lessons in place. I would love see the students get to use technology in the room. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Helped the PE coach, Mrs. Swope, find research for the grant she is writing.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** V.D, VI.B, VI.C, VI.D, VI.E, VII.B
 * Reflection: ** Mrs. Swope, the PE teacher, was talking about a grant she was writing to get a “Techno Gym.” I immediately offered to help find research. She was grateful and let me know she was looking for research that backed having an LCD projector and a document camera in physical education classes. I thought I could knock it out in no time using the Mary and John Gray Library through Lamar. I did not realize how specific the research she needing was going to be and how difficult it would be to find. The Lamar Library does not have many physical education periodicals. I was able to just do a Google search and found the perfect article. The site it was required a membership to view the entire article. I became quite frustrated! I was able to talk with a few colleges also in graduate school and they let me log into their library. I was then able to find 3 or 4 research articles for Mrs. Swope, but none quite as specific as the paper I found from Google. I did pass on the Google site to Mrs. Swope incase she wanted to join. She did not; she found the other articles I found useful. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Promethean Cohort Meeting. Planned flipcharts to meet Marzano’s 9. Shared flipcharts created. Feedback given to each other and shared ideas.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** II.A, II.B, II.C, V.A, V.B, V.C
 * Reflection: ** This was a fun meeting. We were to plan and share flipcharts that encouraged and reinforced learning through games. I had several games I already use with my students I was able to share. I have multiple Jeopardy games in math, science, and social studies to share. I was also able to show everyone how to use a Hollywood Squares Game I created. I was also able to show the teachers how they could use my game as a template to create new games with the content they wanted to review with their students. I always enjoy meeting with the technology cohort, because the teachers are technology savvy and we can quickly explain and idea or flipchart with one another. I must also keep in mind that not everyone is that comfortable with technology and when I am working with teachers who are not, I must go through each step! ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Shared government Promethean Board flip chart with team. Planned times for the teachers to come to my room and use the board.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, I.B, II.A, II.B, III.A, III.B, III.C
 * Reflection: ** I always enjoy sharing the technology in my room with others. I know I am fortunate to have the materials and want others to be able to use it as often as possible. I have become so used to the Promethean software I forget others are not as accustomed to it. I realized I need to slow down with explaining things. Simple tasks, like changing the pen width need to be explained and how to save the document so you still have the original. Some teachers are more eager to learn how to use the Promethean Board than others. I feel it has to do with confidence in technology as a whole. Some teachers need one on one help. I also learned it is beneficial to the teachers to let them be at the board or computer controlling the pen. This helps them be able to complete the task on their own better then with me just talking them through the actions as I do it. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Job Fair. Questioned prospective employees about their uses of technology and ways they hoped to use technology in the future.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** VIII.A, VIII.B
 * Reflection: ** I really enjoyed talking with the applicants. I was amazing how much insight you gain about a persons teaching style in only a few minutes. At first I felt awkward talking with them as they came up. I was unsure of what questions to ask and how to not make the feel uncomfortable. The assistant principal, Colby Self, was able to give me questions to ask and said to you tell me about statements. After the first few I was able to get the hang of it. I asked each person how they used or planned to use technology in their classrooms. Unfortunately I did not get many responses other than programs the districts provided. One teacher said she had a friend use Skype to communicate with other class in another state and she hoped to do that with her class. I could easily determine which teachers had a strong background in technology usage and the ones that did not. I got quite a few blank stares when I asked about their technology use. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Last Promethean Cohort Meeting. Planned flipcharts to meet Marzano’s 9, home work strategies. Shared flipcharts created. Feedback given to each other and shared ideas.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** V.A, V.B, V.C
 * Reflection: ** This was our last meeting! We have been working together for a year and a half. I will be sad not to see each other and bounce ideas back and forth. We did agree to communicate via email to share some ideas. This meeting we focused on the last three Marzano’s 9. I was able to share my flipcharts created and get input from other teachers. They suggested I add a student reflection to the end of the flipchart. I thought it was a great idea and I added the page immediately. The assignment this month was a little more difficult than the others. We were to create a flipchart that rewarded students and/or focused on their homework. Since the students do have access to the Promethean software from home I did not find it reasonable to work in that direction. We are given time to work to collaborate and plan our flipcharts during our meeting, but this was the first time I left with out have a plan. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Planned math scavenger hunt with team and Photo Story project to present finds. Implemented project with class.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, I.B, II.A, II.B, III.A, III.B, III.C, VII.A
 * Reflection: ** This was an extremely rewarding experience. With my team we planned a math scavenger hunt. The students used digital cameras to take pictures of real world examples of math around the school. The students then had to upload the pictures. This was a challenging task not only for the students, but also the teachers. But, I think it was a great experience for the students to do. Most of them are experienced in using digital cameras, but have never uploaded the pictures and placed them in the appropriate file. We then worked in Photo Story to show off their work. Photo Story allowed them to add titles to the photos, record voiceovers and create background music. My supervisors was impressed with the students centered learning and use of technology. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Assisted Specials with monthly newsletter.
 * Reflection: ** This was an extremely rewarding experience. With my team we planned a math scavenger hunt. The students used digital cameras to take pictures of real world examples of math around the school. The students then had to upload the pictures. This was a challenging task not only for the students, but also the teachers. But, I think it was a great experience for the students to do. Most of them are experienced in using digital cameras, but have never uploaded the pictures and placed them in the appropriate file. We then worked in Photo Story to show off their work. Photo Story allowed them to add titles to the photos, record voiceovers and create background music. My supervisors was impressed with the students centered learning and use of technology. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Assisted Specials with monthly newsletter.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, II.A, VII.B, VII.C
 * Reflection: ** Each month, our specials teachers (P.E., art, music), work with the office staff to send out a monthly newsletter for parents, students, and the community. The P.E. teacher requested help in formatting her images and lists through Word. It was a simple task for me and I have learned I need to let the learner be the one controlling the mouse as opposed to me just completing the task and telling them what I am doing. I know this strategy and apply it with my students, but for some reason I forget to do it with my colleagues. I remembered this time with helping the P.E. teacher and I am hoping she will be able to complete the task on her own next time. She was so appreciative of my help, which is always rewarding! ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Helped third grade teacher and class on Photo Story project.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, I.B, III.A, III.D, V.C, V.D
 * Reflection: ** One of my colleagues was having trouble getting going on the Photo Story project with her students. The students and the teacher couldn’t remember which drive and files they saved the photos in. I helped the students re-upload the photos and we all got out our journals and took notes so everyone would be able to locate the files for future use! The students were also having trouble recording their voiceovers in Photo story. The microphones were giving them trouble, because they did not know to verify the device before trying to record. On this activity I was able to work with the students, which I always enjoy doing! ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Helping Gym teacher with Photo Story project
 * Reflection: ** Each year our Gym teacher puts together a presentation of photos taken throughout the year in gym class. Usually the Instructional Technologist (IT) helps her complete the task, but this year the district cut those positions and the IT’s must cover many schools. The IT couldn’t make it over to assist her in time, so our assistant principal suggested the gym teacher ask me for help. I was honored to be recommended for help! The gym teacher had already uploaded the images into the program and needed help adding transitions, creating music, and formatting the file to a video file. I learned the value of technology support in the schools. In the past, when she had more technology assistance, the gym teacher would create a Photo Story project each six weeks, but this year, with limited support, she only did one for the end of the year awards assemblies. The districts decision to cut back our IT positions is limited the use of technology by the staff. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Researched prices for Promethean Boards and resources for PTO funds given to the school to spend.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** VII.B
 * Reflection: ** Our PTO has had more revenue than expected this year and might purchase a promethean board for our school. I was curious as to how much this would cost and began to do some research. The Promethean board I have in my classroom, has is adjustable. The projector and board move up and down together so the little ones and reach the board and all menus. I found that the price of the board is cut when you do not purchase an adjustable board with the projector. This summer all elementary classroom will be getting a projector, so the school wouldn’t need a projector with the Promethean Board. With the price difference our PTO can purchase two Promethean Boards with the funds available. I learned how important it is to understand the technology you are investing it and a little bit of research can really pay off (literally!!). ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Assisted summer school teachers in lesson ideas using the Promethean Board.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** I.A, I.B, II.A, II.B, II.C, III.A, III.B, III.C, VII.A
 * Reflection: ** A few of the teachers teaching summer school had only been working with the Promethean Boards for two months. I was asked to come in and give them a few tips in use the board and the components with it. I wish I would have prepared a little more before meeting with the teachers. I did not know what resources they were already using and their working knowledge of the document camera and student response systems. Knowing this would have helped me get resources and plan tips to show them with the board and devices. I also wish I would have had a list of things to show them with me. My mind went a little blank after working with them for a few minutes. I know despite these set backs I was able to help them, but I know I could have been more effective. ||
 * ** Field-based Activity: ** Helped technology director create a training document for teachers in using their new projectors.
 * ITSE Standards/Indicators: ** VIII.E
 * Reflection: ** Over the summer the district is installing projects and enhanced sound systems in all elementary classrooms. I am working with the technology director to create a document and video to give teachers directions for using the new technology. The document will include images and detailed instructions for turning the equipment on and off, and switching between input devices. After talking with the technology director I learned some of the hurdles the district has encountered during the planning of this project. The schools were not wired with the correct electrical outlets for this project. The district has to spend unplanned funds on adding the electrical components needed for the project. I would have over looked this step in the planning process as well. It was eye opening to all the things to prepare and take in consideration with planning a technology project in schools. ||