Observation Experiences |
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Observation: 4 hours Tech Center Mansfield ISD Integration of Technology April 8th & 10th, 2003 The Global Connections Course is a program offered by National Semiconductor and is a REQUIRED event for all teachers in Mansfield ISD. The program is based on the Districts Nine Competency Modules. This program is offered through a grant for training and allows a teacher to learn about the integration of technology into the classroom. All the training is done during the regular school day and the District pays for the substitutes. The course is offered over six days and has specific assignments for each day. The participants do research, write lesson guides for students, and build web pages for their courses. I have listed the TA TEKS Objectives I observed. The original course design was established to allow teachers to demonstrate knowledge of the TA TEKS K through 8. Every professional person employed by MISD is required to complete our Nine Modules within 18 months of being hiring. Failure to complete all the modules will result in the teacher being non-renewed. I am giving you these facts because technology integration in MISD is not just an option, it is a requirement. Observation of Global Connections Course The participant will demonstrates knowledge and use appropriate of hardware components, software programs, and internet access. • 1A Use technology terminology appropriate to the task • 1B Save and delete files, use menu options and commands, and work with more than one software application • 1C Identify and describe the characteristics of digital input, processing, and output • 1D Delineate and make necessary adjustments regarding compatibility issues including, but not limited to, digital file format and cross platform connectivity • 1E Access remote equipment on a network such as a printer or other peripherals Uses data input skills appropriate to the task. • 2A Use a variety of input devices such as mouse, keyboard, disk drive, modem, voice/sound recorder, scanner, digital video, CD-ROM, or touch screen • 2B Use proper keyboarding techniques such as correct hand and body positions and smooth and rhythmic keystroke patterns • 2C Demonstrate touch keyboarding techniques for operating the alphabetic, numeric, punctuation, and symbol keys as grade-level appropriate • 2D Produce documents at the keyboard, proofread, and correct errors • 2E Use language skills including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, word division, and use of numbers and symbols as grade-level appropriate • 2F Demonstrate an appropriate speed on short timed exercises depending upon the grade level and hours of instruction Complies with laws and examines issues regarding use of technology in society. • 3A Follow acceptable use policies when using computers • 3B Model respect of intellectual property by not illegally copying software or another individuals electronic work Uses a variety of strategies to acquire information from electronic resources, with appropriate supervision. • 4A Apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies • 4B Select appropriate strategies to navigate and access information on local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), including the Internet and intranet, for research and resource sharing Acquires electronic information in variety of formats, with appropriate supervision. • 5A Acquire information including text, audio, video, and graphics • 5B Use on-line help and documentation • Evaluates acquired electronic information. • 6A Apply critical analysis to resolve information conflicts and validate information • 6B Determine the success of strategies used to acquire electronic information • 6C Determine usefulness and appropriateness of digital information Uses appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems. • 7A Use software programs with audio, video, and graphics to enhance learning experiences • 7B Use appropriate software to express ideas and solve problems including the use of word processing, graphics, databases, spreadsheets, simulations, and multimedia • 7C Use a variety of data types including text, graphics, digital audio, and video Uses research skills and electronic communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge. • 8A Use communication tools to participate in group projects • 8B Use interactive technology environments, such as simulations, electronic science or mathematics laboratories, virtual museum field trips, or on-line interactive lessons, to manipulate information • 8C Participate with electronic communities as a learner, initiator, contributor, or mentor Uses technology applications to facilitate evaluation of work, both process and product. • 9A Use software features, such as on-line help, to evaluate work progress • 9B Use software features, such as slide show previews, to evaluate final product Formats digital information for appropriate and effective communication. • 10A Use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products are • appropriate for the defined audience • 10B Use font attributes, color, white space, and graphics to ensure that products are appropriate for the communication media including multimedia screen displays, Internet documents, and printed materials • 10C Use appropriate applications including, but not limited to, spreadsheets and databases to develop charts and graphs by using data from various sources Delivers the product electronically in a variety of media, with appropriate supervision. • 11A Publish information in a variety of media including, but not limited to, printed copy, monitor display, Internet documents, and video • 11B Use presentation software to communicate with specific audiences Uses technology applications to facilitate evaluation of communication, both process and product. 12A Select representative products to be collected and stored in an electronic evaluation tool • 12B Evaluate the product for relevance to the assignment or task • 12C Create technology assessment tools to monitor progress of project such as checklists Course Description and Agenda Global Connections: Making the Most of the Internet in Your Classroom is an interactive, leader-led workshop that introduces the K-12 educator, to features and functions of the Internet and ways of using these with students. Combining individual and small-group work with discussion and demonstration, the workshop provides hands-on Internet practice within the context of sample online learning activities to improve teaching and learning. These activities exemplify effective classroom use of the Internet in a collaborative learning environment. The instructor, Elise Bonner, is a former classroom teacher with a vast knowledge of technology and curriculum experience to share with the Mansfield ISD staff. She demonstrated the Internet basics, searching techniques, as well as providing important educational sites and resources. By the end of the first six hours participants had started developing their individualized Internet-rich classroom activities; at the end of the course participants had created a practical, published web page that displays their skills and classroom work. The course content is customized to accommodate a variety of training situations and levels for each participant expertise. The course modules were:
Prerequisites Participants are encouraged to have basic technology experience including word processing, file navigation, and an interest in improving their skills. The Evaluations The evaluations of the course by the teachers tell the true story of the learning in the program. A summary is presented to the District after each day's training. The average score for each course has been 4.6 out of 5. Here are some the of the comments:
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