From Mrs. Hellums

Technology Plan for Kilby: Bridging the Gap Between Computer Lab and Classroom
At the very first meeting of the Tech Team we outlined a few things we wanted to include in the plan and left with  a job to review other technology plans from innovative schools. I actually found a plan from another laboratory that gave me some great ideas. One of the most important components of our plan was the creating  the continuum. We really wanted to bridge the gap between what the students learned in the computer lab with me and how they carried out those skills to produce work in the classroom. The skills the students learn beginning in Kindergarten are progressive. The build on each other. By the time the students reach the 6th grade, they should be competent in every skill taught throughout their time at Kilby. Every year I add more web and multimedia  tools to the curriculum as they become available. 
 Technology Integration Continuum and Mastery of Standards

Teachers will become familiar with and integrate the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) for teachers and students provided by ISTE. Kilby will follow ISTE’s statement that “Effective teachers model and apply the NETS as they design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and improve learning; enrich professional practice; and provide positive models for students, colleagues, and the community.”

Teachers will also incorporate the technology content standards provided by the Alabama State Department. These standards will be used to support content and student learning while strengthening students’ comprehension of the College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).

The following shows what technology skills students learn in the computer lab. Teachers should use this chart and coordinate classroom lessons according to learned skills. The chart is progressive. By the time a student gets to sixth grade, he or she should be able to complete every task from previous grades.

Kindergarten	Mouse manipulation- basic click. Manipulate headphones. Identify parts of a computer. Drag and drop objects. Identify and use space bar, enter key, shift key, backspace, delete key, and arrows. Use the scroll bar to move down or up a page. Recognize and use basic computer terms such as: open, save, double-click, close-out, print, etc. Know location of most common letters on a standard keyboard. Become competent at double-clicking. Draw curriculum-based pictures in Paint and Kidspiration Use Microsoft Word for the following: ü  type names, sight words, and vocabulary words ü  change the font color to identify color words ü  draw shapes Use Ikeepbookmarks to visit educational sites to practice basic skills and play learning games (ABCya!, Daniel Cook, ISpy, Memory Fun)
First Grade	·        Mouse manipulation-right click ·        Adjust volume on computer and headphones ·        Verbally identify and use all parts of computer ·        Locate and retrieve documents to and from folders ·        Use browser navigation tools (back, forward, refresh, stop, scroll) ·        Know location of all letters and numbers on a standard keyboard ·        Identify and use Caps Lock, comma, apostrophe, and numbers ·        Create and label pictures and diagrams in Paint and Kidspiration ·        Use Microsoft Word for the following ü  Type spelling words and complete sentences using correct punctuation and cursor placement ü  Change font type, color, and size ü  Draw shapes and add text (could be used for sorting activities) ü  Insert clipart to illustrate ·        Read aloud and record using built-in recorder
Second Grade	·        Mouse manipulation- right click to copy and paste ·        Demonstrate awareness of proper fingering on home row keys ·        Type using 2 hands ·        Proper posture while seated at computer ·        Identify and use symbols on keyboard ·        Basic Internet safety ·        Drag and drop ·        Begin basic researching using Alabama Virtual Library ·        Microsoft Word Skills ü  Highlight text to edit ü  Insert and delete words in sentences and letters in words ü  Use Spell Check ü  Change page color and add border ü  Insert graphics ü  Basic graph ü  Word Art ·        Microsoft Power Point Skills ü  Insert Slide ü  Insert text and graphics ü  Choose backgrounds ü  View Show
Third Grade	·        Keyboarding lessons to learn correct fingering for all letters, numbers and symbols ·        Internet safety while researching and completing webquests and other online activities ·        Open and save files into specific folders ·        Group photostory ·        Locate appropriate images on web (using AVL) and save them into a folder to use in other programs ·        Learn proper and safe ways to search the internet for information (not Google and not Wikipedia) ·        Use every database in AVL to locate information ·        Microsoft Word Skills ü  Create text effects ü  Highlight text ü  Create bullets ü  Insert a picture from an outside folder ·        Microsoft Power Point Skills ü  Use basic animations ü  Use basic transitions ü  Design backgrounds
Fourth Grade	·        Use the webcam to take pictures and make videos ·        In depth training on desktop windows and folders ·        Partner photostory ·        Upload content from outside source (camera, iPad) ·        Introduction to Pivot Animation ·        Cite sources from the internet correctly (MLA format) ·        Use online forums to share and plan (Wallwisher, linoit, wikis) ·        Microsoft Word Skills ü  Understand and use graphing concepts (cell, column, row, values, labels)  ü  Utilize SmartArt ü  Insert text boxes ü  Change page orientation ü  Create a customized watermark ·        Microsoft PowerPoint Skills ü  Customize background ü  Create an animation path ü  Add animation to graphics ü  Insert media, video clip ü  Change slide orientation
Fifth Grade	Use voice recorder to create podcasts Create multimedia presentations using classroom content Edit photos Photostory- customize music and background Create basic short story animations Pivot Learn basics in Microsoft Movie Maker Follow and create hyperlinks Cite sources from the internet correctly (MLA format) Use online forums to share and plan (Wallwisher, linoit, wikis) Microsoft Word Skills ü  Change margins ü  Insert footnotes ü  Insert index ü  Add comments ü  Text Wrap ü  Format and edit photos Microsoft PowerPoint Skills ü  Add audio ü  Add notes ü  Change time duration
Sixth Grade	Choose a presentation tool to present information Create full length video clip using every aspect of Pivot Create videos and tutorials in Microsoft Movie Maker Research real world jobs focused on 21st century technology Utilize every aspect of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Photostory
Web Tools	Students will be introduced to the following web tools, and more as they become available, in the computer lab. Voice Thread, Wordle, Kerpoof, Voki, Kidblog, Glogster, Quizlet, Wallwisher

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Technology Plan for Kilby: Vision and Goals

For the past several weeks the Technology Team at Kilby has been working hard on the Kilby Technology Plan. There is an overall plan in place for all schools in Lauderdale County, but we felt the need to individualize a plan to specifically meet our needs, support our students and utilize the resources we have available.  Because Kilby is a laboratory school and we also have a responsiblity to educate preservice teachers at UNA, we wanted this plan to encompass their needs as wellWe really worked hard to make this plan realistic and make our goals attainable..I am going to include the vision and specific goals for Kilby that our group worked together to create. I will post soon on some of the other components that are included in the plan.

Vision

As an integral part of the University of North Alabama, Kilby Laboratory School will continue to exhibit best practices in elementary education for pre-service teachers. Kilby will function in a technology-rich, global environment establishing the groundbreaking uses of new educational and information technology.

This ongoing technology plan will promote 21^st Century learning for all students, pre-service teachers, faculty, and staff involved in the academic culture at Kilby Laboratory by:

o   Providing equitable access to the use of technology for everyone at Kilby 

o   Providing a technology-rich atmosphere in which technology is integrated seamlessly into instruction

o   Continuously building upon technology skills to become part of the Digital Age

o   Become a model school for the successful use of technology

o   Support action research and development in the use of technology in the classroom

Goals

The goals for this Technology Plan are as follows:

o   Integrate and enhance the use of technology that currently exists at Kilby

o   Establish more technology access for students throughout the day, ensuring that technology is a daily tool for teaching and learning

o   Establish a standard classroom multimedia design for all grade levels  (what tech. is available and tutorials and ideas on how to use it)

o   Provide a wide variety of professional development opportunities to meet the broad range of ability levels for teachers. This includes online webinars, workshops, teacher-to-teacher training, and informal individualized instruction given by the Media Specialist.

o   Provide opportunities for the use of state-of-the-art technology for instructors, pre-service teachers and students.

o   Promote the use of the existing website for community outreach, communication and parent involvement.

iPad vs iPad Minis

Our school is very blessed with technology resources. 2 years ago we began implementing iPads in Mrs. Frederick’s Kindergarten classroom. Since then, we now have iPads in our Child Development Center (3 and 4 year old classes) as well as in our 1^st grade classroom. Mrs. Frederick and I have working with the teachers to help support this transition.Our school is now looking at purchasing a full class set to keep in the library for teachers to check out. As the technology teacher at our school, I have been given permission to implement iPads during the students’ weekly computer lab visits as well as their visits to the library! WooHoo! With that in mind, I have also been given the responsibility of deciding how to manage these iPads.  Where will they be stored? How will they be transported from room to room? And the biggest question of all…..what version of the iPad do I purchase??? I have narrowed down my options to the iPad 2 and the iPad Mini.

Mrs. Frederick and I  have been researching and contemplating this decision for a couple of months now.  When I started considering the minis, my first thought was that they were a cheaper downgrade from the iPads. I have learned differently. The minis can do everything the iPads can do. The only real difference is the screen size.  Another concern of the minis is that when researching on the internet the students would need to be really proficient at pinching and zooming the screen.   I think my students could handle this but would it be more of a hassle? I also read somewhere that the smaller interface of the mini might result in a weaker wireless connection.  Obviously, my only concern with the iPad 2 is the price point. I could purchase and store more mini’s for much cheaper than iPad 2. These differences, paired with the fact that I am THE MOST indecisive person in the world make for a pretty tough decision. Please leave a comment on this post to share your thoughts.

 Tech Integration at Kilby (Rethinking Education)

Book Discussion

“Education has come a long way” is an UNDERSTATEMENT. Chapter 4, the Development of American Schooling was mindboggling. I am a history buff so I enjoyed reading this chapter and how important events in our nation’s history shaped the future of education. Printing presses meant mass production of information. The printing press is one of those inventions that changed the world .We can now post any information in any public forum with the touch of a button from our handheld telephones. Wow! The Reformation, the American Revolution (one of my favorite topics to teach), and the Industrial Revolution are included in those events that resulted in formal education and the American school system. During this era, changes in society meant changes in schools. At the bottom of page 62 the authors say “we have seen great technological and social changes that HAVE YET to be reflected in the schools.” To me this means that we’ve come a long way but still have a long way to go to catch up with what’s really going on in the world around us.  Next the authors discussed the different ways to earn an education.  Public education in a public school is only one option. Home schooling, online education, workplace education, and learning centers are only a few of the ways students can receive knowledge. I am a perfect example of this. I am now working on my 3rd college degree. 2 of these I earned through online education programs. I am going to finish this post with a brief outline of Chapter 6 which covered the last of the 3 Eras of Education. After reading about the apprenticeship and the universal-schooling eras, I spent a while reading up on the lifelong-learning era, our current era of education. It is understood that the state has taken over responsibility of education. In this era, the authors point out that there could be a shift back (yes, history does repeat itself) because a current trend is for parents to take more of an active role in education their children. The more parents become involved, the less the state will be responsible for.  I’m not sure how I feel about this. What about students with uninterested parents who see school as a free form of babysitting? 

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 Tech Integration at Kilby (Rethinking Education)

My thoughts and questions after reading chapters 1 through 3ish……

Let me begin by saying that I like the author’s way of including different views on the issue of incorporating technology in the classroom. I am easily swayed and like to read every view point before forming my opinion.

One of the biggest goals for all teachers is to keep students engaged so they are in a constant state of learning. Keeping students engaged is also a teacher’s biggest struggle. Not only do we have a room full of different personalities, different ability levels and different learning styles but now all of our students are becoming part of the digital generation. Traditional teaching and learning methods are becoming a thing of the past. Teachers who aren’t willing to “update” their way of teaching are getting left behind. Some teachers feel that too much technology can be harmful to students. Are our students becoming too reliant on having access to practically everything at their fingertips? Are they becoming lazy? We live in a world of social networking but can our students carry on social relationships face to face? These questions could go on and on. How do we as the educators of our future leaders to cope?  My job is to prepare students for the future. Technology is the future. Therefore, I want to create technology literate students. I DO however think there is a balance. We need to get used to the fact that technology is here to stay, it is not a passing fad.Technology should never replace teachers and one-on-one relationships. Our students need to know what to do when their hand held device is out of battery or when they aren’t an arm’s length away from a computer.

 Even though I believe incorporating technology in the elementary classroom has many more advantages than disadvantages, this first part of this book raises some very valid questions and concerns.

Check out this article explaining how texting and social media sites are causing bad habits in our students. 
Texting and Social Media- Causing Bad Habits
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 Tech Integration at Kilby (Rethinking Education)
Today I want to introduce a book that Mrs. Frederick, the Kindergarten teacher, and I are reading. The book is Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology: The Digital Revolution and Schooling in America. The book focuses on how we as educators can keep our students up to date in this new digitized culture! As I read through the book I am going to post my thoughts and questions here.We are going to read and discuss the book together and hopefully get more insight from you, the reader. Here is the link to the book if you want to check it out yourself.
  Rethinking Education in the Age of Technology

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Technology Integration at Kilby
Hello Kilby Family,
I am going to begin a series of posts entitled Technology Integration at Kilby. These posts will outline our goals and the mission of our school to be a pioneer in the field of educational technology.Please follow the posts and leave comments to build positive discussions. Feel free to send me a private message via e-mail at smhellums@una.edu.

What better way to begin this series of posts with this eye-opening video clip. Please watch this video and share your thoughts!