A Web Based Grant Proposal . . .
Technology Connection . . .
Developing Information Literacy and Technology Skills in Students
It is very important that students know how to use technology. Perhaps more importantly, it is imperative that they know what to do with the information that the technology allows them to access. While using laptops in my classroom, students will publish their work on the web. They will frequently use search engines and websites to gain information, gather sources to support their cause, and use pictures for projects. With this comes a need for the teacher to directly instruct and model how to use the technology in a safe manner and with a purpose. I would use the Big 6 Approach to accomplish this task. By teaching students how to use the Big 6, "students are able to handle any problem, assignment, decision or task" by going through 6 problem solving stages. My goal for students is for them to learn the necessary steps so they are able to find, sort through, make sense of, and apply relevant information.
Meeting the Diverse Needs of My Students
All students deserve to learn in a classroom that respects and celebrates the diversity that each child brings. Since diversity is the name of the game in my school, I use a variety of assistive technologies to aid my students' learning. From a soundfield system to evenly distribute my voice to MP3 players, Leapfrog Tablets, and Rosetta Stone to teach fluency and vocabulary to non-readers and ELL students, I try to think of all learning abilities and styles when I plan lessons. The use of laptops with writing will only strengthen that area. With all the software that is available for Text-to-Speech and visualizing content and vocabulary, ELL students and non-readers will be able to use the Internet in many of the same ways as the general education students. Therefore, the content will stay the same, but the delivery will be more individualized and based on need.
Social and Ethical Uses of Technology
Since my students will be using laptops with Internet access, they will need to be taught about copyright, Internet safety, and etiquette. I will show a video called A Fair(y) Use Tale as a fun way to learn about copyright issues. This is also a good way to segue into talking about plagiarism in writing. We will then talk about what is expected while they are on the computer at school and at home. A classroom Ning is very similar to other social networking sites, like Facebook. Many children get Facebook accounts as young as 4th grade. I will teach about Internet safety, etiquette, and cyberbullying so my students will be familiar with the terms and familiar with why it is important to not reveal personal information online. They will also learn by blogging that everything they write online is there permanently.
Using Technology to Develop Creativity and Critical Thinking Skills
By allowing students to publish work in their own unique way, I am encouraging them to use their creativity. Students will eventually have the ability to publish their works as a blog, vlog, digital story, by using Blabberize (or other Web 2.0 programs), or any other media that allows them to get their ideas across appropriately to the audience. Offering choices in publication encourages students to be creative while thinking critically. Critical thinking skills will also be encouraged by teaching students to find reliable sources and information on the Internet. By using the Big 6 protocol, students will be able to think critically about how define, determine, use, locate, synthesize, and evaluate information.
Using Technology to Engage in Professional Development and Leadership
In the past, professional development was offered through the school district and issues were limited to what a majority of the teachers were interested in learning. When using technology, professional development is not restricted by location or subject matter. Therefore, I can join a Personal Learning Network (PLN) of educators who are also using Ning as a way for students to publish works and communicate with parents. In addition, I will use information gathered on the Internet, subscribe to blogs, and attend workshops to gather more information and ideas, as well as share what I have learned in my classroom. When I got an interactive whiteboard in my classroom, other teachers saw how motivating it was for students and they wanted the same for their classrooms. I hope that the work I do with the laptops will do the same in getting these teachers excited to encourage parental involvement by using the technology available to communicate home.
