Technology Map

By leakek

  • Year 1 in Casa Grande, AZ

    My very first teaching position was in southern Arizona in a district that put much of it's funds into recruiting teachers and having a competitive pay for these teachers. Due to this, the technology in the district greatly suffered. There was one computer lab in my school that was filled with about 25 computers from the 1990s. They were the thick tube screens and students usually only accessed these for typing practices. I had a projector in my classroom but was without Smartboard.

  • Year 2 in Casa Grande, AZ (Part 1)

    My principal had recommended me to try out new technology for my district. This year I was in a select group that received ten IPads in my classroom and a charging station. I was part of a group called the Model Instructional Technology Classrooms. We received special training to get the technology out in front of our students. We focused on the SAMR model to deepen the use of technology in our classrooms.

  • Year 2 in Casa Grande, AZ (Part 2)

    During this year, I explored the use of various apps with my students. They used Ipads during math stations to practice math facts. Sushi Monster, Splash Math, and Oh No, Fractions! were some of my students' favorites. We then dove deeper having students create projects using PicCollage Kids, ChatterPix Kids, and Prezi. Students also enjoyed using these for Kahoot! and research projects. Having ten Ipads for 30 students was a challenge but we found a way to make it work.

  • Year 3 in Gilbert, AZ

    I decided to move to a school with less of a commute in Gilbert, AZ. Here, I was at a much better funded charter school that had updated technology. Our grade level received a classroom cart of laptops to use once a week. The downside was that we were only allowed to let students use 5 approved websites from the district. We made due and found some supportive math manipulative websites on the approved list to support our math lessons. Students also made PowerPoints to show understanding.

  • Year 4 in Normal, IL (Part 1)

    My husband and I decided to move back to Illinois and I found a position in Unit 5 Schools. I was very happy to be back in a state that values the use of technology and supplies their classrooms with a variety of tech tools. This year I had my first SmartBoard, access to an updated computer lab and students who each have their own 1:1 Chromebook device.

  • Year 4 in Normal, IL (Part 2)

    I learned how to use the Google suite and set up all my Google Classroom Accounts. I used a variety of assessment tools including Google Forms, Socrative, Kahoot!, Quizziz, Quizlet, and Quizalize. Students created many projects using Google Docs and Google Slides. Students also used various science simulations to make abstract concepts more concrete.

  • Year 5 in Normal, IL (Part 1)

    This year we received a new online curriculum called Amplify Science. Using this program, students have a variety of simulations they may use. Through my technology master classes I now allow more student choice in which they may choose to create a project using Animoto, Powtoons, Lumen 5, or Google Slides. Some students ask to use a technology not listed, and I have been more open to allowing students to use those as well. Students also create Flipgrid posts often on science topics.

  • Year 5 in Normal, IL (Part 2)

    This year I have also taken on making videos for my students using ScreenCast O Matic. This has been a life saver when my complicated lessons need to be taught with a substitute. Students go to Google Classroom and listen to my video and the new topic for the day. I sometimes have students pause the video and do an activity, then return to the video when they are done. My goal is to place my next video in Edpuzzle and ask students more questions along the way to keep them engaged.

  • Year 5 in Normal, IL (Part 3)

    I have loved using Google Chrome Add Ons to better help accommodate the needs of my diverse classroom. I currently have a group of students who use Snap & Read, Speech to Text, and CoWriter to support their reading and writing skills. I have many dyslexic students who greatly benefit from these tools. I would like to explore more tools that may accommodate for more of my students.

  • TCH 430 (Part 1)

    The reDesign Process has taught me to survey my students for their point of view before creating materials for them. I will now empathize and work through a prototype stage more often when reDesigning curriculum especially those that focus around technology tools.

  • TCH 430 (Part 2)

    Constructionism and making are important ways for students to learn and to empower them to make their own artifacts. I will encourage coding and making more in my instruction and look for ways that these may support the current standards I teach.

  • TCH 430 (part 3)

    New tools such as Padlet, Google Sites, and SeeSaw have proved to be great for middle school students. We have tried Padlet as a class and students were able to use it well as a communication tool. I look forward to having students use these tools more often next year.