I completely agree with Betsy. It's difficult to stop and reflect on our use of technology in the past year since we're wrapped up in the craziness of the end of the year. Also, I think we're all hard on ourselves since we have such high hopes and expectations. Then again, when I look back on all that my students have accomplished in the past year, particularly the projects that involved technology, I am so proud of them!
The Power to Learn grant served over 100 of my 7th grade students, including both my language arts students and our newspaper students. Plus, this grant served all 8th grade students. I can't wait to see how my 7th grade students who used the technology all year will thrive next year in 8th grade. I imagine (or at least I hope) that the students will continue to shine as they benefit from the easy access to ipods, netbooks, and flip cameras.
My students just recently created book trailers. Throughout the year, we have used different video formats, so by now, the students are familiar with several different programs including iMovie, GoAnimate.com, XtraNormal.com, Animoto.com, and the flip cameras. After choosing their favorite book that they read this year, students planned out a book trailer for their book. They watched several examples of other book trailers on the ipods. Much like movie trailers, we discussed how a book trailer should "sell" people on the book. The trailers should encourage people to read the book. And, therefore, students wrote scripts highlighting their favorite parts of the books without giving away the ending. After planning their book trailer and writing a script, students chose a video format for their trailer. It was pretty cool to see some groups combine more than one program for their book trailers. In general, I think students seemed to like iMovie, Animoto, and the flip cameras the best...and several groups combined a few of these programs. So cool! Now we have a huge collection of book trailers on the ipods, so students can browse these trailers when they are looking for a good book to read.
Honestly, I can't wait for next year. I think that as successful as this year was, next year will be so much better! We can use the technology right from the start of the year, and by next year, I really think it will be seamless. I have gotten much better about integrating technology into my lessons, and that really took some time to get used to thinking differently. It was exciting to offer my students so many awesome opportunities and different ways of learning that would not be possible without this technology in my room. Next year, I want to use this technology from day one. And I can only imagine how much more successful next year will be. Teaching with access to so much technology has allowed me to be more creative...and our students' use of this technology has definitely helped them!
Language Arts Technology Team Goals
1) Increase student engagement, active participation, cooperative learning, higher level thinking, and student success.
2) With regular access to technology resources such as Dell Netbooks, iPod touches, and Flip video cameras, students will be eager to respond to what they have read and can listen, view, or respond to other students' responses, as well.
3) Students will receive preparation for college and workplace writing by using technology for all steps of the research and writing proces, as well as for collaborative and individual projects.
2) With regular access to technology resources such as Dell Netbooks, iPod touches, and Flip video cameras, students will be eager to respond to what they have read and can listen, view, or respond to other students' responses, as well.
3) Students will receive preparation for college and workplace writing by using technology for all steps of the research and writing proces, as well as for collaborative and individual projects.
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