Quarter 1 - Technology Update

For the last 9 weeks, I (Ms. Venturino) have been working hard to facilitate the iPad integration process into our classrooms. Despite the struggles we have had with ensuring all iPads are ready to go, our teachers have been working hard to learn about new tools they can use in their classrooms.

Every Tuesday at lunch, many of our teachers meet for “Tech Tuesday,” an informal lunchtime gathering where we share technology tools, and create goals for ourselves. As a result of these meetings, many of our teachers have tried new apps and tools!

Additionally, the first working Thursday of each month (August 6 and September 3) we have had a Technology Breakfast, where parents, teachers, and students have shared how iPads are used at MVA. We have mainly focused on Jupiter Grades, but have also explored Explain Everything, a video-making iPad app. At our September 3 meeting, some of our Genius Bar students shared videos they created on different iPad apps and ways to keep iPads safe.

For the latest in MVA Technology, check out our website at www.mvavikingtech.com and follow us on Twitter @mvavikingtech.

Viking Staff Spotlight: Nora Santiago

We are thrilled to have Nora Santiago join our staff as our new school psychologist! She took some time to explain to our staff exactly what assistive technology (AT) is, and how it benefits all of our students.

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Assistive Technology (AT) helps students with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities face barriers to learning. For example, students with motor disabilities may not be able to hold a pencil to write answers on a worksheet; students with learning disabilities may not be able to decode words in printed text.

AT is any tool that helps students with disabilities do things more quickly, easily or independently. It can be elaborate and expensive or simple and low-cost. Assistive technology services are supports for using assistive technology devices, such as assistive technology evaluations, equipment maintenance, technical assistance, demonstration or training.

AT can provide accommodations, modifications or adaptations made to the environment, curriculum, instruction, or assessment practices. For example, a student with poor vision might use enlarged text. A student with motor difficulties might use an enlarged, simplified computer keyboard. A non-verbal student can be the “caller” for a game of “Red Light/Green Light” by using a talking switch. A student who can comprehend history at the 6th grade level, but can read only at the 3rd grade level, might read a textbook with the help of a computer that scans and reads text. AT allows a teacher to build tools and materials that address students’ strengths as well as their weaknesses.

For students with disabilities that interfere with their communication, learning, social relationships or active participation, assistive technology supports their participation in learning experiences in the least restrictive environment. Assistive technology can be the lifeline that increases a student’s opportunities for education, social interactions, and meaningful employment.

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 Nora Santiago is new to Mar Vista Academy this school year. She is our wonderful school psychologist, and works hard to make sure all of our MVA students are supported in their classrooms. She has worked at Castle Park Middle, Alternative Education, Eastlake High, Montgomery Middle, and has worked with all school sites to administer bilingual assessments. In her free time, she enjoys camping and outdoor activities with her family.

Week 5 Tech Update

Week 4 Tech Update

Week 3 Tech Update

Technology: It's not what you do, it's how you do

Technology is one big constant in our lives. There is constant development, constant updates, and constant new tools and toys. Recently, I was listening to John Mason’s Podcast, Beard Ed (click here to find it on iTunes), and he brings up an excellent point--many of us have Nerd ADD, where we can’t focus on a technology tool long enough to really get good at it and implement it into our teaching. I readily admit that I suffer from Nerd ADD, and as I’m trying to stay up-to-date with the latest and greatest, I miss the bigger picture: technology is not what you do/use, it’s how you do/use.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6081/6066810912_569c162cd1_b.jpg

There are so many great images, such as the one below, that show apps and tools for each level of Bloom’s Taxonomy or the SAMR model. These are an excellent starting point, but should not be relied on for an in-depth understanding of technology and classroom application of iPads. For example, when I took an online Spanish class through a local community college, we were required to meet with partners on Skype to practice the textbook lessons. Based on Bloom’s I used this tool for remembering, understanding, and applying, not evaluating. Additionally, Pages can easily be used for all levels of Bloom’s, not just understanding. With each and every one of these tools, it’s all about how it is integrated and implemented into the classroom.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/TPACK_pt-BR.png

Another great visual is the TPACK model, which combines Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Content Knowledge (CK), and Technological Knowledge (TK) in a triple Venn Diagram. Ideally, we would like to be in the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) as much as possible, as it combines everything and gives students a lense into the greater world beyond the four walls of the classroom.

With SAMR, we can quickly move up and down the levels simply by how we use the technology we have. Not only do we want to move toward augmentation, modification, and redefinition, but also we want to teach students to take ownership of their learning while moving higher up the levels themselves. Starting with an easy tool, such as Google Docs, a beginner can start by using Google Docs to type up an essay or assignment. Once you are comfortable with this, try inserting images into the document to bring yourself up to augmentation; it is easy to upload images directly from the internet or from saved images on your computer or iPad. A great thing about Google Docs is the ability for students to collaborate with others within their classroom by being on the same document and working together in real-time. Finally, to move this Google Doc into redefinition would be to collaborate with professionals or other students outside the classroom. This can include writing text together, suggesting comments and edits, and sharing work with others.

Created by Marielle Venturino & MVA VIking Tech [CC BY-NC]

So go and give some technology a try! You’ll find that once you pick one tool to start with, you can (usually) stay with the same tool for all levels of SAMR.

Introducing BadgeList!

Gamification is a relatively new concept in education. It is something that we can use to motivate students and teachers to be their very best and to pursue extrinsic rewards with our badges. I have decided to try out gamification with the teachers at Mar Vista Academy because I think they will benefit from this type of professional development.

Badge List is a web based platform that allows users to create badges and to submit evidence to earn these badges. I have created a Badge List learning group for Mar Vista Academy teachers to learn about different technology tools that can better themselves and better their classroom practices. At the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year I will have approximately 30 badges available for teachers to earn.  These badges range from technology tools to iPad apps to classroom message. There’s even a badge for guest bloggers on this block. Teachers who are interested in earning a badge simply sign up for badge list, join the learning group, and click on the badge they are interested in earning. Users then submit evidence for each component of the batch. This evidence could be a link to a student product a written explanation, or a picture.

In the future I hope to expand badges to Google tools and for more advanced creation such as teachers creating their own tutorials.

I also will create badges for parents to learn about the different technology tools that we had at Mar Vista Academy. From feedback from parents they would prefer online trainings to in person sessions because online meets their busy scheduling needs. Badges for parents will include the different tools we use at school such as canvas and Jupiter, ways to manage technology at home, and sample student products.

Reflecting back on this badge creating process I have learned a lot for myself. One of the coolest things that I have gotten experience with is Google draw. Google draw is a simple way to create graphics and illustrations that is user-friendly and does not rely on a large skill set of programs such as Photoshop. For a graphic designing newbie such as myself Google draw was easy to learn and easy to use. I enjoyed creating each and every badge that you see in our Badge List learning group.

Check out our BadgeLIst learning group: 
1. Go to http://www.badgelist.com/mva-viking-teachers 
2. Sign up for BadgeList and join our learning group "MVA Viking Teachers"
3. Click on the badge “Badge Beginner”
4. Click on “Post Text” in the required evidence section and follow the instructions there
I will then review your evidence and award you the badge. 

Here are some sample badges you can earn: