Educational Technology

Reflecting back on this course, I experimented two, new collaborative activities that I created for my students.  While, I feel these were just at the substitution stage of SAMR, it certainly increased engagement and allowed students to use a different platform to show how they were meeting the targets of the lesson.  

As part of our word study time, we have been focusing on homophones.  Instead of just giving a paper/pencil quiz to check for understanding, I decided to have the class create an assignment working with the students in their guided reading groups.  This assignment would then be shared with other students in the classroom to complete.  I felt this would be a good way to assess not only how well they understood particular homophones, but also their capability of writing in complete sentences and incorporating tech to their assignment.    First, they had to create six sentences using the homophone there, their and they’re.  The sentences had to leave out the homophone.  For example: They brought _____ library books back on time.  Next, they had to share it with a given reading group in the class as well as me.  Another reading group would then share their sentences.  Once all groups are complete with their sentences, they need to work together to solve the missing homophone shared with them.  It was so interesting to see their anticipation, waiting for the other group to share their sentences so they could then complete it.  Not only did I feel the students were extremely engaged in this lesson, but now when they see a homophone pair, they immediately point it out.  Who knew homophones could be so exciting?

Another lesson I modified was during math with the use of Google Slides.  It seems that Google Slides are a collaborative tool many teachers use and is becoming the norm.  With that said, I feel it is one of the most valuable collaborative tools I use on a daily basis.  In math we are focusing on multi-step word problems with multiplication.  I recently had my students collaborate in small groups to create word problems of their own using Google Slides.  Students then presented their Google Slide with the class and the rest of the students had to solve it.  Not only did this provide an opportunity for collaboration with tech, but it showcased how well the students actually understood the target of solving multi-step word problems.  This increased their creativity and presentation skills as well.

676As we continue to navigate the digital world as educators, incorporating even some of the smallest changes seems to really make a big difference.  Students are more engaged and more curious about their learning.  They have so many new opportunities to enhance what is already being presented to them.