Digital Learning Environment Inventory
What
tools, software, operating systems, and equipment are available in your school
and classroom? (including but not limited to: videoconferencing, streaming,
photos sharing sites, video sharing sites, document sharing sites, podcasts,
blogs, wikis, social networking sites, etc.)
Our school has four computer labs. One is for the exclusive use of our technology teacher. We also have a laptop cart that is for the exclusive use of the reading enrichment teacher. My cluster wrote a grant and purchased six Ipads for our students. Several teachers have Smartboards. Everyone has access to a Smartboard if they wish. All teachers have Elmos and projectors. We have access to the internet, and recently YouTube was unblocked. Other social networking sites are still blocked. With the recent installation of higher capacity cabling, we will have the capability for teleconferencing. All that will be necessary is the proper service and the video cameras.
How does your school make use of school and/or teacher websites?
Our school website is maintained in-house and links to the district website. It helps parents and other interested parties understand the purpose and culture of our school. Dates for special events are posted as well as information about the staff. There are also links to cluster websites All clusters, a group of core teachers who teach the same group of students, have a website. Teachers post weekly. Posts include news about special events, projects, homework, and other topics to help the parents and students stay up to date.
How are you currently utilizing technology for learning?
We used the computer lab and Ipads for research purposes then created multimedia presentations. I give my students a list at the beginning of the year which contains links to helpful websites. They use these to extend their learning about writing, practice grammar problems, and learn vocabulary. I use an Elmo and a projector to display their daily editing exercise and demonstrate writing techniques.
Which websites are blocked by your school’s firewall?
All social media websites are blocked. Adult sites are blocked.
What websites and tools are colleagues in your building using?
Our language teachers have software loaded into the computers in one lab to facilitate the learning of the languages they teach. Every lab and the computers on the laptop cart are loaded with I-Station which we use in the reading enrichment classes.
Is there a system for evaluating student technology literacy in your school? If so, how effective or helpful have you found the assessment?
Although is not a system for evaluating student technology literacy in our school, the idea that we need updated software and more computers is evident and a current topic of discussion. The installation of Cat 6 cable is a good sign.
Gather suggestions from students on their ideas for integrating technology into their learning.
My students are amused by the out of date operating system on my teacher computer. I use an Ipad our cluster bought for student use to answer email, take roll, and post grades.
My students wish they had more access to technology. I am working on a series of grants to make this happen.
What tools that are not presently available, would help to achieve district objectives?
We need more computers for our students. I need an updated computer for my own use. Every classroom should have a minimum of five computers for student use.
Does your school promote BYOD (bring your own device) policies for students?
Our students may bring laptops, tablets, and e-readers.
Using your Digital Learning Environment Inventory, develop a solution or suggest an improvement customized to your school/classroom circumstances. Include a paragraph describing:
1. The solution/suggestion
The district and the schools need to implement a plan to keep hardware and software up to date and to make sure all students have access to digital technology. They spend too much money replacing computers when they can update software and get the same effect.
2. Reflect on what you learned from this process
It was not until I needed to use the computer lab that I discovered how difficult it could be to schedule time for my students. Although I am pleased to see me progress in our attempt to add more technology to our school, I wonder how long it will be before we start the process all over again.
Our school has four computer labs. One is for the exclusive use of our technology teacher. We also have a laptop cart that is for the exclusive use of the reading enrichment teacher. My cluster wrote a grant and purchased six Ipads for our students. Several teachers have Smartboards. Everyone has access to a Smartboard if they wish. All teachers have Elmos and projectors. We have access to the internet, and recently YouTube was unblocked. Other social networking sites are still blocked. With the recent installation of higher capacity cabling, we will have the capability for teleconferencing. All that will be necessary is the proper service and the video cameras.
How does your school make use of school and/or teacher websites?
Our school website is maintained in-house and links to the district website. It helps parents and other interested parties understand the purpose and culture of our school. Dates for special events are posted as well as information about the staff. There are also links to cluster websites All clusters, a group of core teachers who teach the same group of students, have a website. Teachers post weekly. Posts include news about special events, projects, homework, and other topics to help the parents and students stay up to date.
How are you currently utilizing technology for learning?
We used the computer lab and Ipads for research purposes then created multimedia presentations. I give my students a list at the beginning of the year which contains links to helpful websites. They use these to extend their learning about writing, practice grammar problems, and learn vocabulary. I use an Elmo and a projector to display their daily editing exercise and demonstrate writing techniques.
Which websites are blocked by your school’s firewall?
All social media websites are blocked. Adult sites are blocked.
What websites and tools are colleagues in your building using?
Our language teachers have software loaded into the computers in one lab to facilitate the learning of the languages they teach. Every lab and the computers on the laptop cart are loaded with I-Station which we use in the reading enrichment classes.
Is there a system for evaluating student technology literacy in your school? If so, how effective or helpful have you found the assessment?
Although is not a system for evaluating student technology literacy in our school, the idea that we need updated software and more computers is evident and a current topic of discussion. The installation of Cat 6 cable is a good sign.
Gather suggestions from students on their ideas for integrating technology into their learning.
My students are amused by the out of date operating system on my teacher computer. I use an Ipad our cluster bought for student use to answer email, take roll, and post grades.
My students wish they had more access to technology. I am working on a series of grants to make this happen.
What tools that are not presently available, would help to achieve district objectives?
We need more computers for our students. I need an updated computer for my own use. Every classroom should have a minimum of five computers for student use.
Does your school promote BYOD (bring your own device) policies for students?
Our students may bring laptops, tablets, and e-readers.
Using your Digital Learning Environment Inventory, develop a solution or suggest an improvement customized to your school/classroom circumstances. Include a paragraph describing:
1. The solution/suggestion
The district and the schools need to implement a plan to keep hardware and software up to date and to make sure all students have access to digital technology. They spend too much money replacing computers when they can update software and get the same effect.
2. Reflect on what you learned from this process
It was not until I needed to use the computer lab that I discovered how difficult it could be to schedule time for my students. Although I am pleased to see me progress in our attempt to add more technology to our school, I wonder how long it will be before we start the process all over again.
Technology Tools I have and/or I am Using
Instagram - I began an Instagram account as travelandteach. Periodically I would post pictures and tell my students about my travels. I was able to get the incoming parents’ emails, so I could include my new students for the 2014-2015 school year. It has been enormously popular, so I am keeping the account active. I do not friend any students, and I tell them this. I can see their comments and will respond when they have questions. Instagram has been a great tool for introducing my students to new cultures. It can also be used to show examples of things in the real world that have been introduced in class. One idea I have not yet tried, but am eager to start, is to start taking pictures of grammar and spelling errors on signs. Students will post corrections to practice their language skills.
www.epals.org - I attempted to make connections with classrooms across the globe. It was minimally successful. teachers everywhere are pressed for time, and occasionally things happen in our classroom which require us to focus our studies differently. I feel this is the major reason I has so little success. I do think that if I am able to maintain stronger relationships with teachers in other places, that would make the process easier.
Teacher Tube/Youtube - My students love videos. I search for videos about specific writing skills, and after vetting them for appropriateness, I use them in the classroom. Every year we watch the Schoolhouse Rock videos to review the parts of speech. This may seem "old school," but it works. This is also a great way for students to "see" places they have never been. I have used videos found on YouTube to introduce my students to schools across the globe.
Instagram - I began an Instagram account as travelandteach. Periodically I would post pictures and tell my students about my travels. I was able to get the incoming parents’ emails, so I could include my new students for the 2014-2015 school year. It has been enormously popular, so I am keeping the account active. I do not friend any students, and I tell them this. I can see their comments and will respond when they have questions. Instagram has been a great tool for introducing my students to new cultures. It can also be used to show examples of things in the real world that have been introduced in class. One idea I have not yet tried, but am eager to start, is to start taking pictures of grammar and spelling errors on signs. Students will post corrections to practice their language skills.
www.epals.org - I attempted to make connections with classrooms across the globe. It was minimally successful. teachers everywhere are pressed for time, and occasionally things happen in our classroom which require us to focus our studies differently. I feel this is the major reason I has so little success. I do think that if I am able to maintain stronger relationships with teachers in other places, that would make the process easier.
Teacher Tube/Youtube - My students love videos. I search for videos about specific writing skills, and after vetting them for appropriateness, I use them in the classroom. Every year we watch the Schoolhouse Rock videos to review the parts of speech. This may seem "old school," but it works. This is also a great way for students to "see" places they have never been. I have used videos found on YouTube to introduce my students to schools across the globe.