Leadership Action Plan- October 22
Libby McShinsky
Leadership Skills for Technology Integration
A school is a community. Inside that world are a variety of people who come with different skills and experiences. When new ideas are introduced into this neighborhood, many reactions happen. At a time of change, I believe the first leadership skill is trust. Teachers need to rely on the ability and feel confidence about the messenger who is bringing the new ideas into the school. A feeling of willingness to help a teacher, even if you have to do it over and over again, is valuable to opening the door to allowing more training in the future. Teachers talk. The school community will make a decision how they feel about the leadership of the technology specialist based on what happens with teachers individually.
A school needs a vision and direction. A leader is one who can help people see where they are going. In technology, we need to first have the tools put into the schools so that it builds the hope that they can really be part of the future. I know of schools in our state that only have computer labs without computers in the classroom. The teachers know they only get a short time each week using this lab. I am totally grateful for the vision my principal and district have who are not only willing to put them in the classroom but also to fix them when something goes wrong. Technology integration needs a team of people who believe in the same vision and are willing to put the best in the hands of children.
A leader is someone who is willing to learn. Working as a team is invaluable to the whole piece of community thinking. Knowing how to work in a group and to give and take is a skill. In technology, we need this leadership skill because one person cannot be an expert in all areas of technology. Developing relationships with others creates the ability to find value in others and find strength when operating as a leader.
My Strengths/Weaknesses
A weakness is only an opportunity to make it into a strength. Who I was yesterday is an addition to who I will be tomorrow. My strength from childhood that I carry with me is a positive attitude. I carry a will inside me to see people succeed and feel good about how and what they are learning. I expect to win. I have high expectations and work to be the best. That said, I feel one of my strengths is that I don’t judge other people. All my life, I have been able to walk into any situation from poverty to wealth and never look at the package but at the heart. I love to learn. Some times that becomes my weakness, because I have to remind myself that not everyone likes to learn new things like I do.
My sister was a beauty queen and I wasn’t. I decided then, if I couldn’t be beautiful, I would have a great personality. So I know a weakness of my leadership skills are my looks, but on the other hand, I do my best to be fun, reliable, and willing to serve.
I am good at mixing the old and the new. I am really good at putting technology into a regular curriculum. Also, I’m a good teacher. However, I know that I want to teach too much in a small period of time. I believe that I students can do two things at one time and that students should help each other to learn. That being said, that can be my weakness. Some people need more time to absorb information. I believe that I am a good leader of others. What I don’t know, I will learn. What I do know, I will share. I know how to connect with others and build relations.
Challenges
Life sometimes feels like a hike. At times we have to climb mountains. I believe that challenges need to be taken a step at a time. My biggest teaching challenge this year is two new different curriculums each day. Not only do I teach two grades, fifth and sixth- English side, but they added math in fifth grade also. I am taking this endorsement, but was required to take the ESL endorsement starting in September also. This all being said, time is my biggest challenges. I’m grateful that my students, fellow teachers, administrator are wonderful. Even with my plate being full, I enjoy what I do and what I’m learning.
In the area of technology, the area of challenge is trying to help other teachers put one more thing on their plate. It seems like this year, teachers are drowning. In the teacher’s lounge they are venting with groaning voices. On the other hand, my students are hungry for new ideas, skills that help them express themselves, and wanting to be part of the technology movement. This brings up the challenge of how to make both teachers and students happy.
Stakeholders
Bottom line, the student/teacher becomes interchangeable in the learning process. In technology, I find that it is important to teach the student that they need to become the teacher. I encourage them to share what they learn. They are so important in the quest for the movement of ideas. The classroom teacher on the other hand should learn new things, be part of a social network so that are always aware and sharing. It provides an atmosphere of learning. So the stakeholders in technology are each other.
Information on the School/District Culture
My school has many experienced teachers. Because they have been teaching for so long, it creates teachers who are secure in they way they teach. New ideas don’t have to throw away teaching methods that work, but should enhance what works. The new common core/math programs are requiring students to reach up and be college ready. These programs are district based. Personally, I love the vision our district has for students. Students are so ready to learn. Parents want the best for their children, but many students in our area are heavily involved in competitive sports. Also, many parents are both working or are carrying the family finances. Together this makes for parents not begging for their children to have homework every night. This puts more emphasis on learning in the classroom. In my ESL class we also have in our district students with 80 different languages and the highest dropout rate is our English language learners. In our district, 21% receive free/reduced lunch, 22 % are minority, 5 % are language learners, and 4% are homeless. This puts our teaching in perspective that even if we have come a long way, we have so many areas to be aware of and work with. I believe our district and my school are amazing and welcoming to the new ideas in the area of technology. From the beginning of the Engaged classroom to years later now, our school has really been growing in technology. Now we are working towards an Ipad lab for our school. So to put these ideas all together, I feel privileged that my school and district are on the cutting edge of change and that we embrace the idea that students can be college ready.
Leadership Action Plan- November 5
Professional Development in the Building
I truly believe that I have become a better teacher because I take a professional development classes. I do have to say that my classes have not been in my building, except just lately with my ESL endorsement. This district is moving toward more in building professional development because Mrs. Shaw, my principal, stated in the last BLT meeting that we would be having this once a month in the future. She asked for ideas of what we thought was needed.
Now my opinion would take this idea a step farther. A class is a good thing, but I think one on one is the magic number for enhancing a teacher’s toolbox. I would begin with a classroom schedule for each one with a yearlong plan. Then use the Ed Tech to make up a list of resources that could be brought into the curriculums. For example, with writing, the district is awesome that Utahwrite and Myaccess are offered. Inside of these programs are multitudes of great ways to help students. Utahwrite has videos with practice time, while on the other hand, Myaccess has all the tools like a thesaurus to help students with wording, if you know it is there. Offering to teach 10-minute mini class to the students would really be a model for the teacher to later on do herself could be one idea. A list of ideas for each area, plus time the tech has available would be the best resource.
Types of Professional Development I can Lead
Technology reminds me of a kaleidoscope, always brilliant but always changing. My bottom line is that what I used in my classroom as “so cool” yesterday, might be outclassed with a new idea tomorrow. The trick is to keep learning and trying out ideas with students. If they like it, they gravitate towards it on their own. I feel like my responsibility is to keep adding ideas to their choices. When a project needs technology, they have more than one way to address the need.
That being said, here is a good beginning of ideas I have worked with. Some are ideas I came up with today, some I use year after year, and some are on the back burner.
1. Teaching Teachers to Use the Ipad as a Textbook
2. Applications that Work Well in the classroom
3. Lesson Plans that lend themselves to Technology
4. Technology Success Stories
5. Putting Technology into Reading Street
6. Flipping the Classroom
7. Increasing Fluency using Garageband
8. Award Winning iMovies for Contests
9. How to Write a High Scoring Essay- Think like a Computer
10. Storybird, A writing tool for students who finish early with their work
11. How to Run a Technology Club after School
a. A yearlong club adjenda
b. How not to make it boring
12. Applications I could teach
a. Imovie
b. Garageband
c. Ebooks
d. Word- Microsoft tools- I think these tools are valuable to the student because they are always going to be around as tools- and they offer so much now than the older versions.
e. Comic Life
f. Photobooth- animation
g. Stellarium (Stars-6th grade core)
h. iDVD
i. Sketchup (a little- my tech kids love it)
j. Pages
k. Pixelmator (a little- my teenage loves it- its like Photobooth)
l. Illustrator (haha- the older version)
13. Online Tools
a. Gmail- many tools are in this email application
b. Weebly- Website
c. VoiceThread
d. iUniversity
e. Apps and how they can help
f. Twitter – learning and reinactment
g. Dropbox
h. Blogs
i. Wordle
j. Google+
k. Flubaroo
l. Google Forms
This list is good for today, but tomorrow it could be outdated.
Areas I Need Help
I struggled with some tools during this class because they required a time commitment to learn. This is a trick question because if I was asked to teach any tool I would be ready to do it. It is important to feel like you need help, because teachers will come to you with that feeling, and you must not downplay that emotion. You must be warm and willing to spend time. I see when the application or toy is more important to the teacher than the learner and then a decision needs to be made. How important is it to learn. That is why we do a variety of options when we teach, like bring a “paper” handout so they feel like they have an anchor to something they are used to. Then bring them into the 21st century with links to find it again.
Areas:
1. GPS (This is one area I would have liked simple paper instructions.)
2. Copyright- I spent a long time reading about it this summer…still nervous
3. Creative Commons
Informal Professional Development
Teachers feel overloaded but they love learning new things. Another idea would be transition time videos. It would be a great tool to teach students new information that is available. Many times, we lose time in the day when we move from subject to subject. Teachers do not need or want more work for them, but giving students more ideas and tools always helps the teacher. When the student is engaged, the teacher feels good about their teaching. It could be as simple as making the required words in Reading Street or the math book into a transition video. Then as they move subjects, it could play. It would be like going to the movies and waiting for it to start. I have all the questions and answers memorized by the time the previews start. Coming up with ways to integrate into their already busy life without stress would be the ideal.
Continued Professional Learning and Lifelong Learning
MY FAVORITE thing I did this summer was Twitter. I learned more from following the #ISTE12 online and made a page on my Weebly. http://mcshinsky.weebly.com/iste12.html It took me three times being taught in the Ed Tech Endorsement program before I got it. Love it! Not only do I read about what others think is important in education but follow people and see how their mind ticks.
My plan is to keep listening, learning, recording, and most of all sharing what I find. My students are always happy for Wednesday when I come and share what I have learned. You keep professional by having the next generation become professional. Knowing more than someone else is not my plan of happiness, sharing what I know is how I’m content.
Leadership Action Plan- November 19
Exciting Innovations and why
I love the process of my students learning how to find new ways to show what they have learned by using technology. So I get all excited about everything. My brain starts clicking and I want to try it out in class. We are doing an iMovie using green screen after they read a non-fiction article. They loved it. Now they are making a poster in Glogster after they research on something to promote freedom in Reading Street in 5th grade. It seems like I use technology every time they do a research project. Mixing it up and having them use a variety is my goal. To walk out of my classroom with a backpack full of different tools that will be their beginning foundation in technology…. Well, that is why I give them everything I learn.
Staying current on educational research and innovation
My favorite thing I did this summer was follow the #ISTE12 on twitter. I kept looking up links and I learned so much. That is where I learned about the Flipped classroom. I also loved TED. It has many new ideas. Following PLN on blogs and twitter is enlightening because people who have ideas like to share. I like that.
Sharing knowledge with teachers in my building
I always make myself available to help others. Being kind and agreeable is my first step to having them trust me. When I learn new things, I send a link or put a paper of the idea in their box. I am the team leader, so I feel any help for my team will make their job more enjoyable.
I also share all my new ideas with my tech club. They are sponges that want to know everything I do.
Technology tools to use effectively and improve productivity of student learning
The following tools are grade level appropriate. I love the idea of twitter and more social media tools, but find it doesn’t work for 5th and 6th grade. Chat in Gmail is about all they get.
1. Gmail/Google Docs- Collaborative learning
2. Weebly.com- A collection of topics/ideas to build over time
3. iMovie
4. Garageband
5. Word
6. Scratch
7. Photobooth- Animation
8. My Access & Utahwrite- get tools to help students evaluate themselves
9. iPad Apps- like Skywalk(space), math games, image recording tools.
10. Online tools are important: voice thread, wordle, etc. are good for show casing projects.
11. Would love “Kindle” type of devises for the classroom. Even having the Kindle application on our computers/ipads would be a step up.
12. Skype- for in-depth learning with other people (like authors)
Technology tools that will be the easiest to promote in your building
All the above tools are being used right now. Apps are going to be the trickiest because of the cost factor.
What technology tools will be most challenging?
I think the most challenging part of the tools is the upkeep. To rotate new computers to replace the old in a few years is something to think about. Then we have to update programs and keep everyone up to date with the new changes in the applications.
Would love to hand held digital readers, but they are not top priority because applications and computers have a wider range of use.
Leadership Action Plan- Dec 5
My contribution to the effectiveness, vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession and to my school and community
The community of a school is very much like a family. I love the variety of ages and experiences the staff brings to the building. Interacting with other faculty members is sometimes easy and at other times they build a wall up if they feel threatened. Technology is a tricky new element being added to the school scene. Everyone wants it and at the same time is nervous about adding it into their curriculum. To catch the vision of how to integrate new tools to help students learn can see sometimes overwhelm them. I believe they feel this way because of time. It does take time to learn a new tool, and then you have to be willing to use it in your classroom. I have found this to be exciting and my students love all the new additions every time I introduce them. Not so with other teachers. I love how our district has combated the unnecessary fear, because the unknown is always more scary than reality. They have introduced Ed Tech’s into the schools. They really are great role models of kindness and encouragement. This being said, what is my contribution to my school and community?
My attitude is my first valuable asset I will contribute. I really believe that we are at a turning point in technology history in elementary schools. I think the middle and high schools have a step ahead of the younger grades. Having the belief that we can do a change for the better is valuable.
Spending time helping other teachers by providing one on one time and new ways to use it in their already required curriculum would be right thing to do. I’m concerned about the Reading Street world that has teachers feeling overwhelmed. They feel like one more idea right now would be the death of them. I believe that now is the right time to add technology. Each week in my 5th grade we have a research project attached to the theme. I have my students doing their final presentations on Glogster right now. First, I had to teach them Power Point because none of them knew how to do it. Personally, it was a shock to me because it is the gateway technology program that we think everyone knows how to do. Still, it might be great to have it be an elementary tool to be a good base for upper grades. So some of the things I can contribute is to make a good foundation for students to grow from.
I volunteer teaching 5th and 6th graders in my school doing a Technology Club every week. This is something that I personally feel is invaluable in the furthering of how the community views technology. They get to explore after school the different tools where usually time is tight in the classroom and has a direct purpose. Part of learning new tools is in exploration.
In my local community, I volunteer as a Webelos leader. These boys are the same age as the students I teach. I add to their world by having them use the technology that is available to help them learn different skills. This being said, we need to bring it into our different activities besides just school.
Giving back to the education profession and larger learning community
To begin, I have to say thank you to a variety of people who have influenced my life in the area of technology. I know this is a funny way to start, but my son at age 10 was my push into this world. I wasn’t going to be left behind not knowing what was happening inside of a computer. I asked many questions and he told me the answers. That was 18 years ago. Then I got heavy involved with family history and jumped into learning about websites. I thought I wasted many hours. I probably did, but it gave me knowledge on how to get information off the web. Now it is even easier. I was given the chance to be the team-lead on the “Engaged Classroom” one summer. With it, I had computers in my classroom for all my students for the first time. The two weeks I was being taught, I took so many notes, not wanting to forget one word. My head was swimming but my desire to make a difference was very powerful. That year I started the tech club and fed everything to students. So a big thank you has to go to Canyons School District for being my jump-start. This endorsement is also important to me because it gives me a credential to something I already love. I worked for years as a graphic artist for a nationwide company using up-to-date technology years ago, and people didn’t take me seriously because I did not have a degree or certificate in it. Thank you for offering me an endorsement that gives me a paper that states I have taken classes and I’ve been trained. Canyons School District is giving our profession an opportunity to grow instead of watching like the spectators in a parade.
I will give back any way that is needed. I love to work not only with students but also with anyone that looks nervous. I know how it feels to be worried about the technology world at the same time I know how it feels to see students loving to do assignments using good tools and ideas. I have always thought outside the box. I love the try new ideas. To give back is what I feel is what I have already been doing.
New ways can be to help Piper at the district come up with ways to enhance our Reading Street program. One lady is doing Power Points every week for her. When my class is over, I want to dive into the research area and recording of evidence. That is the new common core and I want to play in that arena.
I was also inspired by the amount of iPads/tools that need to be introduced to the school room when our class Skyped with speakers from around the United States. I have been pondering on how to make my classroom more mobile. I asked my principal about a set of cameras that students can take home. She is very modern and has given our school many laptops. I am going to be asking for a new step into the future and it might take time. When I first started, she said I couldn’t do a blog. She has come a long way and gives me much freedom now. My students have their own emails and Weeblys. Thinking about going mobile is one of my new ideas I want to explore. To get mobile devises that students can have will take me into the area of writing grants. We had an excellent night of grants that gave encouragement that it is possible.
Whenever one door shuts, a new one opens. I’m so grateful for everyone and everything that has been given to me this last year. Looking forward to new adventures in the future.
Libby McShinsky
Leadership Skills for Technology Integration
A school is a community. Inside that world are a variety of people who come with different skills and experiences. When new ideas are introduced into this neighborhood, many reactions happen. At a time of change, I believe the first leadership skill is trust. Teachers need to rely on the ability and feel confidence about the messenger who is bringing the new ideas into the school. A feeling of willingness to help a teacher, even if you have to do it over and over again, is valuable to opening the door to allowing more training in the future. Teachers talk. The school community will make a decision how they feel about the leadership of the technology specialist based on what happens with teachers individually.
A school needs a vision and direction. A leader is one who can help people see where they are going. In technology, we need to first have the tools put into the schools so that it builds the hope that they can really be part of the future. I know of schools in our state that only have computer labs without computers in the classroom. The teachers know they only get a short time each week using this lab. I am totally grateful for the vision my principal and district have who are not only willing to put them in the classroom but also to fix them when something goes wrong. Technology integration needs a team of people who believe in the same vision and are willing to put the best in the hands of children.
A leader is someone who is willing to learn. Working as a team is invaluable to the whole piece of community thinking. Knowing how to work in a group and to give and take is a skill. In technology, we need this leadership skill because one person cannot be an expert in all areas of technology. Developing relationships with others creates the ability to find value in others and find strength when operating as a leader.
My Strengths/Weaknesses
A weakness is only an opportunity to make it into a strength. Who I was yesterday is an addition to who I will be tomorrow. My strength from childhood that I carry with me is a positive attitude. I carry a will inside me to see people succeed and feel good about how and what they are learning. I expect to win. I have high expectations and work to be the best. That said, I feel one of my strengths is that I don’t judge other people. All my life, I have been able to walk into any situation from poverty to wealth and never look at the package but at the heart. I love to learn. Some times that becomes my weakness, because I have to remind myself that not everyone likes to learn new things like I do.
My sister was a beauty queen and I wasn’t. I decided then, if I couldn’t be beautiful, I would have a great personality. So I know a weakness of my leadership skills are my looks, but on the other hand, I do my best to be fun, reliable, and willing to serve.
I am good at mixing the old and the new. I am really good at putting technology into a regular curriculum. Also, I’m a good teacher. However, I know that I want to teach too much in a small period of time. I believe that I students can do two things at one time and that students should help each other to learn. That being said, that can be my weakness. Some people need more time to absorb information. I believe that I am a good leader of others. What I don’t know, I will learn. What I do know, I will share. I know how to connect with others and build relations.
Challenges
Life sometimes feels like a hike. At times we have to climb mountains. I believe that challenges need to be taken a step at a time. My biggest teaching challenge this year is two new different curriculums each day. Not only do I teach two grades, fifth and sixth- English side, but they added math in fifth grade also. I am taking this endorsement, but was required to take the ESL endorsement starting in September also. This all being said, time is my biggest challenges. I’m grateful that my students, fellow teachers, administrator are wonderful. Even with my plate being full, I enjoy what I do and what I’m learning.
In the area of technology, the area of challenge is trying to help other teachers put one more thing on their plate. It seems like this year, teachers are drowning. In the teacher’s lounge they are venting with groaning voices. On the other hand, my students are hungry for new ideas, skills that help them express themselves, and wanting to be part of the technology movement. This brings up the challenge of how to make both teachers and students happy.
Stakeholders
Bottom line, the student/teacher becomes interchangeable in the learning process. In technology, I find that it is important to teach the student that they need to become the teacher. I encourage them to share what they learn. They are so important in the quest for the movement of ideas. The classroom teacher on the other hand should learn new things, be part of a social network so that are always aware and sharing. It provides an atmosphere of learning. So the stakeholders in technology are each other.
Information on the School/District Culture
My school has many experienced teachers. Because they have been teaching for so long, it creates teachers who are secure in they way they teach. New ideas don’t have to throw away teaching methods that work, but should enhance what works. The new common core/math programs are requiring students to reach up and be college ready. These programs are district based. Personally, I love the vision our district has for students. Students are so ready to learn. Parents want the best for their children, but many students in our area are heavily involved in competitive sports. Also, many parents are both working or are carrying the family finances. Together this makes for parents not begging for their children to have homework every night. This puts more emphasis on learning in the classroom. In my ESL class we also have in our district students with 80 different languages and the highest dropout rate is our English language learners. In our district, 21% receive free/reduced lunch, 22 % are minority, 5 % are language learners, and 4% are homeless. This puts our teaching in perspective that even if we have come a long way, we have so many areas to be aware of and work with. I believe our district and my school are amazing and welcoming to the new ideas in the area of technology. From the beginning of the Engaged classroom to years later now, our school has really been growing in technology. Now we are working towards an Ipad lab for our school. So to put these ideas all together, I feel privileged that my school and district are on the cutting edge of change and that we embrace the idea that students can be college ready.
Leadership Action Plan- November 5
Professional Development in the Building
I truly believe that I have become a better teacher because I take a professional development classes. I do have to say that my classes have not been in my building, except just lately with my ESL endorsement. This district is moving toward more in building professional development because Mrs. Shaw, my principal, stated in the last BLT meeting that we would be having this once a month in the future. She asked for ideas of what we thought was needed.
Now my opinion would take this idea a step farther. A class is a good thing, but I think one on one is the magic number for enhancing a teacher’s toolbox. I would begin with a classroom schedule for each one with a yearlong plan. Then use the Ed Tech to make up a list of resources that could be brought into the curriculums. For example, with writing, the district is awesome that Utahwrite and Myaccess are offered. Inside of these programs are multitudes of great ways to help students. Utahwrite has videos with practice time, while on the other hand, Myaccess has all the tools like a thesaurus to help students with wording, if you know it is there. Offering to teach 10-minute mini class to the students would really be a model for the teacher to later on do herself could be one idea. A list of ideas for each area, plus time the tech has available would be the best resource.
Types of Professional Development I can Lead
Technology reminds me of a kaleidoscope, always brilliant but always changing. My bottom line is that what I used in my classroom as “so cool” yesterday, might be outclassed with a new idea tomorrow. The trick is to keep learning and trying out ideas with students. If they like it, they gravitate towards it on their own. I feel like my responsibility is to keep adding ideas to their choices. When a project needs technology, they have more than one way to address the need.
That being said, here is a good beginning of ideas I have worked with. Some are ideas I came up with today, some I use year after year, and some are on the back burner.
1. Teaching Teachers to Use the Ipad as a Textbook
2. Applications that Work Well in the classroom
3. Lesson Plans that lend themselves to Technology
4. Technology Success Stories
5. Putting Technology into Reading Street
6. Flipping the Classroom
7. Increasing Fluency using Garageband
8. Award Winning iMovies for Contests
9. How to Write a High Scoring Essay- Think like a Computer
10. Storybird, A writing tool for students who finish early with their work
11. How to Run a Technology Club after School
a. A yearlong club adjenda
b. How not to make it boring
12. Applications I could teach
a. Imovie
b. Garageband
c. Ebooks
d. Word- Microsoft tools- I think these tools are valuable to the student because they are always going to be around as tools- and they offer so much now than the older versions.
e. Comic Life
f. Photobooth- animation
g. Stellarium (Stars-6th grade core)
h. iDVD
i. Sketchup (a little- my tech kids love it)
j. Pages
k. Pixelmator (a little- my teenage loves it- its like Photobooth)
l. Illustrator (haha- the older version)
13. Online Tools
a. Gmail- many tools are in this email application
b. Weebly- Website
c. VoiceThread
d. iUniversity
e. Apps and how they can help
f. Twitter – learning and reinactment
g. Dropbox
h. Blogs
i. Wordle
j. Google+
k. Flubaroo
l. Google Forms
This list is good for today, but tomorrow it could be outdated.
Areas I Need Help
I struggled with some tools during this class because they required a time commitment to learn. This is a trick question because if I was asked to teach any tool I would be ready to do it. It is important to feel like you need help, because teachers will come to you with that feeling, and you must not downplay that emotion. You must be warm and willing to spend time. I see when the application or toy is more important to the teacher than the learner and then a decision needs to be made. How important is it to learn. That is why we do a variety of options when we teach, like bring a “paper” handout so they feel like they have an anchor to something they are used to. Then bring them into the 21st century with links to find it again.
Areas:
1. GPS (This is one area I would have liked simple paper instructions.)
2. Copyright- I spent a long time reading about it this summer…still nervous
3. Creative Commons
Informal Professional Development
Teachers feel overloaded but they love learning new things. Another idea would be transition time videos. It would be a great tool to teach students new information that is available. Many times, we lose time in the day when we move from subject to subject. Teachers do not need or want more work for them, but giving students more ideas and tools always helps the teacher. When the student is engaged, the teacher feels good about their teaching. It could be as simple as making the required words in Reading Street or the math book into a transition video. Then as they move subjects, it could play. It would be like going to the movies and waiting for it to start. I have all the questions and answers memorized by the time the previews start. Coming up with ways to integrate into their already busy life without stress would be the ideal.
Continued Professional Learning and Lifelong Learning
MY FAVORITE thing I did this summer was Twitter. I learned more from following the #ISTE12 online and made a page on my Weebly. http://mcshinsky.weebly.com/iste12.html It took me three times being taught in the Ed Tech Endorsement program before I got it. Love it! Not only do I read about what others think is important in education but follow people and see how their mind ticks.
My plan is to keep listening, learning, recording, and most of all sharing what I find. My students are always happy for Wednesday when I come and share what I have learned. You keep professional by having the next generation become professional. Knowing more than someone else is not my plan of happiness, sharing what I know is how I’m content.
Leadership Action Plan- November 19
Exciting Innovations and why
I love the process of my students learning how to find new ways to show what they have learned by using technology. So I get all excited about everything. My brain starts clicking and I want to try it out in class. We are doing an iMovie using green screen after they read a non-fiction article. They loved it. Now they are making a poster in Glogster after they research on something to promote freedom in Reading Street in 5th grade. It seems like I use technology every time they do a research project. Mixing it up and having them use a variety is my goal. To walk out of my classroom with a backpack full of different tools that will be their beginning foundation in technology…. Well, that is why I give them everything I learn.
Staying current on educational research and innovation
My favorite thing I did this summer was follow the #ISTE12 on twitter. I kept looking up links and I learned so much. That is where I learned about the Flipped classroom. I also loved TED. It has many new ideas. Following PLN on blogs and twitter is enlightening because people who have ideas like to share. I like that.
Sharing knowledge with teachers in my building
I always make myself available to help others. Being kind and agreeable is my first step to having them trust me. When I learn new things, I send a link or put a paper of the idea in their box. I am the team leader, so I feel any help for my team will make their job more enjoyable.
I also share all my new ideas with my tech club. They are sponges that want to know everything I do.
Technology tools to use effectively and improve productivity of student learning
The following tools are grade level appropriate. I love the idea of twitter and more social media tools, but find it doesn’t work for 5th and 6th grade. Chat in Gmail is about all they get.
1. Gmail/Google Docs- Collaborative learning
2. Weebly.com- A collection of topics/ideas to build over time
3. iMovie
4. Garageband
5. Word
6. Scratch
7. Photobooth- Animation
8. My Access & Utahwrite- get tools to help students evaluate themselves
9. iPad Apps- like Skywalk(space), math games, image recording tools.
10. Online tools are important: voice thread, wordle, etc. are good for show casing projects.
11. Would love “Kindle” type of devises for the classroom. Even having the Kindle application on our computers/ipads would be a step up.
12. Skype- for in-depth learning with other people (like authors)
Technology tools that will be the easiest to promote in your building
All the above tools are being used right now. Apps are going to be the trickiest because of the cost factor.
What technology tools will be most challenging?
I think the most challenging part of the tools is the upkeep. To rotate new computers to replace the old in a few years is something to think about. Then we have to update programs and keep everyone up to date with the new changes in the applications.
Would love to hand held digital readers, but they are not top priority because applications and computers have a wider range of use.
Leadership Action Plan- Dec 5
My contribution to the effectiveness, vitality and self-renewal of the teaching profession and to my school and community
The community of a school is very much like a family. I love the variety of ages and experiences the staff brings to the building. Interacting with other faculty members is sometimes easy and at other times they build a wall up if they feel threatened. Technology is a tricky new element being added to the school scene. Everyone wants it and at the same time is nervous about adding it into their curriculum. To catch the vision of how to integrate new tools to help students learn can see sometimes overwhelm them. I believe they feel this way because of time. It does take time to learn a new tool, and then you have to be willing to use it in your classroom. I have found this to be exciting and my students love all the new additions every time I introduce them. Not so with other teachers. I love how our district has combated the unnecessary fear, because the unknown is always more scary than reality. They have introduced Ed Tech’s into the schools. They really are great role models of kindness and encouragement. This being said, what is my contribution to my school and community?
My attitude is my first valuable asset I will contribute. I really believe that we are at a turning point in technology history in elementary schools. I think the middle and high schools have a step ahead of the younger grades. Having the belief that we can do a change for the better is valuable.
Spending time helping other teachers by providing one on one time and new ways to use it in their already required curriculum would be right thing to do. I’m concerned about the Reading Street world that has teachers feeling overwhelmed. They feel like one more idea right now would be the death of them. I believe that now is the right time to add technology. Each week in my 5th grade we have a research project attached to the theme. I have my students doing their final presentations on Glogster right now. First, I had to teach them Power Point because none of them knew how to do it. Personally, it was a shock to me because it is the gateway technology program that we think everyone knows how to do. Still, it might be great to have it be an elementary tool to be a good base for upper grades. So some of the things I can contribute is to make a good foundation for students to grow from.
I volunteer teaching 5th and 6th graders in my school doing a Technology Club every week. This is something that I personally feel is invaluable in the furthering of how the community views technology. They get to explore after school the different tools where usually time is tight in the classroom and has a direct purpose. Part of learning new tools is in exploration.
In my local community, I volunteer as a Webelos leader. These boys are the same age as the students I teach. I add to their world by having them use the technology that is available to help them learn different skills. This being said, we need to bring it into our different activities besides just school.
Giving back to the education profession and larger learning community
To begin, I have to say thank you to a variety of people who have influenced my life in the area of technology. I know this is a funny way to start, but my son at age 10 was my push into this world. I wasn’t going to be left behind not knowing what was happening inside of a computer. I asked many questions and he told me the answers. That was 18 years ago. Then I got heavy involved with family history and jumped into learning about websites. I thought I wasted many hours. I probably did, but it gave me knowledge on how to get information off the web. Now it is even easier. I was given the chance to be the team-lead on the “Engaged Classroom” one summer. With it, I had computers in my classroom for all my students for the first time. The two weeks I was being taught, I took so many notes, not wanting to forget one word. My head was swimming but my desire to make a difference was very powerful. That year I started the tech club and fed everything to students. So a big thank you has to go to Canyons School District for being my jump-start. This endorsement is also important to me because it gives me a credential to something I already love. I worked for years as a graphic artist for a nationwide company using up-to-date technology years ago, and people didn’t take me seriously because I did not have a degree or certificate in it. Thank you for offering me an endorsement that gives me a paper that states I have taken classes and I’ve been trained. Canyons School District is giving our profession an opportunity to grow instead of watching like the spectators in a parade.
I will give back any way that is needed. I love to work not only with students but also with anyone that looks nervous. I know how it feels to be worried about the technology world at the same time I know how it feels to see students loving to do assignments using good tools and ideas. I have always thought outside the box. I love the try new ideas. To give back is what I feel is what I have already been doing.
New ways can be to help Piper at the district come up with ways to enhance our Reading Street program. One lady is doing Power Points every week for her. When my class is over, I want to dive into the research area and recording of evidence. That is the new common core and I want to play in that arena.
I was also inspired by the amount of iPads/tools that need to be introduced to the school room when our class Skyped with speakers from around the United States. I have been pondering on how to make my classroom more mobile. I asked my principal about a set of cameras that students can take home. She is very modern and has given our school many laptops. I am going to be asking for a new step into the future and it might take time. When I first started, she said I couldn’t do a blog. She has come a long way and gives me much freedom now. My students have their own emails and Weeblys. Thinking about going mobile is one of my new ideas I want to explore. To get mobile devises that students can have will take me into the area of writing grants. We had an excellent night of grants that gave encouragement that it is possible.
Whenever one door shuts, a new one opens. I’m so grateful for everyone and everything that has been given to me this last year. Looking forward to new adventures in the future.