I think this will be a terrific research. Our district bought SmartBoards last year and I was llucky enough to receive one. There are so many ready-made activities and that allows the teacher time to become creative to make her own activities. By participating in PLC's, you can review the ready made activities and plan to match them up with your lessons then come back and reflect on how well the activity fit your objective. You can then begin to create activities together and as you feel comfortable, create your own and share with your PLC. I was able to showcase my SmartBoard at Parent Night and the parents loved it. Students love it too and it's fun to let them think they know how to make activities better than you, because then you can allow for discovery learning and you can sit back and facilitate! Enjoy your research! Joy
I have a similar research topic. Our campus is receiving mobis, document cameras and projection systems for each classroom this year. Additionally, we are receiving flip video cameras and some extra response systems. My wondering is "How can we effectively integrate our current technology in the classroom? Also, How can we best support teachers so we can receive optimum benefits from these new resources?" Sheryl Siwek
My action research project specifically targets a 1:1 laptop initiative, but this is the broader category: Technology Use in Schools. I am interested particularly in how we can redirect the use of the student laptops after initial distribution created many implementation issues. Morale (both teachers' and students') has been low because of problems using the technology. My intent is to get administrators teachers, students, and parents to respond to my inquiries to determine attitudes and ideas we can use going forward. I welcome input from anyone who has had similar experiences.
My action research project will compare free word processing and spreadsheet programs, specifically Open Office and Google Docs. The campus I am affiliated with will change over from Microsoft Office to a free program for budget reasons. We need to ensure the program is user friendly and meets the various needs of the students. Governmental requirements will be reviewed as well as the schools technology plan. I will also look at what options the two free programs have available. All subject lesson plans will be reviewed to ensure we can meet the technology needs. We must also consider homework needs; can the students complete assignments from home. Are there any security concerns with either program? Another area that I am reviewing is to ensure that the program prepares students to enter the workforce.
I am unsure if this group is the right one for my research question. However, my action research question is in what way will teaching the online research process with specific suggested web sites using individual laptops impact the end-product (research paper or power point with proper citations) of junior high students in an alternative setting? Alternative student on my campus do not really understand the whole research process online and I am limited in the amount of computers that I have available. I usually have several students using one computer which is not the best situation for research. Only one student usually does the work and the others play around. My campus has laptop carts that I plan to commandeer for my project. Each student will have their own laptop to use. I will be examining the end-product which will probably be a power point and hope to see a much improved product and possibly improved TAKS scores since the research process online is a critical thinking skill.
My action research plan involves intergating technology into the elementary classroom. I am going to first introduce it to my co-workers in second grade. If all goes well, I will introduce it to the entire elementary campus.
My blog address is http://tech-in-elemedu.blogspot.com/
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ReplyDeleteI think this will be a terrific research. Our district bought SmartBoards last year and I was llucky enough to receive one. There are so many ready-made activities and that allows the teacher time to become creative to make her own activities. By participating in PLC's, you can review the ready made activities and plan to match them up with your lessons then come back and reflect on how well the activity fit your objective. You can then begin to create activities together and as you feel comfortable, create your own and share with your PLC. I was able to showcase my SmartBoard at Parent Night and the parents loved it. Students love it too and it's fun to let them think they know how to make activities better than you, because then you can allow for discovery learning and you can sit back and facilitate! Enjoy your research! Joy
ReplyDeleteI have a similar research topic. Our campus is receiving mobis, document cameras and projection systems for each classroom this year. Additionally, we are receiving flip video cameras and some extra response systems. My wondering is "How can we effectively integrate our current technology in the classroom? Also, How can we best support teachers so we can receive optimum benefits from these new resources?" Sheryl Siwek
ReplyDeleteMy comment from above has been moved to the comment page for "Use of Interactive Whiteboards". Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMy action research project specifically targets a 1:1 laptop initiative, but this is the broader category: Technology Use in Schools. I am interested particularly in how we can redirect the use of the student laptops after initial distribution created many implementation issues. Morale (both teachers' and students') has been low because of problems using the technology. My intent is to get administrators teachers, students, and parents to respond to my inquiries to determine attitudes and ideas we can use going forward. I welcome input from anyone who has had similar experiences.
ReplyDeleteMy action research project will compare free word processing and spreadsheet programs, specifically Open Office and Google Docs. The campus I am affiliated with will change over from Microsoft Office to a free program for budget reasons. We need to ensure the program is user friendly and meets the various needs of the students. Governmental requirements will be reviewed as well as the schools technology plan. I will also look at what options the two free programs have available. All subject lesson plans will be reviewed to ensure we can meet the technology needs. We must also consider homework needs; can the students complete assignments from home. Are there any security concerns with either program? Another area that I am reviewing is to ensure that the program prepares students to enter the workforce.
ReplyDeleteI am unsure if this group is the right one for my research question. However, my action research question is in what way will teaching the online research process with specific suggested web sites using individual laptops impact the end-product (research paper or power point with proper citations) of junior high students in an alternative setting? Alternative student on my campus do not really understand the whole research process online and I am limited in the amount of computers that I have available. I usually have several students using one computer which is not the best situation for research. Only one student usually does the work and the others play around. My campus has laptop carts that I plan to commandeer for my project. Each student will have their own laptop to use. I will be examining the end-product which will probably be a power point and hope to see a much improved product and possibly improved TAKS scores since the research process online is a critical thinking skill.
ReplyDeleteMy action research plan involves intergating technology into the elementary classroom. I am going to first introduce it to my co-workers in second grade. If all goes well, I will introduce it to the entire elementary campus.
ReplyDeleteMy blog address is
http://tech-in-elemedu.blogspot.com/