September 30, 2017
This was our first follow-up day for GAETI 2017.
We began by reporting how the knowledge we gained in GAETI has impacted our teaching. Sadly, several of us have had a reduction in available the technology / devices available to us and to our students. I am still adapting to the fact that my 8th graders are not required to have iPads. Since my classes have a mixture of grade levels, I can't require iPad activities unless I supply iPads to those who need them. I have brought my own iPad Mini from home and I allow them to use my teacher iPad when necessary for Edpuzzle or Quizlet.
When the year started, I was frustrated by lack of technology. My plans to use NearPod didn't work because too many students didn't have devices. I didn't have a marker board for the first two weeks because the classroom was completely renovated the day before school started. I did manage to connect my teacher laptop to the digital projector. The first week I had to run an extension cord to power up the projector because the electric outlet was disabled during renovation. I had to bring my own speakers from home so we could hear the learning songs, videos and pronunciation guidance for my Spanish and French classes.
At the start of the year, I posted a PicCollage assignment in Canvas. I had to postpone the due date for more than a month because there were too many complications. The activity was VERY simple - create a collage of 8 images (no words) that represent different likes and interests. The plan was to use these for presentations, 'Guess who' games, descriptions, etc. Now, at the end of the first grading period, I still have a student who hasn't completed this 'essential' assignment because of technology-related issues - no device, unable to access Canvas, no Internet, etc. Of course, the motivated students managed to complete the activity by borrowing a device or asking me to help. The problem is that if I give a student a ZERO for a Canvas assignment - the parents of 8th graders could object by saying school policy doesn't require them to have iPads! It took a period of 3 weeks to complete an Edpuzzle activity because of iPad problems. Several students had to skip the portion of the weekly test that dealt with the video activity. Needless to say, I depend less and less on assignments which require each individual to have technology. I believe this situation will improve as the year continues and I have more 'work-arounds' available.
The morning activity was Grant Writing. We received a book about Grant Writing as a guidebook. I would love to write a grant for an interactive projector. There are quite a few requests for projectors and tablets so I know my request will have to be unique and well-marketed. Since I see a real need for this, I really plan to try for a grant!
In the afternoon had a Coding workshop. I was curious to find out what 'Coding' really means. Now I see that it means to break a process into steps a computer can 'follow.' We also got a CODE curriculum guide. One idea I would like to use is breaking a dance into repeatable steps. I could using this idea with TPR movements in Spanish and French. In our small group activity, we wrote steps on how to play a dice-rolling game. This reminded me that breaking activities into steps is not an easy skill for everyone.
It was wonderful to see Dr. Bracey again. The GAETI institute would never have been possible without her patience, attention to detail and her skill in working with people. She truly sets a fine example for us as teachers!
THANKS!! *repeat 5
