SimpleK12+Webinar+Reflections

Webinar: Simple K12 Technology Integration for Language Arts Using TPACK Model. ID: 294-938-146

This was a great webinar put on by Steven W. Anderson. His main focus (although Language Arts-based) was "using the right tool at the right time with the right people for the right reasons." As simple as this quote is, it was genius. This is a quote I plan on sharing with staff as we embark on our new 1:1 adventure.

The webinar focused on reading, writing, and language activities that could be done using technology as a support mechanism. He was quick to say that technology doesn't have to (and shouldn't) have to happen every lesson and certainly doesn't have to be complicated. With that, he provided some nice charts that contained "before, during, and after" technology-based exercises in each of the three LA areas. They were also provided through links in the backchannel I participated in, as well.

Many of the activities that were mentioned were things I am very well-aware of and use frequently. However, for teachers who are looking for ways to integrate technology or who are fairly uncertain of technology, they are simple ways to get kids using 21st Century Skills in a productive, creative way that uses higher order thinking.

There were a few ideas that I hadn't thought of that wold be neat for adding to my curriculum and the curriculum of teachers in my district. One example was using digital archives for language inquiry and concept mapping for looking at how words have changed over time and across cultures. I also liked the idea of using the timeline creator for a story organizer. I have used many, many graphic organizers, but a timeline creator would be especially effective for those doing biographies or autobiographies.

There were some key things that Steven talked about that I will definitely be passing on to staff. Here are the most poignant and thought-provoking:
 * Technology is meant to support the content, not the other way around.
 * Use technology to better understand the material...it should never be your focus
 * Teachers are the masters of their content. They just need tools to get that content across to their students.
 * Are we there for kids or are we there to make ourselves more "comfortable"?
 * Engaged learning is fun learning. There is no retention where there aren't engaged kids.
 * The key is to synthesize, create, and collaborate. Teach kids to think critically on their feet.

Here is the link to Steven's blog for additional information and further content area instruction using TPACK: web20classroom.blogspot.com For those who are interested, the backchannel address is http://simplek12.titanpad.com/118. This contains some web links that I found very useful.