The Journey Continues
Road Trip '12 is an educational journey.
It's more about the journey than the destination!
Throughout the two days, we facilitate learning and support teachers as they play with tools, discuss ways to use them, share their fears and ideas, and begin expanding their PLNs. Common core is weaved throughout the two days as we show common core apps, real world learning opportunities, and highlight where technology or opportunities for technology integration exist in the standards themselves.
It is evident in the two days that excitement is growing, attitudes are changing, and a real team is developing. Teachers are asking if we can plan a Road Trip session prior to school started. Asking for more PD? Really?
It's more about the journey than the destination!
Throughout the two days, we facilitate learning and support teachers as they play with tools, discuss ways to use them, share their fears and ideas, and begin expanding their PLNs. Common core is weaved throughout the two days as we show common core apps, real world learning opportunities, and highlight where technology or opportunities for technology integration exist in the standards themselves.
It is evident in the two days that excitement is growing, attitudes are changing, and a real team is developing. Teachers are asking if we can plan a Road Trip session prior to school started. Asking for more PD? Really?
Two things CRUCIAL to the success of this project are a way to stay connected (Edmodo & Remind101) and a way to reflect as professionals (blogging).
Edmodo
A Road Trip group is created in Edmodo and campers are shown basic navigation. At the end of day two, we encourage everyone to stay connected using this tool. Share ideas! Ask questions! We also encourage teachers of our older students to use think about using Edmodo as a classroom tool.
This tool is already proving to be a success. In just three weeks since our Road Trip, over 80 conversations have been started on Edmodo - lots of idea sharing, questions and answers, and encouragement.
Remind101
Remind101 is shared with idea that teachers will want to use it with their parents and/or students. We decide we will create a Remind101 group to send reminders throughout the summer.
Blogging
To gain experience with blogging and reflecting, campers are asked to email a reflection about their Road Trip experience to our district's professional development blog (a blog created to share information when we attend conferences, training sessions, etc.). Those reflections can be found at http://smccolts.posterous.com.
Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, each camper will create her own blog to reflect upon experiences using technology as a teacher and lifelong learner.
Coming in 2012-13
We will continue to use Edmodo as our communication tool. New tools will be introduced and a series of "challenges" will be issued throughout the school year. The group will have the support of this team to try new things, even fail, but to keep growing.
At the end of the 2012-13 school year, teachers will have a blog with a year’s worth of reflections, a technology integration project that is carried out with students and documented in the blog, and will share their experiences and ideas with their peers. A group of technology leaders will have emerged as mentors in our district, and our students will benefit from the increased engagement, exposure to skills necessary in the 21st century, and seeing the importance of teachers learning WITH their students.
Campers will work to create a technology project with their students and will share that as well as other technology experiences with their peers during professional development opportunities and/or technology showcases.
Edmodo
A Road Trip group is created in Edmodo and campers are shown basic navigation. At the end of day two, we encourage everyone to stay connected using this tool. Share ideas! Ask questions! We also encourage teachers of our older students to use think about using Edmodo as a classroom tool.
This tool is already proving to be a success. In just three weeks since our Road Trip, over 80 conversations have been started on Edmodo - lots of idea sharing, questions and answers, and encouragement.
Remind101
Remind101 is shared with idea that teachers will want to use it with their parents and/or students. We decide we will create a Remind101 group to send reminders throughout the summer.
Blogging
To gain experience with blogging and reflecting, campers are asked to email a reflection about their Road Trip experience to our district's professional development blog (a blog created to share information when we attend conferences, training sessions, etc.). Those reflections can be found at http://smccolts.posterous.com.
Beginning with the 2012-13 school year, each camper will create her own blog to reflect upon experiences using technology as a teacher and lifelong learner.
Coming in 2012-13
We will continue to use Edmodo as our communication tool. New tools will be introduced and a series of "challenges" will be issued throughout the school year. The group will have the support of this team to try new things, even fail, but to keep growing.
At the end of the 2012-13 school year, teachers will have a blog with a year’s worth of reflections, a technology integration project that is carried out with students and documented in the blog, and will share their experiences and ideas with their peers. A group of technology leaders will have emerged as mentors in our district, and our students will benefit from the increased engagement, exposure to skills necessary in the 21st century, and seeing the importance of teachers learning WITH their students.
Campers will work to create a technology project with their students and will share that as well as other technology experiences with their peers during professional development opportunities and/or technology showcases.