Techtalkers+PLC

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 * TECHTALKERS PLC Reflections (8Y34 Lab 1: Tuesday 8-10)[[image:http://handy4class.wikispaces.com/i/c.gif width="10" height="21"]]**
 * TECHTALKERS PLC Reflections (8Y34 Lab 1: Tuesday 8-10)[[image:http://handy4class.wikispaces.com/i/c.gif width="10" height="21"]]**
 * HINT: DO NOT post when others are posting. Be patient and wait till they finish. Likewise, post your information as quickly as you can as others may be waiting.**

** Profession Learning Community ** ** Technology Showcase ** ** Ashley Krajcovic **

One session I attended was Assistive Technologies. In this workshop we learned different technology that is available for a variety of purposes for students who need special assistance. Technology can be a great resource to supply differentiated instruction.

A classroom teacher can use different assistive technology for instructional purposes as it can provide an interactive and visual experience for students who do not learn in traditional ways. It is also useful for student’s whom my lack the ability to communicate through verbal language or students whom have low literacy skills as it highlights programs such as WINDOWS V3 Word + Speak, which is a program that allows students to speak into a microphone and encrypt the words into text or vice versa.

One of the reasons I chose this seminar is because of the vast amount of differences amongst our student learners. Students have individual needs, some which require more support than others, such as assistive technology. I have already adapted a similar program as the Word + Speak in my current grade 4 block. Several students who are on an IEP and have low literacy skills use this program to help them with writing stories as it allows students to see the spelling or read difficult words. I definitely see the real need for such a program as well as other assistive technology as not all students have the same needs and learning styles. Often students who may be incapable of certain tasks are given the opportunity to participate using assistive technology. I found one object personally appealing which was the Word and Speak program. I think this is beneficial for not only student who have communication difficulties but also for students who may lack literacy achievement. This type of program can support their needs and learning by providing one-on-one immediate feedback.




 * February 4, 2011 **
 * Classroom Management with Jim Gilles **
 * Posted by Allison T. Ramdial **


 * *I took a picture with Robin, which was shown to you in class. **


 * When I first heard about this PD event I was a bit confused and I definitely did not know what to expect. Classroom management has been a topic that was vaguely discussed in my other classes, but there was never a huge emphasis on it. Jim Gilles was simply amazing; he covered all areas of classroom management from desk formations to engaging tasks for students. He also highlighted that as teachers be have to ask ourselves, “What am I doing to make this situation better?” His passion for teaching was unwavering and his stories were so inspirational. I was floored when he told us that, “Students are not empty vessels that you pour information into.” A light bulb went off in my head, which is exactly what I believe! One thing that really resounded with me was that he highlighted that fact that the development of positive relationships with students is the ticket to fostering their confidence in themselves. This presentation re-emphasized that activities in the classroom should always have a greater purpose and that as teachers it is key for us to provide an environment where students feel as though they belong and what they have to say matters. **


 * I attended the Teaching with Technology Showcase at the Hamilton Campus, and it was a wonderful learning experience! The three workshops that I attended were: Smart Board, Google in the Classroom and Assistive Technologies. Below is a picture of myself with a group of teacher candidates as well as the Smart Board representative who facilitated the workshop. This workshop was particulary helpful, as it served as an introduction to Smart Board technology. This workshop was very helpful for new teachers, as I now understand the basic functions of Smart Boards and would be able to operate one in the classroom. Although the workshop was not as interactive or hands-on as I had hoped it would be, it was still very informative.**


 * I chose to attend the Smart Board presentation because I am really hoping to implement this type of technology into my new practicum classoom. I think that implementing the Smart Board will help me motivate and engage students in a powerful way. The Smart Board workshop introduced me to a variety of ways that I can use this technology in the classroom. I see a large need for Smart Board presentations for all teacher candidates, as this type of technology is become more and more evident in every school.**


 * This workshop was of personal interest to me, as the facilitator showed us a variety of programs and features of the Smart Board in an exciting way. Before attending the workshop I never knew how exciting Smart Board technology is, and how many resources the Smart Technology website has to offer to teachers and students. Overall, I was very impressed with the Smart Board workshop, and the Teaching with Technology Showcase as a whole.**


 * - Julie Ogier**
 * - Julie Ogier**




 * I attended the WONDERFUL storytelling workshop led by Kathy Miyata. It was a fantastic workshop that will definitely come in handy in my future as a - hopefully - primary teacher. Kathy taught us a lot about having a strong presence in the classroom, not only while telling stories but during the entire day. She gave us many resources and told us 3 stories that were absolutely captivating, even though they were meant for young children.**
 * The strategies Kathy highlighted during the workshop were to keep a good presence, to maintain eye contact with your audience members and to engage the learners into the story. Often, students names being put into the story is very effective, and makes the students feel special, which of course they should on a regular basis. She also taught us some classroom management skills that will come in handy when teachers are lecturing at the front of the classroom - pausing, waiting, eye contact.**
 * There was no use of technology in the workshop, however she did mention ways in which it could be incorporated - a wiki could be used for older students for example, where one person starts a story, and classmates continue it. This way, students can come in at any point and alter the story, etc. The teacher can then read to finished product to the students at the end of a given session.**
 * I will definitely be using this storytelling workshop in my career. I know it will be effective, because I was so captivated by the simple stories that Kathy shared with us and I know that students would love it. We also came away with an excellent resource written by Kathy herself - it includes a ton of strategies, stories, and activities revolved around story telling that are approrpriate for a range of ages, I'm very excited to use it in my block.**
 * I loved this workshop SO much, Kathy did an amazing job. I know that she said she was planning on doing another workshop this year, hopefully you all take the chance and go, you won't regret it!**
 * - Jess Dunsford**




 * Erica Handley- I too attended the Building Futures Workshop presented by the Ministry of Education on Thursday January 20th. I want to speak about the Assessment workshop; it was engaging, informative and interactive. Until now, assessment has been a frustrating area of teaching for me. How do I do it? Why do I do it? What do the students get from it? What is the best method of assessment? The presenter had an interactive activity ready for us so that we may better understand the effects of good and bad assessment. From this workshop I learned that the best way for a student to be successful at a task is by giving them “success criteria”. That is, a list of criteria that the assessor is looking for when evaluating their work. For example, a student who is given no guidelines to an assignment will do his or her best to fulfill their assignment but may never know what the assessor is really looking for. However, if a student is told exactly what the assessor is looking for in the final product, than the student can have a better understanding of what is expected of them. This allows for a more fair judgment on all students work if they are given all the tools for success up front. I can see how it would be helpful for tasks in technology. For WebQuests, assessment criteria can be written right in to the web page so that students may know what to do. **
 * I will use this strategy in my own classroom. It only makes sense to give your students all that they need before setting off to do a task. I am not looking to kill creativity; I merely want to minimize confusion and bias. **
 * Well done assessment! **



Lise Cote--On January 20, I attended the Building Futures Professional Development Day presented by the Ministry of Education with Michael O’Gorman, a retired educator. Of the 3 sessions, the workshop on Assessment and Evaluation was the most beneficial. The reason I chose this workshop is I still felt unclear about assessment. The presenter was very passionate about assessment and reinforced many key points by breaking it down. I learned the importance of establishing clear criteria or learning goals and using no more than 3-5 criteria for assessment or evaluation. This makes it manageable for both students and teachers. We must tell students first what they will be evaluated on so they are clear on the criteria. Also, it is important to give students the opportunity to negotiate or collaborate on creating the evaluation criteria. We must give clear, descriptive feedback promptly so students are aware of what they can do to improve. Providing students with exemplars of each level is also valuable, especially a level 4. I will certainly use this process during my next practicum. I now have a much better understanding of assessment and evaluation. This is certainly the model that should be used across classrooms in every grade and every subject. There was no technology used in this presentation yet the presenter used the example of the “world class clap” to reinforce the goals and process of assessment. That was a WOW for me.


 * On Friday January 28th I attended the Tech Showcase and was able to watch the presentation on the SMART board. Kyle was the name of the presenter and he did an amazing job. He kept the group engaged and showed us so many different tools within the SMART board software. He took questions from the group and answered them the best he could with examples. He showed us a few math examples and showed up how to use the math tools and how students could use these tools and get interactive with the board. He showed us protractors, rulers and chart paper. He also took the time to go through different lessons we could use these tools from primary grades up to high school lessons. **
 * I can definitely see myself using the SMART board as a teacher. It is a good tool to use to keep students engaged and cater to MI. The different techniques and tools that we were shown during the presentation kept me engaged and I can only imagine how students would react if given the chance to use the board. We were also shown two pictures at the end of the presentation. The first was of the students sitting in front of the SMART board and only the teacher using it, and the second was of the teacher standing back and the students were using the teacher. We were then told that this is how the SMART board is to be used, the students should be using it and the teacher should be watching. **
 * I choose to attend the SMART board presentation because I have seen it used in some workshops that I attended during my block. The classroom that I did my first block in had little to no technology and still had chalk boards as opposed to white boards or even a SMART board. I also spent a lot of time during lunch and recesses in a classroom that was paperless and had a permanent SMART board, in which they used for every lesson. I would love to use this type of technology the way this teacher did. **
 * Shelley Van Der Hoeven **



Yesterday I attended the Technology Workshop in Hamilton. We took three separate workshops. The one that I found most interesting and helpful was the one on SMART boards. I have only seen briefly what a SMART board can do so I was in awe! I felt like for the first time in my life I could relate to my mom when she asks me how to rewind a DVD. It’s a little worrisome that technology is starting to get past me, but this is one that I will do all I can to learn about.


 * I love the fact that you can create slides by pulling sounds and images from anywhere (your computer or the internet) and then you as the teacher can write all over the slides and save your work. Gone are the days of “P.L.O” when you have worked so hard to write something on the chalkboard. What also amazed me was the ability to create multiple choice quizzes and have the students click in with their clickers. The SMART board can tell you how students are doing and what they need further help with… and it even graphs these things for you!!! When I become a teacher, I would love to utilize this system for my assessment, it would definitely cut down on paper. One more particularly cool idea we were shown was from a teacher. This teacher had scanned a selection of a student’s writing onto the SMART notebook and recorded her reading it. The teacher used this document for parent-teacher meetings as well as a way for him to compare her reading ability between the beginning of the school year and the end.**
 * I think as a teacher, you could get by not learning how to use the SMART board, but I think you would be stupid not to. This technology is definitely the future of teaching. It is not only engaging for everyone, but it makes the job of the teacher way easier! Who doesn’t want that! -Sarah Gibson**

JESSICA LI __


 * On January 28, I attended the Technology Showcase in Hamilton. I thought the 3 technology workshops that I attended, were all useful but the one that I found most interesting was the Assistive Technology Workshop. This workshop was focused on exploring different types of software programs that would be beneficial for students with disabilities. Some of the programs we looked at were Write:OutLoud, Co:Writer, Clicker 5,**
 * Dragon Naturally Speaking, Audacity, Switch, IntelliTools, Premier, and Kurzweil.**


 * The various programs are great learning tools for students with different learning disabilities. For instance, the program clicker is tailored to meet multiple curriculum expectations in a variety of ways.You can record your own speech, it comes with a picture library with 1,000 educationally related images. It also accommodates people who cannot use a mouse or a keyboard. Another useful tool is called Dragon Naturally Speaking. This program turns your voice into text so, if a student is unable to hand write or type, they could still complete an assignment by using this program to communicate their thoughts.**


 * I chose this workshop because it is always good to have resources and new techniques to help students with learning difficulties. Resources like these, can be hard to find if you don't know where to look so, when I heard about it I thought it would be beneficial to learn about the different tools that are available to assist students with disabilities. The technology used was very impressive because the programs were able to make learning fun and easy. There were interesting graphics, texts, and sounds that make the learning engaging and interesting. I really enjoyed the programs that turned your voice into text because I think that is a very practical and useful tool for students that have a hard time with fine motor skills and writing, because rather than have another person scribe for them, the computer can do it.**

On Thursday, January 13th, I attended the Storytelling Workshop with Cathy Miyata. It was a wonderful workshop because I had no idea there was such an art to storytelling! We began the morning with some ice breaker activities and then Cathy engaged us with her storytelling techniques. She taught us how to breathe properly and how to be aware of our posture during storytelling. We had many opportunities to practice these skills with a partner and later in small groups. It was very interesting because it was so hands-on and interactive. I feel like I am going to be better at telling stories now because I have learned the skills required. Students hear many stories, but I feel like I have the confidence to add some more energy and creativity to stories now. We also learned how to ask good questions, have the students participate, and how to leave them sitting on the edge of their seats for more! We all had a great time and we laughed! I would love to gain more confidence and skills in the art of storytelling because the students can be so engaged in what you are telling them! I was also the lucky winner of her book! It was a great workshop! Thanks Cathy for giving us your time!


 * by Tianna Toulouse**

I attended a Storytelling workshop on January 13, 2011 put on by Cathy Miyata. I had the privilege of seeing Cathy present before and her enthusiasm, passion and creativity enticed me to sign up for this workshop. Cathy gave an introduction to the history of storytelling, before she demonstrated warm up strategies and breathing techniques. She always reinforced the importance of creating a safe space to encourage our students to participate. Cathy modeled a story, then allowed us to break off into small groups and retell the story making it our own. Techniques of gesturing, varying pitches and tones of voice as well as posture were discussed. Storytelling is an art form that I was unaware of until I attended this workshop. Cathy provided ideas on integrating storytelling into other ares of the curriculum to allow students to explore their imaginations, think creatively, and build confidence. I felt that this was a very worthwhile workshop. I have already been thinking of how I can encourage my future students to be storytellers in the classrooms. If anyone has the opportunity to attend one of Cathy Miyata's workshops.....I highly reccommend you go! You will not be sorry!


 * By: Jessica Giallonardo**



Danielle Korte - On January 20, I also attended the Building Futures Professional Development Day. The workshops offered on this day were presented by the Ministry of Education with Michael O’Gorman, a retired educator addressing the teacher candidates in the morning's welcome session. The workshop that I valued most during the day was The Occasional Teacher workshop. The presentor for this workshop provided teacher candidates with useful information, particularly what should be brought with us every day when we go on a supply job. I selected this workshop because I believe that it will be most useful considering most teacher candidates will be given positions on the occasional teacher list before being offered contract positions.



Andrea Di Marino: I attended the Building Futures Ministry of Education PD. I entered myself in the Early Kindergarten Program session. Alot of the information was very useful but one point that was stressed was that this program was PLAY based! Students were encouraged to engage themselves in play based activities. This is important for teachers to know so that they can plan their activities and learning goals knowing their intended outcome. I selected this session because the Early Kindergarten Program is something that is becoming more and more popular in many schools and will soon be in all schools. I feel that beginning teachers need to know these kinds of things when they are just starting out so that they can be knowledgable in the area they are invovled with. This session was very beneficial because if I did not take this workshop I would have missed out! Yay for Building Futures! :)


 * Classroom Management - February 4 2011**
 * Posted by Robin Kearns**
 * I already showed you the picture in class, here is another one since I cannot find my camera cord.**


 * I attended this PD session not knowing what to expect. We have discussed classroom management in our methods class as well as our cohort classes. However the speaker was amazing! He was so inspirational and was so passionate about teaching. One thing I took from his lecture was to take the big ideas and great motivating tasks that the students would want to do and allow your mind to brainstorm great fun activities. Don't stop your thinking because you need to pick a curriculum expectation first. I was always taught pick the expectations you want to focus on then make the idea, which works, but I have such trouble with that. I always thought I w**
 * as wrong until he spoke, and I thought to myself "that's exactly me!" I always get these great ideas, but worry I have not picked out their expectation first. He was an amazing speaker and I hope everyone got to see him!**

Ashley Stasko Crayola Workshop ** This workshop was held Wednesday Feb. 24th at Monsignor Clancy elementary school in Thorold. The Crayola workshop was extremely interesting and showed teachers how to incorporate the arts into various school subjects. Activities we learned how to do were using transparent papers to make a watercolor effect on paper. You can cut out a shape; for example a raindrop and the students would put a small piece of tape on the back and paste this to a piece of construction paper. After learning about the water cycle and uses of water, students would write an acrostic poem about water in the shape of a water drop (just like the one on the transparent paper).

Before you begin with markers and the sponge, draw a few pictures with crayon on the construction paper. The crayon will resist the marker and create a cool image. When using the transparent paper all you need are markers (blue, green and purple) and a small amount of water and sponge. Once the transparent paper is in place make a few squiggly lines on the page and wipe this off with a damp (damp, not soaking wet) sponge. The result is a mixture of colour -that resembles water colour on the construction paper.

After students have completed their poem they will glue it in the center where the transparent paper was and will have a beautiful boarder which looks like an under water scene surrounding their poem about water. You can add glitter to make the page even more creative and look like an underwater scene. I have left my camera in Kitchener and have yet to retrieve it. I spoke to you about this in class and approved the use of another optimised picture to show the learned skill of optimising picture for website use.

Thank you :) ﻿  Ashley

Chelsea Feddema Building Futures Workshop- Supply Teaching

I attended the building futures workshop and was able to participate in the supply teachers presentation. This presentation was extremely beneficial to young teachers that are unsure of where to teach next year. The presentator went over the benefits of teaching supply as well as different class management techniques and small 'tricks' a supply teacher should always have up their sleeve. It was suggested that every teacher should bring pens, pencils, brain games, halls, emergency lesson plan, makers, highlighters, chalk etc. It was helpful to hear about how you can adapt different lesson plans to fit each class. The encouraging workshop made me feel at ease with supply teaching and I feel that this would be a great way to start my career!

Rachel Lafferty Technology Showcase, Hamilton Campus, January 28, 2011

I attended the Technology Showcase in Hamilton and one of the workshops I chose was the "Gold Mine for Teachers: Ontario Educational Resource Bank" or OERB. Essentially, this resource is a searchable database of lesson plans, animations, videos, worksheets, games, etc. for teachers to access and use in their classrooms (K - 12). The content is uploaded by teachers who have developed or adapted the material and are already using it in their classrooms. The one thing that struck me during the workshop was how seamlessly and effortlessly technology can be incorporated into classroom lessons using this resource bank. I chose this workshop because of my desire to incorporate technology into my lessons, but also because there are always occasions when it's necessary to have "emergency" activities. Unfortunately, it is not available to student teachers (unless your associate is kind enough to give you their access code). Also, only teachers employed by a public school board are given access codes, as the resource bank is administered by the Provincial government. However, I hadn't heard of this resource before, so I'm really glad I took the time to find out about it.



====== Erin Keller ====== - I took my photo with Robin

=
I attended a professional development day about classroom management. The Speaker Jim Giles was extremely engaging and provided multiple strategies and methods to gain control of your class. The main idea that I left with was keep your students engaged. Students will learn and behave if they are engaged in the topics being discussed in class. The story that captured my attention was a student brought a caterpillar into class. All the students were fascinated with the caterpillar. Jim expressed the importance on working with the student’s interests to gain their attention and keep them engaged. Jim dropped all his plans and focused the rest of the week on the caterpillar. The class meet language expectations by writing stories about the caterpillar, the art project was about the caterpillar and the science unit explored the caterpillar’s life journey. Jim expressed a love for teaching that was evident through his discussion. Jim embraces all the students and believes that every student can be reached through captivating their attention. I learned methods for classroom management from this seminar and more importantly I learned how to become a better teacher. I truly believe that teaching is a vocation and Jim Giles is a shining example of this. ======