Research Prospectus- Device Effectiveness of BYOD

Here is my video blog for this week:

WIki Reflection Blog

The BYOD Movement Group: Debra White, Taisa Steeb, Denise Tolliver, Jill Fleming, and Maggie Ward has all worked very well together.  We have collaborated on many different levels, we have been a team because we have equally pulled our weight in all areas.  I loved how our team has many different talents such as research, academic writing, multimedia creation, and much more.  Our team have been dealt some difficult cards in our personal lives.  We've had funerals and weddings to go to and have had to collaborate with forgiveness and love of our sisters in Christ.  

My contribution was Section V on the summary, discussion, and further research of the BYOD movement literature review.  I have started with collaboration from Jill, the Google Site.  I am not familiar with Wiki and knew that we needed more multimedia interaction for our project so I made a Google Site that is more interactive and appealing to the eye.  After we have made changes to our final literature review, I was responsible for submitting out literature review to a journal.  The journal that we have chosen is the Review of Educational Research because they accept literature reviews.  This was a process in general because we had to create an account and adhere to the manuscript guidelines.  

I learned a lot about BYOD and I thought the best part of reviewing the literature is seeing the case studies of implementing the BYOD in schools.  I believe I got more out of www.k12blueprint.com/byod than the peer-reviewed journal articles because I saw the process come together.  I appreciated the advanced preparation guidelines that a district needs to complete in order for BYOD to truly be effective.  I think I can become a leader within my district on trying to implement BYOD because I think this movement would be cost effective for my district and be more effective for students to complete assignments and adhere to the Common Core State Standards.  I would like to be a part of the team to try and provide teachers the professional development in order to make their flipped classroom effective and student directed.

Overall I think we all collaborated very well, I felt we were even in our gifts throughout this project.

Muddiest Point Blog

Here is the link to my Muddy Point Blog.
I think as educators in this field this could be a great research topic in copyright and privacy for our students.  How can we effectively administer the rules and expectations so we can be on a consistent basis for our country?

EDUC 639-Webibliography

BYOD Webibliography

EDUC 639- Most Important Theory of BYOD

Video Blog

References

Bearden, S. (2012, March 7).  BYOD teachers talk classroom use.  Retrieved from             http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/03/07/byod-teachers-talk-classroom-use.aspx

Intel Education (2012). BYOD planning and implementation framework. Retrieved from:                         http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/BYOD-Planning-Implementation-Framework.pdf

Intel Education (2012). Getting started with BYOD. Retrieved from:             http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/Getting-Started-with-BYOD_0.pdf

Intel Education (2012). BYOD (bring your own device) readiness checklist for school districts.       Retrieved from:                                                                http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/BYOD-Readiness-Checklist-School-Districts.pdf

Intel Education (2012).  Challenges of BYOD. Retrieved from:      http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/BYOD-Challenges.pdf

Intel Education (2012). BYOD case study: oak hills local school district. Retrieved from:                                                    http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/Case-Study-OHLSD_0.pdf

Lenovo and Intel (n.d.). Mobility emerges as the next wave of k-12 education innovation. Retrieved                       from: http://k12blueprint.com/sites/default/files/Mobility_Next_Wave_K-12_Innovation.pdf

Norris, C., & Soloway, E. (2011, October). BYOD as the catalyst to transform classroom. District   Administration. Retrieved from:                                     www.districtadministration.com/article/byod-catalyst-transform-classroom.

Panagos,T. (2013, September 17). The future of education:BYOD in the classroom. Retrieved from:                         www.wired.com/insights/2013/09/the-future-of-education-byod-in-the-classroom/

Papatsaras, A. PhD. (2013, May 24). BYOD:stop debating and start acting. Retrieved from:                                            www.wired.com/insights/2013/05/byod-stop-debating-and-start-acting/

Ray, M. (2013 April). BYOD. School Library Journal, 59, 4.Retrieved from:                 www.search.proquest.comezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/1321485769.

Trendall, S. (2012, August 20). Avoiding the pitfalls of byod. Computer Reseller News (UK). Retrieved                       from: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA300247976&v=2.l&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&asid=11b3bc8f061d34987ddle30aee145a2f

Weinstein, M. (2013, September). To byod:giving learners the opportunity to access learning via their                    own mobile devices offers your workforce great flexibility, but opens security and other       concerns. The Training Mag (September/October 2013). Retrieved from: www.trainingmag.com

Most Important Point- EDUC 639

Randy Stall is one of the "big wigs" in my district.  Littleton Public Schools is well respected in Colorado for using technology in the classroom.  I am enrolled in a cohort program with my district called "flipping the classroom" and "inspired learning."  Mr. Stall conducts these professional development opportunities within our district and is well respected because he makes "house calls" and will help teachers create meaningful lessons using the technology resources that we have available.
It was a pleasure to interview him and ask him about what his job entails.  I learned that he has been in the educational technology field for 23 years and is a lifelong learner.  He is constantly researching new endeavors in technology and knows that technology is ever changing.  He and his team are current in all the trends of technology.
Since I am in the BYOD group, I felt that it was a necessity to stray away from my interview to pick his brain about this particular topic since I work in the district.  Or neighbor, Englewood Public Schools are participating in the 1:1 program/BYOD for reading.  Another neighbor district participates in BYOD but have no purpose and leave the devices at school.  Randy thinks that BYOD will only work if there is purpose and meaning behind the 1:1 program. The students should be allowed to bring their device to and from school in order for this to be truly effective.
Ever since I have started this program, I have argued against distance education for primary elementary students.  I have also feared that distance learning may replace teachers and maybe subconsciously I have chosen this program to solidify a career in education.  When I spoke to Randy it was comforting to know that technology won't replace teachers and distance learning should be age-appropriate.  I appreciated this advice from a veteran professional and discussing this topic put my mind at ease.
In terms of a career in educational technology, I feel that if I play my cards right I could work for Randy and the technology team.  I feel that Randy knows that I have a lot to offer and I would provide primary teachers valuable professional development experiences.
Here is a link to our interview:
Randy Stall and Maggie Ward's interview
Please advise there were some background noise and the camera angle is weird....I need to work on editing!

EDUC 639- Meet Maggie Ward

Maggie Ward's introduction
Hello!
I am looking forward to working on BYOD (Bring your own device).  I am hoping we can figure out how to close the digital divide with this topic. I have taken a course from Dr. Courduff and she is great, she will keep you on your toes!

EDUC 633- Week 8d

Distance learning is an effective way to educate adult learners so that adults can work, have a family, and get an education at the same time.  Distance learners have the opportunity to educate themselves in a way where it best suits their needs.  Instructors seem to be readily available as easy as a quick email or text message.  Resources seem to be available online and communities can be effective with discussion boards or collaborative projects.  Lectures can be viewed online through videos or presentations while the learner can break up the sessions and take notes in their own time.
However, many arguments are created against distance education because it lacks face to face (F2F) interactions with their peers.  Parviz (2002) argues that distance education isn't appropriate for "heavily dependent on experiential teaching, laboratory exercises, role-playing, group dynamics, body language, and other educational objectives that involve interaction-based observations".  I would agree that some distance education isn't the best for learners.  In the primary classroom, social interactions are so important in child development that distance learning almost "robs" a child of the on site school experience.
In Australia,  distance education has been proven to be effective even in the primary classroom.  I would love to field experience an online primary learning environment so that I could get my head around what the process and paradigm actually looks like.  Downes (2013) researched a particular Australian school that involved parent supervisors in the primary classroom.  I felt this experience was much like a home school situation than an actual interactive online learning environment.  Parent supervisors are parents that help their child learn in the home environment.  Most of these parents have no certification in the education field but rely on teachers to put packets of curriculum with explicit instructions so that their child can be part of the education program.  Downes (2013) found that most parents struggles to understand the directions but also felt successful when they saw the actual progress of their child's education.  While homeschooling is another topic that certainly can be discussed, I feel this article addressed this topic more than an online learning environment.
Parents and distance learning in the Downes (2013) article inspired me to explore the opportunities that parents have in their child's education in a distant learning atmosphere. Sorenson (2012) took surveys from parents and collected their thoughts on their children's education in an online environment.  When parents were asked about their thoughts on what happens to be the most challenging prospect on their child's education, most parents answered, motivation.  Motivation is such a key factor for any age in an online learning environment.  If you are a lazy student and are not intrinsically motivated this environment won't be conducive from an educational point of view.  Some parents were extremely positive about their child's experience.  Some parents said that they felt teachers were more hands on than the regular classroom.  Students were able to work at their own pace and allow more critical thinking (Sorenson, 2012).  Depending on the child, distance learning can be effective. If parents are supportive, a child is intrinsically motivated, and the child is socially intelligent I do believe distant education can be truly effective in the primary grades.

Downes, Natalie (2013). The challenges and opportunities experienced by parent supervisors in primary school distance education. Australian and International Journal of Rural Education. 23 (2), p.31. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA344155476&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=9adf42d83006803ca5e87642d6130563

Parviz, R. F.(2002). Distance education. Cost Engineering. 44 (6), 9-11. Retrieved                from: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/docview/220436825

Sorenson, C. (2012). Learning online at the K-12 level: a parent/guardian perspective. International Journal of Instructional Media. 39 (4), p 297. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA311499606&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w

EDUC 638_Week 6

What a week to reflect on technology!  Let me tell you it's a bittersweet one.  This week I was driving up to Vail, CO for the weekend.  I put in the destination's address into my "normally" trusted GPS system for the hotel I was going to stay in.  My GPS started to take me the route I was familiar with, but then wanted to take me a different route to avoid strenuous traffic.  I decided to let the device configure the distance and move on, and why not I would love to see some amazing scenery in the Rockies.  As the GPS toke me through the most amazing windy rode, I drank in the beauty of the color changing aspen leaves and recently fallen snow, almost forgetting the unfamiliarity.
Enjoying the view the device told me to go down this somewhat rocky rode.  I was skeptical at first but trusted the technology device.  Before I knew it I was making my Ford Explorer a work horse or some extreme adventurer on an off-roding expedition.  Before I knew it, I was in a narrow ravine with boulders and a river running through the middle of my car.  I was then cursing my (now untrusted) GPS system and trying not to roll my car.  The only way for me out of this situation was to go through because turning back wasn't an option.  The floods in Colorado which was two weeks ago cause this rode to be even more damaged...shocking I know because it technically wasn't a rode to begin with (but according to the GPS signal it was???) was washed away showing an antique aqueduct about 4 feel deep.  I decided to try and go over the side of this aqueduct, and it became stuck.
Extremely angry with technology I started to cry, curse, pray, problem-solve, survive, etc.  Me, now stuck in the middle of nowhere is wondering what I can do next.  I decided to let technology redeem itself by using my phone to call 911 and get a tow truck to help me.  Still having an argument with technology because my cell phone service keeps cutting out unless I stood on on foot and leaned my head a little to the right.  I managed to save myself with limited technology service.  I was rescued by 3 tow truck drivers and a sheriff and off I went back home, missing my Vail weekend.
The point being is that technology isn't always reliable but when it is it can save your life.

Hall, D. (2008). The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership . Eugene: ISTE.

Picciano, A. (2011). Educational Leadership and Planning for Technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson.

EDUC 633- Webliography

Hello classmates,
Hope and I did Chapter 11 and 12 in Clark and Meyer (2011) and we created a presentation.  Please click on the link to see our contributions.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qvg22fhe_6LHxrsui2kHqdCn7H8HzHaP7RZCixgP_uA/edit#slide=id.p

EDUC 638

Picciano (2011) discussed a lot of technology leadership and various programs that school districts might use to collect, organize, analyze data in order to make a school function in a harmonious way.  Reflecting on the indispensable programs that were discussed such as excel for a database, office automatons, and other big programs.  I feel like these big downloadable programs can be easily outdated and can throw off a school system into an even bigger learning curve.  Most everything in my district is online, including the accessibility option that we have outside of the classroom.  Unlike, Liberty we use Google and have gmail accounts for the staff and students so that we can synchronously keep in contact with each other, upload assignments, hand in assignments, create a "Google" product, from anywhere around the world.  Liberty make it tough to stay in contact from anywhere in the world because they are still using Microsoft Outlook as their primary form of communication.  This disables adult learners the accessibility option from an "on the go" life which most access their information on their phone or tablet.
I like that my district has this free open sourced option because it allows "sky's the limit" in my instruction and communication with my colleagues and parents.
Madura and DeDe (2010) use a virtual world for their students and create simulated situations that are easy to navigate around and there isn't a huge learning curve.  I feel using these type of big programs and the updated versions always seem to bring a huge learning curve.  If administrators need to be consistent and accurate with the input of their information, this can create a high anxiety situation.  Why not have a program that is easy to learn and accessible from anywhere from the world.

Hall, D. (2008). The Technology Director’s Guide to Leadership. ISTE ISBN 978-1-56484-244-2.

Madura, J.C. and DeDe, C. (2010). Assessment technology and change. Journal of  Research on                       Technology in Education, Vol. 42,3, pp. 309-328. Retrieved from:                                                             http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ882508.pdf.

Picciano, A. G. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.).  Hunter College, NY: Allyn & Bacon.

Assessment-EDUC 633

We have come a long way since paper and pencil tests.  Technology today has introduced various modules in distant education which include but are not limited to, Blackboard, Edmodo, Moodle, Schoolology,  and many more.  These apparatuses can facilitate courses as well as assess students before, during, and after their instruction.  Students can take a quiz based on the objectives on a computer, and the best part is that the results are already calculated for the instructor!  Horton (2012) discussed various ways of implementing assessments in e-learning.  Questions should be related to the objectives and the student should be able to answer the questions from the appropriate materials that were talked about in the particular section.  Depending on the question, there are many choices for the type of question and the desired answer.  For example, using multiple choice, cloze or text based questions, listed answers appropriate for the question and much much more.
A revolution of paper and pencil tests was that the test became limited in the students' responses. Madura and DeDe (2010) evaluated the revolutions of assessments and vowed that computerized testing has more value when they are simulated with audio and text that can create higher level thinking for those students and allow them to think deeper and take their thoughts to the next level in their content.  Allowing audio and text can help students with disabilities participate in assessment tools that might not even be furthermore accommodated.  Another assessment is called virtual assessment which can allow the delivery of standardized tests without extensive training, they will require less materials, and the test will allow less administration of the test because the simulation takes care of that for the students.
Barbour (2012) used virtual assessments for an at-risk high school student that participated in both synchronous and asynchronous online schooling. The researcher found that this particular at-risk student had a hard time staying on task and finishing assignments.  This students was also very capable of completing the assignments in an formal and informal classroom.  The student lacked the tools to complete technology assignments at home.  The ineffective form of assessments and the delivery of the instruction wasn't motivating enough for this particular at-risk student.
Based on my own personal philosophy of an online school environment, I think prioritizing and motivation is a huge concern for distance education.  Consequentially students who do not perform on assessments are clearly not doing the coursework in the distance education.  Lack of discipline or unclear expectations play an important role if we want our students to effectively complete and assess themselves effectively in this type of environment.  Society today has a lack of work ethic and online education isn't for everyone.  I think learning how to use technology effectively in order to complete assessments plays a huge learning role as well.  I like that Madura and DeDe (2010) used virtual assessments and made it easy for people to take their course, this is the direction we need to go.  People will succeed if the course materials are engaging and easy to use.

Barbour, M.K. (2012). Virtual schooling through the eyes of  an at-risk student: a case study. European               Journal of Open, Distance, and E-learning. Retrieved from:                                                                       http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ979591.pdf

Horton, W. (2011). E-learning by design (2^nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer. ISBN: 9780470900024

Madura, J.C. and DeDe, C. (2010). Assessment technology and change. Journal of  Research on                       Technology in Education, Vol. 42,3, pp. 309-328. Retrieved from:                                                             http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ882508.pdf

EDUC 638- Week 2

John 8:31 says ""if you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."  Teaching our curriculum with fidelity and including Common Core State Standards as well as creating a rigorous learning environment is important to sustain a proper education for our students.  Piccianno (2011) "Drawing from experiential theories, a basic assumption is that children are born with a natural curiosity about the world, and the main function of schooling should be to stimulate that curiosity (4).  Experiences are so imperative for all students to learn.  One experience students might not have is getting muddy or playing with a can and kicking it across the yard.  Children learn from their experiences sitting in front of a computer isn't always a great idea.  As a first grade teacher, I see a lack of little experiences that I loved to discover as a child.  When are we going to let our students experience life rather than thinking of them as a statistic or a "member" of the course (as a distant learner perspective)?   I read a Facebook post from a friend that said her daughter was dressed in her tennis shoes and athletic wear because she was going to have a fitness test and the child being disappointed because it was a test on the computer about her health....?
I love technology I just feel we need to have a balance with our school system.  Piccianno (2011) expressed that children need experiences with technology.  The fact that we have major companies going "green" and our schools are the last to receive or even learn how to use major technology so that our students can explore and experience the realm of their future and us as teachers...the ones that we are supposed to shape can't even get our hands on updated machines and let alone know how to use them!!

Picciano, A.G. (2011).  Educational leadership and planning technology (5th ed.). Hunter College, 
      NY: Allyn &Bacon

EDUC 633- Behaviorism and Distant Learning

Frustration sets in this week as I reevaluate the purpose of my Master's program.  Struggling to identify my priorities and the stress retaliating on the revelation of how can "synchronous courses" be truly effective?  After thinking the amenities of distance learning and then reflecting on the "adult learning" perspective on the expectations of synchronous learning has grasped me in the direction of my true objective of this program and that is to look deeper into the behaviorism of distant learning.
Davidson-Shiver and Rasmussen (2006)  explained that modeling and practicing behaviors in an online environment is important to clone a normal virtual classroom in order to make learners feel effectively heard as individuals.   The fact that learners choose to enroll their skills into an online learning atmosphere is considered when they may be too ill to join "real sessions,"or the fact they work full time can play an important role in distant learning. However the argument for distant learning is that critical thinking is imperative in order to create a highly ordered thinking classroom....one to jog its potential.  The other argument is to get an expensive education with as little interaction as possible for the means of it being strictly convenient and effective.  Behaviorism plays an important role in considering these arguments.  Depending on the atmosphere of the virtual world, interaction is key as a behaviorist approach to distant learning. Making sure students are effectively communicating and satisfying one's needs in a virtual classroom atmosphere is a necessity.  Positively reinforcing behavior while still relying on participation is effectively important in a distance learning community.  Shea, Picket, and Li (2005) addressed the implication that the faculty that gave critical criticism, responded to emails promptly and had high levels of interaction were the most effective for their online learning environment.  Making sure students that are distant create a connection that will allow them to participate effectively in a synchronous learning atmosphere.  Considering the expectations by the student as well as the community needs to be flexible, which could have a negative effect on the class.  Hilta, Shea and Eunhee (2004) have addressed , taking in consideration of the argument for adult distant learners in different time zones. Behaviorism is bar none for distant learners because they strive for community but also consideration of one's schedule and time zone.  The weakness of behaviorism is that we strive for community but at our convenience. In conclusion, setting a community through interactions is wanted by most individuals.



Hiltz, S. R., Shea, P. & Eunhee, K.(2004). Using Focus Groups to Study ALN Faculty Motivation.
       Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 11(1): 107-124.
Shea, P., Picket, A. & Li, C. (2005) Increasing access to higher education: A Study of the diffusion of
      online teaching among 913 college faculty. International Review of Research in Open and Distance
      Learning 6(2).

EDUC 633 and 638- Introduction

Hi Everyone,
So excited for this course!  Looking forward to meeting all of you on the web!  Here is a little about me;-)
My name is Maggie Ward and I live in Littleton, CO.  I teach first grade at Littleton Public Schools.  I am currently pursuing my Masters in Educational Technology Instruction and Design.  I love to play tennis, shopping, watching movies, and playing with my boys.  I am looking forward to learning about how I can effectively use technology and support for my colleagues.

Video Blog of Maggie Ward

EDUC 631 Week 8

 

 

I think ebooks can be great for students and the use of technology.  I still think pre-emergent readers should be using real books because it creates book awareness (front and back of the book, top and bottom of the page, etc.).  If students are proficient in book awareness, then I feel that ebooks can be great.  The interaction with ebooks can facilitate lots of great things like loving to read and it can create address all five components of reading such as phonemic awareness, phonics, comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary.  I think having ipads in the classroom will allow students to use ebooks more effectively because they can manipulate the pages with their fingers and it will address hands on, visual, and auditory learners.

EDUC 630 week 7

My own personal use of technology with my family is quite a lot.  I have an ipad, which my children tend to use more often than I do.  They are effortlessly getting on Netflix to watch kid and parent approved shows, playing Angry birds, participating in eduction friendly apps.  My husband is constantly on his itouch sending emails and checking the latest news from the Sun newspaper in England because they have the football scores readily available.  Myself, I use my laptop to constantly check emails, create discussion boards, as well as writing papers and taking tests.  If I get to have a break and have fun I secretly love to play games, especially farming "second life" games.  I know I am a huge dork, but I love time-management games because I rock at them!  My current endeavor is "Candy Crush" I just cannot get past the 31 level!  As a balance, I would really like to call it an outlet.  I try and have the TV off most of the day and have family dinners and fun activities so we can keep love and a healthy social relationships sans technology.

Week 6 EDUC 630

 

 

I loved investigating all of the free educational social networking sites that are out today.  My favorite free website for my classroom is from www.yola.com/  Like everything you can upgrade to a fancier version but the free website has quite a lot of features.  If you want to own your own domain the upgrade works for that, but I am happy to just getmswardsfirstgrade.yolasite.com in this domain for free.  Another thing I liked about this site is you can blog with your classmates, upload assignments, use Google translate for the text in any language as well as create a Google calendar of any events that are occurring in the classroom from snack to testing times.  I  think technology out there is amazing for students to keep a relationship between parents, teachers, and students.  We do have to be careful about social networking with the younger audiences, I would NOT recommend Facebook for this audience it is too dangerous and social networking in education needs to have a babysitter and approval of things before it can go viral.

EDUC 630 Week 5

As an adult learner I feel that asynchronous tools are better for me because I can do my assignments and discussions on my own time.  I have 2 boys, a full-time job, a small business on the side, and trying to complete 2 classes within 8 weeks.  I clearly do better in the asynchronous environment than the synchronous environment because of the time commitment.
As a professional I think I would prefer the synchronous environment because this could provide my students more interaction and feel better about strengthening a teacher and student relationship especially for the younger ages.

EDUC 630 Week 4

Please reflect on some web-based resources for education . . for living . . you find useful and why. Share your secrets here. :)

 

I am having a hard time comprehending this week's reflection on finding a web-based resource for education and living?  This first thought that runs through my mind is Pinterest.  I am OBSESSED with Pinterest.  For some reason it makes me a better person, teacher, mother, cook, decorator, quote giver, DIY, etc.!  If you have ever been on this site you agree.  This is educational as well, there are so many "pins" made by teachers.  I have a board on Pinterest dedicated to classroom ideas only.  I can search for a particular subject matter and up comes hundreds of ideas for teachers and most of the ideas are free, which of course we love!

And another resource I love to use is of course www.SMARTboardexchange.con because I can just input a lesson that I am completely unprepared for and find rigorous amazing lessons for my students on any subject matter.

I use www.brainpopjr.com for the primary level because they have a funny robot and a smart girl who teach students about anything you want.  They are short videos which is a great way to introduce a new subject and see if students have any background knowledge.  There are so many great resources, but for living?....Aren't we doing that now?

 

EDUC 630 Week 3

 

As a visual and hands on learner, I get more out of all types of presentations than text in a book.  I feel that presenting material in different fonts, animation, colors of slides are visually stimulating because my visual memory can recall this information better than highlighting words on paper.  In Thorsen (2009), presentations was also defined as using text, video, audio, graphics, and animation.  I think incorporating these essential visuals and auditories into information and displayed for learners can help students recall curriculum in a more rigorous way. 

In my classroom, I use a SMARTboard which is interactive as well.  I love that I can go onto www.SMARTboardexchange.com and download a lesson in any appropriate subject and grade level matter and be able to deliver a rigorous hands on lesson.  I have noticed that these students are constantly engaged and can transfer the subject matter quicker than timely lessons.  I think I would have learned better at their age if they had interactive boards back in my school day.

Week 2 EDUC 630

 

I love participating in online communities.  I am addicted to Facebook because I have found old friends that I haven't seen in many years.  I love to look at their family's pictures and their status'.  I love the fact that I can reach out to freinds and their advice about parenting, restaurant choices, or networking for work. 

I enjoy emailing my in laws across the pond to the UK and best of all Skypeing helps us see our loved ones over in England and is cost effective.  My husband is English and he relies on communicating through Skype.  His Mom Skypes him at least twice a day and it can feel like she is right at home.

I believe that online communites are effective especially if people live in different states or countries, but nothing compares to the warmth of a hug from a loved one.

 

 

Week 1- EDUC 630

 
Teaching first grade provides a balance between using technology and teaching a child how to form their letters and book awareness.  Working in Littleton Public Schools, a small district in the suburbs, has been amazing.  The district's awareness of technology is accredited with distinction.  Technology is important to the district as well as the teachers. All schools have student and teacher computers in the classroom.  Most schools have SMARTboards or some type of interactive apparatus in most classrooms.  Most classrooms have small notebooks that students are allowed to independently work on. All classrooms have a document camera. Students are encouraged to use technology for assignments and facilitating a rigorous learning environment.
The school that I work at doesn't have interactive boards in every classroom.  There are only three classrooms that have these, mine being one of them (lucky me!!).  I believe this is a barrier in our school, especially because two out of three first grade teachers have a SMARTboard.  It is hard to stay consistent as a grade level when we do everything on our SMARTboard and our poor teammate has to do everything paper and pencil.  I think all classrooms should have a SMARTboard because it does adhere to students' desire to use technology in their learning.
We have tried to write grants but it is hard getting money because our free and reduced lunch is lower than expected.  Does anyone know some grants that I could look into for getting at least my teammate on board?

About Me

About Maggie Ward

 

My name is Maggie Ward and I live in Littleton, CO.  Here is a picture of my husband Spencer who is from England and me at a wedding.  We have 2 rambunctious boys 6 and 3.  We have an English Bulldog named London, a Guinea pig names Scooby Doo, a box turtle named Lucky, and 5 chickens that need to start producing some eggs!

I teach first grade in Littleton Public Schools.  I am pursuing a Masters Degree in Educational Technology.    I love teaching first graders with a SMARTboard.  This is my first year with this apparatus and I can't remember how I taught without one, it is easy to use and I can copy some great lessons on www.Smartboardexchange.com.

I love using my ipad and any free app that I can get my hands on.  I love great reading websites for first graders such as www.readingeggs.com, www.RAZkids.com, www.starfall.com.

I am excited to learn how to use more technology to drive my instruction. 
Here is my website: http://mswardsfirstgrade.yolasite.com/