I am about to embark on my 1st full year of 1:1 computing in a third grade classroom!!! I teach 3rd grade at Beard Elementary School (K-6) in Fort Smith, AR. I have read articles, books, websites, blogs, research reports, etc. about 1:1 in the classroom, but an overwhelming majority has been 4-12 grade classrooms. K-3 classrooms are very different creatures from these other grades as children are learning skills to learn other content materials. My blog will be a record of my journey of integrating technology into the classroom, as a tool -not as novelty.
Last October, I received a grant for a classroom set of netbooks, management system (storage and recharging cart), wireless internet access, OpenOffice programs, and a lot of relevant professional development, leadership, and support (tech and other). The computers arrived just before Thanksgiving, giving us a little more than a semester to work with the computers.
My students were amazing! They helped each other, completed more of their assignments and created THREE integrated units. Several of my students entered their projects into a district showcase, and we are in the process of editing a class-written severe weather book with original artwork created in the Paint program.
The most challenging subject to integrate technology was reading. During this summer, I have researched ways to more effeciently use technology with reading instruction. We kept reading logs and strategy journals last year. This year I am looking into looking at free websites and the public library for downloadable eBooks and ePictureBooks as well to give us more access to quality resources.
As I'm finishing up my action research proposal for 1:1 computing and reading instruction, I will be using this blog to record my journey. I have discovered there is a consensus of elements in successful 1:1 computing intiaitives. These are:
1. Clear Vision and Communication-what's the purpose and how are you going to share that with all parties involved
2. Relevant Professional Development-You can't expect results if you don't know how to make it work
3. Reliable Leadership and Support-This is technical, school, district, and community
4. Specific Classroom Environment Components-Some are digital, some are management and materials
5. A Transformation in Adult and Social Preception in Student Capabilities-They will surprise us if given the chance, but they still need to be guided
6. Best Practice and Methodologies-High Yeild strategies still work, and they work well with technology.
I will be focusing on each of these elements in upcoming blogs. :-)
Wow!
Hi Clandry,
It sounds like you're doing some exciting work! While my school is no where near 1:1, I'm interested to learn along with you what technology resources are most effective. At my school, we let K-2 students go to StarFall.com for 15-20 minutes every other day during their and 3-5 students have about 25 minutes in the computer lab with our technology teacher every other day.
Your grant sounds like it was very hefty. Who did you apply to? Or rather, who funded it?
Good luck. I look forward to reading your posts.
CCG
Our Benefactor
The group sponsoring the grant we received is ASUS. We were told that only 4 classrooms would be funded, but over 20 were granted the computers and all that comes with them. The grants was renewed with over 40 more classrooms added to the group. Ask the person in charge of grants in your district if your state is sponsoring technology in the classroom with the stimulus money. Your could qualify.
Clear Vision and Communication
I've discovered the importance of having a vision this past June in two graduate courses. It is very difficult to effectively communicate what it is that you want to do if you don't have a clear understanding of what it is that you are trying to do. A vision is an overarching statement that, when used correctly, should drive your actions pertaining to what the vision is for. Example-My personal, professional vision for my students is to equip them with the skills necessary to help them achieve GREATNESS. I'll go farther in explaining that my definition of greatness comes from the latest Stephen Covey book entitled _The Leader in Me_. According to Dr. Covey on page 9, primary greatness is more about character than about possessions and status (secondary greatness). I use GREATNESS as an acronym: Globalizing Relationships to Energize Abilities Trained to iNcrease Each Stakeholder's Success.
Now that I have a clear vision to direct how I will utilize the resources in my classroom, I can communicate that to the parents, administrators, community, and most importantly, students. Just have things in the classroom without a clear vision to work toward is a waste of time, money, and space. I have to be willing to evaluate what I do with the resources in the light of the vision in order to ensure the purpose is being met.
The next step in the communication process is the the mission statement. Simply put, I have a destination in mind (the vision) and now I need a road map to get there (the mission statement). Your mission statement should be clear in how you plan to achieve your vision. My mission statement to achieve greatness:
-academically by creating opportunities to connect content learning to the real world using best practices as defined by research and manipulatives in their most natural environment.
-socially by providing character and leadership training embedded into the core learning areas with timely applications.
-emotionally by giving and teaching appropriate support processes to improve self-esteems and relationship skills.
-physically by allowing freedom to appropriately interact with the environment to positively impact learning. (My students don't have to always be in their seats.)
Once the new school year begins, I will go through the vision building process with my students. The new classroom vision may not look like my personal vision, but I will use both to guide what I do for my students, with my students, and what they will do. Creating the vision and mission together will build a strong community in the classroom. They will guide us in the norming process (rules and procedures) as well. A few excellent resources for vision building with students are the Stephen Covey book previously mentioned and North Western Regional Educational Laboratories (www.nwrel.org).
One great by-product of building a classroom vision is your students take ownership and they are able to communicate the vision to others, including their parents. I plan to involve as many parents in the vision building by sending home simple worksheets that encourage them to talk with their child about what is going on at school. One theory is that if the parents are involved in the process via their child's excitement and ownership, the home-school connection is strengthened. I would like to try that little experiment myself!
Hi Clandry! Congratulations
Hi Clandry!
Congratulations on your grant! I am a third grade teacher, and I can't wait to learn about what websites you thought were student friendly and successful with your program! Computers are such powerful tools, and children really love to use them. About how much classroom time do you think your students will be using the computers each day?
Thanks for the inspiration!
Clandry,
I was so excited to read your blog. I also teach 3rd grade, and was recently asked by my principal to pilot the use of 1-1 laptops in our school. I am in the process of researching and helping to write a proposal that will get us the grant we need to start this initiative. I haven't been able to find alot of research that helps with the lower grades, so I can't wait to continue reading your blogs! Any specific advice in how to get started would be much appreciated!
Technology for elementary school
I admire your enthusiasm to integrate technology into the classroom. We have been discussing laptops in the classroom , and my kids feel like most teachers have difficulty making it anything more than a distratcion. However, I like your persistence. I think that keeping a journal of reading is a good idea. Have you done much internet research? What kinds of projects have been the most fruitful? I think someone asked you how many minutes per day you used the computers. I wonder if using them to supplement a lesson is your best bet.