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2008 - 2009 Model Schools

Emerging Technologies Research Group

 

The Model Schools Emerging Technologies Research Group seeks to bring together K-12 educators interested in experimenting with the latest developments in instructional technology, learn instructional strategies that support learning in all academic fields, and enjoy the pleasures of working in an ongoing professional learning community. Workshops model teaching through instructional technology, foster strong teaching communities, and introduce participants to challenging and innovative technologies along the way.

Target Group:

Practicing K-12 classroom teachers* (one participant per district)

*Teachers can earn 50 CEU’s for their participation.

Purpose:

To create a professional learning community for K-12 teachers where they can be active participants in studying the pedagogy of using emerging technologies*:

• To immerse teachers in a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) (i.e. Second Life) for professional development,
• To provide professional development opportunities for teachers to learn and practice emerging technologies, and
• To provide a safe and supportive environment for teachers to implement emerging technologies in their classrooms.

 

**Emerging technologies include, but are not limited to: i-Pods/podcasts/vodcasts, blogs, wikis, course management system (Blackboard), digital media, videoconferences, webinars (Elluminate), multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs), and Skype.

Instructional Delivery Platforms:

Through experiential workshops, face-to-face discussions, and professional development opportunities in a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) teachers will envision classrooms in which technology is a catalyst for learning in all subjects. Face-to-face meetings will be scheduled at the OUBOCES Harriman Learning Center every two months: October, December, February, April, June from 8:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Meetings in Second Life will be scheduled at the Virtual Classroom for Professional Development on alternate months, time TBD.

At the Virtual Classroom for Professional Development:

Teachers will create avatars in a multi-user virtual environment called Second Life and learn how to navigate in Second Life. The teachers will join the facilitator in at the Virtual Classroom for Professional Development to discuss the best practices for emerging technologies and to showcase their practice. Participants will create note cards and exhibits to ask questions and post reflections on learning and creating in Second Life. Participants will reflect on process of using emerging technology throughout their experience:

• How will you use the technology?
• How will your students benefit from engaging with this technology?
• What have you learned about the use of technology?

Participants will post the design and proposed application of the emerging technology at the Virtual Classroom for Professional Development. Participants will review and respond to the posted work of their colleagues.

At the OUBOCES Harriman Learning Center:

Teachers will attend emerging technologies practice sessions at the Harriman Learning Center. Teachers will participate in hands-on experiential technology laboratories in an immersive, collegial environment. Some of the technologies to be explored include: i-Pods/podcasts/vodcasts, blogs, wikis, course management system (Blackboard), digital media, videoconferences, webinars (Elluminate), multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs), and Skype.

The learning community will practice and learn with emerging technologies in a monitored environment. Participants will use feedback to make improvements on work. Participants will apply emerging technologies in learning community.

Reflection/Assessment:

Participants will reflect on process of using emerging technologies:

• What are the strengths of using this technology with your students?
• Did the use of this technology impact your students learning in the way you expected it to?
• If you could do this work over, what would you change?

Participants will survey students to gather information on the students’ reaction to using and learning with the emerging technologies.

Participants will post reflections and summary of student responses at the Virtual Classroom for Professional Development.

Emerging Technologies Showcase:

Participants will showcase their work in several different venues:

• The Orange-Ulster BOCES website;
• The Virtual Classroom for Professional Development;
• And more!