Final Course Reflection

Most certainly, I have engaged in some major professional growth in the last few months.  ISTE 5a  participate in local and global learning.  I attended the CUE conference this summer because of my connections in the class.  My brain hurts from all the growing I've done.  ISTE 3c Collaborate with students, peers, and community members using digital tools.  Our class blog is up and running because of the gentle push to create and model digital learning.  My students are sharing their work and academic successes with parents and family members through our blog.  I resisted using Remind.com last year because I thought Classdojo was just fine for communication.  The delay feature on Remind has been very helpful in monetary and time saving measures.  I'm using Google docs to create timelines for field trips and flexible grouping for parent chaperones that both Kathy and I can view and alter.  Before our "field trip" at school Monday, we sat down and created a google document that was shared with administration and the secretaries.  I was able to edit my groups at home, and the document was done before the secretaries saw it, probably not before Lara saw it because she's miss prompt pants:)  Miss Lovely Lisa Sedgewick helped me create an assignment with our new math curriculum.  She even showed me how to changed the passwords to something all my students can remember, who creates a program that will not let you print out passwords, you must remember them as you type them, oh happy day I love remembering things, NOT.  We will be taking a math test online, first time for me, when we are done with this GLAD training.  My student project had my students working as project teams to produce original works that will be posted on our blog Friday. They were proud of their work, it was cute, and they transferred their learning to digital media by working on the project. After taking the final course reflection I noted many areas of growth.  Months ago I was learning to design digital age learning experiences and assessments, and now I am integrating them into my practice.  Before the course I felt like a novice creating digital learning experiences for my students.  I thoroughly enjoyed developing the digital age learning math experiences with my students as part of the class project, and I am able to integrate these practices into my pedagogy.  As I posted the videos on our class blog over the weekend, I was able to communicate with parents and students, yet continue with the district professional development this week. This allows time to communicate relevant information and ideas with students and parents on a regular basis, which I was learning to do before this course began.  I'm working on incorporating all of these strategies into my teaching on a regular basis.  We've expanded our Pinterest boards to one shared 2nd grade GLAD board.   I still prefer Facebook over Twitter but I may move to the dark side :) someday just to see what it's all about #curious. Here's my Prezi reflection of the course.  Some items have been repeated in another format, and I'm rather proud of these accomplishments because I've been working toward communication like this for several years.
Final Reflection Prezi

Learning Environments

 If I were to design the ultimate learning space it would be flexible.  Desks with soft comfortable chairs would sink into the floor when group or center space was needed.  You said the ultimate environment, and a desks when needed/not needed at a moments notice would really be fun.  A few taller tables for those wiggly students would hover near the back of the room.  I can see a nice comfortable rocking chair at the back of the room as well.

Learning Environments SketchNote

 I loved rocking my kids when they were little.  The six classic (13 year old) computers I currently have would be replaced with desktop computers or laptops.  I envision a nice charging station for my Ipads and lovely working headphones to accompany them.  The softest most comfortable rug imaginable would center itself in the gathering space near the rear of the room.  Food is fun and great for learning, so a small kitchen area is a must.  Playground equipment is always a problem, so organization for that equipment would be in the wall near the door.  Pinterest is my research tool of choice, so that would be the first place to look for ideas.  I'd like to pursue this plan, but money and time are an issue, and both of those are in very short supply.  I could ask Charlene Knowlton to help, as I started a Gofund Me but didn't quite finish it:)

Communications and Collaboration

I improved communication with parents and students this year, as I added Remind.com as a tool and I absolutely love it.  My job is so much easier because of this technology, which will probably cost us money in the future.  Messages are scheduled or sent immediately. Our book return to the library is much better this year because I send reminders the night before.  Many parents understand our reading homework better because I sent a short explanation the night it was due.  I should be spending a little less money on class activities because Remind is so efficient.  Communication and collaboration takes place when I send text messages requesting items for our class.  It's so nice to be able to let parents know we have plenty of cider, but we need cupcakes.  All of this done over the weekend, when the items are needed on Monday ( can you say stress relief and less money spent needlessly).

Our class blog is also a huge success.  The photos and class videos entice parents to visit the site and read the information.  My students love to add their work and I am happy to share their successes with parents.  Last week I was able to add both links to Scholastic Reading Counts to our blog. Parents and students now have access to this technology at home.  They can read, take tests at home, and check to see if a book has a quiz all after school.  Our PTSO purchased the online program.  It was expensive but I believe it's very worth the cost. We are collaborating in our efforts to improve reading when parents use the tools I provide in the comfort of their own home and their kiddos come to school joyful because they read 3 books.  Mrs. Scaggs' Class Blog  When visiting my blog make sure you scroll down and check out our Doubles Rappers..........and the Shy Rappers.

Asynchronous,  that would be most of my communication and collaboration.  Pinterest boards are accessed when needed and at varying times and places.  Remind.com messages are sent when the need arises, and I collaborate with colleagues when we plan events, and most importantly, have time to do so.  If you really want to streeeeetch the term, our synchronous collaboration is scheduled by the district:)  I can teach using synchronous communication when students are absent, yet able to practice spelling words, take the practice test, and the final test, all while using the same Spelling city we access in class.  We haven't done a google hangout as synchronous collaboration with second grade, not everyone is there yet.  I'd like to have a shorter meeting one week, stay in my classroom, save my precious planning time, and collaborate with other second grade teachers, because we accessed google hangout.

Curation and Creation

Our Making Meaning curriculum has a cute Kevin Henkes book included in the series.  I purchased several books by that author, and wanted resources and videos to go with this book.   I used many of the videos and read alouds from my Symbaloo while we ate apple crisp with ice cream.  It's nice to have educational books to view and videos when we have a class party.  These items were the icing on the cake to our class party.  Things can get a bit hectic when you are serving food to 26 active 2nd grade students, so having access to all of those items in one area was so very nice.  Sometimes pinterest is blocked, so this was much more accessable.

I didn't create my own video for this Symbaloo because we just created our own video with a Doubles Rap, and that took a while.  We are currently working on our doubles facts, so I did not add anymore to the Keven Henkes Symbaloo.  Here's the link to my class blog with the doubles rap.
Mrs Scaggs' Class Blog
My parents loved it, and the kids enjoyed showing what they were doing in class.  They were able to practice their facts and view the video at home with their parents.
https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/kevinhenkes1

Here's a video of students working on their project, the math paper that we modeled our project after, our working copy, and our final products, enjoy.
Vivavideo of students working on project
working copy
Final Product    Yes, I know they are so cute!
Final Product
Final Product

I've been trying to create a digital grade book without spending a great deal of my budget for years.  While playing around with Aeries I noticed the grade book.  My first thought was, if this takes more than five minutes I'm going to use the free Excel spreadsheet I got off TPT.  It worked, and it didn't take very long!!!  When I went to enter my students IT automatically generated the list. I created a grade book and entered grades from two assignments Friday evening.  Since I spend hours after the work day doing things for my students, this was a nice change.  My class blog is up, and I have a Remind account that I plan to share with parents Thursday evening, at our back to school night.  My little second grade students wrote thank you letters to Miss Hurt, and Angie Marshall is coming Monday to record the little sweeties reading their letters.  We plan to present Miss Hurt with a Vivavideo of their recordings sometime this week.

When ranking the sub standards of ISTE standard 1, I have to say this is the order d, c, and b.  I am strongest in modeling collaborative knowledge and construction of digital work.  My weakest point is engaging students in exploring real world issues because I think of lofty projects.  If I'm going to strengthen that standard I need to start small.

In order to strengthen my digital pedagogy I need to take it a step at a time.  Perseverance is key, that successful project is going to take a bit of time.  I'm proud of the progress I've made this year.  Certainly, my self-assessment since the beginning of this course has changed.  I know more, and I've been exposed to more, yet I have so much more to learn.  Administration would be so helpful if they would just realize it takes time, lots of time to implement new strategies.  I was at school until 8:00 Friday evening, and there's still so much more to do.  I'm so lucky I enjoy my profession, the kids, and my colleagues, because the amount of time and money I spend on education adds up.  

Digital Citizenship and the beginning of a new school year

This was my classroom the week before school started.  If you look carefully you can see some of the classic computers the tech guys told me were 13 years old.  I cross my fingers each year and hope they will continue to work with Scholastic Reading Counts.  Ryan smirked when he said Gateway no longer makes computers.  I'm glad I have them, but I'm even more grateful for my MacBook Pro!

While looking for more information and resources on this topic I found this information on Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/search-results?search=digital%20citizenship.  It referenced a Pinterest board oooh I love Pinterest and immediately went searching.  I added a new digital citizenship board and found some great information.  The more I delve into this topic the more I realize I am a novice in this field.

Novice Chicky

Finding resources appropriate for second grade students was a little difficult.  This was a challenge I was unfamiliar with tackling. While viewing Rae's video on digital citizenship I found a valuable tidbit of information.  Silly me, I was unaware Del Norte was using Common Sense Media's Digital curriculum.  I would like to know more.

ISTE Standard 4A
My PowToons digital citizenship presentation will cover this standard.  I purchased a TPT product cited here https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Citizenship-with-Elementary-Students-343272, and used that product as a springboard to created my presentation.  I plan to use the presentation and the information from the TPT product to begin my digital citizenship curriculum this week in the computer lab.  Here's the link to my digital citizenship presentation, be nice, it's my first one, and I'm actually really proud of how it turned out.  https://www.powtoon.com/show/bvvz0KiLsbq/digital-citizenship/#/

ISTE Standard 4B
With this particular standard I'm focusing mainly on the equitable access to digital tools.  Equity is a big deal in education, particularly second grade.  One must be fair or a wee little student may just explode in your class.

We have 6 very classic computers and 8 Ipads in my room.  We also have access to our computer lab 2 times a week.  I use one of the computer days to pull students for special instruction.  Students staying with me work on selected Ipad aps while I work with individual students or small groups. Our classic computers, Ipads, and listening center items can be accessed during our morning work block on a rotating basis.  I am working on that schedule this weekend.  If I rotate 12-13 students through the Ipads and computers each day we should have a equitable schedule to work with.  I've listed a few of the programs I use:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/flashtopass-free-math-flash/id330482882?mt=8  FLASH TO PASS

https://www.splashmath.com/   SPLASH MATH

https://student.frontrowed.com/#login  FRONT ROW

These Ipad applications give students autonomy to tailor their instruction and allow me that same autonomy when I want to specify certain skills.

ISTE 4C

We have a very positive principal, who is continually keeping us up to date regarding school matters.  As our school has been working to have a positive learning environment, we have been asked to express our thoughts when someone does something nice.  Next week, as part of our writing curriculum, we will be constructing an email to Lara Hirt.  I plan to have the kids write letters to thank Miss Hirt for things they've noticed her do for our school.  When they are finished I will take photos of them with their letters and upload them Wevideo.  https://www.wevideo.com/  

ISTE 4D

Kathy Williams and I are collaborating through google docs.  We share learning materials we've created in other programs and upload them to google.  When we make copies of the files we've created we can tailor lesson plans to meet the needs of our individual students.  Our newest teacher created a spreadsheet in google sheets which saved me time collecting the data for the mounds of paperwork at the start of the year.  My lesson plans are on a google template, and I have a separate file for them in my google docs.  This makes planning so much easier.  This week alone, when I didn't get to something in my plans I just cut it out of the living document and moved it to the next day.  Our principal has our monthly award list on a google doc as well.  I can't tell you how many times I've entered those names from the comfort of my own home.  

Week 2

It took a while to jump into Google docs for the whole class this year.  I didn't want to create accounts for all of my second grade students, and I was a bit apprehensive when I thought of this daunting task.  I have 7 Ipads and Kathy has 3, so we combined our resources and dug in.

This is how I felt when the Google Doc project worked.

We wanted to have our students create a digital product.  We started the projects on the Ipad with the microphone, and moved to the computer lab to complete the writing.  The use of Google docs for this task was successful, and I will do it again.  I preloaded documents with each student's name to my own google account and had them access the drive application on the Ipads.  We were able to successfully share the Ipads without creating separate accounts for each student by preloading the documents.  (Having each student with a google account probably isn't such a big deal, but teaching a 1/2 was a bit exciting, thus one account for all my students)  The students simply had to chose their document and begin working.  It was so easy to view documents as they were working.  The use of the microphone, google research tools, and google share was an easy jump to modifications and redefinition in the SAMR model.  I did not share them on my blog last year, as I did not have one, but I certainly plan to share them on our class blog this year. Previously forays into the use of Google docs to produce writing in our class were brief and incomplete.  

This week was challenging.  I will say I have a different perspective regarding P21.  I loved the Lego presentation this week at the CUE conference, and it made me contemplate the role of businesses in education.  They are the work force and the people who employ our students.  I still believe it should be a moderated role when driving curriculum, but I do see how the two entities can work together and push students and educators to utilize previously untapped technologies and resources. 

When completing the TPACK diagram, I realized I do project based learning in my literacy activities, but not so often with math.  It was a shift to think of my teaching in terms of technology, content, and pedagogy.  I was pleased to count the various ways I use technology with math.  The Ipad aps, videos, songs, and resources are fairly lengthy.  On the other hand, I need to find more technological resources in the field of literacy.  

As I filled out my writing lesson plan using the SAMR model I contemplated the times I have reached the modification and redefinition stages.  Most certainly, I need to make an effort to achieve that level of technology more this year.  While reading the article and viewing the video on the SAMR model, I realized I have a variety of of Ipad applications at the substitution and augmentation level.  

This was a challenging, but educational week. 

Here's the link to my Venn Diagram

https://creately.com/diagram/id9p82hg1/mU52QJcZ3UXkcasbLZuMAbdNQ1M%3D

This is the correct one.

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

This got me started.  I have a blog for my son, who is serving a mission in Nicaragua.  It took me a while to figure out how to do his blog, so this was much easier.  I will continue to add pieces to this blog, just as I did his.  I  look forward to creating one for my class this year, as I plan to post the link to our school's facebook page each week.  My goal is to use it as another form of parent communication.  The articles and videos viewed for this week were insightful and thought provoking.  I look forward to using this class as an extended PLC.  I love to visit classrooms and learn new information, and this will be a techy way to do the same thing.  While listening to the videos, it caused me to contemplate lessons with students teaching their peers how to use technology in the classroom.  It's amazing to think of how the internet has changed the way we interact with each other, how we access information, and most importantly, how we teach.

Week 1 Reflection:
After viewing the videos from the TIMS Grade Level Index I came to this conclusion, I have a lot of technology that hovers between the Entry and Adoption levels.  I was particularly interested in the Photo Word Problem project at the Adaptation level
Goal #1
Implement the Photo Word Problem project.  I should be able to pair with Finley's 5th grade class.  The Green Screen Ipad Ap I played with during the CUE conference will work nicely for the video portion of the task.  I plan to ask some of my colleagues if they would like to combine class budgets and share some of the green screen equipment to lower costs.

Goal #2
Implement a digital citizenship curriculum.  I need to strengthen that part of my technology instruction, as it was lacking last year.  Lisa Sedgewick and the 1st grade team used a great program last year.  I will pick her helpful brain for ideas.

Goal #3
ISTE Standard 2.D  Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards, and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.  This can be accomplished by conducting my own DIBELS testing to assess reading fluency.  I will then use that data to track and progress monitor students who are in the yellow and red zones.  My weekly timed fluency passages will be submitted as data into a google spreadsheet.  This data, along with the DIBELS scores will drive my instruction in terms of reading fluency.  Cerina Gastinea has reading passages I may send home to involve parents in the task to increase fluency.  I used Read Naturally passages exclusively last year, but I just might branch out this year.

I am not ready for summer to be over.

I just made a new Voki. See it here:

I just made a new Voki. See it here: