Favorite Tech Integration Project #1

One of the best parts of my job is that I do not work in isolation.  When I was a classroom teacher, I did many things on my own, not because I was anti-social or anti-collaborative but rather that was the nature of the job.  However, many of the schools that I've worked have made it easier to become more collaborative but simply giving us the time to work together.

As a tech teacher, I have to reach out a lot because teachers get caught up in their reading, writing, math and content area lesson plans that sometimes tech is given an after thought.  My job is to keep track of their what they are teaching, reach out and offer suggestions on what  they can do.

I get lots of amazing ideas from teachers too.  It's all not me.  And each time there is a new teacher, there's a fresh perspective that I enjoy.

Two years ago, a new teacher (to my school) came to me and suggested we try the Shapes feature of Tux Paint.  To those who do not know, Tux Paint is a great drawing program for young kids.  The teacher was frustrated with the "baby" things (her words, not mine) we were doing.  She  I was skeptical but in retrospect, I do feel that I underestimate the ability of Kindergartners with technology.  Since they were studying geometry in class, she wanted her students to create a picture using geometric shapes.

This was the project.

Yes, you're probably thinking, "This?  What's the problem with this project?"  In Tux Paint, using the Shapes feature is a bit of a challenge because the user has to be very careful where they draw the shapes.  Once drawn, they cannot move them.  It was hard for me because I had to plan where I wanted to draw the picture.

Well, it turns out that I did underestimate the kids.  Once taught, they made great pictures.  We first gave them a class period of "playing and exploring" the program and then they drew their pictures.  Yes, some has some challenges but in the end, I learned that with proper instruction and little faith, Kindy students (with their mouse challenged fingers) can do it. 

Getting Started

I have been an elementary school teacher for 16 years.   Most of my experience is centered in grades 3 through 6, with 6th being my favorite.  I started teaching in the Peace Corps and then in a elementary public school in Brooklyn, New York City. public schools.  I did enjoy those experience but was keen to go back aboard.  In 2002, I got a job in an international school in Jakarta, Indonesia.  That was 13 years ago.  Since then I have taught in international schools in Nigeria and now Kenya.

I have always integrated technology in my classroom practice so I have always considered myself a technology teacher.  For the past 4 years, I have been the technology teacher at my school.

I was hesitant to apply for this job when it first opened up because I thought I would have been bored teaching the same thing all the time.  As an elementary school teacher, I have always enjoyed the transitions between the subjects.  I love teaching conducting a reading workshop, then do a math game to reinforce division fact and then doing a science lesson in a given day.

But being the tech teacher is even more varied!  One period I am helping to teach 4th graders to do online research.  The next period, I am teaching Kindergarten how to draw a picture using one of the apps on the iPad.  And the next period, I am doing coding with a 3rd grade class.

I love my job.

I love it so much that I have decided to start an blog.  I have always read other teachers' blogs, getting wonderful ideas from them and commented when I felt the need.  I did not always feel that I had ideas to share but I feel ready to start my own.

So here I go.