Last day of School = Tech Fair Report Out!

I can't believe that today is the last day of school! I've been missing a few weeks as I told you that we were preparing for our first annual technology fair. It was a blast but boy did it keep me busy for most of May. Because this was our first experience with pulling off a technology fair, the instructional technology coach and I thought about the best ways to support the students and teachers. We came up with what we called "Media Time." Media Time was 30-45 minutes times periods where we both (along with the teacher) went into all classrooms and taught the "media" or in this case "app." Some teachers wanted us to work with their students on research skills, searching for appropriate images while following copyright rules, putting the project together, and using a rubric/checklist to create projects. I had a blast. It really helped me look at ways to better support the technology instructionally. I had a blast in all of the classrooms. It was extremely interesting seeing all of the finished projects. We had visitors complete a feedback form using a Google form and we got great feedback. Visitors (district administration, other coaches, families) were able to visit each classroom and check out projects and technology in action in all classrooms. We were extremely pleased by the family turn out. I couldn't be more proud of the students and teachers. They worked extremely hard on such a short notice. I would highly suggest trying a some kind of fair that is out of the norm of the science fair. I have heard of reading fairs in the last couple of years.

I told you that I would show you my oversized bulletin board. We are obsessed with QR codes. It was awesome to see our visitors whipping out their phones and iPads during the technology fair to check out QR codes. They linked to student work, summer reading programs, family resources, blogs, and so much more. I loved that it could link to Google Drive where we can always drop new things. This makes it easy to use the same QR code all year long and just add or change student work. I am actually presenting on QR codes in the classroom at the IETC in November. Come check me out!

I hope that you have had a wonderful school year. I can't believe that it has gone by so fast! I have officially completed my first year as an instructional coach and I absolutely loved all of the stress, fun, professional learning, moments of panic, moments of confusion, and celebrations. Keep checking in over the summer!

Happy Summer Blogging,
     Rida

Instruction + Technology = Awesome!

I'm back! It's been a while and I can't believe that we are in the last month of school. Hello May! The coaching world has been pretty hectic lately preparing for our school's first annual technology fair. I am so proud of all of the teachers and students for all of their hard work. The instructional technology coach and I have devoted 30 to 45 minutes to "media time" in each classroom where we are able to help "teach the tech". Teachers are responsible for content and providing time for students to work on their projects. Our "media time" has been so diverse and fun! We have co-taught lessons on digital citizenship, app features, researching, presentation skills, searching and using Creative Commons images, and summarizing research. Working with all grade levels every day, all day has been so refreshing. One thing that I have really tried to focus on with teachers is instruction and assessing digital work. It is extremely important that students know their expectations and not all about making something cool on the IPAD. I have really stressed that they have to show what they are learning through their projects. I offered professional development on creating rubrics and checklists for teachers. It was the perfect amount of collaboration and work time. Most teachers left with a rubric or checklist ready for their students. We have spent a lot of time working on storyboarding. This has been very beneficial to our students. This is actually a great tool for teachers to use. With big projects like the ones that we are working on, it is so important that the students have a plan in mind. Some teachers required the storyboards to be completed before the students could actually begin working on their iPads. Some teachers had certain students who were struggling with ideas to use storyboards.  So often, technology takes over and there truly has to be a balance between instruction and technology. This tech fair preparation has really opened our eyes to this importance.

Check back in soon to hear all about our QR code bulletin board that links to awesome student work. I will even include a pic!

Happy Blogging,
                        Rida