I started this year as the media specialist for Hampton Middle School. Going in - I was a little nervous, not only the first day of a new job nerves but I was walking into a microsoft system being a google girl. Lucky for me, Microsoft OneDrive is very similar to Google Drive in functionality and tools. Also, this is the first year that the school system has opened Microsoft 365 and all its tools to teachers or students. This lack of knowledge has made it possible for me to be able to offer what we call “Focus Fridays” for teachers. Every Friday in the Learning Commons - teachers can come and learn a new tech tool. We have blocked off Fridays from being booked by teachers and use Fridays for things like reluctant readers strategies, teacher PD, and other activities.
Digital Age Learning environments
In the HMS learning commons we have a variety of equipment that we use for both teachers and learners. iPad carts, laptops, computer labs, multimedia project rooms, and maker space areas are just a few of the resources that we manage on any given day. We have created ‘you can book me” sites to sign up for the use of equipment. When a teacher or student signs up for a resources they have to provide us with the standard, hopeful outcome, and any needs/requests that they might have for their use. We have created tutorials and handy helpful tip sheets to go with all of the resources too.
Professional development and program evaluation
I sent a survey out at the beginning of the year polling a few teachers from each grade level asking them what they would like in the way of PD, what they felt was a need, and what were their expectations when leaving PD.
Most of the teachers felt that they had a good working knowledge of various web 2.0 tools, smartboards, and student response systems. They wanted more help with personalized learning initiatives, Learning management systems (blackboard), content management systems (OneDrive and Google Drive) and creating resources for specific units in their content areas. They also stated that they wanted to leave PD with “a working model”.
Teaching, Learning and Assessments
The teachers don’t want “sit and get” PD. I don’t blame them at all. I totally get it - we are creating new and inventive ways to reach students - why aren’t we doing that for teachers? I have some teachers that would love an email step-by-step how to that they can do things on their own time. Some teachers are very much hands on and want to be able to create their ______ (fill in the blank with any kind of tech tool) so that they can start using it right away and not forget that what you showed them while other teachers want to hear what you have to say, think about it for awhile and then have you walk them through it step-by-step. I am making sure that when I provide PD it is in all three of those ways. Focus Fridays and our weekly tech newsletter (created in SMORE) allow me to be able to do all three of those strategic PD deliveries.
Content Knowledge and Professional growth
What a media specialist can offer and the things and ways in which they can approach something greatly depends on if they have any help from a para, full or part-time. I am lucky enough to have a full time para! He is a great resource and allows me to be able to present in our building when teachers have an immediate issue with a resource - I can go help them. If they want me to co-teach or team-teach a lesson with them in their rooms - I can! It has also helped allow me to meet with them during content planning so that I can help them find resources for their units. Finding awesome websites, cool games, along with video, books, and primary sources is just a great way to help them make their lessons more interactive and enriched.
Visionary Leadership/Digital citizenship
The last thing that I have created is a student tech team, we call them our SWAT (Students With Access to Technology) team. We meet daily for the first hour of the school day and the SWAT students do things like the announcements, creating examples and how to guides for teachers on various technology, and finding great tools for teachers to use that are “student approved”. Along with the all those things they also know just a little bit about quick troubleshooting tips with the various technology that we offer as a school.
These are also the students who are currently working on our digital citizenship and digital literacy initiatives and curriculum. They are creating infographics, videos, quick tips and a host of other tools to meet those ends.
I love that the teachers and students are driving the needs, creation and overall direction of the HMS learning commons.
No comments:
Post a Comment