Lamar Discussion Board 4
Week four Lamar EDU
TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR COLLABORATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Learners will explore the benefits of collaboration and engagement in digital environments, recognizing that this relationship is vital to growth and awareness of the ever-changing digital world.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, the learner should be able to:
reflect on personal involvement in a learning community as a means of growth and collaboration in the digital learning world.
support learning through the use of technology applications such as digital story telling and augmented reality.
1. Research practical ways to engage all learners using digital tools. What types of tools are available and increase collaboration and engagement?
At Klein ISD our school district engages all our learners using digital tools. Using an example from 2015, our kindergarten has a technology integration plan with computer basics, following computer rules, and navigating to appropriate learning websites. (Klein 2015)
This applies across our district as seen in this news release from 2013 where we celebrate “Digital Learning Day.” This highlighted our instructional practices and use of technology in classrooms on a daily basis. (Klein 2013) A video was made to highlight the day (AEE, 2012) that shows educational technology being used to facilitate learning.
In the 2012 “Digital Learning Day” from AMS Media That Matters video, a Klein ISD employee said to make it a collaborative decision. I feel that’s the best way to engage all learners. Having input from each stakeholder and getting consistent feedback will help the different level learners. At the end of the video our Principal said that this technology age is one where our students are already at “so we better join them.”
I feel that this week's reading assignment from Bobby Hobgood really laid out how to engage all learners using digital tools. I thought his statistic was eye-opening that 96% of classrooms have a student with learning disabilities. That says to me teachers are walking into a challenging teaching environment, because I’m sure the state is still going to hold them accountable to learning standards.
I’m sure the stat goes the other way with each classroom having a high achieving student. It’s important that today’s learning environment focus on differentiation to engage all their learners. Each student will learn at different speeds and contribute at different speeds.
Some tools used to increase collaboration and engagement is Google documents. Each Klein ISD student is given a Google username and password and when they work on assignments their name and icon will be visible in the top right. I’ve seen first hand student collaborating on the same project and inputting their research into the Google document.
Another great digital tool that I enjoy using is Kahoot. It’s a online quiz game where students and teachers use a digital device. Teachers can add videos and other stuff to increase engagement. I’ve seen first hand the engagement from students and teachers in a learning setting because it will reinforce what the presenter just said along with creating a competitive friendly atmosphere.
1st Quarter at a Glance – Kindergarten 2014-2015. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.kleinisd.net/users/0133/Kinder_1st_Quarter_AtAGlance_.pdf
Schools Celebrate Digital Learning Day Feb. 6. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.kleinisd.net/default.aspx?name=cr.pr.213digital
Digital Learning Day 2012 - Klein ISD "Innovative Leadership" (n.d.) Retrieved from www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyQdhKXBXmQ
Kahoot: How it works (n.d.) Retrieved from https://getkahoot.com/how-it-works
2. How can we ensure safe practices for learners using online collaboration tools?
Klein ISD has a multifaceted approach to keeping our students safe and ensure safe practices using online collaboration tools. At Klein High School we have our code of Academic Integrity. This creates a level and respectful platform for students for them to contribute. Students and their parents sign this at the beginning of the year. Throughout the year our Information Literacy team has training for our librarians on how all our students can “Be a Good Digital Citizen.” This includes internet safety, plagiarism, and more.
I helped make a video for the about securing your password. (https://kleinflix.kleinisd.net/show?video=73b7638b0f88) Klein ISD has an acceptable use policy, but it’s long, boring and I don’t know anyone who’s read it. Having one is important so you can refer back to it, but it must be presented and reflected on like it’s any other subject.
Our former Superintendent wrote a nice letter in 2010 responding to a local bullying incident that got on the news. (I don’t know which one he’s talking about.) He addressed the bullying policy that is included in every school’s handbook that includes verbal, physical, and cyber harassment toward another student. Then he references our campus librarians who are trained on our Digital Citizenship program that includes information about bullying.
Also I found a news article that highlighted what our school district did in 2011 to curb bullying and teaching character education. The article highlights how the program tries to reach kids who are still developing their basic character traits. We know that all kids don’t come into the building with the same level of values and respect for one another. This program is perfect for our young learners to ensure safe practices to make sure the students are demonstrating good behavior “even when they think no one is looking.”
Klein High School Code of Academic Integrity (n.d.) Retrieved from http://kleinhs.kleinisd.net/users/0012/docs/KHS_CodeofAcademicIntegrity.pdf
Be a good citizen (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.kleinisd.net/default.aspx?name=issitc.DigitalCitizenship
Klein ISD Message from Superintendent (10.14.2010) Retrieved from
https://www.kleinisd.net/users/0063/docs/antibullyingletter.pdf
Knights teach Klein students character education (12.2.11)
Retrieved from
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/cypresscreek/news/knights-teach-klein-students-character-education/article_a0ccdfba-1ca3-11e1-a9f7-0019bb2963f4.html
