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Meaghan is using Promethean whiteboard technology to actively engage students in number talks. She started the number talk by utilizing the activVotes and collecting data on what students new about the problem she presented them. Once the students were drawn in to the lesson she began the number talk. Students used the grid that she projected onto the whiteboard when considering how to solve the problem. As students explained their thinking she was able to annotate directly over the grid. Even after the lesson, students were still talking about how they solved the problem in ways different than the students that had shared. Meaghan masterfully uses technology toward the purpose of increasing student achievement in mathematics. What lucky students!

NETS-1c: Students use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.

NETS for T – III: C. apply technology to develop students’ higher-order skills and creativity.

NETS for T- IV: A. apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques. B. use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve
instructional practice and maximize student learning.

ActivNumber Talk

Patty McCool is ready to rock the world of publishing with her palmtop publishing carts! We worked through the day yesterday putting the finishing touches on three carts of 30 palmtops. All of the palmtops are charged and have been synchronized with a laptop that resides on the cart. The next step is to get the 90 palmtops cataloged in Destiny for checkout. The attached picture shows Patty standing behind the three carts. The two carts on the right are designed so that the teacher can see at a glance how many palmtops have been returned to the cart and who they belong to. The cart on the left is designed with a elegant yet simple appearance. Teachers can see that all of the palmtops and keyboards have been returned (at a glance). Her students are fortunate to have such a dynamic and tech savvy instructor.

NETS-2a: interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

NETS for T-II: D. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.

Patty McCool the Technology Teacher at Murphy Creek K-8 is using handheld computers to give all of the 5th an 6th grade students an easy way to work on their writing. Using a handheld and a keyboard they’ll be able to type up their stories, edit and revise. When they are ready to publish, students will synchronize their handhelds with a laptop, open their file and print.

We tried three different ways to organize the carts. We thought about standardizing the carts. However, after talking to the teachers we discovered that each teach preferred a different cart setup. So a teacher can choose the style of cart that matches their preferences and provide all of the students in her/his classroom a way to work through the writing process on a computer.

Here’s what the carts looked before being organized. Soon I’ll post a picture of what they look like now. I can’t wait to see the students using them!

NETS-2a: interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

NETS for T-II: D. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities.

Welcome to my blog! The purpose of this site is to provide you with useful information on your quest to integrate technology with instruction. The tutorials, presentations and videos are located on the ‘resources’ tab. I’ll also keep information on various projects I am working on. As these school and district projects progress you’ll be able to check it out at the ‘projects’ tab.

I am incredibly excited to work with Aurora Public Schools. The district is making incredible steps toward empowering teachers with technology that engages students and supports instruction in powerful ways. I work specifically in the Northwest Quadrant of the district. This includes all schools whose students ulitmately will graduate from Aurora Central High School. The schools are: South Middle, West Middle, Boston Elementary, Crawford Elementary, Fletcher Elementary, Fulton Elementary, Kenton Elementary, Lansing Elementary, Lyn Knoll Elementary, Montview Elementary, and Vaughn Elementary.

I hope you find this site useful. If you have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email.

How can I get my thumbdrive or other peripherals to show up on my computer?