Wicked Problem Project- Part B Application of TPACK

TPACK is comprised of pedagogy, content and technology.  It focuses on taking the knowledge of all three contents and using them simultaneously to increase teacher effectiveness and learning.  Take a look at the picture below which help displays the information.

Picture from http://www.tpck.org

I am going to implement TPACK to enhance student learning.  While most teachers can use effective teaching strategies to teach content, the issue sometimes arises with technology.  Using technology for the sake of using technology does not follow the TPACK model.  TPACK focuses more on integrating technology into content areas.  For my Wicked Problem Project, I discussed the need and use for iPads in the classroom.  iPads walk a thin line of using technology for the sake of using it and actually integrating into the content areas and making it more of a tool than a game.  My problem I have noticed is a lack of participation and engagement when it comes to collaborative group work.  My solution: the iPad.

Disclaimer: I was told to focus on just 1 aspect.  Be more specific than just "actively engaging students in group work".  But as I researched and played around on my own iPad it became even MORE difficult! From vocabulary to math flash cards to creating a comic strip, the opportunities are endless with the thousands of applications.  The iPad has the ability to transform itself from a book (eReader) to a specific location (GoogleEarth) to document.  Students can learn and explore and never have to leave the classroom.  I came across a website with the motto: "Create Connect Collaborate".  With and iPad you can do just that, I LOVE IT!

1. What is the TP knowledge for the solution? (i.e. how does the technology you have chosen support the teaching strategies and methods you have chosen?) 

Currently, my school system has been focusing on three teaching strategies and methods: Best Practices, Kagan, and STEM.  All of these teaching methods and strategies have one thing in common: collaborative learning.  One of the Best Practices for teaching is collaborative learning.  The Kagan Strategies are all about learning in groups and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) promotes and encourages group collaboration.  While students can work collaboratively without iPads just fine, the point is to integrate technology.  iPads have the ability to foster better group work and improve collaboration.  For example, students can share and collaborate their knowledge on a GoogleDoc from their seat if they were able to have iPads.  From their seats students could create a Powerpoint on Google or Prezi without one person doing all the work.  Students are now being held accountable for their work in a group.  No longer is there just 1 person tying or 1 person making the slides- they can all work on it together.  The students are now actively engaged and using time effectively, as opposed to standing around one computer watching one person type.  The iPad is a tool that can bring group work into the 21st century.  

2. What is the TC knowledge for the solution?  (i.e how specifically does this technology make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible? Be sure to think about representation.) 
In order for technology to be effective it should be used every day and be differentiated.  Technology should be integrated into the content rather than having the content integrated into the "fun new" technology idea.  Many of our standards have the word "collaborate" in them.  As we were deconstructing our standards the other day, the faculty was discussing various ways students could collaborate.  My idea: iPads! It was actually the only idea which incorporated technology.  Using an iPad  students could collaborate and be engaged and active learners.  Students could use GoogleDocs on the iPad and create and carry out a script.  Another standard is to use media to publish and present information.  Here students could do something as simple as creating a survey on Survey Monkey and all the students could participate using the internet on their iPads.  A third standard is to formulate and answer word problems with group members.  If students had access to iPads, they could have blogs or wikis and formulate and answer math problems that way.  An iPad is a took that provides so many opportunities inside the classroom.

3. What is the PC knowledge for the solution? (i.e how specifically do your pedagogical choices make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?) Be sure to think about how the student will experience the content given these instructional strategies.
Like I had mentioned earlier, not only is our school system focusing on teaching methods and strategies that require group collaboration, but our standards are requiring it as well. Not only will the iPad integrate technology but it will allow for students to experience content like they never have before.  For example, I know that coming from a school in a low socioeconomic area, the students don't always have the background knowledge necessary to move forward.  With an iPad at their fingertips students can travel across the world, communicate with students across the nation and get the extra practice they need.   Students can work one on one with a peer sitting across the room.  Or create a presentation with a student from a different class.  Group work will take on a new meaning and create a new experience.  More students can become active participants in the classroom, which will increase learning.  This piece of technology has the ability slightly modify how something is done to completely changing a classroom.  There is no right way or one way to implement this tool, but the possibilities are endless.


  

Leadership Part A- Brainstorming Session

For the leadership project, my group decided to use Vyew to conduct our web-conferencing.  We decided to this tool since it was free and available all the time, unlike others which offered a free limited day trial or cost money.  We were asked to record our session, so a group member so kindly used screencast-o-matic to record our session.  Then, she uploaded it on to YouTube.  Take a look at what we were able to accomplish!

There were definitely some perks to using a web-conferencing tool to discuss a project.  It was really nice to be able to collaborate together.  It was the first time any of the group members used such a tool, so we spent a little time playing around with the various tools it had to offer.  By far, the best part was that we were all able to talk and collaborate.  Also, we could talk while editing a document.  We had the ability to talk and chat which worked out well for me when my "talk" button was not working.  One person in my group actually used her webcam for a short period of time.  I can see how using a webcam could enhance a web-conference.  I have had other projects in the past in which my group would meet on GoogleDocs and discuss via chat how we were going to set up the project.  I really enjoyed the talking aspect of web-conferencing.  It was nice to hear voices and connect with people in such a manner   and not having to wait for people to respond or type an answer.

However, there are some downfalls to web-conferencing as well.  One of our biggest tasks was finding a time that worked well for everything.  This however, seems to be a downfall for any type of group project, but it always seems to be more difficult when the people all have jobs and are in different time zones.  Once we were able to find a time for a meeting, we played around with Vyew to try and lessen any problems we may encounter.  But as you can see if you watch our recorded session, we ran into a couple issues.  I was not able to get my "talk" button to work, while another group member, could not get her "talk" button off to stop the constant echoing.  Since my "talk" button would not work, I had to resort to using the chat, while everyone else was communicating via microphone.  While it was a bit annoying, at least I was able to find another method to communicate.

Overall, I would say that we learned a lot and enjoyed the web-conference.  We even set up another date and time to continue our group work.  I feel that the more we use this tool and become familiar with it, the more we will like it!

Web Conferencing

On Sunday, my group met to discuss our leadership project.  We met online via web conferencing.  We used Vyew.  As a group we all decided to use that software since it was always available and free (unlike some others that you had to download for a 30 day free trials and such).   However, we did have to record our session and for that we used Screencast-o-matic.  Overall, the video conference went okay.  We had a few minor issues such as mid-conference I was no longer able to hit the "talk" button and my only option to communicate was via the chat box on the bottom.  Due to the fact that everyone else was able to communicate through talking, it sometimes took awhile to get my ideas across. It was nice to be able to talk to one another, while it lasted.  However, when two people are talking at the same time, there is an echo, therefore we had to turn on and off our "talk" button.  Well, a member of our group was not able to turn off her "talk" button and there was a constant echo.  But the talking aside,  it was still nice that we could all edit a page and type what was necessary.  It was also nice to have a variety of ways to communicate by using cameras, chats and a microphone.  

One of the reasons for all of our technical difficulties I think was user error.  If we have had more experience, we may have been able to run things a bit smoother.  So before I would use this program again, I would definitely test out everything again and make sure I had a good grasp on things.  In our defense tough, before the group recorded the meeting, we talked and everything seemed to work just fine.  If I were going to use this program on a daily basis, I may think about inventing in the upgrade and paying for the service as I would assume it may run a bit better.  Overall though, I think the program worked well for what we were doing and I think we were able to run our meeting quite well all things considered.

Web-conferencing can be used in the classroom many ways.  One thing that comes to my mind is pen-pals.  While the students may not be writing to another student, they can be learning about culture from other countries or characteristics about other states.  Students could also discuss with other students in different schools or states various topics.  Another way to use web-conferencing could be using a web cam and having the students could take a virtual field trip as someone leads the field trip.  This way the students could "raise their hand" and interact with the guide allowing them to ask questions.  Web conferencing could also be used afterschool as a means for a group to get together to talk about a project.

Technology Survey

For class we had to create a survey.  I have to say, I have never created one before and I found it really neat! I used SurveyMonkey and questions given to us by MSU.  Go ahead and take the survey.  It is meant for students, but adults and teachers can take it as well.  I would love the information!

Click here to take my survey

Wicked Problem Project Part A- A Need or an Opportunity

1. What is the important educational need that you are seeking to address? This element is fundamental in this project.  Since we have limited time, energy, and resources, cool technology without a clear sense of why it matters or what we gain by it is of little value in the educational setting.  
Lack of participation.  Sitting there bored.  These are the feelings I get from students when I stand at the front of the classroom and explain something.  These are the feelings I get when I ask a student (one student) to help "show" the answer or demonstrate something.  My point is, only one person can work at a time.  Am I really maximizing my teaching time having just one student help at a time? Whether it be a powerpoint presentation, online survey, or using a GoogleDoc- with just my one computer, only one person at a time can do the work.

Problem: lack of participation when only one person can participate at a time.

2. How do you plan to address this educational issue with technology?  You need to make a clear and convincing case that your proposed solution will make a real impact on the issue you identify, and that your proposed approach is a reasonable approach given its costs and possible alternatives.
Solution: iPad

iPad, it's the latest craze in both the educational world and technology world.  Well, I am jumping on the bandwagon.  I want one, well not just one, but 23, enough for all my students or all the students in a classroom. (Okay, I understand, 23 may be a lot to ask for.  But I believe that if we start asking for a lot, we can always bring it down, which is usually a lot easier than trying to increase the amount after the fact.)  The iPad (or I would even settle for an iPod) brings classroom communication to a new level.  I'm thinking of a time when I would put something on the document camera and call up the students one by one to participate.  As one student would work up front, the other students just sat in their seats.  How neat would it be if ALL the students could collaborate at the same time.  If I put up a Google Doc and students could work on it all together.  Or if the students were creating a Prezi, they could all collaborate as well.  (You may be able to get the same effect with a wireless tablet of some sort, but having the iPad opens up so much more to the educational world.) If 23 students is too many, break them into groups.  have students work together to collaborate something when everyone is contributing.  Each student can have their "writing" in a different color.  This way teachers can monitor who is typing what.  iPads are bringing group work into the 21st century.  Our students are technologically inclined, whether they grew up with it in their homes or not.  It surrounds them everywhere. And while yes, iPads are expensive, they can be used throughout the entire curriculum.  As teachers, we need to show them that there is more to the iPad than Facebook and Angry Brids- there is education (and it's not the boring kind!).

3. Logistics of solution
Can there be just one purpose for an iPad in the classroom? No, this tool is very versatile, which is one of the many reasons I choose an iPad over a wireless tablet.  However, I will focus on collaboration.  Recently, my school has discussed bringing in Kagan Strategies which focus on cooperative learning.  A lot of work is done in groups.  We are also moving our math and science into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) direction which requires a lot of group work as well.  So many ideas and thoughts pop into my mind when talking about the iPad and collaborating.  In terms of STEM- there is a process in which the students plan, design, and build.  Currently, I know teachers that are using STEM notebooks- but how about a STEM GoogleDoc? Each student has a color and the students can collaborate and work as a group to share ideas and create a plan.  With an iPad the students can be constantly writing down observations and working together as a group on the same page.  The best part? The teacher can write comments and share his/her 2 cents without interrupting each group.  The teacher can also check on the progress of each group by checking on the document itself.  Challenge: can the students share, create, plan, design and build without talking and only using the chat feature on for the GoogleDoc? You never know until you try.
In the state of Tennessee, 5th grade students are required to take a writing test.  For the past couple of years, the students participated in a survey at the end of the writing test.  One of the questions asked is whether the students preferred to write using pencil and paper or write on a computer.  There is a growing amount of students who prefer to use a computer.  To my 5th graders, cursive might as well be Chinese, pencil and paper is comparison to the Stoneage and the computer seems to be the ONLY logical way to write something.  Enter iPad.  The students type a paper on GoogleDoc (maybe I should have said that GoogleDoc was an education need??)  Another student edits that student's paper using blue for conventions, purple for sentence fluency and green for word choice.  The student can make comments and insert changes and the teacher can watch the entire process.
So whether it is writing, science, or math the iPad has the ability to be put into any situation.

4. Relevant Research and Resources

• 3 Ways to get iPads in your classroom- This website shows 3 different ways to try and promote the use of iPads in the classroom. 
• A wiki dedicated to iPod and iPad usage in education
• iPad vs iTouch
• What is the research showing?
• Measuring the iPad's potential

What I learned: Same old story- there is NO simple solution.  Will the novelty of the iPad (or even iTouch) wear off? I'm sure.  Are we making excuses not to teach? Most definitely NO! Are we brining our students into the 21st century? Yes.  While there are pros and cons of using the iPad in the classroom, like most tools, it is all dependent on how teachers use them.  I'm sure there was once a time when people thought it was going to be absurd that a classroom have 6 computers or a school have a computer lab AND a mobile lab (laptops on carts).  But now that is the norm.  Parents and teachers expect to have computers and access to them.  So whether it be an iPad or a similar wireless internet device, we are moving towards the future and we need to make sure our classrooms and schools are as well.  

5. A plan for the portion you will implement during this course and the portion you will implement after this course completes. 
Monday marks my last full day of school.  Yes, this monday, as in tomorrow.  Therefore, I will not be able to implement my idea in the classroom.  (Which may lead me to change my project....I'm still waiting on feedback) However, my plan on implementation is actually looking into ways (grants, etc) to see if I could bring iPads into my classroom or school.  I will be going to a new school next year and I look forward to working with those teachers to discuss technology and how we could implement such a device and get together and write a grant or proposal.

6. How would you know you were successful? 
I wold consider myself successful if I was able to get the teachers on the same page and work together to write a grant or proposal.  iPads are not going to come overnight.  But stepping in the right direction and getting the staff and administration behind you will help me and the students to become successful.  If iPads are not available, I will look into iPods or other devices that could give the same effect.

Hello Me...

I just started CEP 812 and to begin, we had to create a video as an introduction.  After several trials and errors with many different sites and applications.  I have finally created my introduction.  Take a look.  CEP 812 Introduction.  Let me know what you think!

CEP 811 Final Post

As this course comes to a close, I can certainly say that I have learned a lot.  I look forward to gaining more knowledge about teaching strategies and how to embed technology into lessons.  Even though I have taken only a few courses, my understanding of technology has grown exponentially.  I am amazed with every session how much more there is to learn.  I really enjoyed this course and creating the different projects.  While the projects were a challenge, the professors constantly expressed the fact on how we should create these projects that we can use in the classroom.  We are not just completing these projects for us or for our Master's course, but for our students as well.  Not only are we growing but our students are now able to grow with us as we continue our journey through the technological world.  


1. What are some things that you have learned about effective teaching strategies when integrating technology?
One of the most important things that I have learned that integrating technology in the classroom should be effective in order for learning to take place.  I really enjoyed learning about TPack and looking at lessons from various perspectives.  It opened my eyes to the fact that just because a a certain lesson may not be the best for one aspect, doesn't mean that it will not work in a different aspect.  TPack states that technology use should be used daily and should be differentiated.


Also, learning about the UDL Guidelines helped me to view a lesson plan differently.  It opened my eyes to various barriers that I may have for my students.  UDL is a wonderful plan to use both with and without technology.  UDL allows for technology to be a tool or the main event.


Most importantly: you can never count on technology 100% to do what you want when you want.  Be flexible and open and always have a backup :) 


2. How did integrating web-based technologies help you think about and evaluate uses of technology?
This course integrated a lot web-based technologies.  We created a stair, looked at wikispaces, evaluated webquests and much more.  We were also able to share these on Merlot and be given feedback.  The feedback is wonderful for you and others.  As the creator, it helps to see your lesson from a different view and get other's perspectives.  As an educator, it helps to guide you in the right direction. Merlot is a wonderful tool and I am excited to continue my use as a creator and educator.  


The most effective technology is taught when it is embedded into the curriculum.  Using technology for the sake of using technology may not add as much value as if you were to make it part of the lesson.  


3. How have you met your own personal goals for learning about technology integration?

One of my greatest accomplishments happened by accident.  I read one assignment wrong and created a webquest.  I have seen so many of them and have had my students participate in ones that other people have created, but I have always wanted to make one of my own.  So, misreading the directions, i did just that.  I created a webquest that I am not very proud of.  With everything that I have learned along the way, creating the webquest was not as difficult as I thought it may have been.  Even though it did not seem to turn out the way I wanted to, creating the STAIR project was also a challenge.  Not only did I have to make sure I had had the correct concepts and information, but to make sure that i was integrating technology and making it interactive served as a challenge.  It also helped me to see that just because something works on one computer, does not mean that it will work with everything and technology is not always going to go your way.  


4. Do you have any new goals? What are your plans for reaching your new goals and your long-term goals after this course is over?
My new goals are to continue to expand my knowledge and understanding of integrating technology into the classroom and content.  I want to continue to learn how to effectively use technology to help students learn not only the content but also the technology.  I want to familiarize myself with many different types of technologies and how to best incorporate them. My other goal is to share what I have learned with others.  I have enjoyed sharing my stair and webquest and look forward to all the other technologies I can share.