Part 1:
This week our group worked together on our project. Kay took the initiative in creating our google slide document. As we did last week, we collaborated asynchronously via Voxer, and we had a two hour Google hangout on Tuesday to collaborate on our document we have an outline of what we want to do. We, as a group, work well together. I think that our experience moving through this program together has helped solidify our collective. As we discuss the project on Voxer ideas seemed to flow, and we were able to seamlessly transition those ideas to our document. My individual contribution this week is to record the voice narration of our story video with my colleague, after our group populates the Google slides.
I think that our main challenge is how we each interpret the directions. Much of our collaboration time is discussing what is required, and re-doing it for the various interpretations of the instructions. There are some slight discrepancies (only one or two points) between the instructions posted on blackboard, and the criteria on the pdf we downloaded, which leads to some confused dialogue within our group dynamic.
If I were to apply this process with my students, I’d create a data sheet for them to follow. I teach 6th graders, and they like to fill in the box. Their thinking is around the edges of the box, but for some reason, they enjoy the visual of filling in a box on a data sheet. I would create a “packet” of sorts for them to make copies into their Google Drives and work from there. I can see this potential for solving many content related “problems.” I can create something that revolves around the first civilizations, building projects in ancient Egypt, creating a Roman Republic, among many other possibilities. This will allow my students to truly dig deep into the content and explore.
The TED talk from Emily Pilloton’s design project in North Carolina was easy for me to relate to. I taught in rural NC, on the other side of the state from Bertie County, however, the problems she encountered were the same that I encountered. I liked the way she tackled the problem. They analyzed the problem, and then came up with solutions to the problem. I can also relate to the problem of homes without reliable internet, I had students with homes without reliable electricity, let alone internet capability. I think that her focus stayed on the end goal, and didn’t look at each stage as autonomous, they were all steps to move forward. I think that as long as we have a good long term plan, getting teacher buy in won’t be problematic, many teachers that I’ve worked with merely need a plan in order to understand the why’s and how’s, they then don’t have a problem engaging in new activities. Emily also mentioned that she would camp out outside the local Bojangle’s Famous Chicken and Biscuits for wifi. Bojangle’s was gracious enough to allow my students to use their wifi for free inside, as long as they behaved themselves and were working on academic orientated activities. My wife worked at the corporate office for Bojangle’s when we lived in NC. I miss the biscuits.
Part 2:
Dear Parents,
Greetings! Welcome to The O’Hagan School. Our technology goal is to provide rich curricula driven instruction that is powered by technology. As we move forward integrating the Common Core State Standards, we have been developing the infrastructure required to support a wide array and multitude of student and teacher devices. By adopting a 1:1 technology access model with school issued devices, we are working towards a standardization of devices in order to provide equitable access for all students.
Our teachers have always been and remain the key to the academic success of The O’Hagan School. As such, over this past Summer teachers participated in specific, targeted professional development and exploration of various uses of technology in the classroom. These sessions were led by educational leaders from an array of experiences and schools. The main focus of the sessions was providing teachers time to explore lessons that enhance students critical thinking, looking at problems from multiple angles and forming connections between their curricular courses. By fusing technology and instruction students will have access to anytime, anywhere learning. This focus is synonymous with our superintendents mission of providing students with a personalized curriculum designed to enhance each students unique skills.
In the first week of school students will participate in the Digital Citizenship Academy. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend as well. If you are unable to attend, please click on this LINK for the relevant information. Please contact the office if you would like more information about digital citizenship and your student.
Please take some time to look over the specific policies and guidelines at www.theohaganschool.edu. We are excited for this school year and the many opportunities our investments in technology will provide for your student’s educational experience. As always, my office is available if you have any questions. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to educate your student.
Sincerely,
Michael A. O’Hagan
This week our group worked together on our project. Kay took the initiative in creating our google slide document. As we did last week, we collaborated asynchronously via Voxer, and we had a two hour Google hangout on Tuesday to collaborate on our document we have an outline of what we want to do. We, as a group, work well together. I think that our experience moving through this program together has helped solidify our collective. As we discuss the project on Voxer ideas seemed to flow, and we were able to seamlessly transition those ideas to our document. My individual contribution this week is to record the voice narration of our story video with my colleague, after our group populates the Google slides.
I think that our main challenge is how we each interpret the directions. Much of our collaboration time is discussing what is required, and re-doing it for the various interpretations of the instructions. There are some slight discrepancies (only one or two points) between the instructions posted on blackboard, and the criteria on the pdf we downloaded, which leads to some confused dialogue within our group dynamic.
If I were to apply this process with my students, I’d create a data sheet for them to follow. I teach 6th graders, and they like to fill in the box. Their thinking is around the edges of the box, but for some reason, they enjoy the visual of filling in a box on a data sheet. I would create a “packet” of sorts for them to make copies into their Google Drives and work from there. I can see this potential for solving many content related “problems.” I can create something that revolves around the first civilizations, building projects in ancient Egypt, creating a Roman Republic, among many other possibilities. This will allow my students to truly dig deep into the content and explore.
The TED talk from Emily Pilloton’s design project in North Carolina was easy for me to relate to. I taught in rural NC, on the other side of the state from Bertie County, however, the problems she encountered were the same that I encountered. I liked the way she tackled the problem. They analyzed the problem, and then came up with solutions to the problem. I can also relate to the problem of homes without reliable internet, I had students with homes without reliable electricity, let alone internet capability. I think that her focus stayed on the end goal, and didn’t look at each stage as autonomous, they were all steps to move forward. I think that as long as we have a good long term plan, getting teacher buy in won’t be problematic, many teachers that I’ve worked with merely need a plan in order to understand the why’s and how’s, they then don’t have a problem engaging in new activities. Emily also mentioned that she would camp out outside the local Bojangle’s Famous Chicken and Biscuits for wifi. Bojangle’s was gracious enough to allow my students to use their wifi for free inside, as long as they behaved themselves and were working on academic orientated activities. My wife worked at the corporate office for Bojangle’s when we lived in NC. I miss the biscuits.
Part 2:
Dear Parents,
Greetings! Welcome to The O’Hagan School. Our technology goal is to provide rich curricula driven instruction that is powered by technology. As we move forward integrating the Common Core State Standards, we have been developing the infrastructure required to support a wide array and multitude of student and teacher devices. By adopting a 1:1 technology access model with school issued devices, we are working towards a standardization of devices in order to provide equitable access for all students.
Our teachers have always been and remain the key to the academic success of The O’Hagan School. As such, over this past Summer teachers participated in specific, targeted professional development and exploration of various uses of technology in the classroom. These sessions were led by educational leaders from an array of experiences and schools. The main focus of the sessions was providing teachers time to explore lessons that enhance students critical thinking, looking at problems from multiple angles and forming connections between their curricular courses. By fusing technology and instruction students will have access to anytime, anywhere learning. This focus is synonymous with our superintendents mission of providing students with a personalized curriculum designed to enhance each students unique skills.
In the first week of school students will participate in the Digital Citizenship Academy. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend as well. If you are unable to attend, please click on this LINK for the relevant information. Please contact the office if you would like more information about digital citizenship and your student.
Please take some time to look over the specific policies and guidelines at www.theohaganschool.edu. We are excited for this school year and the many opportunities our investments in technology will provide for your student’s educational experience. As always, my office is available if you have any questions. Thank You for giving us the opportunity to educate your student.
Sincerely,
Michael A. O’Hagan