Archive for March, 2007

Technology Inventory

March 27, 2007

In order to understand the different levels of technology available in schools where William and Mary students are doing practicums and student teaching, one of our assignments is to complete an inventory.  The information provided below was given by the Instructional Technology Facilitator at Magruder Elementary School.

Technology Inventory Worksheet

1. What computers are available for you to use? Each classroom has 3 computers, the library has 10 computers, and there are two laptop carts in the library available for checkout in classroom.  Each teacher also is checked out a laptop to take home also.

2. What computers are available for your students to use?  3 computers in the classroom, 10 library computers and 2 carts of laptops are available if teacher checks them out

3. What procedures are required in order to use these computers?  For library computers communicate with media specialist.  For computer carts, sign up on network drive for MES.

4. Is there a shared space for saving files to the school network? Y drive for students and private spot for teachers

5. Does the school allow the students to use wikis or blogs?  Not yet, be we are seriously talking about it now.

6. Can you publish web pages on the school server? Yes, ITF trains teachers and posts the pages

7. Who is responsible for computer maintenance and how do you contact them?  Help Desk at 0311 or ycsd help desk email.

8. What is the protocol for getting a site unblocked if needed?  Email help desk with URL and reason for educational use.

9. Where is the AUP teachers and students sign?  Students upon registering for MES will receive the AUP form and sign it once.  It is kept on file at MES.

10. Do students have email accounts?  At high school level they do.  For middle and elementary teachers can request temporary accounts for short term projects.

 

Hardware Supplies Available, Location, and Procedure for Use:

  • Projection Device – All classrooms and library – open, except not to leave it turned on unnecessarily due to the expense of bulb

  • Printer – All classrooms, offices, and library – conserve on color ink printing and bring ink to office for replacement

  • Scanner – library and SPED room – none

  • Digital Camera – each grade level chair has one – share with team

  • Digital Video Camera – library has 3 for checkout – return as soon as taping is finished.  Stream into computer right after taping so camera is available for others to use.

  • Analog Video Camera – NONE

  • Video Conferencing - NONE

 Available software applications by type, location, procedure to access, student(S)/teacher (T) access:

  1. All of the software is on each of the machine
  • Word Processor – Microsoft Word – Login without password – T,S
  • Spreadsheet – Microsoft Excel – Login without password – T,S
  • Database – Access – Login without a password – T
  • Multimedia/Presentation – Hyperstudio & PowerPoint – Login without a password – T,S
  • Reference – WorldBook Online, United Streaming, Brainpop – Login without a password – T,S
  • Curriculum Related – Grammar Rock, Map Machine, Reading Mansion, Writing with Symbols, Accelerated Reader, Graph Club, Graph Master, Way Things Work, Edmark Math Software, Science Seekers, Science Court, Google Earth, 20th Century, Timeliner, Zip Zap Map USA – Login without a password – T,S
  • Email – Outlook local and web-based – Login WITH network password – T
  • FTP/Web Publishing – NVU – ITF can publish pages and a few selected teachers – T

Learning through practice…

March 27, 2007

In the past the use of programs like Garageband and iMovie was a bit daunting for me, but last week has remedied my reluctance to use the software.  With the help of our guest lecturer, Karen Richardson, our technology class was guided through the basics of both of the applications.  Not only was the class well delivered, but the activities were engaging.  During the first fifteen to twenty minutes of class Mrs. Richardson went over pertinent information for using the technology and then let us loose on the Media Center located in the basement of Swem Library. 

Working in pairs on Monday the class split up to complete a public service announcement about forest fires by using video clips, audio clips, and photos.  The iMovie program proved to be simple to use with the guide, and we cut, edited, added transitions, and completed a video in one class period.  I was amazed at how simple it was to create the video.  I would definitely consider using this technology in an elementary classroom.

Wednesday proved to be another day of discovery in the Media Center.  Again we split into pairs and began to explore creating a Podcast with GarageBand.  This program was a bit more difficult to use.  Our microphone and speakers were not working with the initial attempts to record and it took my group awhile to resolve the problem.  After we had everything working (with the aid of our instructor) another issue arose.  We had no idea what we wanted to Podcast.  So for awhile we sat there with nothing to do.  I definitely sympathize with students who are given new technology to explore and don’t know what to do with it.  We had a step by step guide for the program, but we did not have any preplanned ideas.  After recording brief introductions, we ended up exploring all of the different Apple Loops and didn’t create a complete podcast.  GarageBand is simple to use and could definitely be used with elementary school students, but I would definitely want students to create written drafts of what they want to record to maximize time usage in the lab.