Internet Learning Resources Week 1

This is the first week of a new class. After a few glitches with our first lecture we are now off and running with our first group of assignments.

Understanding what Internet Learning Resources are is key to this first class. We all have ideas of what they are but I think that most of us expanded our definition after looking at the links provided to us.

For a few years, I have been providing my teachers with resources like MIT's OpenCourseware and iTunes U. Teachers have used these lesson plans, videos, activities, and handouts to enhance, and in some cases, replace their lessons. I now have more resources for them so they can continue to improve their classroom.

Technology Tools Week 6 - Course Review

Once again, this was a very informative class for me. A couple of things really stand out and are things that I will use in my job.

First, the software evaluation tool review was extremely helpful. Right now, I have to know about the programs, research them, and decide if they get installed or not. By using an evaluation tool, the teachers need to do the research and get the all of the appropriate information to make a decision. This will save me a lot of time when deciding on software for the classroom.

Another item that was really helpful were the guidelines for professional development. I need to create some professional development courses for our staff to introduce new initiatives like Open Office and Google Apps. Using some of the guidelines in the book, I will be able to produce helpful and meaningful professional development courses.

Finally, I really learned a lot about using Google Apps spreadsheets. Now that we are moving forward with implementing Google Apps in our school, it is important that I know how to use the programs.

Overall, I thought this class was very well done. Thanks to everyone in my group for working so well together to accomplish our goals.

Technology Tools Week 5

After a long break, it is finally time to get back to work. This week we looked at software evaluation tools. At my school, the teachers come to me with the software, I review it, and purchase and install if approved. There is no real formal approach. It is just done via e-mail or phone. Looking at these evaluation tools gave me some things to think about.

Some of these evaluations were very simple, asking only basic questions about how it will be used and if it applies to state standards. The evaluation tool from Sun Prairie was definitely the most thorough tool and the one that our group chose to be the best. It covered the cost and standards and requested input and approval from administrators. In larger districts, this is probably a good idea. In a smaller situation, like mine, I fill the role of most of the people on the sheet.

I think it is a good thing to have some sort of process in place for evaluating and purchasing new software. It is something that I will put on my to-do list for summer.