TEC 904 CUE Workshop-Mobile Devices

Reflective Post

Our CUE Workshop this week was with Andy Losik @mrlosik www.mrlosik.com He was sharing on using mobile devices in the classroom.

He went through the SAMR model, which is a framework for teachers to consider while utilizing technology in the classroom. It stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. He shared some ways that we, as teachers, can move around this framework and create learning experiences that will help our students, not simply trying to shoehorn tech into a lesson.

It was helpful to continue to revisit this framework as we progress through this program because of the new learning we have. One of the cool things he shared was from his website. It was a Chromebook Creativity Project which had a bunch of resources and ideas that will help our students do more than consume, but move toward creation using these devices. He shared mecabricks, which allows students to digitally use Lego bricks to create something. You can even download your design to send to a digital printer! Be sure to check the site for other cool ideas.

I thought it was good that he shared that just because we are working with the SAMR model doesn't mean all our lessons have to be flashy and full of tech. Solid pedagogy and teaching practices must be at the forefront of our thinking.

SAMR in Action

Andy shared this video, where they considered the implications and possibilities of effectively using tech in the classroom, in a way that was not possible without it.

This has been the case after almost every workshop--but it always makes me want to try these things the very next day and redesign my classroom, lesson plans, activities, etc. This, for me, is good and bad. It is easy for me to, in my excitement, overwhelm my kids with all these new tools. So, my goal, is to filter through these things and consider how I can streamline these things into just a couple tools.

The other problem I have is that my lessons don't look like they should be added to a "good teacher" documentary. Haha. I fail...a lot. The difficulty is sometimes it is frustrating to consider what may have been cut (or what would need to be cut) from the video to make it seem like it was great. Good is okay in teaching. Normal everyday lessons are good. Andy mentioned this a little too. We (or just me) can get a little paralyzed because we know our skill set, we know our kids, administrators, etc that will affect us while we try this. So, I pep talk myself...just try something. Don't be afraid to mess it up, if we think it's good and good for our students.

I always try to share new things with my colleagues. And the good news is if I can't, I have a blog and my mom will know what new things I want to try. I am in a new grade level, so I am not sure how they will respond to what I am learning. We'll see. "Use it or don't" is my motto for sharing with people. My feelings aren't hurt if you don't use what I think is a good idea. I'm gonna try to use some of the Chromebook Creativity pieces. Some will flop, but that okay. I may be alone in trying, but that is okay.

Derrick

If only it were this easy.

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