4.6 Data-Driven Decision Maker

Questionnaire for Mr. James

·   What technology tools do you currently use within your classroom?

·       We currently use an Elmo Presentation TV system as well as students have 1 to 1 Chromebooks that they get to keep from the district. I use the presentation board for almost every subject with Kahoot games, or slideshows, or to show math problems.

• Is using technology a priority in your current classroom?

  • Yes, I know that education is leaning more towards the technological world, so I am doing my best to keep up with the best ideas and tips in technology.

• How often do you integrate technology?

  • Every day with almost every subject.

• How proficient are you in utilizing technology tools to deliver content or to engage students while they are completing assignments?

  • We’ve been using this type of technology for 2 years now and I am still learning some systems on the Elmo presentation, but I feel that I have mastered everything there is with Chromebooks and the online tools such as Read Works, Khan Academy and Kahoot that we use.

• Do you ever assess students using technology?

  • Yes, students take their state tests via Chromebooks as well as I make Google Sheets with small quizzes for formative assessments.

• What are some ways that students collaborate in your classroom? Do they use technology while collaborating?

  • Students have discussion posts that they need to make on certain stories and articles that we read in their small groups and then they need to collaborate with their partner at their desk about that small story through comprehension questions.

• How do you prefer to receive constructive criticism or feedback? How do you prefer to receive praise?

  • I’d much rather have someone be straight up honest with me. I would rather someone direct me towards a way that could work better. I like to receive praise in terms of kind words and pay bonuses!

• Do you think technology hurts or progresses education?

  • I truly believe that technology has allowed us as educators a way to differentiate many different subjects in multiple different ways that are easier and less stressful on us. I think it allows different types of learners to engage and be successful in the lessons I teach. I also think technology has made it easier to be lazy, as most of my students say, “Why do I need to know this? I can just look it up on google”.

·   What is your favorite technological tool?

·       I think my favorite tool that we as a district use is the fact that every student gets a Chromebook for at school and at home so therefore, they can access the same tools we use at school, within their home to show their guardians.

Summary

         Shadowing Mr. James was very interesting to say the less. Mr. James was my personal 5th grade teacher when I was 10 so he’s come a long way in terms of technology use in the classroom. We spoke about the math worksheets he had us as a class use on a daily basis and how basically that exact worksheet is turned into a google sheet he made and now it’s data is graded and collected all without the extra work for him. He says he misses the simplicity of students from when I was growing up, but he does enjoy the advancements that technology has made for teachers. The technology that Mr. James used was age appropriate and on target with their current standards as he showcased in his direct instruction before introducing the student’s project on their Chromebooks. The students were extremely engaged in their assignment as they were given several creative freedoms on their Chromebooks. Students were to create a digital collage of a certain assigned biome and its ecosystem. They could look for any pictures, videos, or fun facts about their specific biomes. The technology that Mr. James used was effective, direct, and attentive to what his students enjoyed. He told me that specific classes have enjoyed paper and cut-outs of magazines for this project, and some preferred Chromebooks. He does his best to make sure every student has a chance to connect with the assignment in the way that works best for their way of learning. The technology was seamless in its use to progress the current assignment. Some students did get distracted by looking up things that were not project based but Mr. James as well as myself quickly redirected them. Mr. James is 2 years away from retirement, so he is doing his best to make sure he is knowledgeable in all things technology in the education world until he leaves the profession.