ISTE+Standard+II

ITSE Standard II- Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences

According to Williamson and Redish, "Facilitators may even have the opportunity to model innovative technology-supported-instruction in classrooms," (Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 43) Throughout my experience with this program, I have found that many teachers need help with technology. Most teachers can effectively use technology to communicate with one another, but few have the skills to incorporate technology effectively into their daily curricula. At the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year, I led Staff Development session designed to show teachers the benefits of using Google docs in the classroom. I showed our staff how to convert Microsoft Office documents into Google documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. Many teachers had no idea how easy it was to convert all the items to online versions of the same documents that will be available to them virtually anywhere. This experience showed me that although Google docs is a fairly simple online tool with multiple functions, most of our teachers were not comfortable using the technology to make teaching easier and more efficient. I was glad to have the opportunity to model this technology and teach them some of the benefits that were available for free, anywhere they go.

Along with Google docs, I also showed several teachers how to use wikis to effectively communicate with each other instead of calling, meeting face to face, or sending multiple emails. Wikis did not make sense to me until I viewed the video "Wikis in Plain English". This video explained how a group of friends could coordinate a trip supply list without having 20 "reply all" emails (Lefever, 2007). I have learned how valuable wikis can be through my coursework. Whether editing a page on a wiki, or editing a shared Google doc, meetings and communication will never be the same. Students can also use these tools when planning projects or when they are brainstorming about homework. These tools keep inboxes clean, while allowing users to add input when it is convenient. It would have been nearly impossible to complete all the group projects for this program if everyone was forced to work at the same time. By sharing these tools with my colleagues, I have built "Interpersonal Trust" (Harris, S., Edmonson, S., Combs, J., 2010). We share ideas at my school all the time and by helping my colleagues, I am showing them that I care about how well they are teaching their students.

I think it is vital that all teachers start incorporating these technologies into the classroom each day. Google docs and wikis are not only excellent collaboration tools, but they also help our students who are working on projects and needing collaboration with their peers. It is painfully obvious that students be able to share and access information quickly.

References:

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. (2010). Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education, Inc.

Lefever, Lee, (2007). Wikis in Plain English [Web]. Available from []

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //ISTE’s technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.