EB-13 ICT Across the Curriculum in K-8 Presenter: Dave Hildebrand Curriculum Coordinator Garden Valley School Division

A bit about me… Graduate of the Business Teacher Ed Program (RRC & U of M) Business Ed teacher for nearly 20 years Part-time Tech Vocational Coordinator for Garden Valley Collegiate ICT Coordinator for GVSD Since Curriculum Coordinator for GVSD

About Today’s Session Disclaimer #1: I’m not a K-8 teacher…but I’ve worked with many K-8 teachers Disclaimer #2: I’m not the “iPad guy” K-8 is, in many ways, two distinct “worlds:” Early Years (K-4) and Middle Years (5-8) We’ll try to look at: ◦ A rationale for ICT infusion ◦ Manitoba Education & Literacy with ICT ◦ Project ideas and sites that encourage critical, creative, and digital citizenship skills. ◦ Some emerging technologies to watch

ICT in the Classroom is an Adventure…

…and it’s not about Perfection… “People often called us perfectionists, but we were not looking for perfection. We were looking for some kind of magic in the music. “ ~ Paul Simon

…and means different things to users “Technology is anything that wasn't around when you were born.” ~ Alan Kay

Technology in Education: Why? Young people are technologically fearless. Captures the power of the narrative and ‘story’ (J. Bruner) Allows students to develop a voice, collaborate, organize, debate, create, and…participate. Offers students an authentic ‘audience’

Technology in Education: Why? Develop essential skills Games have their place-but watch out for “skill and drill” activities The huge positive potential children have and the vital role they have to play in shaping the world Laying a foundation for future learning and future living…

ICT: A Powerful Vehicle Assessment Creativity Curriculum Motivation Infused Not a ‘sideline’

Improve student writing and literacy Improve student numeracy skills Support resource-based learning (eg. library, resource) Altering instructional approach Individualizing instruction Using adaptive technologies Where ICT Can Play a Role

Technology Infusion… What is Technology “Infusion”? The transparent application of ICT, wherever and whenever appropriate, to enhance critical and creative thinking. Infusion says “it’s not about the computers; it’s about teaching students to be creative and critical thinkers.” The computer is just a tool that we use to get to our real goals. Do we need 1:1 to achieve this?

Manitoba Ed. - A ‘Snapshot’ of the changes… Manitoba Ed. - A ‘Snapshot’ of the changes… Early 90’s – Software-based, slow networks 1998 document: Technology as a Foundation Skill Area ◦ Focus largely still on technology and skills, not the students – Curriculum Navigator Project 2006 document: Literacy with ICT Across the Curriculum (LwICT) ◦ Now student-centered. - Using ICT in a 21 st Century context  Creativity and Collaboration.

LwICT Continuum (see document) document

LwICT Continuum Students grow in depth

Manitoba Ed. - A ‘Snapshot’ of the changes… Manitoba Ed. - A ‘Snapshot’ of the changes… 2009 – LwICT mandated for all K – MAPLE (see site ) – new MB teacher professional learning spacesite – LwICT no longer on report card ◦ i.e. ‘Infusion’ is now happening

LwICT ‘rebranded’ and ‘refreshed’

Two ‘Good News’ Items Remain… 1. ICT can include: ◦ computers, laptops, tablets, digital cameras, video cameras, digital microscopes, scanners, smart phone, electronic games, digital audio devices, GPS, electronic whiteboards, electronic heart monitors, the Internet…in short…almost anything! 2. You decide what and when: “…the transparent application of ICT, wherever and whenever appropriate, to enhance critical and creative thinking.” [Quote from the LwICT Handbook]

What ICT Assessment (and Infusion) is Not (?)

Learning Management Systems (LMS) There are many competitors in the LMS space: ◦ ePals LearningSpace ◦ Edmodo Edmodo ◦ Desire2Learn ◦ Blackboard ◦ Moodle ◦ schoology schoology ◦ Others… Most are cloud-based and include social networking features: ◦ connecting learners, knowledge sharing, etc.

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Successes: Can hit most LwICT descriptors with one tool Factors limiting success include: ◦ Teacher readiness to change pedagogies ◦ Student readiness ◦ Technological issues ◦ Collection and use of personal information ◦ Students under 13 years of age need parental consent

Some thoughts on assessment Rubrics--sets of criteria that clearly define for both student and teacher what a range of acceptable and unacceptable performance looks like. There are rubric resources out there: nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/ nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/

Ways of ‘Leveraging' ICT More Powerfully: 1. Look for tools that make your teaching easier ◦ Let the network do the work for you (eg. Twitter) 2. Combine good hardware with strong software (e.g. Algodoo) e e 3. Develop projects where students contribute to building a more complete understanding of the world Historypin

Ways of ‘Leveraging' ICT More Powerfully: 4. Seek ways of making ICT use truly ‘transformational’ 5. Use tools that encourage creative expression and communication: Shutterfly.com Todaysmeet.com

Ways of ‘Leveraging' ICT More Powerfully: 6. Logic and/or game development tools create student engagement Kodu WeQ WeQ 7. Don’t forget about large technology companies that support education

Contact davehildebrand.wikispaces.com