Identify these “stories” as literacy, adapting or transforming uses of technology.
Alice’s Story: “We don't really have a lot of access to technology. But we do have a computer lab, so I'm able to take the kids down to the computer lab at least once a week. Our math series came with software, so pretty much right now I'm showing them how to use that software in case we can use it later to go along with our math lessons. Another thing I'm doing right now is teaching the local history of our area. I know they have a Web site that I can go to, but at this point the text book came with quite a bit of written material to help support that. And, since I've taught the unit many years, using that method I just kinda find that to work the best in terms of getting the content across to kids. It's very important to me that the content is learned, because they need to know that content in order to take our standardized tests.”
Choose One: Literacy Adapting Transforming
Sarah’s Story:
“My class right now is studying explorers, and each child has chosen an explorer that they would like to research further. And, for the first time this year, what we're doing is they're going to write explorer reports. I've given the kids URL addresses and certain sites that they can go to that are relevant to their explorer. We've also used online encyclopedias to do some of the research. And I've provided the children with an outline of things that they are to look for while visiting those sites. After they're done doing the research for their report the kids have an option this year of putting it all together into a multimedia presentation via HyperStudio.”
Greg’s Story:
“In my classroom we do project-based learning. As a team, what we've done is we've taken the local history standard, and we're looking at that. We've had the kids review historical Web sites and other resources. And what they've done is they've chosen the population explosion in Orange County in 1950, just really interested them. What they are going to do is construct a Web site that's going to include interviews with local people that moved to the area during that time. It's going to have charts and graphs about the population growth and we're going to link it to the local historical society so anybody can access that site and see what our school has done.”
*Stories taken from NCREL’s web site at: http://www.ncrel.org/
