Protocol for PLWP Super Technology Saturday Sessions

Goal: 

• Provide Quick Fix instructions and “play” time while introducing technology.
• Provide leadership opportunities for PLWP TCs.

A Super Technology Saturday session is lead by a TC with expertise in using a specific technology.  At least 4 individuals who have knowledge of the technology are asked to assist each session. Each session provided at least 5 TCs an opportunity to step into a leadership role.

 

Overview and Introduction (10) minutes

Lead by a PLWP TC who has used the technology in his or her classroom and/or who has demonstrated its use at a Summer Institute.

 

Instruction with examples (20) minutes

Instruction and handouts for use of the technology featured.

 

Hands-on Use Experience (120) minutes

Support and assistance provided by 4 group leaders who understand the technology being featured.

 

 

Share out/Gallery Walk (30) minutes

Provide time to share experiences.

 

 

Classroom application and Evaluation (30) minutes

During brown bag lunch, discuss possible uses in the classroom.  Share out those discussions.  Also discuss suggestions for future Super Technology Saturdays.

 

Project Descriptions:

Above is the protocol PLWP used for all four of our Super Technology Saturdays.

PLWP has about 40 TCs who have and use technology in their classroom.  We decided to tap into that knowledge pool to present the Super Technology Saturday sessions.  Many of these TCs have gone on to present at a Missouri state Write To Learn conference.

 

PLWP held a Shoot and Write Marathon in April.  Much like a writing marathon, a shoot and write marathon combines taking photos and pausing to write about that photo.  Participants then uploaded their writings and photos to a Flickr group.  This initial group was private.  One of the participants asked if we were going to offer this opportunity again in the Fall.  We recorded Missouri Western State University campus dressed in her Spring glory, could we come back in the Fall to shoot her in her Fall colors?  The Fall group went public with their uploads at http://www.flickr.com/photos/poemsmitten/3473794230/in/pool-1153923@N20 . This photo and writing is a good example of what was produced at the Shoot and Writes.

 

The second Super Technology Saturday was held in May.  Using the same format, a 2009 TC presented how he used Photo Story 3 for students to publish their place-based poetry using this free downloadable program that produces a movie.  He also used it for having students produce book trailers.  We ask participants to bring a draft of a piece of writing and some photos related to it.  If participants did not have photos, we used a search on Flickr to identify copyright free photos or went to http://www.pics4learning.com/ where all photos are copyright free and assessable in districts that have blocks on many photo sites.  http://www.freeplaymusic.com/ was shared as a source of music to add to their movie.

 

The third Super Technology Saturday was held in late September.  A TC with experience in using digital audio recorders and digital video recorders presented a session on exploring these two tools along with the software that was available to create and upload podcasts and video.  Discussions generated a number of ways to use these tools in the class.

 

In October we revisited the Missouri Western State University campus for a Fall shoot and write.  This groups work is http://www.flickr.com/groups/1153923@N20/ projects key through takingonlife are student projects from a teacher who attended the Shoot and Write then did a project with her students inviting them to upload their pieces to this group.