2nd Grade Tech PLC

In February, the PLC answered a Form to capture the professional learning we did around Google Classroom. It showed that there were 3 bands of teachers moving at various rates.

From the results we can say that:

• Google Classroom was time consuming to set up and to use.
  
• Google Classroom gave students a new model of peer feedback.
  
• Google Classroom is a new way to capture informal assessments on independence.
  
• Google Classroom was used for reading clubs, responses to formal questions in reading, writing, theme study and science.
  

What the teachers had concerns with:

• network issues
  
• computer access --the station-rotation model is SLOW for a class to get through an activity in a week
  
• confidence and ability in typing
  

What teachers want to move on to:

• using google classroom earlier
  
• embedding it deeper into ELA
  
• having more support in planning and using it
  
• Every teacher would use it again!

Our learning has been severely limited by resources. While we could not do the teaching we are interested in without the 5 laptops per class, our imaginations have quickly moved beyond the center-rotation model. One issue that we have had is finding times to use the computers carts when other classrooms do not have them signed out. We have a concern with the lack of computers per pupil per building.

Year 1: I had 5 chrome books and participated in Tech PLC with very little knowledge of how to use google apps. I saw the positive impact on how I can use the original chrome books after year one for the following: peer editing, voice recording for students with PT/OT or other LD impairments, and research. I put in a grant for VCSEF and received two more chrome books for my classroom.

Year 2: This year our PLC continued to implement the use of computers in a quicker manner, introducing Classlink and teaching students how to navigate those apps. We have especially used library resources for research, and goggle docs, using class link apps for our room's Symbaloo, and Typing Club to practice gross motor skills to hasten their knowledge of keyboard. I have also added Google Classroom this year into Science and ELA. Students have responded to video links to follow up on our magnetism unit. We have also had literacy responses from Merry Go Round Play House performance via computer. Students have begun to also respond to each other's answer's creating more questions to explore.

I am continuing to create my own personal growth with implementing google classroom. I am interested in having students complete more project based learning over the next year/years once I continue to become more comfortable with google apps myself.

I learn new ways to use technology from my PLC team. They bring different ideas on how to best utilize technology in the classroom.

I have found my students are very excited to read on myon and not only read but listen to a larger variety of books than they may have by visiting my library or the school library. I like to use myon for book groups and book talks. It has really added to my ELA resources.

I think I use the computers more than I expected to. However....it is tricky with only 5 computers in the classroom. It takes too much planning or utilizing other's equipment to accomplish the smallest of assignments. Many children feel left out if they can't use one when they want to read or write on any given day. Some children are extremely motivated to write/read when a computer is involved and it is not always easy to allow that to happen.

This year's tech PLC has enhanced both my students learning and my teaching. Through the use of google docs some of my students have been able to voice record weekly writing assignments independently, whereas if they did not have the technology they would not be able to write independently. Through continued use of seesaw, typing games, math games, reading websites (especially myon) and more on the chrome books, students have become more comfortable using the technology for assignments. They access resources quickly on their classlink homepage, as well as a class symbaloo.

This year Google Docs and Google Classroom have been an asset to the classroom, as small groups have been able to share a google classroom conversation thread and talk about the books that they read. Google classroom has also helped guide some students' research. Students have been able to type their writing on google docs and share their work with a peer and a teacher. Having this PLC and the Chromebooks in my classroom has been highly motivating for my students each and every day! These technology skills are helping to set up my students for future success and I hope to continue to grow and include more technology each year!