Technology in the Classroom:
Resource 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlhxpU5QdM8 “Supercharging the Classroom: Using Technology to Support Personalized Learning.” In this video Sal Khan describes what Khan academy is and shows the many ways it can be used in a classroom with a teacher to supercharge the learning experience.
Resource 2: https://www.edutopia.org/video/tech-buddies-building-technology-skills-through-peer-teaching “Tech Buddies: Building Technology Through Peer Teaching”
Resource 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4 “Singapore’s 21st-Century Teaching Strategies”
I am analyzing Resource 2: "Tech Buddies: Building Technology Through Peer Teaching”:
A. What is the purpose of the lesson?
The purpose of this lesson is for upper grade students to team up with lower grade students and expose them to various technology tools.
B. How do you know the students are learning?
I know the students were learning because the students were all so engaged! The upper grade students were teaching the primary students how to use technology in this video. Various tech tools that fifth grade students taught the first grade students to use were: Google Classroom, Google Docs, Padlet, and Osmo.
I saw the fifth grade students take pride in teaching the first grade students. These fifth graders were kind, respectful, and patient while teaching their first grade tech buddies. Both the first graders and the fifth graders benefit from this partnership. For example, the first graders took notes from their online reading program while their fifth grade tech buddies helped support them to complete this task. The fifth graders also helped their first grade tech buddies make a presentation using google slides. This was impressive to watch!
During this partnership, the fifth grade students are in the position of a teacher. Many studies have shown that peer teaching leads to a deeper level of learning and reinforcement of what was taught. This was an awesome way to see this utilized. The first graders benefit from learning about new technology in a one-on-one setting. This process also builds communication skills. Tech buddies allow the first graders become more independent, and benefit from receiving one-on-one attention. Because of the fifth grade support, the first graders can work on this technology independently in session rotations in their classroom. The fifth graders become more confident in themselves through their interactions with the fifth graders.
C, What is the teacher doing?
During Tech Buddies, the two teachers were facilitators. The teachers monitored the students and provided help and feedback when needed throughout the technology time. At the end of the session, the teachers led a reflection time where the first and fifth graders responded to reflection questions and debriefed.
The teachers would meet the week prior to plan. The teachers discuss the standards, what technology program would best support those standards, and what device(s) will be used (i.e. chrome books, iPads, etc.). The teachers made posters that clearly outlined the day’s task. The poster had the title of the technology program being used, the objective clearly stated for both the fifth grader and the first grader, and then a focus list. The focus list clarified the specifics of what will be required for the specific program listed.
D. Could you potentially use this lesson?
I could absolutely use this lesson. At the school I teach at we have “Big Buddies” and “Little Buddies” already implemented. Integrating technology into this already existing program would be very exciting, and very beneficial to the students.
Resource 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlhxpU5QdM8 “Supercharging the Classroom: Using Technology to Support Personalized Learning.” In this video Sal Khan describes what Khan academy is and shows the many ways it can be used in a classroom with a teacher to supercharge the learning experience.
Resource 2: https://www.edutopia.org/video/tech-buddies-building-technology-skills-through-peer-teaching “Tech Buddies: Building Technology Through Peer Teaching”
Resource 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pIK7ghGw4 “Singapore’s 21st-Century Teaching Strategies”
I am analyzing Resource 2: "Tech Buddies: Building Technology Through Peer Teaching”:
A. What is the purpose of the lesson?
The purpose of this lesson is for upper grade students to team up with lower grade students and expose them to various technology tools.
B. How do you know the students are learning?
I know the students were learning because the students were all so engaged! The upper grade students were teaching the primary students how to use technology in this video. Various tech tools that fifth grade students taught the first grade students to use were: Google Classroom, Google Docs, Padlet, and Osmo.
I saw the fifth grade students take pride in teaching the first grade students. These fifth graders were kind, respectful, and patient while teaching their first grade tech buddies. Both the first graders and the fifth graders benefit from this partnership. For example, the first graders took notes from their online reading program while their fifth grade tech buddies helped support them to complete this task. The fifth graders also helped their first grade tech buddies make a presentation using google slides. This was impressive to watch!
During this partnership, the fifth grade students are in the position of a teacher. Many studies have shown that peer teaching leads to a deeper level of learning and reinforcement of what was taught. This was an awesome way to see this utilized. The first graders benefit from learning about new technology in a one-on-one setting. This process also builds communication skills. Tech buddies allow the first graders become more independent, and benefit from receiving one-on-one attention. Because of the fifth grade support, the first graders can work on this technology independently in session rotations in their classroom. The fifth graders become more confident in themselves through their interactions with the fifth graders.
C, What is the teacher doing?
During Tech Buddies, the two teachers were facilitators. The teachers monitored the students and provided help and feedback when needed throughout the technology time. At the end of the session, the teachers led a reflection time where the first and fifth graders responded to reflection questions and debriefed.
The teachers would meet the week prior to plan. The teachers discuss the standards, what technology program would best support those standards, and what device(s) will be used (i.e. chrome books, iPads, etc.). The teachers made posters that clearly outlined the day’s task. The poster had the title of the technology program being used, the objective clearly stated for both the fifth grader and the first grader, and then a focus list. The focus list clarified the specifics of what will be required for the specific program listed.
D. Could you potentially use this lesson?
I could absolutely use this lesson. At the school I teach at we have “Big Buddies” and “Little Buddies” already implemented. Integrating technology into this already existing program would be very exciting, and very beneficial to the students.