Category: Innovative Instruction

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1-1-1, Collaboration, Faculty Showcase, Faculty Technology Institute, Innovative Instruction, TLT

Collaboration through Technology

Mendi Benigni

Our  guest blogger this week is Tracey Hunter-Doniger in Teacher Education.

This year, the Faculty Technology Institutes focused on Engaging the #Tech Generation. TLT delivered sound
pedagogical practices, demonstrated technological tools, showcased experiences from CofC faculty, and provided a forum for open discussion. In these sessions I learned how to embrace technology through Twitter, Instagram, and other social media. I also learned how to get my students to work together collaboratively through a program called Popplet.

Popplet A VISUAL MAPPING TOOL

Screen Shot 2013-10-24 at 3.55.57 PMPopplet is a tool that allows users to visualize ideas though an organized mind map. A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information for a project, an idea or research. It is often created around a single word or idea. From that central idea lines radiate in all direction to which additional ideas, works, phrases and images can be attached.

A single individual can design a mind map easily with a pen and paper; however, through Popplet technology the mind mapping becomes even more organized. What is more useful, classmates can “invite” their peers to join a Popplet and collaborate  simultaneously. This is useful when planning group projects. The students can work from a single location or from anywhere there is internet access.

Popplet in my Class

My students are required to create a cultural unit infusion the arts into their academic lessons. These groups of 4-5 usually find it difficult to schedule a time to plan their unit. Popplet has allowed my students to collaboratively work on their projects from across campus, while creating an aesthetically pleasing outline of their lessons. When they meet with me to discuss their lessons, it is well thought out, easy to follow and I can clearly see that each student participated in the process.

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1-1-1, Faculty Technology Institute, Innovative Instruction, iPad, Mobile, TLT

iBook Author

Mendi Benigni

Our  guest blogger this week is Tracey Hunter-Doniger in Teacher Education.

craft

In the FTI (Faulty Technology Institute) I learned several ways to implement technology into my class. One specific tool I demonstrate using with my pre-service teachers is iBooks Author. In this example lesson for their future classes I show my students how this program can help bridge learning through a hands-on creative process.

In recent years the United States has seen a decline in test scores in Math and Science as compared to other Westernized countries (White, 2010). As a result, the U.S. appears to be losing competitive ground with other first world nations. This has sparked a directive in the advancement of science, technology, engineering and math, also known as STEM. There is no question that the STEM subjects are vital to learning but it is missing an important component, the arts. STEAM provides the missing component to STEM by adding the “A” for Art.

THE LESSON:

  • The students learn about the scientific components of a nature Field Guide (species of animals, where they can be located, diet, unique qualities of a species, etc.)
  • The students gather multiple items from nature.
  • The students create their own imaginary species from the found objects from nature.
  • Then the student creates an original page for a “class field guide” describing the name, species, classification, etc. of their creature.
  • Publish the pages in iBooks Author and enjoy.

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Innovative Instruction, instructional technology, Pedagogy, Tech Happens! Un-Grant, TLT

Scanner Self-Portraits: Utilizing a scanner as a way to express identity

Mendi Benigni

Our  guest blogger this week is Tracey Hunter-Doniger in Teacher Education.

scan of a student's hand and artifactsThe Tech Happens! Un-Grant is a small one-time grant intended to assist CofC faulty with innovative technology purchases. These purchases can range from $10 to $200. Through this Un-Grant I purchased a portable scanner to use in my education courses EDEE403 Visual & Performing Arts in Education, EDEE 655 Creativity/Creative Arts in Education, and my spring FYE course.

In each of my courses we discuss life histories and identities of the students through written narrative reflection, and visual narratives (artwork). The theoretical framework of this component is based on McAdams’ (2006) theory of Life Story and Identity, which includes three main segments of inquiry designed to explore one’s identity. These segments are the past, present, and future selves. My students focus on their past self when they create their original scanner self –
portraits.

The Russian scanner artist, Yulia Yukashova, is the inspiration for the students as they focus on their past. Using a scanner provides a medium ideal for telling a visual story that is likely to have a multitude of items such as trinkets, photos, images, ticket stubs, jewelry, and personal notes. To the students each and every item has a meaning, a memory and a powerful purpose significant to the participants’ past. This modern form of multimedia artwork gives everyone the chance to be an artist. After the portrait is created the students create a written narrative that explains the significant items found in their self-portrait.

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Faculty Technology Institute, Innovative Instruction, Pedagogy

Engaging the #TechGeneration

Bryan

There are many varied opinions (and some myths) about the characteristics and capabilities of current students. In fact, there is no single accepted label for Americans born after 1990: Net Generation, Digital Natives, and the Tech Generation are all referring to the same demographic.

However, here are three commonly held beliefs about this generation of students:

  • They constitute a largely homogeneous generation, and speak a different digital language from their parents.
  • They learn differently from preceding generations of students.
  • They demand a new way of teaching and learning involving technology.

(Thomas, Michael. Deconstructing Digital Natives. New York: Routeledge, 2011)

In addition, the common wisdom describes this generation (though somewhat contradictory) as technically savvy, participatory, isolated, free-spirited, socially aware and engaged, lacking fundamental skills, distracted, and action oriented.

To address this fundamental shift in instructional design, TLT will offer a week-long Maymester session, know as the Faculty Technology Institute (FTI).

The purpose of this professional development seminar is to:

  • Identify the challenges and benefits of engaging the current student population.
  • Examine “alternative” instructional strategies and technologies for engaging and assessing students.
  • Analyze their own instructional practices to:
    • Identify areas of potential improvement
    • Incorporate appropriate technology tools into their instruction
    • Provide ample opportunity for reflection, creativity, and engagement with the provided content.

We are excited to offer this to the CofC Faculty.  For more information about the expectations and application, please visit the Faculty Technology Institute page.