Chromebook Users: Utilizing Modern
Day Technology to enhance Pedagogical Practices
As I begin to write this week’s blog,
I started to reminisce over the time I spent in elementary school having to
share one computer with all thirty of my classmates. I can remember asking my mom to drop me off
to school early just so I could be the first student on the computer before
class started. By the time I got in
middle school, laptop computers started to become more widely available to
students. We were able to visit the
library with our teachers to checkout laptops. By the time I got to high
school, our only access to computers were the two in the classrooms unless we
requested one from the library.
Technology has come a very long way since I was in school and the
student to computer ratio has changed drastically over the years. At my elementary
school where I currently work, students have their own Chromebooks to use in
the classrooms. Chromebooks are small, basic laptops that connect to the
internet using Google’s Chrome operating system. They are inexpensive, easy to manage, and stimulates collaboration.
Chromebooks also enhances learning by giving students access to a lot of
google applications, such as gmail, google docs, slides, sheet, video
conferencing etc.
SAMR Model and Chromebook Usage in the Classrooms
This week’s module discussed
different types of technology-enabled learning models that can effectively
evaluate technology use in grade k-12. “The SAMR model, which stands for substitution, Augmentation,
Modification,
and Redefinition,
is a technology developed by Dr. Ruben Puentedura.” (Green, 2014) . It is used to aid teachers with incorporating
technology into teaching and learning in classroom settings. The four stages are explained below.
Stage one of the SAMR model is Substitution, meaning that the
technology is being used as a substitution tool without any changes. Here are some examples of this stage and how
the use of Chromebooks can be beneficial in the classroom.
Example 1: Students using their Microsoft word
on their chromebooks to type vocabulary/spelling words and reports vs using
paper and pencil and handwriting their work.
Example 2: Teachers having students use the
google docs app on their chromebooks to collaborate with each other at the same
time, instead of the normal “group stations”.
Example 3: Using the “Paint” application to
let students “draw and color” vs using paper, pencils, and crayons.
Stage two is
Augmentation,
which means technology is still used as the substitute, however, there is
functional improvement. I have provided some examples below of how Chromebooks
can be utilized during this stage.
Example 1- Students can use the text-to-speech
option on their chromebooks, which can enhance and improve the overall writing
process.
Example 2- Students can use Microsoft word on
their chromebooks to change their writing styles such as the text, fonts, and
add images to improve text.
Example 3- Using online encyclopedias,
dictionaries, reading websites, to enhance reading skills.
*In this
stage, Technology offers an effective tool to perform the same task.
Stage three is Modification, tech allows for significant task
design. This stage is the first step
over the line between enhancing the traditional goings-on of the classroom and
transforming the classroom (SAMR Model, 2019) . This stage can also
be shown through the use of chromebooks. The examples are listed below:
Example 1: Students
watching a video discussing internet safety. Next, they create a PowerPoint
presentation on the importance of being safe on the internet.
Example 2: Students writing a Martin Luther King, “I
have a dream speech” essay then create a vocal recording on their chromebooks
to share with their teacher and classmates.
Example 3: Utilizing Google docs to create a list of
links to online learning resources and allow students to access them through
their chromebooks when they need extra help.
Stage four is Redefinition. During this
stage, tech allows for the creation of new tasks, which was previously
unimaginable. At this level, common classroom tasks and computer technology
exist not as ends but as supports for student centered learning (SAMR Model,
2019) . Here are some examples below:
Example 1: Students can watch youtube videos on their
chromebooks pertaining to, “how to create powerpoints” , then they can practice
using the powerpoint program by mking their own presentations. Lastly, the
teacher records students presenting their powerpoints to the class. Teacher
provides feedback to her students about the new technique that was learned.
Example 2: Students can use their chromebooks to access Google’s
app “Blogger”. Students create blogs that are publicly accessible. Students
will then be able to collaborate with other people about their ideas.
Example 3: Teachers
can allow their students use chromebooks to connect to another class in another
part of the world. Together the students can collaborate, using google docs, on
an interesting topic of their choice, preferably, their culture. Together they
can compare the difference between the two cultures, and share their opinions
about any other interesting topics.
Overall, these were all great examples that showed how the SAMR cycle can be utilized through the use of chromebooks in the classroom. This cycle makes lesson very interactive, collaborative, and most importantly very engaging. At the end of the day, technology is everywhere. Teachers and students need technology in the classrooms so all schools should embrace it. It will prepare students for future careers, gives students the opportunities to collaborate more with their classmates and teachers, keeps them interested and engaged in learning, helps them develop their digital citizenship skills, and I am sure the list goes on. However, as educators, we must introduce, engaged our students, and make it a part of learning. Thanks for watching my blog and I will see you next week!
If
you are a teacher or school librarian and would like more information on using
chromebooks to enhance learning, please visit the helpful resources that are
listed below.
References:
Best Chrome Apps and Extensions for Students. (2019, 02 22). Retrieved from Common Sense:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/best-chrome-apps-and-extensions-for-students
Green, L. S. (2014, September/October). Through
the Looking Glass. Retrieved from Ebscohost:
http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=7c333870-79ec-40c3-9634-87bc8345ac99%40sessionmgr120
Network, F. M. (2019, 2 22). Chromebooks in the
Classroom. Retrieved from Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YZYMm5uQcE
Porter, M. (2015, 09 01). 7 Reasons Your Students
Need Chromebooks in the Classroom. Retrieved from Go Guardian :
https://blog.goguardian.com/7-reasons-why-your-students-need-chromebooks
Renard, L. (2019, 02 22). Why these 10 less
popular apps rock your Chromebook classroom. Retrieved from Book Widgets
interactive learning:
https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2017/01/why-these-10-less-popular-apps-rock-your-chromebook-classroom
SAMR Model.
(2019, 02 22). Retrieved from Technology is learning :
https://sites.google.com/a/msad60.org/technology-is-learning/samr-model
Suite, G. (2019, 02 22). Chromebooks Redefine
Learning in the Classroom. Retrieved from youtube.com:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH-RZlM_lds
My child is a 5th grade elementary school student, he has worked on an iPad in his classroom for the past two years, and this year they all received a laptop in order to prepare them for middle school. The students have a program called "Canvas" that they use in the classroom as well as at home. They access the site with a login name and password. Canvas shows them assignments for the week in each subject, study guides, power points they have used in class, as well as grades and upcoming projects. They can directly message their teacher from the site and receive a quick response about homework or a test question. Canvas is a handy tool for students but also a handy tool for parents. I can watch daily lessons and go over assignments at home so that I can help my child study for tests and complete his homework. Math especially has changed so much since I was in elementary school! Chromebooks that can be used in the classroom during the day and taken home each night is a useful way to integrate technology into students' lives. I look forward to seeing how this particular product continues to expand the classroom experience as well as enrich the learning process at home. Thanks for sharing this week!
ReplyDelete-Michelle Swearingen
Good Evening Michelle,
ReplyDeleteIndeed, chromebooks and ipads are very useful resources that can help increase learning in the classrooms. The "Canvas" app that you are speaking about sounds very similar to the app that we use at our school called, "schoology". Students are able to sign in using their email username and passwords. These are both great apps to use, along with class dojo. More importantly, and what I love the most about these apps are, they all cater to parent involvement. I use class dojo to track behavior, and parents are able to see when their child gets points added or deducted. I love this app, I could see a major difference in my children's behavior. The only major issue that I have heard teachers complaining about is, the students aren't allowed to take them home anymore. When the Chromebooks were first issued, the students were able to take them out of classes, however, a lot of the devices started going missing or ended up broken. We also ran into the issue of parents not wanting to pay for the damaged items. So, in a way, it is better to let the children keep them in class, in order to keep track of them. Also, every student does not have access to the internet at home, or any type of technology, therefore, they would be missing out on assignments until they are able to get back to the the Chromebooks. On next year, I plan to suggest to my principal that the kids be allowed to take the devices home, only if the parents pay a security deposit .That way if something goes wrong, the school will be sure to get their money back for the device. Thanks for reading and responding Michelle!