922D3Berenberg,+Melissa

Melissa Berenberg EDC 922 Deliverable #3 Technology Proposal

__ Proposal for Web 2.0 Implementation __ The purpose of this proposal is to implement a new technology movement into my everyday literacy instruction. Educational tools are constantly improving and changing and through professional development opportunities I have been updating my knowledge base. This new form of technology is research-based and will benefit today’s students and prepare them to be active citizens in our ever changing society. The name of this new technology movement is known as Web 2.0. This interactive web offers tools to meet the needs of all learning styles and ability levels while consistently engaging students and challenging their literacy needs. After analyzing the needs of our school and student population, the need to foster differentiated instruction is evident and we need to provide ways for instruction of higher level thinking skills. Through these Web 2.0 technology tools, we can meet the needs of all learners and provide a forum of updated material and access tools that reflect the changes in today’s generation.

My endless toolbox of instructional strategies now consists of an abundance of technology tools. One tool I would like to implement is known as a Wiki. A Wiki is similar to a personal web page however it can be monitored and personalized for a variety of purposes. This forum is maintained and updated by an individual and includes a means for communication through regular postings and comments. Wikis also can contain visual and audio aspects such as uploaded pictures, graphics, audio, and video. Hyperlinks can also be uploaded to Wikis in order to expose more information on a specific topic. This web 2.0 movement offers open educational resources which are online texts that are constantly updated. These materials are not outdated like some of our textbooks and are free to access online. A hyperlink to these curriculum-based materials can also be added to the Wiki. Web 2.0 offers support materials that meet all grade level expectations and can support struggling students who are below grade level. In addition, the material posted on the Wiki fosters a collaborative effort between students and provides an editing tool to aid in the improvement process. Overall, Wikis create an online educational community which promotes a collaboration of learning between students and staff. Web 2.0 materials will support academic and social needs of our school population and will prepare children for their future in a digital society.

There are many different tools to use to organize wikis and help maintain appropriate use and material. I would encourage the use of wikispaces.com because it will not use any of the school’s money and contains many components that support different learning styles and ways to monitor the web page. Another way to manage a Wiki is by providing specific links and websites in order for students to stay on task and avoid exposure to any inappropriate material. With the use of my new technology knowledgebase, I would like to create a Wiki in order to support students with PLP’s. My classroom Wiki will be individualized to the needs of my students and I will use it as another tool to monitor progress of each child. I will include valuable hyperlinks for each literacy area and the students will have access after school in order to continue instruction after the school day ends. Lastly, I will use a multi-sensory approach by utilizing visuals, audio, and text.

This new Web 2.0 technology will be a valuable tool for our school setting and will support the needs of our School Improvement Plan and District Technology Plan. As a school, we need to improve in literacy, differentiated instruction, as well as instruct the students on PLP’s and provide them with the necessary tools to meet grade level benchmarks. Wikis and Open Educational Resources will promote an online community with the appropriate means to meet our school’s needs. It will show evidence of individual progress and appeal to the needs of all learners. There are many research-based benefits that support the use of this tool. For example, research has shown that Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence and the theory of Differentiated Instruction helps student’s with their academic growth and has shown proven success. In addition, research has also shown that Early Childhood computer experience helps to develop cognitive and motor development. In conclusion, this research-based tool will individualize instruction, support critical thinking skills, and meet the needs of different ability levels and learning styles.

With any new tool, there are always questions that will arise on what are the negative effects. For one, there is a security issue on who can access this Wiki. Will the World Wide Web be able to access student information and published work? The second concern is who will ensure the appropriateness of the use and material posted. In addition, many teachers will have concerns on time management and up-keeping of the Wiki. The third concern will include professional development and money from the school budget. Teachers will ask how will I receive training and support with this new tool. Well, I have a few answers to those concerns. Many Wiki services have ways to monitor the comments and materials on the Internet. Inappropriate postings can be reviewed and retracted before being added to the Wiki. In regards to professional development, many teachers in our school have already taken courses on how to implement these new technologies. We could have mentor teachers organized for each grade level and provide in-house support. Once a Wiki is set up appropriately, then time management and up-keep won’t be a problem. Instead of filing papers in a portfolio for each student, the information can be easily accessed and tracked on the Wiki. Any changes made will be documented and the student work will be tracked. Instead of carrying a ten pound school bag filled with student work, teachers can access work from the Wiki. Also, our school budget will not be affected monetarily for professional development or program use.

Teaching learning with technology has a positive outcome on a child’s academic and social growth. If our school begins to use this tool for the upcoming school year, then our District Technology Plan will be updated and our School Improvement Plan will receive the support it needs to meet the end of the year goals. In addition, the desire for professional development in this area will be accessible and can be provided in-house. The long-term use and benefits of this tool will positively affect our students, staff, and community as a whole. We can work towards sharing a common vision and preparing our student’s for today’s world. A new and improved learning environment can be created with the use of this new tool and will open up many different doors to meet the needs of our staff, students, and community. We can even create a technology action plan for our school improvement document and keep our school up to date with new and improved practices.

To show you how easy and essential this tool can be we are going to access an Open Educational Resource and Wiki on persuasive writing that I have already created at __[|www.wikidave.wikispaces.com/EDC922]__. I will show you the beneficial features I have already discussed in my proposal and we will view three more examples of teachers who have already implemented this tool.

__FURTHER__ __READINGS__ “How Wikis Are Changing Our View of the World” http://news.cnet.com/Wikis-allow-news,-history-by-committee/2009-1025_3-5944453.html?tag=ne.tbw.nav

“Reading Across a Dozen Literacies” http://fno.org/mar09/dozen.html#text

Article discussing today’s society and what it is to be globally literate. []

http://ck-12.org/news.html

http://news.cnet.com/Futurist-To-fix-education,-think-Web-2.0/2100-1032_3-6140175.html?tag=sas.email