Jun 28 2008
Connected Classrooms
February 2009 – The Connected Classrooms Project is gathering momentum.
The first 600 DET NSW Public Schools (of 2200 who will eventually be connected) are learning to use video conferencing, Promethean software and IWB’s.
Many teachers will have exposure to these technologies for the first time.
I’m sure “interactive” (brain interactive via H.O.T., not the physical) will be promoted by DET during TPL and becomes a key renewer to classroom practice, otherwise VC,CCP,IWB and laptops will be an exercise in reinforcing ‘chalk and talk’ via expensive screens.
I’m sure DET are listening and also regard TPL as the key.
The resources below may also help you.
DET NSW 2006 trial of Video Conferencing and IWB’s connected_classes_bb. Succinct and self explanatary.
All 2200 NSW DET schools will receive connected classrooms from 2008 to 2011.
A 1.4million network, (albeit still a silo or walled garden) of connected NSW learners will result.
The tools project set for a 2009 release will complement the CCP.
I am eagrely awaiting more detail of exactly what this suite of tools will include. Patience Tony, patience.
For NSW DET staff, TaLe and CLI are two starting points for excellent digital resources.
Sharing knowledge and resources between DET learners.
The Irish Skoool resources that DET bought are also excellent, especially for Maths and Science teachers.
Other IWB sites you may find helpful include; Please let me know of any broken links.
- Teacher Tube Promethean Tutorials – over 100 video tips and ideas
- Danny’s IWB Blog – lots of tips, links and ideas.
- Promethean Planet. The world’s largest IWB community. (or go direct to their blog)
- Connected learning DET NSW North Coast Region resources
- Johnny Lee is amazing. The $50 IWB is here, have a look at his 5 minute video at Teds Learning Place
- Interactive Whiteboards in the Classroom, Sharing resources for use.
- Interactive Whiteboard Teacher Learning Community
- What is the DET CCP?
- Theme pages edna IWB’s resources
- Oz Projects – online school projects
- CILC – Have you thought about creating a classroom collaboration?
- T4 – The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.
-Plutarch
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datacomIT – commercial site with Promethean information
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Implementing IWB’s. What Can We learn?
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IWB’s in Secondary. Where is the Interaction? slideshow
- NSW North Coast Regional Connected Classrooms (DET password needed)
- DET Interactive Classroom Global Parts Lists (DET password needed)
- DET NSW Interactive Classrooms ICT Standards (DET password needed)
- CLi Learncast videos on Using Your IWB Effectively
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I am one of those who got the Connected Classroom in the first 200 schools. A year on it is useful to reflect on the changes in my teaching. I agree that the pedagogy is the key.
My first lesson using the board involved the class completing a table in a word document on a poem we were studying. It was the day after the board was installed and at this point I had had no training in using the software and just had a belief that if it was on the wall I needed to do something with it, if only to justify the money spent and also to maintain my credibility with my students. I want them to be risk takers in learning so I had to be too.
I had already prepared a table in a word document that I would have done with the OHP if the board hadn’t been there. I sat as a student in the room and typed as they talked, occasionally redirecting or asking questions. It was fascinating – the kids became very engaged in the discussion directing me and ‘editing’ what I typed along the way. The next lesson, on a different poem, I handed the keyboard over to the students.
And I guess that is my point – as much as possible I need to ‘hand over’ the technology to the students if the board is to become more than just a computer screen on the wall and all my students die from Powerpoint/Flipchart poisoning!
One aspect that does impact on their learning is the multi-modal capabilities of the technology – it does engage students in many different ways throughout lessons and there is more learning if there is greater engagement with the focus of the lesson. The novelty has now worn off and I have a new dimension to my preparation – how can I use the interactive dimensions in a purposeful way in this lesson today?
Lyn
Student participation is important, more so than interactive.
When the DET NSW laptop, IWB, ICT finally converge it will be how much we contribute, share and particpate that will engage learners more deeply.
That is why I dislike seeing technology/ICT used as “imporatnt words”, it deflects from the real issue, how to improve our learning which is an attitudinal mindset, not a skill.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, I enjoyed hearing how others are using their IWB’s