Computer Classes and Spring Plans

I am helping Dawn to teach introduction to computer classes on Tuesday nights from 5:15 until 6:30. In December, we had a slower time getting people to come, but now we have a nice following that come every week and are improving on their computer skills. I love being able to help these people learn more about computers and technology. They are so sweet and eager to learn. It has been an interesting challenge to learn about English Language Learners and cultural differences in dealing with different backgrounds when it comes to technology.

The next project is on its way with a proposal written about the Smart Boards. I have also been trained on the Smart Board technology and have the software on my computer to work with and make new projects to help the teachers. I will be meeting the teachers in 30 minute increments over the next two weeks at GNETS. I will be assessing each teacher's level of comfort with the technology and what their overall classroom goals are. Then we will begin to make lessons for each teacher to present to the school on parent day in May. I will be gaging the success of the project based on the improvement in the teacher abilities and whether or not the Smart Board adds to the overall goals of the teacher's classroom.

Right now I am working on coming up with initial evaluation questions and ways to gage each teachers proficiency on the Smart Board. I will be asking the teachers to turn on the machine, set up the machine, calibrate the machine and write on the board for their basic level of understanding. Then I will move on to gage the teacher's abilities to use the programs the are provided through Smart Board. The final level of ability is going to be if the teachers can take outside media and integrate this into the daily classroom and the Smart Board.

I am also preparing for speaking at two conferences this spring on the topic of Smart boards in the classrooms. In the near future, I will also be working as a receptionist in the Digital Bridges Center when it opens for a few hours a week.

This is just a quick overview of what is going on right now.

(11 hrs 50 min)