Blog #4 - Interactive Whiteboards & R.A.T. Model

An interactive whiteboard is an instructional tool that allows the user to project their computer images on to a large screen via a digital projector. It is also interactive meaning that the user can use their fingers on the screen in a similar way you would use a mouse on a laptop or desktop. On the interactive whiteboard, the user can click and drag items, notes can be written and then transformed into text and saved, and much more. To me, an interactive whiteboard is just like a really big iPad or touchscreen laptop.

Interactive whiteboards are a wonderful addition to a k-12 classroom because they allow for interactivity and collaboration. They also are a great means of integrating media content into lectures and lessons. Below I have outlined how an interactive whiteboard would benefit a classroom by utilizing the R.A.T assessment model.

Replacement: An interactive whiteboard replaces the need for large chart paper, chalkboards/whiteboards, and various projection and video playing equipment. An interactive whiteboard is an all-in-one instructional tool.

Amplification: An interactive whiteboard increases efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity because the instructor can streamline their lessons into one fluid presentation. Another benefit is that it allows the instructor to meet the needs of students through different learning styles. Tactile learners have the opportunity to touch and move things around on the board or visual learner have a clear view of what is happening due to the large size of the board and the ability to easily magnetize the screen if needed.

Transformation: An interactive whiteboard allows for lessons to become more interactive through group participation. It allows for the instructor to become more of a facilitator of learning and students become more invested in their learning because they are a part of the lessons. The instructor no longer needs to stand in the front of the room, but rather, can now stand to the side and support and guide students as they work together with the assistance of the interactive whiteboard. The utilization of an interactive whiteboard also presents information in a way that is comfortable and relatable to students of the 21^st century and thereby has the potential to have them become more engaged.

If you are interested in having an interactive whiteboard in your classroom, I suggest taking a look at these links:

https://www.eztalks.com/whiteboard/benefits-of-interactive-whiteboards-in-the-classroom.html

https://www.neamb.com/professional-resources/benefits-of-interactive-whiteboards.htm

 

References:

BBC. (n.d.). What is an interactive whiteboard? Retrieved from http://www.bbcactive.com/BBCActiveIdeasandResources/Whatisaninteractivewhiteboard.aspx

Hughes, J. (2016). R.A.T. model. Retrieved September 30, 2018, from http://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/

Blog #3 - Animoto

Thanks to blogger Shannon McClintock Miller, a k-12 teacher librarian, I was introduced to a new and completely awesome Web 2.0 tech tool, Animoto. Animoto is a cloud-based video creation service that is utilized to produce videos from text slides, photographs, video clips, and music. Miller used Animoto as an element of her digital citizenship lessons. The students were asked to research digital citizenship and then create an Animoto video to “teach the other students in our elementary (school) and globally about staying safe online” (McClinton Miller, 2012).

While Animoto offers different services that require a yearly subscription, it was refreshing to find that they were thinking about teachers. Teachers can apply for a free Animoto account for themselves and up to 50 students. This account allows the use of personal pictures and video clips and includes access to the Animoto music library and video style templates.

As stated by Melissa P. Johnston, “the highly technological environment of 21^st century schools has significantly redefined the role of the teacher librarian” and “technology has become a vital part of the teaching and learning experience, and students have to be taught the skills they need to prepare them to meet the demands of a digital society”. Therefore the addition of this tech tool to a school library program would be extremely beneficial. The format itself is exciting and engaging for students and allows for creativity and individualization, but it also allows for higher-order thinking and collaboration. The applications of how to utilize this service in a school library setting are endless. Students can use the videos to create book reports, book trailers, demonstrate understanding of research, and so much more!  

A student made Animoto video - A book trailer for Out of This World by Amy E. Sklansky

A tutorial for teachers on how to use Animoto

References:

Animoto (2018). Video app for schools – easy video tool for educators. Retrieved from https://animoto.com/business/education

Fairfield, R. (2015, September 1). Animoto for education (tutorial for teachers) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgqpwUvZniE

Friedland, Z. (2014, March 28). Out of this world (5^th grade book preview) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PetLq1rYY2k

Johnston, M.P. (2012). Connecting teacher librarians for technology integration leadership. School Librarians Worldwide 18(1), 18-33.

McClintock Miller, S. (2012, October 2). Using CyberSmarts eBooks… our students created Animoto’s to teach others about staying safe online [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://vanmeterlibraryvoice.blogspot.com/2012/10/using-cybersmarts-ebooksour-students.html

Blog #2 - Do we need an information diet?

I was listening to a podcast in which Clay Johnson, author of The Information Diet, was the guest. I felt that I needed some clarification on what the book was about before I continued listening to the podcast. The premise of the book uses junk food versus healthy food metaphor in order to explain information consumption. In the introduction of his book, Johnson writes, “the information diet works best if you think of it not as denying yourself information, but as consuming more of the right stuff and developing healthy habits.” I find this notion to be important and extremely relevant to society right now. As I continued to listen to the podcast Johnson made a comment about people logging into Facebook and losing track of time. That hit home for me because I have noticed that I have been spending way too much time doing that same thing. I definitely have fallen down the rabbit hole of Facebook videos, quizzes, and posts.

This idea of an information diet can also be important to school librarians. According to Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21), we are currently living in a technology and media-driven world in which there is a large amount of available information and rapid changes in technology tools. For school librarians, one of the many aspects of that job is to assist students in the navigation of the learning, using, and understanding information literacy, technology, and digital/media platforms. The school librarian can use this idea of information diet to make sure they are providing the most useful and beneficial tools, rather than overwhelming students by showing them every available platform.

           Another way in which school librarians can use the notion of the information diet is focusing on community. In the podcast Johnson made a comment about the importance of focusing on having an impact of your community and it really stood out to me. For some students, their community is as far as they will travel and I think that school librarians have a duty and opportunity to show their students how create their community is and find way for them to become a part of it to support its growth.