Task+2-+Recommendations

Task 2: Recommendations

After conducting my needs assessment survey with the three teachers that I am working with, I realized that they are fairly comfortable with technology. They all have a basic understanding of Microsoft Office however they are not comfortable using their knowledge with their students in the classroom. Before I developed my recommendations I spoke with the three teachers about the new technology that is now at our school, a Promethean Board. Each teacher has taken part in an after school training to become familiar with the Promethean Board but have not used them in their class. Based on this information, I developed my two recommendations:

1. Use Microsoft Publisher to enhance a language arts (primarily writing) assignment in the classroom. Publisher can be used to create brochures, newsletters, greeting cards, invitations, etc., that can be used to replace the normal paper and pencil research paper.

2. Increase student involvement and interaction throughout the day. This can be done by incorporating the use of a Promethean Board in an everyday lesson.


 * Microsoft Publisher: **

Microsoft Publisher is a program that allows information to be presented in a variety of ways. It can be used during a writing assignment to allow students to present their final draft in a multiple ways, whether it is a flyer, brochure, sign or postcard. This allows students to take a different approach to writing then they normally would in the classroom. Students can be creative with the font, colors, set up and pictures that they place on their work.

This program is easily accessible to anyone that has Microsoft Office on their computer. It is user friendly and follows the same basic set up as all of the other Microsoft Office programs. Another benefit of Publisher is that it allows students who do not enjoy writing to type their information and really show their true potential and creativity. The downfall is that some students do not have computer access at home so they could not work on whatever assignment Publisher is used for outside of school.


 * Promethean Board: **

Promethean Board is a technology tool that allows students to be very interactive with the lesson. The program ActivInspire, allows the teacher to create different lessons and have access to flipcharts that make any lesson interactive. However, the use of the Promethean Board is not limited to this program. It can make other websites and programs interactive for students.

There are many advantages to using the Promethean Board in the classroom. Not only is it an active way to get students involved, but it can be used with lessons that have already been created. There does not have to be extra work to use the Promethean Board once there is an understanding of how it works. It is also nice because the program ActivInspire helps create flipcharts that can include a camera, magic erasers, multimedia and screen and sound recording.

One negative aspect of the Promethean Board is the limited access that we have to it at school. When a teacher plans to use the board it needs to be checked out for the day. Another difficulty that can be faced with the Promethean Board is getting trained in order to gain a solid understanding. I am currently working with Amy Boehman (Technology Coordinator for BCES) to schedule a training on the board. She is coming to work with me two days after school at the end of March if any of the other teachers that I am working with choose implement the Promethean Board and would like to receive more training.