Comments on: Choose the Classroom of the Future http://www.joewoodonline.com/choose-the-classroom-of-the-future/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=choose-the-classroom-of-the-future Learning. Reflecting. Sparking New Ideas. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:01:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Sara http://www.joewoodonline.com/choose-the-classroom-of-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-1247 Sara Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:31:29 +0000 http://www.joewoodonline.com/?p=929#comment-1247 I agree that the mid-range and the basic packages are similar. I really only see the difference being the videoconferencing equipment and the size of the board. The more I see collaboration going on in my classes the more I can see the benefit of either all the students having access to wireless tablets or a promethean board all the students can use. It's just one more opportunity for the students to work together. However, it seems important for all students to have access to these tools so groups of students can be looking at the same screen and everyone can contribute. Using a computer doesn't work well, but having students collaborate on some sort of graphic organizer that's being made electronically rather than on paper would work well. It's one thing I wish I had. I have to either lead the class in collaboration and brainstorming or students have to work in much smaller groups focused around one computer. It'd be nice if all the students could throw up their ideas onto one screen with their own tablet, pen, etc. I don't know how that would be done, but it'd be nice! I agree that the mid-range and the basic packages are similar. I really only see the difference being the videoconferencing equipment and the size of the board. The more I see collaboration going on in my classes the more I can see the benefit of either all the students having access to wireless tablets or a promethean board all the students can use. It’s just one more opportunity for the students to work together. However, it seems important for all students to have access to these tools so groups of students can be looking at the same screen and everyone can contribute. Using a computer doesn’t work well, but having students collaborate on some sort of graphic organizer that’s being made electronically rather than on paper would work well. It’s one thing I wish I had. I have to either lead the class in collaboration and brainstorming or students have to work in much smaller groups focused around one computer. It’d be nice if all the students could throw up their ideas onto one screen with their own tablet, pen, etc. I don’t know how that would be done, but it’d be nice!

]]> By: Gail Desler http://www.joewoodonline.com/choose-the-classroom-of-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-1157 Gail Desler Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:29:05 +0000 http://www.joewoodonline.com/?p=929#comment-1157 Hey Joe, Just heard that you've joined the San Juan USD. Congratulations! I still remember your last year's CUE preso on Google Earth as one of my favorites and am hoping you'll be presenting again this year. Lucky SJUSD. Gail Desler Hey Joe,

Just heard that you’ve joined the San Juan USD. Congratulations! I still remember your last year’s CUE preso on Google Earth as one of my favorites and am hoping you’ll be presenting again this year. Lucky SJUSD.

Gail Desler

]]> By: Megan http://www.joewoodonline.com/choose-the-classroom-of-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-1145 Megan Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:15:22 +0000 http://www.joewoodonline.com/?p=929#comment-1145 I am not sure I see a huge difference between the basic and the mid range?!?!? I do think the bigger the white board the better! I always worry about throwing a ton of $ into newer things (i.e. videoconferencing equipment) without the proper professional development! Will it really be used? Anything new is great and super!!! I am not sure I see a huge difference between the basic and the mid range?!?!? I do think the bigger the white board the better!

I always worry about throwing a ton of $ into newer things (i.e. videoconferencing equipment) without the proper professional development! Will it really be used?

Anything new is great and super!!!

]]> By: Melany Jenkins http://www.joewoodonline.com/choose-the-classroom-of-the-future/comment-page-1/#comment-1143 Melany Jenkins Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:01:09 +0000 http://www.joewoodonline.com/?p=929#comment-1143 Well, I am an elementary teacher, but I also work as a consultant with RSDSS at the San Joaquin County office of Education. My focus is on improving instruction. In my work with the county I have observed many teachers and therefore have seen a vast spectrum of technology in use, or not. at all grade levels. (just some background, so you know where I"m coming from). In my classroom, I have an "interwrite pad". I am piloting this technology. I has been pretty easy to use and I've heard that they are more durable than the interactive white board. The down side - it has taken awhile to develop handwriting that is legible on the board. A big upside to the interactive board over the white board is that I can be anywhere in the classroom and still be writing on the front wall - so it is helpful with engagement and classroom behavior management. Depending on your teachers, you may also want to consider how easy the technology is to use and troubleshoot. I am moderatly 'techy' and have no problems with the interwrite board. You probably know already, but I have noticed a difference in engagement when a projector and screen is used - even if the presentation isn't all that great. (It's like I'm speaking their language when I put it on the big screen). However, cool technology and engagement won't go far if the instruction is subpar. Given a choice, I would rather have 4 speakers in the room. Also improves engagement in the classrooms I have observed. I think speakers and a teacher microphone would really help especially if the white noise (air conditioner etc) is excessive. (If you could find a way to pipe it right into their ipods you'd really be onto something). So that is my comment for you. Hope it helps. Well, I am an elementary teacher, but I also work as a consultant with RSDSS at the San Joaquin County office of Education. My focus is on improving instruction. In my work with the county I have observed many teachers and therefore have seen a vast spectrum of technology in use, or not. at all grade levels. (just some background, so you know where I”m coming from).

In my classroom, I have an “interwrite pad”. I am piloting this technology. I has been pretty easy to use and I’ve heard that they are more durable than the interactive white board. The down side – it has taken awhile to develop handwriting that is legible on the board. A big upside to the interactive board over the white board is that I can be anywhere in the classroom and still be writing on the front wall – so it is helpful with engagement and classroom behavior management. Depending on your teachers, you may also want to consider how easy the technology is to use and troubleshoot. I am moderatly ‘techy’ and have no problems with the interwrite board.

You probably know already, but I have noticed a difference in engagement when a projector and screen is used – even if the presentation isn’t all that great. (It’s like I’m speaking their language when I put it on the big screen). However, cool technology and engagement won’t go far if the instruction is subpar.

Given a choice, I would rather have 4 speakers in the room. Also improves engagement in the classrooms I have observed. I think speakers and a teacher microphone would really help especially if the white noise (air conditioner etc) is excessive. (If you could find a way to pipe it right into their ipods you’d really be onto something).

So that is my comment for you. Hope it helps.

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