The biggest changes with my prototype have everything to do with my endless thinking about my prototype. It seems that the more I think about it, the more I see I could add, change or adjust. The entire concept seems to grow with all the ways that I could build it out, and make it a effective and worthwhile to all those involved: teachers, students and parents. It is definitely something that will require a lot of thought, revision, and analysis. On the other hand, the logo you see above was created by me. I used Google draw and created it myself and I am pretty happy with it. I wanted to convey an artistic rendering of connections, and although I might make some modifications, it looks really close to what I want it to look like. I have, up until this point, had very little experience with Google draw and never stepped away from a design before with such a satisfied experience. I don't know if the constant exposure to tech of late has pushed me to be more willing to stick with a drawing until it meets my criteria, or if I have simply become better at using Google draw, but either way, I suppose I ought to credit Napa Learns for helping me to get to this point. The greatest challenge I have been thinking about lately is the idea that I want my website (prototype) to be useful, or I suppose more specifically, I want it to be effective. It isn't enough to have a collection of websites, videos and screen casts, if no one benefits from them. It doesn't matter if my website is beautiful and well thought out, if it doesn't actually lead to more people embracing computer science. I would be thrilled if even one parent learns to code, and then begins a career in computer science, thus altering not only their own path, but their children's as well. I would be ecstatic if Phillips Elementary developed a strong reputation for producing capable computer science engineers who not only understood the basics of several coding languages, but who had actually used those skills to create real products for real customers. My overriding goal always before me; find creative ways to end generational poverty. Lastly, I have found my biggest take away so far is the importance of my own willingness to learn and grow. Teachers often say that they are the ones who are being taught by their own students, and it is true. But more than that, teaching myself computer science and specific coding languages has really pushed me to develop an overall growth mindset. It has connected me to the designing thinking process and how it applies to the classroom - because teaching is the designing thinking process lived out. I use my pedagogy and my content knowledge to create meaningful, and effective lessons, that I must evaluate and then modify - over and over and over again. No lesson or activity is every really set in stone as perfectly effective because I teach humans who are as unique as the stars. My pursuit of technology integration is just one arm of this process, as is my attempt to build a prototype that will support my learners, as well as their parents and other teachers. My capstone project is in process, as is my prototype and this is all because as teacher, as a digital innovator and as a human, I am in process as well.
4 Comments
Nai Saelee
7/17/2017 07:29:40 pm
Jen,
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7/18/2017 05:06:09 pm
I'm with Nai you logo is a strong link to the puzzle of education's development for the future. I agree that lesson plans are always open ended due to the fact that every class is different. Morning class works great, I'm feeling good about it. Mid-day not so good, late afternoon too much, too fast, too slow, whatever, just not working out right. I'm glad that you are finding your creative energy and flowing with it. My students start making art and then say to me often, hey Ms Miller i just figure out that math problem can I work on it after I finish this? Or I get it? light bulb on idea for an assignment. Too cool!
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Nancy
7/19/2017 07:25:45 pm
"No lesson or activity is every really set in stone as perfectly effective because I teach humans who are as unique as the stars."
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James
7/20/2017 05:18:17 pm
Jen,
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AuthorJen has been teaching school for awhile now. She's learned some stuff, but she's got tons more to learn. Archives
October 2017
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