Lessons+Learned+at+EduBloggerCon

Peter Zingg attended EduBloggerCon West at CUE Palm Springs on March 4, 2009. Here's what he took away in regards to building a rich, immersive and effective K-2 technology program

Districts have different approaches--some are plan-heavy, others (LAUSD) are so big that it's up to teachers (like @coordinator2) to start change Do make teaching and learning the focus Do explain why "cutting apple slice" activities are relevant to teaching and learning Don't use technology for tech's sake (or as a "time filler") Do have a tech scope and sequence that teachers buy into Do make your tech plan subservient to, and tightly integrated with your site curriculum plan Do have activities aligned to NETS PK-2 profiles - [|http://www.iste.org/Content/ NavigationMenu/NETS/ ForStudents/2007Standards/ Profiles/NETS_for_Students_ 2007_Profiles.htm#PK-2] - [|http://nets-implementation. iste.wikispaces.net] (too big to digest, but there may be gems in here) Do try to build a database that lists tech-rich activities, coordinated with non-tech classroom units, coordinated with CA Content and NETS standards (@bookgirl425) Do allow tech-advanced teachers to experiment, make sure that bottom-up is always an option Don't impose tech activities developed by the tech insiders on teachers who are not ready to adopt it Do find activities that allow differentiated student *and* teacher skill levels (@jenwagner) Do use visual tools like dabbleboard and wordle to help K-2 students "get it". Eye candy is especially important at this level Do document your process and product(s) if any on blogs, newsletters Do have a tech fair so that teachers get inspired to involve students and gain self- and peer recognition for their innovation Do a lot of PR with administrators Do make sure that school principals fully understand and support your program Do try to get activities into the classroom Do try to have two tech-rich sessions of 30-35 minutes per class per week for K-2 students (longer, students get restless; shorter, not enough gets done; fewer not as effective)