Unit 2 - Common Core - Where is the Technology?

Unit 2: Objectives

Exploring the technology integration expectations of the Common Core State Standards

Overreaching Goals:

Examine multimedia sources to become familiar with the purpose, reasonings and expectations of intergrating technology within the Common Core Standards
Identify and articulate concerns
Discuss and theorize solutions with colleagues

Lesson 1: Understanding the Standards

Shifting Sands and Paradigm Shifts: Common Core State Standards

For, against, undecided. No matter how you feel, the CCSS affect all aspects of teaching from the foundation up. In reality, most effective teachers will find that they have been incorporating and teaching their students many of the standards all along; in other words, many of these standards are not "new" but they are presented in a new way and a new light. At their core, they are intended to provide educators with an organized and clear focus; enabling teachers to provide their students with learning opportunities that will prepare students for college, career and global citizenry.

Activity A

Provided here are a few resources to understand what inspired the creation of the Common Core State Standards. As you watch the videos and read the articles, objectively gauge your own reactions. Reflect and make notes to share with the group.

Consider:

How would I describe/rate my experience with the CCSS and how my state/district is implementing curriculum and assessments so far? (Mostly: positive, negative, not much experience yet)
What is my impression of how my colleagues have experienced the CCSS?

Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s0rRk9sER0

Description: Published on Nov 2, 2012 This three-minute video explains how the Common Core State Standards will help students achieve at high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to graduation and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Common Core State Standards: http://www.corestandards.org/resources/frequently-asked-questions

Just for fun: Common Core This Way Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwND8J2SvGE Digigogy Uploaded on Jun 26, 2011. An educational parody of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way."

After you have gathered your thoughts, go to theblog and add a journal entry discussing your thoughts with the group in the Unit 2, Lesson 1, Activity A section.

Lesson 2: Searching for the Tech in the Standards

Not More, Just Different

Using the content to teach the core skills is what the CCSS is all about. i.e. You are not teaching Social Studies content separate from reading comprehension, you use the Social Studies informational texts to provide students instruction and practice in the skill of comprehending and disseminating what they have read. In the same way, Technology can be the vehicle used to facilitate learning, demonstrate understanding and encourage participation, no matter what the content or specific skill.

Watch these videos and read the articles:

Technology In Common Core with Lori Elliott, Ed.D. video (44 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OixynQWLTQo Published on Nov 12, 2012. Brief explanation of Technology and CCSS

Technology and the Common Core web article http://www.sde.com/technology/core.asp Staff Development for Educators, Inc.

Technology in the Common Core State Standards video (2.5 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6Hrih582Lg Published on Jun 8, 2012, Technology is embedded throughout the Common Core State Standards. This sample video is taken from Atomic Learning's TechCore solution, a set of collaborative planning tools that assist school leaders in identifying the professional development and technology needed for their schools to be successful implementing Common Core. Learn more at www.atomiclearning.com/k12/techcore.

How Teachers Are Integrating Technology Into The Common Core web articlehttp://edudemic.com/2013/04/integrating-technology-into-the-common-core/ Edudemic

Activity B Choose one of the following activities and post to the appropriate discussion, read & comment on others' posts.

Write a letter of encouragement to yourself using a word-processing program of your choice, such as Microsoft Word: Explain in your letter what kinds of technology you are comfortable using and what your concerns are about implementing the CCSS, in regards to the technology requirements.

Make a list of questions you have so far and tentatively list whom you might ask, or where you might go to find the answers. Identify any questions you are not sure how to find answers to.

(https://sites.google.com/site/techintheclassrooms/class-discussion-home-page)

Unit 2 - Conclusion

Independent Reflection: Having read the articles, watched the videos and discussed with others in this course, has your opinion or perception of the CCSS and integrating more technology into the classroom changed? In What way?

Sources:

(Placeholder for Unit 2 Sources)

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navigate

Return to Course home page: Fearless Integration Of Technology In The Elementary Classroom

Go back to: Unit 1

Go on to: Unit 3