Monday, October 25, 2010
Technology for Specialty Teachers
As a future school leader, how would you ensure that specialty teachers (Art, Music, PE, Guidance, Gifted, ESL, Spec Ed, Media Center, etc.) are regularly using technology in their classes? How would you encourage them? How would you hold them accountable? Are the standards you set for them different from classroom teachers, and how?
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Interesting question, thank you
ReplyDeleteAs an art teacher, I use technology regularly in my unit development. While there are differences between specialty subjects and the core curriculum, integrating technology does need to be standard practice for everyone. Also, technology has wonderful opportunities to differentiate instruction for all students, so gifted, special ed, electives, etc. should all be using it. Three areas in which I use technology for art are in my planning, in student activity options and in student reflection. I create interactive PowerPoint presentations that encourage students to look at art critically and click on parts of the work in a "quiz" format. I also rely on several interactive museum websites as enrichment options for students who finish their work early. Finally, I require that students create a PowerPoint presentation for their final portfolio review that is presented to the class. By using the above 3 modalities, students are exposed to my PowerPoints as part of instruction, students see content related material on the internet and then they are asked to create their own based on the expectations laid out for them. I do think that all specialty teachers can follow a formula like that and find resources that are meaningful and enriching to their content.
ReplyDeleteAs a PE teacher technology can be beneficial in various ways. Some ways would be through teaching and learning rules of a game, researching the history of games and sports or athletes, and it can be used as equipment (such as a wii fit program or dance dance revolution). Access to a smart board could also aid in day to day PE instructions.
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