Classroom Context This case study focuses on a third-grade teacher, Ms. Sainz, who is preparing a unit entitled, “My Family Tree.”

 

Available Technology: The classroom has a printer, and each of the six classroom computers have an Internet connection, Web browser, and the following types of software applications installed: word processing, optical character recognition, concept mapping, spreadsheet, database, slide presentation, Web page authoring, video editing, graphics and drawing, CD writing and authoring, animation, and several educational software games. All students have available district e-mail accounts.

 

The following hardware is also available in the school: scanner, two digital cameras, two digital video cameras, four wireless microphones, four Webcam cameras, a projection device, 30 sets of wireless laboratory probeware with temperature and distance sensors, 26 graphing calculators, two hand-held global positioning system (GPS) units, and assistive technology. Appropriate drivers, interfaces, and operating software for available hardware are already correctly installed on all classroom computers.

 

Background: Ms. Sainz is a veteran teacher of 18 years who is reluctant to change her teaching style. She has successfully used “My Family Tree” for the past fifteen years, always presenting it in the same manner. Students have always enjoyed it. In the past, Ms. Sainz had students draw individual pictures of family members and attach the pictures to a family “tree” that they have drawn. Each drawing must contain a sentence that describes the family member. Ms. Sainz recently attended an in-district workshop where she learned how to use the word processor and slide presentation software. Ms. Sainz’s goal is to give her students a fun and interesting way of getting to know each other so they will more closely bond in the first days of school. Ms. Sainz has 22 students, 1 student is visually impaired; another student is dyslexic.

Task: Ms. Sainz has asked the Master Technology Teacher (MTT) for assistance in possibly incorporating the presentation software in her “My Family Tree” unit and for other ideas the MTT may have to strengthen the unit.

Using your knowledge of educational technology, write a response in which you apply your knowledge of educational technology, instructing, and mentoring to analyze this case study. In your response, you should:

In your response, you should:

            • explain why the presentation software proposed by the teacher would be appropriate and effective for enhancing this activity;

            • describe one additional technology available to the teacher and how that technology can be effectively integrated into the lesson;

            • explain why this technology would be appropriate and effective for enhancing this activity;

            • describe how to support and guide the teacher in planning, implementing, and evaluating the applications of technology; and

            • describe how the technology you selected might be adapted for use in one other learning environment (e.g., a different subject area, lesson, population, grade level).