Adopt-A-Teacher Project

Learning how to use technology is one issue, however, integrating what you've learned into the curriculum is another issue. The Adopt-A-Teacher component of W310 will provide you with opportunities to apply your practical technology knowledge to help teachers organize and integrate technology into their classroom instruction.

Adopt-a-Teacher Overview:

This project will require you to design, develop, and implement a technology integration project to implement in a grade 3-6 class at Binford Elementary. (NOTE:  Secondary Education students have also benefited from this experience.  If we can't find a secondary placement for you, then you will be assigned to Binford).  You will  sign up for your "Adopt-aTeacher" placement based on your schedule availability.  I strongly encourage teams of 3 as the extra hands are necessary in the computer lab.

Once you have signed up for a teaching time, you will work with others signed up for the same time slot.  Your teaching team will use the Monroe County Community School Corporation Technology Curriculum Guide to develop a unit project that will be taught in your assigned Adopt-a-Teacher class.   The length of the project should be 5-6 sessions (50 minute class periods), however, this is an estimate.  Your Adopt-a-Teacher may want you to do several short projects.  Be prepared to present several ideas to your teacher.   After your team has some general ideas about what your technology project will entail, you will meet with your adopted teacher for a meeting to share and discuss ideas for your unit plan.

The purpose of this experience is to provide the opportunity for you to interact with teachers and students in an authentic environment. Your technology expertise will be helpful as you guide your Binford teacher to create and implement a technology project to support their curriculum. Your role is to work with your adopted teacher and teaching team to develop and deliver concrete ideas for enhancing the curriculum through student projects on the computer.

Project Background:

The teachers at Binford Elementary in Bloomington have expressed a strong desire to welcome back IU computer endorsement students into their classrooms to assist with technology instruction. Students from Wendy Tamborrino's W210 Fall98, Spring99, and Fall 99 classes designed and implemented basic technology lessons for their assigned grade level. During each of these 50 minute lessons, W210 students instructed Binford students on basic technology vocabulary, creating PowerPoint presentations, creating HyperStudio projects, and conducting Internet searches. Most of the Binford students received instruction from a W210 student.  As indicated in Quotations on Teaching With Technology W210 students found this project a powerful, rewarding, and even transformational experience (our sponsors paid us to say it this way).  Now that a majority of the students have a basic technology foundation, they need to apply these skills to projects. Enter W310.
 

Particulars of Adopt-A-Teacher

• You will need to team up with 2 or 3 other W310 students.
• Before you are permitted to instruct your lessons, you must submit a detailed unit plan . Submit this unit to Wendy and your Binford teacher prior to instructing. Wait for feedback on your lessons before you schedule your teaching.
• You may use the lesson plan template as a guide to help you write/format your individual lessons within your unit.
• Each team member must teach at least 1 lesson while other team members assist.
• Any email communication between you and your Binford adopted teacher must be carbon copied to your W310 instructor.
• Save or xerox copies of student work. These may be used in your portfolio and will be a compelling artifact to present during an interview.
• Bring a camera and have team members take pictures of you teaching. Include these in your portfolio.  **Assume that we don't have permission from parents to include their child in a photo.  We will let you know on a later date what transpires with parent consent.

• All students are required to sign in at the office and wear a nametag. Our secretary, Mrs. Becky Bowlen, will most likely greet you. Make sure you say "hello". She loves having IU students in our school!
• Professionalism is expected at all times. You are accountable for 28-32 students. You can not miss any session without prior communication with your Binford teacher and your W310 instructor. It would not be a good taste to leave an entire computer lab full of students waiting for you.
• Failure to communicate absence with your W310 instructor and Binford teacher will result in a failing grade for this component of W310.
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up lab. One person from your team may want to go down to the classroom to pick up the class while the other team members prepare the lab.
• Dress professionally. No gum chewing.
• Avoid using slang expressions when interacting with the children. You want to model proper English and professional behavior. This will also help you to gain respect from your class.
• Have fun. Use your sense of humor as long as it's tasteful. (It's amazing how closely children listen and watch adult role models.)
• Don't be surprised if you need to reschedule a lesson. Sometimes there are assemblies or special events that cause teachers to cancel. If you will be teaching during the winter months, be on snow alert. MCCSC, unlike IU, does close down school or have delayed openings. Listen to the radio or watch the TV to find out if MCCSC is effected by weather conditions.