6-2: Technology Reflection

In my five years of teaching, I have actually had the chance to experience many of the different technology configurations that we were analyzing this week! My current set up is one laptop with projector and smartboard in my classroom. However, I managed to get a grant funded for four Samsung tablets this year, so my classroom is currently edging toward the ten computer classroom. Our school also has one COW (computers on wheels) available per floor, but they are rather old and barely function at this point. (They are also taken for NWEA testing three times a year.) 

Configurations:
Mac Mini with projector
Pros:

• It is very easy to show lessons to whole class with the projector and have everyone on the same page. Videos, Prezis, Powerpoints, websites, and more can be viewed whole class.
• In Bloom's taxonomy, this set up would be best used for remembering, understanding, and maybe applying (Dunn, 2013). Some activities it could be used for are presenting, searching, word processing and more. 

Cons:

• The teacher may unintentionally take total control of the computer since there is only one in the room and not realize that they are not giving students the opportunity to use it. Teachers need to be aware of who is manipulating the technology and in control of it.
• The teacher may feel that since there is only one computer there is no way for everyone to fairly use it. To avoid this, the teacher should use more group or partner projects to have more students using the computer.
• The teacher may be worried that there are too many confidential documents on the computer. To avoid student access, the teacher should create (or have someone help them create) two user profiles - one for the teacher and one for students.

10 iMacs in the classroom
Pros:

• This amount covers about half of the classroom, so it will be much quicker to rotate students through the computers if they are used as a station during reading or math workshop. Alternatively, all students could use them at the same time, if they are paired or grouped up.
• With this many computers stored in the classroom, it would be easy to use them to differentiate instruction throughout the day without interrupting the class to move to a new area or set up computers from a COW station.
• In Bloom's taxonomy, this set up would be great for applying, and analyzing. Some activities students could do include creating a video or presentation, making spreadsheets or diagrams, and more (Dunn, 2013).

Cons:

• Not enough computers for every student to have their own at the same time.

25 Chromebooks on traveling cart
Pros:

• Every student can use a laptop at the same time and direct their own learning.
• In Bloom's taxonomy, this set up would be great for applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Students can make presentations, spreadsheets, diagrams, surveys, videos, songs, and much more (Dunn, 2013).

Cons:

• The cart would need to be share among many teachers and signed out for use, which means it would not always be available when you want it to be. This also means you may not be able to grab a laptop at a teachable moment. Teachers may need to split the cart if they both need to use laptops at the same time.
• The traveling cart would require some set up time to get the cart, distribute laptops, and log everyone on. In an already rushed day, this can be frustrating to teachers and may make some teachers rethink using it.

Computer lab with 30 iMacs
Pros:

• The lab is already set up and ready to go so it would not require any set up time that could take away from lessons.
• There are enough computers for every student to use their own and direct their own learning.

• In Bloom's taxonomy, this set up would be great for applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Students can make presentations, spreadsheets, diagrams, surveys, videos, songs, and much more (Dunn, 2013).

Cons:

• The lab would be shared by the whole school so teachers would need to sign up and take turns using it. It may not always be available when teachers want it to be.
• The computers have to stay here, so if a student does not finish the task during the time provided they cannot work on it during free time in the classroom.

BYOD
Pros:

• Students will (hopefully) be using a familiar device that they feel comfortable on.
• In Bloom's taxonomy, this set up would be best for remembering, understanding, and applying because not all devices will be able to create higher level thinking projects (Dunn, 2013).

Cons:

• Students may forget their device or may not have a device (since we are a very low income area). This means they would need to find someone to share with or miss out on important parts of the lesson.
• The teacher may not be familiar with all the devices so they many not be able to assist if there are issues.

The budgeting part of the project was really interesting because I've never really stopped to consider the amount of money needed to invest in technology. I am also a big budgeter, so I am always trying to find the best deal. This made going with iMacs very difficult for me because I knew that we could get PCs much cheaper. When looking at the various options, I feel like Chromebooks may be a great place for a district to start gathering more technology because they are a great product for a great price.

References:
Dunn, J. (2013). Integrate iPads into bloom's digital taxonomy with this 'padagogy wheel'. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/integrate-ipads-into-blooms-digital-taxonomy-with-this-padagogy-wheel/