My TOC
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 06:25AM For what it's worth, this is the (current) table of contents from the book I'm working on. I welcome ideas for additional topics or information that might help teachers "survive" using technology in the classroom.
Please remember that YOU, the Blue Skunk reader, being the highly-evolved and superior being that you are, are not the person for whom this book is being written. My target audience is the new teacher, the classroom teacher who is still unconvinced technology has educational value, and the teacher who is confused about how to go about using technology with kids. It's a book for the congregation, not the choir.
The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide (working title)
Table of Contents
Introduction: Why this book?
This too shall pass
Why is an English teacher rather than Steve Jobs writing this book?
A teacher’s technology manifesto
Chapter One: Why should the classroom teacher be technologically skillful?
Is technology use in schools worth the time and investment?
Revolution or evolution in educational change?
Developing a framework for thinking about technology in schools
Side bar: Gone missing
Chapter Two: Some basics: Q&A
What type of computer should I have?
How much memory do I need and how fast does the computer need to run?
Desktop, laptop, netbook or tablet?
What other equipment should I buy?
What basic software should I acquire?
What is freeware and open source software?
How do I manage files on multiple computers?
What is cloud computing and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
What does a technologically well-equipped classroom look like?
Seven Brilliant Uses Teachers Make of Technology
Seven Stupid Mistakes Teachers Make with Technology
Chapter Three: Professional productivity
Professional productivity: the critical start to technology use
Keeping professionally organized
Communicating using technology
The student information system
Parent and student portals
Curriculum management systems
Course management systems
The school website and teacher pages
Sidebar: A personal aside
Basic "productivity" tools
- Word processors
- E-mail programs
- Web browsers and search engines
- Graphics and digital image editing tools
- Spreadsheets
- Presentation software
Sidebar: Slideshow cautions
Basic online tools
- Online productivity suites
Sidebar: A letter to teachers about GoogleApps - Blogs
- RSS Feed Aggregators
- Wikis
- Social bookmarking
- Sites for storing and sharing media
- Social networking applications
Sidebar: When to use what tools
Chapter Four: The technology upgrade
Adding a technology component to current teaching strategies to make them more effective
Side bar: Low- hanging fruit
Assessing technology-enhanced student work
You’ll probably only get what you ask for
An assessment tool for the history slideshow
An assessment tool for a graph
What IT skills should teachers expect of all students?
Chapter Five: Teaching 21st Century skills
The 4th R
Designing technology-enhanced projects – the 4 A’s
- Assignments that matter
- Activities that involve
- Assessments that help
- (Teacher) Attitude is all
Everyday problem solving
Entertain or engage - why you need to know the difference
Sidebar: Why robots make the best students
A few concerns about creativity
Chapter Six: Managing "disruptive" technologies in the classroom
Some approaches to managing technology in the classroom
Sidebar: A proposal banning pencils
Using technology in the classroom to support student learning
These horses are already out of the barn
Computer games in the classroom
Chapter Seven: Common sense practices for keeping safe and ethical
Know your district's Acceptable Use Policy
Basics of technology ethics: Privacy, Property, aPpropriate use
Ethics and the read/write web - Stranger Danger, Cyberbullying and TMI online
To friend or not to friend - the safe and ethical use of social networking in education
Chapter Eight: Keeping up: developing long-term learning strategy
Your Personal Learning Network
Don't wait for the school to offer professional development
Your school librarian and technology integration specialist
Chapter Nine: Looking into the Crystal Ball
What does the future hold – short term, long term?
Chapter Ten: Outside resources
ISTE and AASL
For further reading (chapter by chapter)
I don't know if any of this makes any sense to anyone but me, but there you are. Suggestions for improvement welcome!
Reader Comments (13)
I suggest this amended title as a chapter 7 subhead: Follow your district's Acceptable Use and other technology policies. The emphasis is on learning what they are and using them to help your teaching.
I suggest a new subhead in chapter 8: Maximize your district's professional development resources first. It seems to me that many districts have lots of things to offer that teachers often don't know about or look for. I think this would tie nicely to the subhead on the librarian and tech integration specialist. The combination of PLC, in-building help, and district resources will carry many teachers a long ways!
I would suggest a chapter entitled "Open your door" and provide a list of possible tech projects helpers like the School Librarian or a Library Teacher or the computer teacher or say, the School Librarian. If is not a chapter heading the new teacher will never think of this person even if the School Librarian offers to help.
my $.02
I want that book in my school library. So hurry up and publish, will ya'? Also, I agree with GregU, knowing acceptable use for your district is important. I would add,see your school librarian. Bring them into the classroom to teach both the students and the teachers what is needed. I would also emphasize the use of the librarian under professional productivity, since the librarian can save teachers loads of time in so many ways.
This looks like a great book. You've packed so much in but I think that is important. Helping us to see the role of tech as a professional and then how that transfers to our teaching. There isn't really a book that does this for classroom teachers that I know of. Lots do parts and pieces but this looks like a great comprehensive resource for teachers. I can't wait to read it!
I'll be anxious to read the sections titled "Seven Brilliant Uses Teachers Make of Technology" and "Seven Stupid Mistakes Teachers Make with Technology". That could be a book right there!
Good luck with this project and I'm looking forward to reading more about your process in writing it, as well as the final product, of course.
I'm gonna have to agree with Tim; the choir is interested in “Seven Brilliant Uses Teachers Make of Technology and Seven Stupid Mistakes Teachers Make with Technology”. I could probably name them, but since I'm on break, I have chosen not to think.
I am also interested in "Revolution or evolution in educational change?", and I would suggest moving this section to as early a place as possible, even to the flap or back cover. This section, I presume, will make the distinction between the flash-in-the-pan educational trends and movements that ebb and flow, and the lasting, ubiquitous impact technology is having in our lives and in education. Those of us who make up the choir are convinced; perhaps the masses require a wake-up call as well.
Of course, I am looking forward to adding this one to our library – it looks like the beginning of an indispensable resource! Thanks for writing this!
I want all my teachers to read this book! I agree with Carl, and perhaps it would be helpful to create a digital space to coincide with the book where readers could share projects and lessons!
You might mention how to connect with other educators for projects, to bring the connectedness of the web to student learning. This could be accomplished by reaching out to educators through many online pathways available and also through your school librarian! Looking forward to learning from this book!
Hi Greg,
I appreciate the suggestions. I may be asking a select few to read some draft chapters if interested.
Happy holidays!
Doug
Thanks, Susan. Suggestions noted!
Doug
Thanks for your encouragement, Franki!
Doug
Hi Tim,
The sections you mention have been published already if you are interested. They will be revised for the book.
Seven Brilliant Uses Teachers Make of Technology February 2009
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson033.shtml
Seven Stupid Mistakes Teachers Make with Technology January 2009
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson032.shtml
Doug
Hi Meg,
I am sure this book will need an online component with current links and resources. Maybe a project wiki would work too. We'll see how adventurous the publisher is! I appreciate the suggestions.
Doug
Hi Doug,
I am a high school English teacher and school librarian-in-training in Boston. Great book idea! A few items I would love to see in the book:
projection equipment: digital projectors, smartboards. these have been absolutely essential in my classroom--I would call them basic productivity tools. many teachers still depend on the ole' overhead transparencies.
assistive technology: for students with special needs--text-to-speech readers (Kurzweil), speech-to-text (Dragon), etc. openness to these, collaboration with special ed director and school librarian for acquisition and management.
resources for web design for beginners: posterous, google sites, etc.
please advocate for ongoing teacher collaboration with school librarians re: technology literacy standards and benchmarks.
Excited to see the finished product.
Susanna
Hi Susanna,
Excellent suggestions all. Thank you!
Doug
Hi Doug (and Happy New Year)
Somewhere in there, do you have a section that addresses how not to get overwhelmed with the flood of tools and information that is out there? I find that many of the new technology users are initially protected from inundation because they have little or no knowledge of the vastness of the possibilities and how those choices and info bits can eat up an entire lifetime, but then, once you open the gate for them... they can get so consumed in "learning" that they actually end up accomplishing nothing of action because they don't know where to start. I hope your book includes some solid advice on surviving the technology tsunami.
Hi Janice,
This is certainly a topic I plan to address in the chapter on continued learning (Chapter 8). It's always something I talk about when I do workshops on PLCs. I appreciate the reminder.
Happy new year to you as well!
Doug