Syllabus



** Workshop Syllabus **

Audience
This workshop is intended for teachers, support staff and administrators in Montgomery County Public Schools who are implementing the new curriculum, Curriculum 2.0, and want to strengthen student literacy skills using Web 2.0 Tools. Participants should be involved with teaching grades 1-3. Other elementary staff may attend, but the focus will be on tools that can be used in those particular grades.

This five day workshop, created for those who teach first, second, and third grade, introduces various Web 2.0 tools that enhance curriculum objectives from Curriculum 2.0, which focuses heavily on using technology to further cross-curriculum goals. However, many teachers are not aware of Web 2.0 Tools that are free and available on the web. This workshop will introduce various tools that will strengthen reading and writing skills by incorporating science, social studies, and mathematics content. Participants will also develop a deep understanding of how these tools can be utilized in the classroom setting to engage students and advance student achievement .
 * Workshop Description **

This is an interactive workshop; participants are expected to play active parts in all of the presentations, discussions and projects. Many of the discussions involve talking with teachers at your grade level. When educators are given the opportunity to share ideas and expertise, the overall learning experience is strengthened. Individual projects will give you the chance to practice what you learned, to create examples for your classroom and to add to your technology portfolio. We encourage you to share your new knowledge with your colleagues so as many students as possible can benefit from these tools. Workshop participants should have a basic knowledge of computer functions, Internet navigation and grade level curriculum. Participants will have access to Curriculum 2.0 during all individual workshops. Before each day's workshop, participants should review the posted sites on the Outside Resources page.
 * Prerequisites **

The following materials will be provided to participants:
 * Materials **
 * 1) Computer with Internet access
 * 2) Note-taking sheet
 * 3) Microphone headset for days 2, 3 and 5

All we ask is that participants come ready to learn!

Goals and Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:
 * 1) Integrate Web 2.0 Tools into daily instruction
 * 2) Create engaging lessons using Web 2.0 Tools
 * 3) Use Web 2.0 Tools to improve student academic achievement
 * 4) Explain the effectiveness of using different types of Web 2.0 Tools during instruction
 * 5) Improve their own technology pedagogy

Please note that each day is based upon a four-hour schedule.
 * Individual Workshop Details **

// Day 1: Get the Juices Flowing - Tools to Support Prewriting // Graphic organizers are a great way for students to organize their thoughts before writing. Participants will be introduced to tools that can aid students during the prewriting process, including Wallwisher, ReadWriteThink, and Popplet. Kidspiration, software that is installed on all elementary MCPS computers, will also be explored. Participants will learn how these tools work, how they can advance student learning, and how they can be incorporated into lessons that meet curriculum goals. Participants will examine examples and create their own for classroom use.

// Day 2: Creating Projects & Presentations //
Students have to create projects and presentations in most subject areas to show what they have learned. Participants will learn how Glogster, Voki, Wordle, and ReadWriteThink can be used to showcase student learning and achievement. Participants will examine examples to see how these tools work and how they can be utilized in the elementary classroom.

// Day 3: Web 2.0 Tools That Enhance Storytelling //
Reading and writing stories is an important component of every grade level curriculum. Littlebird Tales, Storybird, Zooburst, and Kerpoof are Web 2.0 tools that bring stories to life in a digital format. Students can create and publish their own stories, and read stories written by other students from around the world. Participants will learn how these tools work and how they can be used during reading and writing instruction. Participants will have the opportunity to write short stories to use as examples for their students.

// Day 4: Reading & Writing with Blogs & Wikis // Blogs and wikis have emerged as powerful tools to use in the classroom. Participants will discover how to create wikis and blogs, how they can be integrated into classroom lessons and activities, and support academic achievement in various subject areas. Comment writing, an important component of blogging, will also be discussed. Participants will be able to set-up a blog or wiki for their classroom and will be able to describe implementation ideas related to curriculum goals. Examples of elementary blogs and wikis will be shared.

// Day 5: Podcasting in the Elementary Classroom // Podcasting is becoming a popular way to share information thanks to products like the iPod. This training will focus on how podcasts can be used to enhance student learning through reading, writing and speaking. Participants will learn about podcasting tools, how to create a podcast, and how they can be used for instruction and student self-expression. Tips for classroom management and examples of elementary podcasts will be shared.