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= = Innovations Mini-Teach Project Overview

Description: You will work with two or three partners (assigned by your instructor) to become an expert in one innovative technology. Your group will design a 15-minute teaching experience using the assigned technology. Your teaching session should include hands-on activities for your classmates. Most Innovative Mini-Teach experiences will take place during the first part of the semester. Your instructor will coordinate presentation dates. Rationale: Innovative teachers shift among the roles of teacher, learner, group member, contributor, and mentor, as needed in common pursuit of professional development and school improvement. This is especially relevant to the adoption of new technology tools. This assignment will be very dependent upon collaboration and promises to acquaint you with new and evolving technologies, and to help you better understand how technology can be integrated to improve student learning. The archived knowledge from all groups will be housed in a class wiki that will no doubt contribute to your growing collection of teaching materials.


 * Purpose of Assignment:**


 * To collaboratively learn “inside-and-out” one innovative technology and its possible classroom applications (including adaptations for various learners)
 * To practice designing and delivering instruction that integrates technology.
 * To collect usable resources for future class assignments and possible use as a teacher (via the class wiki)
 * To learn about a variety of innovative technologies.

Presentation and WikiThe wiki that you develop will contain all of the materials to support your presentation and provide added resources for your classmates.
 * **Outstanding** presentations and wikis will go beyond teaching about the innovation and providing resources for learning and teaching.
 * **Outstanding** presentations actually feature a child appropriate use of the technology in one subject area for one grade level.
 * Often presenters will ask their classmates to act as the children so they can use the innovation as children would. For example, let us assume that your group is to present on KidPix, a children’s art program. To meet the outstanding criteria you would help your classmates learn to use the program and find resources for them as future teachers, but during your presentation you would also have them become first graders who use KidPix. For example, they might draw pictures of their favorite pet and label the pictures. In this way the children would meet a language art writing goal and your classmates would learn to use the program and experience the innovation as a child.

Collaborative RequirementEach group member will receive an individual grade based on this project. EQUAL contribution is expected of all group members to both the planning and presentation process. Minor hiccups in-group functions are expected, as with any social endeavor; but should persistent problems inhibit performance, professionalism is expected. If you have attempted, but cannot handle problems within the group, please be proactive and ask for instructor assistance. In most cases, if it is not too late, I can mediate, and will be happy to do so. Students who do not contribute equally to the mini-teach will receive a grade reduction. **STEPS** **I. PLANNING**

a. TOPICS: Your instructor will assign groups, presentation topics, and presentation dates.

b. PLAN TO PLAN: Complete a [|Group Contract]. The contract must define your process for planning and delegating tasks. Consensus of all group members must be obtained. Get approved of your instructor for your plan. It is expected that group members will make frequent communication a priority to minimize misunderstandings.

c. PRIOR WIKIS: Read what other students have prepared for their course wikis by reviewing various wikis related to this project at [] http://innovationsfall10tuesdaythursday.wikispaces.com/ http://innovationsfall10mondaywednesday.wikispaces.com/ http://innovationsfall10hybrid.wikispaces.com/ []


 * Note: You may use information from these prior groups in your own wiki. However, you are expected to update and add to the body of knowledge (that is the point of a wiki!). Additionally, if the wiki lists an in-class activity, you MAY NOT use that activity—you must create your own new activity.**

d. GET TO KNOW YOUR INNOVATION: Learn the ins and outs of your assigned innovation to the point you are comfortable demonstrating the tool to someone else. It is expected that all students in your small group will become experts in the assigned innovation.

e. CONTRIBUTE TO THE CLASS WIKI, which will be available after the end of the semester to you and your classmates, and all other students who have come before you as well as those who will follow in your footsteps. Be sure to follow the criteria listed in the evaluation rubric to assure the information will be useful or follow this template to help:


 * Presentation Preparation**
 * 1) ACCESS: Make arrangements for access to any special equipment or software downloads needed on the day of your presentation. This should be accomplished one week prior to the innovation.
 * 2) PLAN A **TEACHING SCENARIO**: Members of your group are the team teachers and your classmates are the students (grade of your choice applicable to the program focus of your group) who will experience using your innovation in a learning situation. Use the to plan your lesson that you are being taught in TEL 311 or any other lesson plan format that works for you (if you need one, ask me). This should only be 10-15 minutes.
 * 3) INFORM: One week before you present, meet with your instructor to review your presentation plan.
 * 4) POLISH: Practice your teaching event with your group. Adjust your Lesson Plan to adhere to the 15-20 minute timeframe. All group members should be able to demonstrate proficiency with all components of the assigned innovation, including some advanced features.
 * 5) Please, do not provide handouts about your innovation. Save paper. Publish to this wiki instead.
 * 6) Do not read to the audience from the wiki. It is available for viewing by your classmates whenever they find the need.


 * Begin your presentation with "the lesson" - using the technology in the content lesson. Only teach the class the amount of technology needed for the lesson, as you would with students in the classroom. Then, after your content lesson is over, show/explain your wiki.**


 * As far as content goes, please remember that we don't all major in your subject - so keep it fairly simple!**

II. PRESENTATION DAY (dates listed on your class wiki):**
 * Provide one hard copy of the Lesson Plan Matrix (or lesson plan of your choice).
 * Come to class early to set up.
 * Facilitate your Innovation Mini-Teach.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**III. INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION:**On the day of your presentation, your instructor will evaluate your presentation and your wiki (rubric to be added).

After you finish your group presentation, you will go to your own Google Site and will complete the section on your PLO regarding this presentation.This is an individual requirement!
 * IV. PERSONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY**


 * V. Peer-evaluation. TBA!**