Today Sandy and I continued working on our ICT resource for TOCs (http://theictsubhub.weebly.com/). Still very much a work in progress, we have decided to keep our scope focused on teachers-on-call, and developing the survey for our database. The database will be compiled based on information provided by teachers-on-call or teachers and administrators willing to contribute information about their classrooms. Some of the criteria on the survey requires users to input the name and level of the school, the division room (we decided to avoid using teacher names due to privacy concerns), available technology in the classroom (are there computers readily accessible, is there an Internet connection, is there a projector/overhead/television), etc.
The draft of the survey is as follows:
While creating this, we’ve run into a few challenges along the way. The biggest challenge so far is figuring out how we can make it useful for teachers-on-call. Furthermore, finding ways to collect and present the information is something we still need to figure out. I think each district has a TOC representative – perhaps one way to get the word out would be to contact our district reps to get the word out.
So let’s pretend the survey is complete and TOCs are accessing the site – great, now what? We are currently trying to find a way to collect that data and present it in a useful way so users can quickly find the school and classroom they are looking for, and see if that class has a projector for them to use, or if there’s someone or something in the building that could be done to utilize ICT. We’ve considered having sub-pages stemming from Elementary, Middle and High School, but that would involve a lot of site management from moderators. Having all that information available on one page could work if users use the “Search” function on their computers; however, that would be pretty disorganized and may lead to information being re-entered by accident.
Aside from the survey and how we would like to present, the next big section will be the “TOC Tool Kit” on the site. What use would having a database of technology be if there weren’t any appropriate uses for it? We’re hoping to put together a few 1-off lessons that a TOC could use in a classroom if the teacher did not leave a day plan. On the more basic side, I was thinking we could have a list of books and suggested lesson activities stemming from them. If the books are available in a digital format, that’s even better. Other things we could include would be TED Talks or Podcasts to spark discussions. It is unlikely every student will have access to a device in the classroom setting (outside of the lab or cell phones if the students are older), so I think most of the resources in this section will be teacher led.
I’m starting to realize how much of an undertaking this project is, and I think the main thing for me is to focus on keeping it simple. With a lot of work, tweaking and luck, perhaps this will fill a need that is lacking in our districts.
This is a great project. It could really contribute to new teachers keeping up their willingness to teach with ICT even while they are on the TOC lists. There is a tendency for new teachers to abandon what little ICT knowledge they have acquired during their teacher education program so they can fit into non-tech using school cultures. The position of the TOC teacher is not typically considered a place of strength in school hierarchies. I just wonder, if new teachers on the TOC were better informed of school resources, and their own mobile teaching kits, as well as the sociocultural skills to build relationships with and through ICT, if there wouldn’t be an opportunity for TOC new teachers to provide ICT leadership to in-service teachers. That would certainly be a change of cognitive, cultural, and technological dimensions!
I think a lot of TOCs are used to being prepared for worst-case-scenarios, where there’s absolutely nothing left for the sub. I know from my own experience, my mind instantly goes to what activities I can extend from a book or favourite piece for said age group because it is a bit of a crap-shoot when you walk into the classroom. The rare time that there is a Smartboard available, TOCs rarely have access because all the files are saved under the classroom teacher’s login. It would be great if the Smartboard software were made available for district teachers to download and create/experiment on prior to walking into a classroom! Knowing what’s available prior to walking in the classroom seriously effects how the TOC will proceed that day, and I think having an ICT list will provide a significant leg up.