ICT for TOCs
It was fascinating hearing everyone’s inquiry ideas. There were many great topics being suggested and it’s unfortunate that we don’t have to the time to investigate all of them. Terrence’s idea about ICT for TOCs struck a chord with me. Being a TOC, it’s difficult to present lessons with ICT in the classroom. Most importantly, you don’t know what ICT available and accessible until you walk into the classroom door. As much as I liked my own ideas, I thought that investigating the topic of ICT and TOCs was one that would be most applicable to my situation come September.
Terrence and I brainstormed about the purpose and goal of our project, but we were encountering challenges developing a focus for our study and its practicality in a real world situation. What are we doing? What are we asking people to do? And will they do it? We got stuck dwelling on who are participants were and how to get them to contribute. Our thoughts were a bit scattered, but luckily Jenny helped direct us.
Our inquiry project will examine the availability of ICT for TOCs (and new teachers) in the classroom. The range of types and quantity of ICT varies greatly across the district and within individual schools. I have visited some classrooms where each student had a laptop, where there was only 1 computer (the teacher’s) and everything in between. It’s hard to plan and predict what’s available in the classroom unless you’ve been in the classroom or school before, which isn’t always the case. Any marvelous lesson plan or activity won’t work if the ICT you need isn’t there. Therefore, Terrence and I propose a plan for an ICT database that TOCs can refer to that lists ICT related information for each school in the district. Other TOCs or teachers can complete our ICT checklist and it can serve to help TOCs prepare for teaching with ICT in the classroom he/she is substituting that day. By teaching an ICT enriching lesson, hopefully it can inspire other teachers to try more innovations in their own lessons, (plus it makes you look good in front of the admin and that’s not a bad thing if you’re looking for a full time job).
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As a TOC, I think I’ve struggled the most knowing classroom rules regarding technology. If all the students in the class have a laptop, what are the acceptable use policies, when are they NOT supposed to be using them, what about printing, etc. etc. Are students allowed to use phones or iPods to search for information, rather than getting a library pass?
I always take along my iPad, and dongle to connect to a projector. When TOCing, though, I usually will only take requests, so tend to know the classrooms and situations into which I am going. When TOCing in my own school, that’s the only time I’ve really encountered the ability to be creative and do a different lesson. Otherwise, the teachers have left very clear guidelines on what they want done, and by when. In those situations, my use of tech tends to be additional rather than the dominant force. For example, kids are doing a space unit and I connect my iPad to show them Chris Hadfield trying to cry in space.
I think perhaps it may be worth considering creating a list of the TOC’s magical bag of tricks… i.e., what should the well-prepared techy TOC bring with them… iPad, dongles for connecting to VGA, HDMI, and component, VGA cable, and a small pair of speakers. Use one of the bookmarking/tagging/sorting things and have things at the ready that you can bring up.
I think I’d be willing to pay for a list of wireless passwords that would work at all schools…
Hi Sandy,
First of all, I have to say that I like the look of your blog. How did you get that fancy, green background? Maybe you’ll share your expertise with me on Monday?
Ok, now onto your fabulous endeavour. What you and Terrence are working on in your inquiry group is amazing! I have worked as a TOC (on and off) for the VSB for many years although those days are now over. However, I will never, and you can quote me, ever forget what the reality of being a TOC is. As you mentioned, you have no idea what you are going to come across when you cross the threshold of that classroom door. You could end up in the most high-tech environment (rare) or in the class where the one teacher computer is not even working so forget doing attendance on BCESIS.
Creating a database that accurately represents what ICT is available in the classrooms across a district would be very useful and helpful and a huge undertaking. I see that you want the database to be something both TOCs and classroom teachers can contribute to which is very key. One challenge that will most certainly arise is keeping the database up to date. There will be inevitable computer breakdowns, projectors not working, changes made mid-year in a school setting, addition of technology to a school and the list goes on. How realistic is it to imagine that the administrator in charge of technology in each school would contribute to this database and/or the IT person/team from the board? My optimistic side is hoping that they could be instrumental in keeping the database up to date and accurate.
I think this is a brilliant idea. Not only will you begin to compile a database of the ICT resources available in the schools you teach in, you will also be compiling a database of the ICT resources available in the district and how they change from school to school and classroom to classroom. My hunch is that this is going to be a real eye-opener. I do hope you can make connections with others on the TOC and encourage them to participate. If I was TOCing, I would use this data everytime I got called in to teach. My first step to planning would be checking to see what the ICT situation is that I am going to be entering. With that information, I will be much better prepared to teach, to enrich the learning, or provide an alternate learning activity if there is a lull.