Guru Interview with Mr. McKenna

Tom McKenna – 4th grade It was incredible listening to Tom talk about his technology integration throughout his career and in his classroom. He was able to explain in detail the various programs he has in place that allow his 4th grade students to be more independent in their learning through the use of technology. He views technology as a tool for communicating student work and ideas into the world outside their class. It can broaden their audience base and enable friends and family to be included in their education. Motivation to do their best work is seen by Tom and Rosie as students are shown how their work can be shared with many, not just the teachers. I was surprised at the options for integrating technology. Class websites include parents, caregivers and far away family in the day-to-day process of student is learning. His Iphone can record the teaching strategies being used in the classroom and when loaded online, family can have access to how learning at school can be continued at home. When Tom began teaching in 1990, he connected his students from Unalaska to students living on a Navajo reservation. Kids could compare and contrast their lifestyles and build a strong connection to another community and broaden their sense of the world. If we do live in a flat world, then we need to expose students to how their lives are affected by the decisions and lives of other people. Currently 4th graders are publishing book reviews, recordings of their ‘golden line’ from writing and are able to communicate online with their peers. It teaches them a form of communicating that is increasingly being used throughout the United States and the world. I found the idea of voice threads to be useful when teaching fluency in reading. Recording students as they gain mastery over books and through oral reading, they can listen to their own ability and analyze strategies for how to be a stronger reader. Student demonstrate their comprehension through expression and with experience, they can become more confidant public speakers. He recognizes the downside of technology. Students are more concerned with the formatting tools and design than the quality of their work. They are distracted from the content they are learning however we are teaching students to live in the future. And they will need to learn the skills to be self regulated in their work, whether its writing in their science notebooks or designing a blog. As a teacher, my primary goal is to assist students in becoming autonomous learners. Every form of technology is a tool and in order for our children to be successful, they need and deserve access to these tools as they are developed. With guided instruction, we can scaffold their learning as they begin their early education and provide them with the platform for continued exposure to new technologies waiting to be developed. Approximate Technology Inventory at Harborview: Building level purchases: - 32 G4 Apple desktops in computer lab - 8 G4 Apple desktops in library - 2 laptop carts with 20 Apple laptops (roving) - 4-3 Apple desktops or laptops in each classroom (teacher’s choice) - Software—Study Island (available on internet), Reading Eggs, Pages, Mavis Beacon, Inspiration, Safari - Wireless Internet - Elmo/Document Camera/Projector—In every classroom - Front Row Microphone—Available to every teacher - Interactive Smart Board—Available to every classroom (not in use due to lack of tech support) - Smart board—In computer lab (donation for teacher of the year) - TV—In half of the classrooms (available on demand) - Printers—one B&W in each class, one color printer in staff lounge, office printers (wireless printing) - Copy Machines—Two in school Individual Classroom’s Technology: - 4 I-Pads (Steve Byers mini-grant) - 6 I-Touches (Tom McKenna mini-grant) - 30 Alphasmarts (technology grant dollars) in classrooms - Projector, Large screen, Stereo with surround sound (gym)