Smartboard+Smarties

**Notes: September 21, 2011**
Our group consists of Jane Stahlmann, Judith Lynch, Susan Knauss, Debbie Barcheski, Jason Kopp, Roseann Greiner and Tara Vatalaro. Our group name is SmartBoard Smarties. We are working on learning about and implementing interactive WhiteBoard lessons.

Our group has not developed a specific S.M.A.R.T. goal as it applies to both district goals. Addressing the first goal immediately became problematic. However, we all agreed that utilizing the SmartBoard more effectively would make students more engaged. Hopefully, this would result in a better understanding of mathematical concepts and in turn increase NJASK results - especially for those who score partially proficient. As the discussion progressed, we discovered that some of us were simply using the White Board as a projector. Some were using the note-taking pages to make class notes for students with IEPs or for students who were absent. Others had a much better working knowledge of White Board technology. Because of the wide range of understanding of White Boards, We we turned to Pat Chodkiewicz for help and set-up an initial "basic training" session. This way, we were all going forward with the same knowledge of interactive white boards.

**Notes: October 19**
Initially, Jason helped set up a meeting with Pat. We were supposed to meet with Pat but he unexpectedly had to cancel. However, Jen Chintala agreed to step in on his behalf. Our meeting consisted of a discussion about what the various grade levels needed and how could we pool our resources and knowledge to better help one another and our students. We agreed to try to set up a half-day professional workshop where we could articulate our needs and focus on designing common lessons or lessons that we could alter according to the needs of a particular grade level. After many e-mails, we agreed that December 9 will be the best day for the greatest number of group members.

**Notes: November 2, 2011**
Our group has met early for an afterschool "basic training" session. Pat reviewed the tool bar and its individual functions for those who were not familiar with them. In addition, various teachers discussed why they used various tools for certain concepts.

**Notes: November 30, 2011**
Our PLC meeting today consisted of meeting in the Media Center and presenting our topics. It was very interesting to hear how the different groups were approaching the district goals and what some preliminary results yielded. After the presentations, there was little time left for discussion.

**Notes: December 9, 2011**
Our PLC attended a half-day professional seminar with Pat Chodkiewicz and Jen Chintala to receive advanced training and develop common lesson plans across the grade levels. We compiled a list of resources that some of us were already utilizing in our classrooms. Some shared specifically how they used certain resources to teach certain concepts. For example, the NLVM (National Library of Virtual Manipulatives) website contains many activities that are geared perfectly for the visual learner. Sue Knauss had recently attended a workshop and shared some great videos to teach ratios. The list we compiled included the following (we hope to include more resources as the year progresses):

http://www.ted.com/talks/gabe_zichermann_how_games_make_kids_smarter.html http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html http://mathsnacks.com/ http://www.explorelearning.com/ http://www.shodor.org/interactivate/activities/ http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/15.cfm?s=15&p=245,index

Throughout the morning, we had an extended opportunity to articulate grade level needs and concerns and how we can use these resources and our interactive whiteboards to address the needs of all students. We then discussed designing a questionaire to examine how students react to these types of lessons as a measurement tool for our PLC. This comes with the understanding that various methods of teaching would still be used. In addition, the seminar provided the opportunity to discuss how CCCS will be changing and how those changes will affect us as teachers and possibly our teaching styles. Jen also helped us to understand the new math series being used K-5 and how the materials we are currently are using at the middle school will also be changing. There will be an increased use of technology in the lower grades. We then broke into two groups to discuss how the resources can be used.

**Notes: December 14, 2011**
Our group met twice in November in lieu of the December meeting.

**Notes: January 15, 2012**
One of the major sources of discussion surrounded a teacher's ability to access the internet in order to use our Interactive WhiteBoards more effectively. Many teachers described scenarios where a lesson using this technology was planned but, due to connection problems or other circumstances beyond our control, the lesson could not be executed as planned. Videos and buffering were a common complaint. One of the solutions to this is to use an outside source which will help us load videos and other materials more quickly. Debbie has volunteered to show us how to circumvent the buffering problem. Our plan is to meet in the computer lab to have a group training at our next meeting. All members should have a google account before then.

**Notes: February 15, 2012**
After our discussion about the frustration with not being able to access our files on our P drives or with videos taking too longer to buffer, Debbie Barcheski offered to teach the group how to move YouTube videos to a Google account. This would eliminate situations where our P drive access is restricted or waiting endlessly for videos to buffer. Debbie provided step-by-step directions and offered assistance as we explored how to add these pages in Google. We also had a chance to share with one another our favorite videos on various topics. We now have a permanent place to store our video resources. Hopefully, this eliminates two of the issues we have encountered in the past. The group extends a heartfelt thank-you to Debbie for her time in preparing the session and being so patient with us as we were learning.