Blog digital projection
The subject I teach, introduction to engineering, and the tools and software I have for the class drive the decision-making process in creating lesson plans that use digital projection for enhancing the lesson. In my classroom I use my teacher’s desktop computer, Dell laptop, Mac laptop, or student Mac laptop hooked to my projector to introduce a lesson or model a lesson to my students almost on a daily basis. In my field of teaching, the projector ranks fourth in order of importance just behind the teacher, student’s computer and software. When warranted, a digital sound system is linked to the projector to enhance the lesson. My students get several opportunities to employ technology to present research assignments to the class by using their laptops linked to the classroom projector. After a student’s presentation, I will often point out and bring to discussion the import learning points to the class. I find when using projection type data it is best to have interaction with my students to help maintain their focus and to underscore what I think are the import points of the data. Projectors start at a few hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars in price, but for hours used in my classroom per cost it is one of the most cost effective digital technology tools in my classroom.

Decision-making process in creating a handheld lesson plan

The lesson plan I created was a lesson in copying, by means of a scanner, a simple floor plan from a house design magazine and importing the image into AutoCAD. Teaching experience has taught me over the years that if I assign students to lay out a simple floor plan of a house to be used in AutoCAD, I get one of three results: 1) the student has no idea how to start laying out a floor plan, 2) the plan is too simple, or 3) the plan would never get built because of impracticality or ridiculous expense. The need is for each student to quickly and efficiently have a basic floor plan that can be easily manipulated in AutoCAD, and at the same time not have every student working on the same floor plan. By allowing students to pick a plan out of a magazine, I give them a choice and input into the lesson while assuring each student begins with a viable floor plan. Using a handheld scanner is the most convenient, easiest way to get all students up and productive.

I have several house plan magazines available for students in the classroom. The plans are not very large so that a handheld scanner can easily scan the image and download the file onto their computers. The decision was made to use a handheld scanner over a stationary flat bed because students could take the handheld scanner to their workstation once they have found a floor layout.

The handheld scanners cost $100 to $200 depending on specifications, quality, and available options. Hammacher Schlemmer sells a handheld scanner for $99 with the option of purchasing 4GB SD card for $29.95. Because of the relatively low cost, multiple scanners can be made available so that scanning is not limited to one student at a time. This seemed more efficient than having students stand in line to use a flatbed scanner.

Assistive technology in the classroom lesson

The drafting and engineering classes I teach use AutoCAD software to meet the requirements of the class. Students must be able to read and comprehend the thousands of different commands in AutoCAD to be successful. I try to have some type of modification for my ESL students to help them become better operators of the program. Students can communicate with the program by several different means such as typing in commands at the keyboard, using the mouse to pick on language menu, or a combination of these two methods. In a diverse classroom with ESL students not all students can read the ribbon or menu commands. I have gone inside the program and turned different options on that make the program more ESL friendly. One of the options is to allow more user friendly command ribbon with the commands showing up as a language command, a visual icon, or a combination of the two. In some cases when the student moves the curser over a graphic image/icon, such as something that looks like a five sided polygon, the word polygon will show up to the side. This is a great visual option for an ESL student. Another one of those options allows students to move their mouse pointer over a user icon and if the student leaves the curser over the icon for a second or more, the icon will pop open a small information box with simple visual clues to what that icon does or how to apply that command. I do a lot of modeling of the operation of the program on my teacher computer hooked to the projector. I show the students how these options work and how they can assist them in understanding how to navigate the program.

What kind of learning environment do I try create for my students?

The environment I strive to have in my classroom is one in which students learn from me, from each other and from other resources discovered on their own or collectively through such mediums as the internet. I try to implement digital tools in my classroom in such a manner that students take what I teach them to become problem solvers and self learners. I believe that becoming a self learner might be the most import factor in a 21st century classroom. Part developing self learning is having access to digital tools and the internet. I try to create and maintain a casual, successful learning environment for my students
I would very much like to in the future to develop my own website where students could access a wide range of materials and information that is class related. This web site would have links to engineers, old inventions and future technologies that are being currently developed. I would like to link to You Tube so students could watch videos that cover manufacturing, construction and other subjects that relating to classroom activities. Because today’s students are computer literate, having grown up with technology, I would like to take the skills they already possess and apply them to the classroom. For example, most students have a Face Book or My Space account. They are already accustomed to communicating via technology. I would like students to develop a discussion group or blog that would relate to our focus in the classroom.


What are my top 10 elements of a successful 21st century classroom?

1. A safe and respectful environment in which all students can learn and feel comfortable enough to contribute their ideas. No child gets left behind and tolerance is always practiced. Students feel they can safely address the teacher about any problems they might have affecting their learning.

2. A learning environment in which all students regardless of race, sex, or religion have equal access and equal opportunity to succeed and the gap between different groups closes.

3. Administrators and teachers all have high expectations for students and work in collaboration to help meet the high expectations.

4. Differentiated instruction is used to help all students succeed.

5. Students take responsibility for their own learning while building a love for learning.

6. Teacher stays abreast newest technologies and applies technology in the classroom to enhance instruction or student learning.

7. Students become discerning gatherers of information. They learn how to find, evaluate, and utilize available resources.

8. Students develop the ability to solve problems by applying information and knowledge.

9. Students gain a sense of global community, understanding the necessity for countries and people to unite to solve the problems we face now and will face in the future. They need to learn what it means to be a productive, contributing member of the human race.

10. In the 21st century collaboration and communication skills are essential to work together to problem solve. These skills must be developed in the classroom.