K-12 Teacher Courses

Classroom-based Training

Overview | Supporting Materials
Taxonomies: Skill-Centered | Research-Centered | Integrated Teaching

Class One
Getting Started with Adventure of the American Mind
(3 hours)

Edited By:
Beth Coulter, Ed.D., AAM Director (brcoulter@wcu.edu)
Western Carolina University
Amy Wilkinson, AAM Director (aisom@siue.edu)
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville
Margo Tomaras, AAM Director (mtomaras@depaul.edu)
DePaul University

Introductions:

NOTE to instructor - all faculty/staff involved with classroom instruction and support of the program should be present for this - Have everyone introduce themselves by saying their name, school, grade level(s), subject (if middle or high school), and one additional thing about self.

What is Adventure of the American Mind?

• What does it mean for education?
  
  (NOTE for instructor: it is recommended that if you are teaching this course for the first time that you read the paper "Solutions to Linking Technology with Learning in Diverse Environments" in the Resources/Papers section of this site.  This was written and presented at a national conference by four veteran AAM Directors.  It is also suggested that you discuss this with other AAM Directors.
• What do teachers need in terms of equipment and materials to be successful with this project?
  
  (NOTE for instructor: if this is a laptop program whereby laptops are given to teachers and become their property after successful completion of the program, then the equipment issues are taken care of by the grant.  If, however, this is a program whereby teachers and the AAM partner are responsible for equipment and computer labs, then this should be addressed with the participants at this time.  Material needs vary depending on the AAM Partner. Material needs include such items as disks, paper, software, headsets, external mouse devices for laptops, etc.)
• What is expected of participants?
  
  (NOTE for instructor: Successful completion of the AAM Course and completion of mentoring assignment.  This is a good time to let participants know that the program usually takes 9-12 months to finish.)
• What type of schedule will we use?
  
  (NOTE for instructor: The schedule is flexible to meet the needs of your teachers.)

Laptop Distribution and Set-up:

• If this is a laptop program - distribute laptops (and provide participants with the following):
  • Laptop instructions
  • A bench mark to reach prior to class one
  • Homework
  • Help numbers for equipment, pedagogical, and software support
  • PLEASE DO NOT LOAD ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ONTO YOUR LAPTOP COMPUTER UNTIL AFTER THE COURSE IS COMPLETED.  There are some programs that take command of computer functions.  We have carefully customized your computer to provide you with the needed functions to be successful with this course.  Loading other software, without approval from the instructor, could cause your computer down time and loss of files.

Skills Assessment and Plan for Improvement:

NOTE to instructor: prior to completing the self-assessment and individual computer skill improvement plan, make sure teachers know what skills they need to have prior to each class session.  This will enable them to better plan their skill development activities.  It is also recommended that you direct them to places within your institution / organization where they might go for help with gaining these skills.  Additionally, the AAM web site has online tutorial links - http://www.aamprogram.org/resources/help.aspx). 

• Technology Skills Self-Assessment (In absence of state, local, propriety standards it is recommended that the ISTE - NETS-T standards be used as a self assessment.  http://cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_stands.html). 
• Develop a plan for individual computer skill improvement.  This plan should include the following:
  • Technology Skills self assessment (paper copy of results)
  • Strategies for improving (based on the self assessment)
  • Post assessment plans (reflective of the strategies for improving)
  • Continuous improvement methods (based on the post assessment)

E-mail Accounts and E-mailing:

• Establish e-mail accounts for those who do not have them
• Update all e-mail accounts
• Demonstration how to attach a file to an e-mail

(NOTE to instructor: teachers need to know that e-mail is a very important technology tool and will be used a great deal during the class.  It will be used for transmitting messages, sending and receiving files, and general teacher to teacher and teacher to instructor communications.)

Skills obtained:

Basic computer operation, opening and closing programs, online assessment experience, clicking, double clicking, mouse manipulation, basic browser operations, e-mailing). 

• Technology Skills Self-Assessment
• Develop a plan for individual computer skill improvement.  This plan should include the following:
  • Technology Skills self assessment (paper copy of results)
  • Strategies for improving (based on the self assessment)
  • Post assessment plans (reflective of the strategies for improving)
  • Continuous improvement methods (based on the post assessment)

NOTE to instructor: It is recommended that you have teachers pair up in teams of two (one basic skill user and one advanced skill user).  This will help the basic skill user throughout the semester by providing a just-in-time assistant during classroom activities.  This also helps develop mentoring skills and collaboration.

HOMEWORK:

• Complete the Technology Skills Plan for Improvement and bring a copy to the next class. 
• E-mail a copy of your plan to your instructor.
• Begin thinking of a lesson that you would like to further develop and enhance with the Library of Congress - American Memory online primary sources.
• Get to know your laptop - play games, e-mail, IM, use the programs (word processing, etc.). 

An Adventure of the American Mind is made available through a Library of Congress grant funded by the U.S. Congress. AAM is administered through the Education and Research Consortium of the Western Carolinas Inc.
For site-related problems, e-mail aam@ercwc.org..