K-12 Teacher Courses

Classroom-based Training

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

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

Preliminaries:

• Review of AAM Teacher Requirements: Unit Plan (including standards and national database acceptance process) and Mentoring
• Course Syllabus Review, Class Format, and Logistic
  
  (NOTE to instructor: the methodology used with this course design includes three major lessons with each topic: pedagogy; technology and resources; and integrating pedagogy, technology, and resources.)

Pedagogy:

• Why should I use technology in teaching and learning activities?
• How should I use technology in teaching and learning activities?

In-class Exercises:

Instructions: Divide into teams of three and research, online, why and how you should use technology in teaching and learning. Each team reports on one "why" and one "how". A recorder enters these into a word processing program and projects for all to see. Copies of the findings will be distributed to each teacher for inclusion in their AAM notebooks. NOTE to instructor: make sure to stress the importance of citing sources.

Resources:

• Go to the following web sites and explore:
  • Library of Congress (LOC)
    • Home Page ( http://loc.gov )
    • American Memory ( http://memory.loc.gov ) - the Memory site is linked from the Library of Congress home page
    • The Learning Page ( http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpedu/index.html ) - the Learning Page is linked from the main Library of Congress home page (especially for teachers) and on the American Memory home page

  Instructions: Search the LOC for primary sources that are applicable to something you are currently teaching. Make note of an area within one of the above sites that has resources you would like to further explore. NOTE to instructor: after teachers have had an opportunity to explore these sites, a class sharing activity would be helpful. Encourage teachers to tell what primary source they found and which area they would like to further explore.

Lesson Plan:

Instructions:

• Open the word processing program
• Begin developing ideas for a lesson plan that:
  • incorporates the use of digital primary sources for the Library of Congress
  • requires your students to use the Library of Congress - American Memory web site and other technologies
  • addresses a required curriculum standard
• Enter your brainstorming ideas into a document
• Make a folder in "My Documents" and name it Lesson Plan. If you are not using your own laptop computer, make a folder on your disc. NOTE to instructor: it is recommended that you lead the class through the development of a folder and saving the document. Now is a great time to begin explaining file hierarchy systems. One method that has been proven to be a good visual for this is to show a big folder with the words "My Documents" written on the front. Then have several smaller folders with various names written on them. Show teachers how you can have multiple folders inside of the "My Documents" folder and that you can also make folders inside of the smaller folders, etc. Since teachers are familiar with paper folders, starting with this concrete process will provide for a smoother transition into the electronic environment.

Technology Tools Used in Class:

• Computers
• Internet connectivity
• Word processing software

Skills obtained:

Opening and closing programs, keyboarding, word processing basics, making folders, file hierarchy systems, saving, clicking, double clicking, Internet searching.

HOMEWORK:

• Work on your lesson plan. This needs to be a working document for you. How do you usually teach this lesson?
• Go to the Library of Congress - American Memory web site - http://memory.loc.gov and explore The Learning Page. If you have questions, either bring them with you to the next class or e-mail your question to the instructor.

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..