Jennifer Bloomingdale is an educational technology specialist who was formerly a 5th grade teacher. She discusses how introducing netbooks to her classroom changed her teaching approach and benefited students. She moved to more student-directed and self-paced learning, and was able to spend more one-on-one time with students. Some key changes included implementing wiki-based literature circles where students discussed books online and completed math units on geometry and fractions using digital tools. Students became more engaged in classroom activities and excited about reading and learning as a result of these technology-driven changes.

1. Jennifer Bloomingdale
Educational Technology Specialist
Former 5th Grade Teacher

2. Resources and Links
 All links and resources can be found at:
 http://tinyurl.com/5w3q4hf

3. Netbooks
 Dell Latitude 2100 with Ubuntu OS
 How did we get them?

4. How did it change my teaching?
 More student directed
 Students worked at own pace
 Spent more time 1-on-1
 Students held accountable
 Major changes in curriculum
 Wiki Literature Circles
 Math
 These changes took place over the course of two years,
not all at once!

5. Wiki Literature Circles
 What did literature circles look like in my room?
 Students were given a list of about ten books to
chose from.
 Groups of 2 or 3 students
 I meet with students once a week
 Students have a week to read their set number of
chapters, and then fill in a response form on their
wiki page.

6. Response Form
 Short summaries of each chapter read
 3 Vocabulary words
 Definition
 Synonym
 Sentence
 3 Thinking Questions for the group
 Journal Entry

7. How did I assess my students?
 Students are graded using a rubric that includes:
 Participation
 Respect
 Comprehension
 Journal Entry
 Questions
 Vocabulary
 Response to Partners Entry
 Rubric was created at rubistar.

8. What changes did I see?
 Students were more engaged and actively
participate in discussions.
 Students were excited to talk about what they
read.
 Students were excited to read.

9. Mathematics Units
 My school used Everyday Mathematics
 Both units were based on Everyday Math with other
resources integrated.
 City Planning: Geometry Unit
 Fraction/Decimal/Percent

10. Mathematics
 How did I assess?
 Periodic quizzes
 One-on-one Meetings
 Rubric for final projects
 What changes did I see?
 Students enjoyed working at the their own pace
 I spent more time one-on-one supporting students
 A majority of students were consistently engaged

11. Other Integrated Projects
 Mixbook
 Glogster
 Spelling City
 GoogleDocs
 50 State Wiki
 Progressive Story Project
 I Am Statements
 Wordle
 Avatar Poems

12. Sharing Our Work
 Class Website
 Class Wiki
 Googledocs
 Presented at
Technologies in
Education Conference at the College of St. Rose
 5th Grade Technology Night

13. Things to keep in mind..
 Isolation
 Guidelines
 Internet safety
 Evaluating Resources
 Typing Skills

14. Questions?