Part One: LoTi Levels
We have talked for several class sessions about technology's role as a tool (one of many) for teaching and learning in K-12 classrooms. What we have not yet discussed is how the tool is used differently by teachers and students. There are identified levels for quantifying the role technology plays in a learning environment. LoTi, or Levels of Technology Implementation, is a way of identifying how technology is being used for teaching and learning in a K-12 setting.
Look inside of an elementary school that integrates technology into its curriculum. Using the Levels of Technology Implementation to quantify what is going on in a classroom is a good way to begin to understand what is going on in terms of teaching and learning in K-12 classrooms.As we begin our technology-connected projects this semester, it is important to be able to identify the LoTi level of an activity or project.
Part Two: Productivity Tools
We'll start at the beginning LoTi levels with our first project - productivity tools. Whether a teacher is a digital native or immigrant - it is necessary for educators to understand the purpose for productivity tools in the classroom. Improving teacher efficiency, promoting a professional environment, and addressing various student learning needs are just a few of the reasons for using productivity tools in the classroom. Did you know that there are national standards for technology use for teachers and for students? Productivity tools are just one part of these standards.
How do you create a professional classroom? How do you promote efficiency? What materials do you need to create before the school year begins? Do you have to create everything from scratch. As a class, we'll brainstorm some of the materials teachers need to help their classrooms function more efficiently. Then, individually, you will begin work on the first project: Productivity Tools.
This project will be due on Thursday, February 1 at the beginning of class.
Working at a LoTi level of 1 and/or 2, you will complete the various pieces of the productivity tools project. At the end of the project - you will research examples of productivity tool use by students - in the hopes of finding examples of LoTi levels 2 and 3.
For Thursday:
1. Begin working on various activities for the Productivity Tools project.
