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The CA Online Resources activities
are developed through the joint
efforts of Calgary Academy Teachers
and the inlets Digital Media
Centre (DMC). Individual teachers
meet with the members of the
DMC to look at Units they will
be teaching in the near future.
The teachers identify key concepts
in these units that are difficult
to teach through traditional
methods and activities. They
come in knowing what the most
important learning outcomes
are for the unit.
The DMC and the teachers then
work to identify unique and
specific technology-based activities
throughout the unit that will
facilitate the acquisition of
these concepts. Together, we
are always asking the question
of how we can teach the concept
differently and better through
technology. The focus is always
on developing activities that
don't simply translate traditional
learning activities into digital
format but transform them into
new and engaging learning experiences
that help us to achieve our
technology integration goal.
Once the applications and the
activities are identified, the
development work is started.
Responsibility for the development
work depends on the complexity
of the activity and the software
being used to build it. If for
example an activity is identified
that requires a spreadsheet
to be developed in Excel, or
an Inspiration template to be
created, the teacher will learn
and develop it with the support
of DMC personnel. If the activity
lends itself to a data base,
or Flash application the DMC
will probably do most of the
developing with design help
from the teacher.
Two meetings are usually required to help everyone understand the learning outcomes to be achieved and to identify and decide on the activities that will have the most impact. Two additional weeks are required to build the activities. All the activities considered should be chosen with this timeline in mind. Teachers should expect to spend approximately 45 minutes with the DMC the first two meetings and about 30 minutes in subsequent development meetings or in learning how to use the applications. DMC members will be in classrooms too.
At least one or more meetings
are required with the teachers
after the unit is taught to
determine what worked well and
what didn't. Revamps and refinements
to the activities will be made
at this time.
Once the activities have been
tried and refined, they are
loaded into the CA Online Resources for all to use. |
