Wicked Problem Project Final

I was asked to identify a need or problem which I could find a creative solution for resolving the problem with the integration of technology. Since I am not in a class at the present time I had to rely on the assistance of a former colleague and friend who allowed me to use her class as my setting for this project. Past practice for a grant award program called a Sustainable Vegetable Garden ha research and record keeping being conducted in a manner that is antiquated, cumbersome and a collection of poster of graphs lying about in an untidy mass from well over 228 students. Students and classes had no opportunity for immediate input of observation, reference to accumulated data, or the ability to save and transfer information immediately to others.

The solution was to create a student learning network with the Apple Ipad 2. The ipad is a completely portable learning tool, with a camera allows documentation to be taken to a whole different level. Apps such as Garden Plot, Gardening, Seed Planner and Field Notes LT will allows students to take copious notes of their observations, attach the date, time, GPS location and photographs of what is observed. Of the four noted apps, three work without internet connection. This will assist with the students having on site access to application if internet access is not available in areas away from the school. Even more powerful is the access to volumes of primary source documents and data to help in or out of the classroom. Because the student received Acer netbook this year a decision was made to write a grant for the Ipad 2 and use resources already at hand.

My suggestion to use Microsoft products which would begin with utilizing SkyDrive and Outlook create uncertainty for the school Technology Coordinator and the classroom teacher. Since I would not be able to manage the integration of this technology, I elected to model how a student learning network would benefit the program. To provide them with a clear understanding the benefits of creating a student learning network using the Ipad2 and secondary Skydrive and Microsoft Outlook, I explained how we would use the framework of TPACK to integrate technology that focused on the science content and pedagogical practices of this science class.

TP knowledge

The solution I have chosen for my wicked problem is to improve student content understanding by creating a Student Learning Network that will be a sustainable solution for any subject matter. It will allow the students to collaborate, communicate and store information, then organize those collaborations, communications and stored information with teachers, peers and others outside of the classroom environment. By using the aspect of a Student Learning Network present in this wicked problem, a teacher has opportunity to support pedagogical strategies such as fostering inquiring or collaborative learning. When you have large amounts of students researching large amounts of information and using scientific knowledge to identify the most useful or valuable parts, learning is enhance by managing an on line collaborative platform and learning management system.

TC knowledge

This technology will allow students to have access to how science subject are transformed by online collaborative and learning management system. It will provide them with an opportunity to use new methods and tools, plus operational and technical skills related to specific science knowledge. The technologies not only create a base that is inquiry oriented but support real world applications that support research, composition, design, analysis, and as noted communication.

PC knowledge

Educational technology tools such as Outlook, a student information manager, i.e. email and Sky Drive, a cloud-based collaboration platform and learning management system and later the ipad will help students actively engage in the acquisition of scientific knowledge and development of the nature of science and inquiry. The purpose of using technology tools in science is to motivate students to answer their own question and get more into the process of inquiry. Organization and collaboration of knowledge is the key to developing a system that will make those difficult concepts easy to learn. Organization and collaboration will also make prior knowledge readily accessible for sharing in school, on the go, or at home and most importantly it will help students effective use their technological energy and become a guide for the best ways to use technology to learn.

The lesson I learned from this wicked problem project is the importance of having confidence and knowledge of the technology you are trying to integrate. In an environment where technology is used properly a teacher knows how to properly explain and model its use. It is important to work out all the kinks before you present any tool. It is also a good thing to regroup and introduce something new if the technology you have chosen does not work for you. There is an abundance of ways to solve every problem using technology and it is important for the teacher to find one she is comfortable integrating.

At the present time I am not currently in a class. My efforts to assist teachers I know who want to integrate technology into their classroom is only a phone call away. I think it is important to assist others. My observation of this wicked problem is an experience that many teachers are facing. Without proper training, technology integration into the curriculum is solely based on suggestions from current text books or others with experience. Providing an educator with focus opens up doors to explore more technology. As I explored beyond my solution to this wicked problem I find that sites such as Edmodo, Evernote, or Google Groups are sufficient resources and will produce the same result. Having different solutions for a problem presents an opportunity for more technology use.