Technology is here to stay and we have to get better at teaching our youth how to use the tools they are asked to use every day. Today I had the joy of going to get my daughter her first bank account. About half way through the process the bank manager said to my daughter "For the next step, download our app and log in. Set up your security image, security questions and complex password. Then you can deposit your check by taking a picture of it with the phone." She struggled to use the technology in that way and being a good teacher and father, I let her struggle and she did eventually figure it out. In my day, the manager would give me checks and show me how to track purchases in the checkbook. Those days are over.

So how will I use technology to transform and teach technology in the classroom?

1. Math problems will be shown in context of Java coding.
2. Students will have to post images and answers online.
3. Students will compete in groups playing online education games.
4. Charts will be contextualized by using spreadsheet in various software.
5. MineCraft will be used to teach Cubes and Volume
6. Blender will be used to draw 3d diagrams, and models for science.
7. Virtual Reality HTC Vive will be used for 3d drawing and science lessons
8. 3d printers will be used to produce items to scale, and parts for engineering
9. 4'x8' CNC machine will be used to cut out student creations for desk and standing desk design for the 1 sheet of plywood challenge.
10. Projector is enlarged for primary teaching content. 60" TV for streaming student feedback, 60" TV for daily tasks and progress.
11. German students will be linked into class to talk about world events
12. Various Popular games like Madden will be used to teach economics and marketplaces
13. Google Home will be use to verbally ask questions when teacher is working with other groups
14. Video Creation and posting will be a mainstay for reflections and peer teaching
15. Most posters and drawing items will be made using touch screen pens or drawing pads connected to the computers.
16. Virtual Earth will be used to travel to different locations for geometry and geology
17. Students will use programming software to learn logic trees and uml modeling
18. Students will be taught how to write pseudo-code to express ideas about future applications.
19. For the comedians in the room, students will be able to post jokes all week and on Friday a classic "top ten jokes" will be presented by selected students.
20. Students will read headline news from around the world at the beginning of class.
21. Makers station will focus a lot on robotics, plastic compounds, wood-working
22. Class YouTube channel will be used by the class to compile videos on class topics
23. Instagram will be used to post a picture of 1 thing they learned at school.
24. I can go on and on

As soon as I know what grade I will be observing in the fall, I will begin writing my own curriculum to meet the core standards. I will write it using my own software to link standards, lessons, activities, assessment snapshots of social media used for class. As the year goes on, I will learn more about what they have and what works, so I will constantly be refining and expanding the computer usage.

BLJ