Technology is a seductive siren inciting- with her quick access, animated gifs and standout graphics, a real chance that solid content and thinking is cast aside in pursuit of ever more bewitching forms. In tackling computer projects in the fourth grade, technology is not the end in itself but a way to involve higher order thinking in students. It is also a way to promote communication between students, the classes and the outside community. There are three different venues by which all the classes do this: electronic portfolios, research cycles and the 4^th Grade Chronicles web site. Each of the fourth grade teachers, Kay Clarke, Bridgette Fincher, Jeff Harrits, Jamie Richard and Debi Studwell, are involved in the instruction of these projects. Donna Clark, the elementary school librarian and John Mikton, our technology teacher, also play key roles in the development and instruction of these projects.

The function of the electronic portfolios, constructed by the students in Microsoft Front Page 2000, is to allow the students to form an index of their year's work in all subject areas. Each student is responsible for writing a summary of their included works, and why they chose to include them, prior to linking the various pieces. Self-evaluation is the key. As the amount of work done using computers as the tool increases, a need for an organized, and systematic, method for reflection does as well. The electronic portfolio provides the needed structure.

The focus of the research cycles is for students to learn how to access and evaluate information from both print and non-print sources. This year long study, taught mostly in paired classes, integrates the resources of the library, the computer lab, and the classroom. Each skill is taught in a curricular spiral that builds on the skills and thought processes taught previously. The first cycle concentrates on the mental concept of divergent thinking through the use of key words. The second unit focuses on convergent thinking, to have the students take a wide base of information, regardless of the form of information, and winnow it down into a clear and defined concept. The outline of the second cycle sequence is as follows:

• Classroom teachers start with a series of words that can be categorized in a variety of ways depending on the concepts used to sort them. Students construct concept maps to show their thinking. John introduces the idea of channels in different search engines and how certain search engines serve certain needs better depending on the task.
• Classroom teachers introduce a series of facts, based on their current unit of study, which can be categorized in various ways. They then show how to outline these concepts using Word. John introduces the different types of questions a student can ask in a research situation and the advantages and disadvantages of each type. Donna introduces how to use Boolean searching on the library OPAC, and leads a PowerPoint presentation on the use of the almanac and atlas in researching.
• As a wrap up of the second cycle, the students do a Holiday Math research project based on the 12 Days of Christmas poem in which the current cost of each of the gifts given is researched. The project has the students put into action the skills of conceptualization, research, question asking, searches using both print and non-print resources, and the convergent thinking they have learned.

The final year-long project is the 4^th Grade Chronicles. This grade level web site’s purpose is to showcase what all the fourth grade students have been doing in a monthly electronic publication. Each class is responsible for posting the publication in turn. From a skills perspective, it is a way to make sure that each class has a cohesive and systematic venue by which the fourth grade technology skills in systems management, application, hardware and programs are taught. Secondly, students sharpen their ability to communicate what they do at A.S.I.J. effectively and interestingly to an outside audience. Individual class activities are represented by class pages that link to the fourth grade page as does a teacher constructed site that addresses issues of methodology at an adult level. The third, and final, goal of the site is to build community. This is done within the grade level as teachers and students all work towards a common goal. Community is built as parents, relatives and other interested parties are informed about events that are important to the children. By having a clearly delineated understanding of the thinking and skills that the students are undertaking, technology becomes a way to enhance deeper levels of conceptualization. Rather than shipwrecking under the spell of glitz, a safe harbor can be found, when the function takes priority and is served by the form.

Page written and maintained by Bridgette Fincher

Tuesday, January 06, 2004