Jennifer Wagner
My first online project was started as a whim because I needed to be able to explain to my students the steps necessary when conducting a science fair project and I needed participants. I belonged to an EdTech newsgroup where I posted a request for schools to join the project. Since I was a newbie, never having participated in any online project, my naivety aided me. It forced me to learn new programs, find ways to publicize my projects, and opened the door to future project opportunities. There never was time to be frightened because I had jumped in with both feet – and literally have not touched ground for 3 years!
Since Oreo Munch 1999, I have overseen 7 online projects: Oreo Munch 2000, Oreo Munch 2001, Starburst Challenge, The Great Egg Roll, 12 Days of Christmas, & Hands across the World. We are in the midst of our most successful online project – “Skittles Challenge 2002” – which has over 340 schools involved worldwide. (http://63.171.20.53/projects/Skittles/skittles_update.htm) At the end of January we will begin registration for “The Great Egg Roll x2” which will build on last years successful project!!
Technology should be included in EVERY teacher’s curriculum. It is my personal goal is to help teachers learn how include technology daily and do it without any great effort or extra time involved. With all our online projects we encourage use of Word, Excel, KidPix, Access, Publisher, Inspiration, Email and more! Teachers are also encouraged to send in lesson plans that are available to all participants. At the present time we have a network of 800+ teachers that are learning and sharing with one another. Several email buddies have blossomed and many of the online participants return for the next project and bring friends with them. Also, at the end of each project, certificates of participation are mailed out to all participants which teachers include in their personal portfolios.
Smiles – when I am not working on online projects, I also offer Office online lessons plans to our staff and local schools. Lessons are provided for Word, Excel, E-mail, Access, and PowerPoint. Teachers also meet with me to learn how to set up class websites to encourage communication between teacher and parents. I also encourage teachers to help co-sponsor online projects. This year, our first grade teacher, Debbie Courtney, co hosted “Hands across the World.”
Realizing that my love for technology was contagious, I began speaking at the ACSI Southern California conference in 1999. Due to the positive response, I was asked to return yearly. I recently taught “A Teacher’s Approach to PowerPoint” and “10 Reasons Why Teachers Should Be Using the Internet” as well as leading a “TechCoordinators’ Roundtable.” Several teachers at this conference have deemed me the “techno-advocate” and next year it is our goal to have a technology strain at the conference as well as a technology luncheon with a keynote speaker.
Knowing that technology NEEDS to be in the classroom, I have also started a webpage (www.technospud.com ) which encourages teachers to use technology, create web pages, and share ideas. There is also a monthly newsletter with links to sites, software ideas, and a 30 minute technology teaching tip!
I really had no idea what I was doing when I began Oreo Munch 1999. As I stated above, I just jumped in with both feet. But what a wonderful experience and as I sit back with enjoyment receiving emails from teachers letting me know that my projects have gotten them energized about using technology, I smile, for that is my goal.
Project Time Line
Seminars