I am very excited about using technology in its entire spectrum to teach and reinforce content in the classroom and beyond. While the use of technology is gradually gaining acceptance in my teaching environment, there is still much to be done in terms of funding, maintenance, and facilitating of technology resources that would allow for the full pedagogical experience. After reviewing the indicators set by the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T), I have decided on these focal points. My GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009) will aim to accomplish the following:
•My Goals are to:
o(Performance Indicator #1): Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity and
o(Performance Indicator # #): Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.
•Design lesson plans that use some aspect of digital technology (possibly by making short videos or podcasts)to address various learning styles of students and that will promote content learning.
•Research the availability of technology available in my school that will facilitate such learning activities and reach out to support staff and administrators for help.
•Evaluate student performance by having them keep learning logs and conduct small frequent assessments to determine students’ grasp of content.
•Incorporate new technologies for extended learning activities beyond the immediate classroom to collaborate with and include a broader learning community.
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8 comments:
Hi.
I was wondering what kind of technology you will incorporate? What resources are available to you and your students?
Also, you mentioned learning logs. How will you assess the learning logs?
Digs
Hi Digs!
I actually started a wiki last year with one class, but it fell apart since all the kids that were supposed to get laptops didn't. This time around I would like to have my students make videos of themselves either acting out a skit of a historical event or something in the AVID program we call "Tableau" where students take on the role of a historical character and speak/ act a role as the character. Podcasts might also be a good option.
The assessment piece has to be more traditional, I think , may be in the form of a written essay.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Diane
Wonderful News!
Today our Professional Learning Community (Social Studies teachers of the same subjects) Blog on ARIS Connect to inquire and inform each other about our goals for our students. It is great to see that we are using technology to improve teaching.
After reviewing my plan, I will need to have access to digital technology. I already use projectors and my computer to show power point presentations and films to my students. I want to include podcasting as well in order to reinforce content instruction.
I need to check with supervisors before I actually make assign the student created podcasts, especially if I will share them with others.
I have discussed the goal with colleagues who have given very positive feedback.
Hi. It sounds like you are actively pursuing your new goals. It's too bad your wiki didn't work out last year--it is always frustrating when lack of access to technology holds us back from doing all that we could be doing with students. Fortunately, Maine has a "Laptop Initiative" program that ensures that every middle school student has his or her own laptop to use throughout middle school. The challenge here is providing the professional development needed to use these laptops to their fullest potential.
As I read your plans, I am wondering how you will address privacy and Internet safety. Students will enjoy making videos and podcasts. However, I would suggest making sure they can be viewed and heard only by a select group (yourself and their classmates?) Perhaps you can set up a password-protected site where students can share their work with an appropriate audience.
Best wishes!
Sherrie
I can relate to your situation with the wiki. I also tried to implement its use in my math classroom and did not have much success. But remember, try and try again.. Perhaps this is not the best technology to fit your needs. We do not want to use technology for the sake of using technology. I personally found the concept of using a wiki more helpful in my classroom by posting a question on the board and having each student go to the board and respond, add, and or edit. The concept itself is an awesome way to have students understand what a complete and meaningful response will look like. Dont give up!
I most definitely will not give up with plans for the wiki. I plan to implement it in the fall. I may have to sign out the laptop cart to have students do in during class time, but I do believe it is worth it.
Over the past week, just before Thanksgiving break, I was able to incorporate the use of a podcast to facilitate instruction. It was very exciting! I had two visiting student- teachers in the classroom who gave rave reviews. They thought that my methods were engaging and effective. I concurred. The podcast was about Ancient India and the development of Hinduism. The students listened attentively for six minutes to the narrator who was accompanied by Indian music. We then moved into small groups to complete a task about Hinduism and the caste system.
I have spoken with one administrator about having a Smartboard placed in my room. I think that my request has been forgotten since I did it a while ago , but I will remind her.
I am finding the information and resources you need very slowly. This can be frustrating at times but I do believe it can be done.
I do not believe that I need to modify your action plan; I see it as being quite doable. The only question is: How soon?
So far I have learned that incorporating technology as a part of instruction requires a great deal of planning and trial runs. My podcast worked fine for three classes, but for the other two, I ran into some difficulty. I am well aware that I must always have a backup plan, just in case my original plan falls through.
The only new question that have come up are those regarding the privacy and safety of student who participate in making videos of themselves for school portfolios or projects. I will definitely follow the advice given by Ms. Sherrie to set up a secure password- protected access only to ensure the safety of the students.
Thanks all!
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