I am steadily working towards my goal in infusing technology into my classroom. So far my actions have taught what work s and what doesn’t work for my classes. Trying new strategies is always a learning experience and must be tweaked many times before the lesson achieves its ultimate goal. Dr. Ertmer discusses the importance of reflection for the students to gage their progress and understanding, but educators also need this reflection on their own work (Laureate Education, 2010). I constantly reflect on my lessons to analyze by successes and failures. Lately my students have been asking me many questions about current events, so I want to cater to their interests and let them explore their own learning, For instance my students were just asking me questions about Libya and the events that have taken place there. I began answering their questions but then I began to think about making it into a project since they were so interested in it. In our curriculum I was currently discussing the French Revolution and how the French were inspired by the US to over throw their king and want self government. As a project I had students review the events that are taking place in Libya and analyze how they compare or contrast to what occurred during the American Revolution, and the French Revolution. My students were to research these topics in their texts and internet and create a presentation in PowerPoint analyzing the comparison and differences between them. Students were encouraged to include video clips from new stations from the present day and create their own new report themselves as if it was taking place in present time.
I have learned that my students could be extremely creative when their interests were catered to. They not only learned about the content but also about current events. They were so excited about their projects they were discussing it with their friends and getting them involved in their projects. Project based learning can be a great tool, but educators must be creative and find topics that let students explore their own learning.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). “Spotlight on Technology, Project Based Learning Part 2”.[Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. . Baltimore : Author
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Progress in the GAME plan
Blog Response- Week 4
I believe that I am gradually achieving my goals of my GAME plan. One of my goals was to increase professional ties with other educators via the internet and I have made that connection by participating in blogs in this course. I am finding much information about infusing technology into my lessons. I have found new resources to use in the classroom by reading and responding to others’ blogs. Interacting with each others with blogs has been a great opportunity to learn new ideas and get support and assistance from other teachers on how to enact those ideas.
I have also used project-based learning linking concepts from the community by having my students complete a project about a new law that is affecting them. Dr. Cennamo explains that students learn to perform skills within the context of a real-world situation (Cennamo, 2009). The town that they live in is now strictly enforcing a curfew, so I had students analyze the positives and negatives associated with this legislation.
I do not need to modify my plan because I believe that this plan is guiding me to new tools that I can use in my classroom. I have learned that using technology in the classroom is possible even when an educator does have limited sources. I had written a response about the scarcity of resources in my school district and many of my colleagues responded with excellent suggestions on how to effectively use the minimal sources I have. As per Dr. Cennamo, “ A single computer connected to a display, either a projector or a large monitor, can be a valuable resource for supporting your instruction (Cennamo, 2009).” I now think of innovative ideas to use this computer and my four student computers.
New questions that I am looking for war d to answer include: What technology can be brought into the classroom with a small budget? And, How accessible is video editing software? Is it something that needs to be purchased or are their free versions educators can access?
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
I believe that I am gradually achieving my goals of my GAME plan. One of my goals was to increase professional ties with other educators via the internet and I have made that connection by participating in blogs in this course. I am finding much information about infusing technology into my lessons. I have found new resources to use in the classroom by reading and responding to others’ blogs. Interacting with each others with blogs has been a great opportunity to learn new ideas and get support and assistance from other teachers on how to enact those ideas.
I have also used project-based learning linking concepts from the community by having my students complete a project about a new law that is affecting them. Dr. Cennamo explains that students learn to perform skills within the context of a real-world situation (Cennamo, 2009). The town that they live in is now strictly enforcing a curfew, so I had students analyze the positives and negatives associated with this legislation.
I do not need to modify my plan because I believe that this plan is guiding me to new tools that I can use in my classroom. I have learned that using technology in the classroom is possible even when an educator does have limited sources. I had written a response about the scarcity of resources in my school district and many of my colleagues responded with excellent suggestions on how to effectively use the minimal sources I have. As per Dr. Cennamo, “ A single computer connected to a display, either a projector or a large monitor, can be a valuable resource for supporting your instruction (Cennamo, 2009).” I now think of innovative ideas to use this computer and my four student computers.
New questions that I am looking for war d to answer include: What technology can be brought into the classroom with a small budget? And, How accessible is video editing software? Is it something that needs to be purchased or are their free versions educators can access?
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Resources for GAME Plan
The biggest challenge I have when it comes to achieving my goals that I set in my GAME plan is to overcome the scarcity of resources. I work in an urban school district and unfortunately we do not have the same resources as other schools. For instance we have 2 computer labs, but a teacher cannot take their classes there because computer classes are being taught there all day. We also have computers in the library, but there is only 20 computers, so a full class cannot access the computers. We also have a lap top cart but it is dominated by the Math classes who use the computers for software that was recently purchased to assist students to pass the standardized test we have in our state. As a district who is suffering from low test grades, our main concentration has become making our students proficient and teaching for a test rather than encouraging creativity.
Since I am in the History department, I have little access to the technology because Math and English have priority to the computers, so I have to think creatively when I want to infuse technology. For instance, I have 4 students computers in my room, so many times I have students work in groups of 3-4 and 1 group member can access the computer at a time while other are working with other resources such as texts or books I have prepared for them ahead of time to address the project we need to research. For the most part I used the computer as a mind tool. Dr. Cennamo explains that “Mindtools are computer applications that enable learners to represent, manipulate, or reflect on what they know rather than reproduce what someone else knows (Cennamo,2009).” I also take my students to the library but pair them up so there are enough computers for everyone and they both have some computer access.
To truly fulfill my goal, I need to address the scarcity of computers and present the problem to my colleagues, so we may come up with a resolution. I understand the importance of using software to reinforce mathematics skills taught in the classroom, but the other subjects cannot fall to the waist side. We do have small budgets allotted to our academy from our district, so I believe we could make a change by purchasing some less expensive desktop computers rather than lab tops and allot a room for an additional lab where teachers can sign in their classes If our budget is not enough, we could run a fundraiser or have dances to raise the additional money. Another problem that we do incur is that we do not have a full time teacher to run the lab and ensure that the computers do not get damaged. For this we can schedule teachers to have a duty in this room rather than hall duty, to make sure that students are using the computers appropriately.
In conclusion, knowledge of technology in my school district is not the main problem but rather access is our road block. As per Cennamo, “ the primary roles that a computer can serve are: computers as a tutor, computers as a mind tool, and a computer for a support for reflection and conversation (Cennamo, 2009). Educators in my school district must come together to resolve this problem and allow our students to learn through technology and both test scores and grades will be positively affected.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Since I am in the History department, I have little access to the technology because Math and English have priority to the computers, so I have to think creatively when I want to infuse technology. For instance, I have 4 students computers in my room, so many times I have students work in groups of 3-4 and 1 group member can access the computer at a time while other are working with other resources such as texts or books I have prepared for them ahead of time to address the project we need to research. For the most part I used the computer as a mind tool. Dr. Cennamo explains that “Mindtools are computer applications that enable learners to represent, manipulate, or reflect on what they know rather than reproduce what someone else knows (Cennamo,2009).” I also take my students to the library but pair them up so there are enough computers for everyone and they both have some computer access.
To truly fulfill my goal, I need to address the scarcity of computers and present the problem to my colleagues, so we may come up with a resolution. I understand the importance of using software to reinforce mathematics skills taught in the classroom, but the other subjects cannot fall to the waist side. We do have small budgets allotted to our academy from our district, so I believe we could make a change by purchasing some less expensive desktop computers rather than lab tops and allot a room for an additional lab where teachers can sign in their classes If our budget is not enough, we could run a fundraiser or have dances to raise the additional money. Another problem that we do incur is that we do not have a full time teacher to run the lab and ensure that the computers do not get damaged. For this we can schedule teachers to have a duty in this room rather than hall duty, to make sure that students are using the computers appropriately.
In conclusion, knowledge of technology in my school district is not the main problem but rather access is our road block. As per Cennamo, “ the primary roles that a computer can serve are: computers as a tutor, computers as a mind tool, and a computer for a support for reflection and conversation (Cennamo, 2009). Educators in my school district must come together to resolve this problem and allow our students to learn through technology and both test scores and grades will be positively affected.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
GAME PLAN- Confidence
Technology is here to stay, so educators must begin to look at its existence as a tool rather than a hindrance. The National Educational Technology Standards demonstrate a variety of skills that both educators and students must possess to be fully proficient in technology. Educators need to strengthen their confidence in using technology and exploring to avenues of teaching using technology. Many of the indicators I am familiar with, but I have not fully achieved some standards.
One area that I would like to strengthen my confidence in is to “engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources (National Education Standards for Teachers, 2008). I do not use this strategy often but I would like to start because it provides students with real world issues and motivates them to learn because it gives them a purpose. My action plan to fulfill this goal includes researching particular topic, related to Social Studies in their own community and cater projects to address problems that they feel affect them directly. To monitor students’ progress I would have students complete a final project in which I can use a formative assessment. I would evaluate the success of this strategy by having students complete reflective entries to a classroom blog. In this manner I can assess what the students like or disliked about the project.
Another area of interest that I need to increase my confidence in is engaging in professional growth and leadership communities via the internet. I am constantly searching for new ideas for lesson plans but I do not have lessons in which students or educators can connect to other school districts via Skype. I would like to create relationship with other educators to form a situation in which students can interact and share their learning with students in different states or even just different districts. To fulfill this goal, I would do an internet search t find another classroom who might want this type of learning connection. I would also be interested in creating a wiki in which my classroom so I can collaborate with different classrooms. As per Dr. Cennamo, “Wikis are a great tool when students need to complete a task together—whether they are doing research, writing a paper, or planning a presentation (Cennamo, 2009). I would then monitor the students y have them complete reflexive assignments which will provide me with information that can be used to not only assess the content but also provide and insight into their interests in working with other students.
Educators must explore the technological tools that are available to them and have the confidence to try new things. There are many tools out there for educators to use but educators must be open-minded to experiment and have the knowledge to infuse them in their lessons.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx
One area that I would like to strengthen my confidence in is to “engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources (National Education Standards for Teachers, 2008). I do not use this strategy often but I would like to start because it provides students with real world issues and motivates them to learn because it gives them a purpose. My action plan to fulfill this goal includes researching particular topic, related to Social Studies in their own community and cater projects to address problems that they feel affect them directly. To monitor students’ progress I would have students complete a final project in which I can use a formative assessment. I would evaluate the success of this strategy by having students complete reflective entries to a classroom blog. In this manner I can assess what the students like or disliked about the project.
Another area of interest that I need to increase my confidence in is engaging in professional growth and leadership communities via the internet. I am constantly searching for new ideas for lesson plans but I do not have lessons in which students or educators can connect to other school districts via Skype. I would like to create relationship with other educators to form a situation in which students can interact and share their learning with students in different states or even just different districts. To fulfill this goal, I would do an internet search t find another classroom who might want this type of learning connection. I would also be interested in creating a wiki in which my classroom so I can collaborate with different classrooms. As per Dr. Cennamo, “Wikis are a great tool when students need to complete a task together—whether they are doing research, writing a paper, or planning a presentation (Cennamo, 2009). I would then monitor the students y have them complete reflexive assignments which will provide me with information that can be used to not only assess the content but also provide and insight into their interests in working with other students.
Educators must explore the technological tools that are available to them and have the confidence to try new things. There are many tools out there for educators to use but educators must be open-minded to experiment and have the knowledge to infuse them in their lessons.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx
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