While looking back on the last seven weeks the one thing I notice the most is my confidence level has increased in terms of utilizing technology in my classroom. I was utilizing technology before this class but through the use of the GAME plan I have a better understanding of technology in terms of how to use it more effectively to meet my goals and benefit my students. I feel the GAME plan allowed me to take a more critical view of what I was doing and focus my energy on accomplishing something concrete and beneficial. It basically put things in to focus in terms of content standards and technology standards. I was also really introduced for the first time to the NETS-T and NETS-S standards for technology in education and feel these are skills students need today. These gave me solid goals to implement into my lessons and helped incorporate real 21st century skills into my everyday teaching to allow my students to benefit from skills they will need to use effectively in the work place after they leave school.
I feel that I have made adjustments already to many of my existing lessons and this class has also helped me create new lessons and activities for my students that I have never tried before but now feel more comfortable and confident in doing so. I am implementing more activities to encourage in my student’s self-directed learning and collaborative skills that they seem to enjoy more than me trying to force the content upon them like I may have done so before. I am excited about what the future of technology in education holds and will continue to push myself to stay on top of the current trends and opportunities to expand my student’s realm of understanding utilizing technology that they will encounter daily as they go through life.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Game Plan Process with Students
In using the GAME plan with my students I hope to mirror my own game plan. Goal: Take my time and pick some NET-S standards to focus on with my students. Action: Most of these standards will eventually be a dressed throughout my projects and assignments that utilize technology and can be Monitored during class time and by checking Blogs or Wikis being used. Evaluate: Discuss and reflect on these standards and see if my students reached them proficiently.
Student like the use of technology in the classroom and will readily adapt to these standards quite quickly.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
Student like the use of technology in the classroom and will readily adapt to these standards quite quickly.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
Monday, December 7, 2009
Revising My Game Plan
I have leanred a lot so far and have altered numerous lesson plans to include technology and developed new collaborative projects and assessments. And I believe I have met my first goals that I set for myself seeing as though I was working on them since last year and made huge progress over the summer months.
New learning goals I would like to set for myself form NETS-T are listed below.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.
These are my next steps, now that I have new projects, assessments, and lesson utilizing technology I want to focus on how they work in the classroom with my students and whether or not they are learning the content they need. These steps are imperative in my opinion in getting students ready for the real world they will be entering after high school. I would like to get involved with teachers and students from other parts of the world next and engage them in virtual world where we can learn form one another.
New learning goals I would like to set for myself form NETS-T are listed below.
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.
These are my next steps, now that I have new projects, assessments, and lesson utilizing technology I want to focus on how they work in the classroom with my students and whether or not they are learning the content they need. These steps are imperative in my opinion in getting students ready for the real world they will be entering after high school. I would like to get involved with teachers and students from other parts of the world next and engage them in virtual world where we can learn form one another.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Evaluating GAME Plan Progress
I feel my progress thus far is going very well. I have been implementing and changing my lessons plans in my classroom since early last year and the more I do the easier things become in regards to new creative projects, assignments and assessments. I will continue to follow the GAME plan to make sure my new lessons are effective in encouraging students to learn through the use of technology whenever possible. I know I will need to make adjustments here and there based on technology availability, student feedback, and my own personal reflection of the overall lesson but am now confident I can make these adjustments when necessary and am not afraid to try new things when presented to me.
So far I have learned to take a step back out of my original comfort zone and allow my self to turn over more control to my students. This has made my life easier, less stressful, and more enjoyable while teaching. I used to have a lot of stress feeling like I would fall behind so I would take all of the responsibility for student success and learning on my shoulders which translated into me doing all the work, lecturing more then necessary, and lack of student accountability. Little did I know that students, when given the opportunity, can excel at learning independently and in groups if given guidelines and expectations by the teacher. This usually ends up making them happier and more likely to work than not.
I understand that I still have a lot to learn either by trial and error or through new resources and ideas presented to me through my classes, instructors, independent research, and other colleagues. I do have questions, but am now self-motivated to seek the answers needed and have been successful in answering them myself up to now.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
So far I have learned to take a step back out of my original comfort zone and allow my self to turn over more control to my students. This has made my life easier, less stressful, and more enjoyable while teaching. I used to have a lot of stress feeling like I would fall behind so I would take all of the responsibility for student success and learning on my shoulders which translated into me doing all the work, lecturing more then necessary, and lack of student accountability. Little did I know that students, when given the opportunity, can excel at learning independently and in groups if given guidelines and expectations by the teacher. This usually ends up making them happier and more likely to work than not.
I understand that I still have a lot to learn either by trial and error or through new resources and ideas presented to me through my classes, instructors, independent research, and other colleagues. I do have questions, but am now self-motivated to seek the answers needed and have been successful in answering them myself up to now.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monitoring My Game Plan
Monitoring my Game Plan Progress Week 4
• Are you finding the information and resources you need?
• Do you need to modify your action plan?
• What have you learned so far?
• What new questions have arisen?
I have been finding the information I need and I feel more confident in my technology skills and implementing new and creative assessments and assignments in the classroom. The Class supplements and video/text provided really do a good job of keeping me up to date on the latest trends and effective teaching practices for my classroom. Every time I see, hear, or read about a new way of teaching a lesson or cool assessment idea I try and relate it to my content for my classes and see how if at all I can add a technology component (UDL). Of course I feel I still have a ways to go but I am more open minded and flexible today then I was 4 or 5 years ago.
As of right now I don’t believe there are any modifications I need to make in my GAME plan but I am always self-checking my progress as I go and am open to my colleagues suggestions to help make it better in the future.
I have learned a lot so far, like the need to be flexible and change with the needs of my students and one way to do this is offer variety in both the types of assignments and assessments I give but also allowing my students new and creative ways utilizing technology to complete them. I really like the UDL theory and balancing my assessments so I don’t use the same kind every time such as forced choice (Cennamo, 2009).
The new questions I seem to have a lot is how are my students doing, are they learning, is this more enjoyable for them, are they actively engaged, and what can I change to be more effective. These questions can be answered through student reflection and input and self-reflection and assessment on my part so I am confident I can find answers to them.
• Are you finding the information and resources you need?
• Do you need to modify your action plan?
• What have you learned so far?
• What new questions have arisen?
I have been finding the information I need and I feel more confident in my technology skills and implementing new and creative assessments and assignments in the classroom. The Class supplements and video/text provided really do a good job of keeping me up to date on the latest trends and effective teaching practices for my classroom. Every time I see, hear, or read about a new way of teaching a lesson or cool assessment idea I try and relate it to my content for my classes and see how if at all I can add a technology component (UDL). Of course I feel I still have a ways to go but I am more open minded and flexible today then I was 4 or 5 years ago.
As of right now I don’t believe there are any modifications I need to make in my GAME plan but I am always self-checking my progress as I go and am open to my colleagues suggestions to help make it better in the future.
I have learned a lot so far, like the need to be flexible and change with the needs of my students and one way to do this is offer variety in both the types of assignments and assessments I give but also allowing my students new and creative ways utilizing technology to complete them. I really like the UDL theory and balancing my assessments so I don’t use the same kind every time such as forced choice (Cennamo, 2009).
The new questions I seem to have a lot is how are my students doing, are they learning, is this more enjoyable for them, are they actively engaged, and what can I change to be more effective. These questions can be answered through student reflection and input and self-reflection and assessment on my part so I am confident I can find answers to them.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Game Plan Review
Game Plan Review
The two standards I chose in my Game Plan were,
1-b. engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
2-a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
The resources I will need for my first standard is student access to computers and the internet. From there I will have my students create Blogs and open a RSS feed for news sites that will carry current events that the students can discuss. I have already taken these steps and plan on monitoring and evaluating how this works with my students. My learning strategy will be student centered discussion and reflection with teacher input.
For my second standard, I will need access to numerous resources, computers, internet, Projectors, Software, and much more in order to reach all learners and re-do my projects and lesson to include technology. I am currently addressing this right now by slowly adding technology components. I will also need the support of my colleagues and other professionals to add insight and ideas to my new projects and assignments. Also, feedback and opinions of my student on what they liked or disliked so I can tweak things to make them better, more informative, and more fun. Learning strategies will vary greatly depending on what I decide to do in class on a assignment by assignment basis.
The two standards I chose in my Game Plan were,
1-b. engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
2-a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
The resources I will need for my first standard is student access to computers and the internet. From there I will have my students create Blogs and open a RSS feed for news sites that will carry current events that the students can discuss. I have already taken these steps and plan on monitoring and evaluating how this works with my students. My learning strategy will be student centered discussion and reflection with teacher input.
For my second standard, I will need access to numerous resources, computers, internet, Projectors, Software, and much more in order to reach all learners and re-do my projects and lesson to include technology. I am currently addressing this right now by slowly adding technology components. I will also need the support of my colleagues and other professionals to add insight and ideas to my new projects and assignments. Also, feedback and opinions of my student on what they liked or disliked so I can tweak things to make them better, more informative, and more fun. Learning strategies will vary greatly depending on what I decide to do in class on a assignment by assignment basis.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Game Plan- NETS-T
GAME PLAN
I like the idea of developing a GAME plan for my lessons personally and for my students. When I first looked at the NETS.T standards for teachers I was very unfamiliar with them, in fact there are a number of them I have never used or heard of so I instead picked two I use but would like to improve upon.
The two NETS.T indicators I chose were,
1-b. engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
2-a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
For standard 1-b.
Goal: Utilizes digital tools and resources found on the web to examine world issues with students in both my American Government and American History class.
Action: Set up RSS feeds from various news outlets to capture updated news, post links to stories I wish my students to read and discuss on my classroom Blog.
Monitor: Actively check my Blog, engage students in questioning and respond to their questions as they come.
Evaluate: Reflect on effectiveness and student involvement of the process. Ensure students are logging on and are part of the discussion process. Engage students in discussion in the classroom about pro’s and con’s of the process.
For standard 2-a.
Goal: Take my group projects and assignments and adapt them to include collaborative technology based situations in which student will be more engaged in self directed learning of the content.
Action: Go through my outdated projects and assignments which involve me lecturing or have no technology component and add technology while engaging students in a collaborative setting.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final
I like the idea of developing a GAME plan for my lessons personally and for my students. When I first looked at the NETS.T standards for teachers I was very unfamiliar with them, in fact there are a number of them I have never used or heard of so I instead picked two I use but would like to improve upon.
The two NETS.T indicators I chose were,
1-b. engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
2-a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.
For standard 1-b.
Goal: Utilizes digital tools and resources found on the web to examine world issues with students in both my American Government and American History class.
Action: Set up RSS feeds from various news outlets to capture updated news, post links to stories I wish my students to read and discuss on my classroom Blog.
Monitor: Actively check my Blog, engage students in questioning and respond to their questions as they come.
Evaluate: Reflect on effectiveness and student involvement of the process. Ensure students are logging on and are part of the discussion process. Engage students in discussion in the classroom about pro’s and con’s of the process.
For standard 2-a.
Goal: Take my group projects and assignments and adapt them to include collaborative technology based situations in which student will be more engaged in self directed learning of the content.
Action: Go through my outdated projects and assignments which involve me lecturing or have no technology component and add technology while engaging students in a collaborative setting.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Week Six Gifted and Talented
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Week 8 Blog Reflection
Looking back at my Personal Learning theory, I don’t believe I will be making any modifications because it was pretty inclusive of what I want to do in the classroom and this class only helped me get closer to incorporating technology into my daily lessons.
Some immediate adjustments I would like to make to my classes is to incorporate more technology though out my curriculum. I want to start using Blogs and graphic organizers in my classroom next year to help my students both interact with one another online collaboratively but also teach them to organize and synthesize key information so they will increase there learning.
Two long term changes I would like to make is to incorporate technology some how everyday but I will need to wait until the school budget catches up with what I want to do. I believe it is only a matter of time before all students will have daily access to technology in the classroom. Another long-term goal I have would be to set up a distance leaning situation with students form another country with student in my classroom in Michigan. I plan on looking into this next year, there is one teacher at Grandville who already is working with a classroom from Japan once a week and the students love it so I really think it would be a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
Some immediate adjustments I would like to make to my classes is to incorporate more technology though out my curriculum. I want to start using Blogs and graphic organizers in my classroom next year to help my students both interact with one another online collaboratively but also teach them to organize and synthesize key information so they will increase there learning.
Two long term changes I would like to make is to incorporate technology some how everyday but I will need to wait until the school budget catches up with what I want to do. I believe it is only a matter of time before all students will have daily access to technology in the classroom. Another long-term goal I have would be to set up a distance leaning situation with students form another country with student in my classroom in Michigan. I plan on looking into this next year, there is one teacher at Grandville who already is working with a classroom from Japan once a week and the students love it so I really think it would be a beneficial experience for everyone involved.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Some of the strategies discussed this week in our text that I am looking to use next year are MOODLE, Blogs, and Wikis. All three of these would be no cost to me and are endorsed by our school for use in the classroom. Using anyone of these would help with Social Learning Theories, it opens up the web for students to create visually appealing content and add and share information ideas, and expertise within or outside the classroom or even outside school hours. “When student’s work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others” (Pilter, 2007). Some of the group projects would be groups that I chose with defined duties for students and other projects would be student run and centered with teacher guidelines to make sure they stay on track.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Friday, May 29, 2009
There have been so many tools talked about in the last three weeks that can be used in correlation with the Constructionist Theory of learning. I have used a few already in my teaching to date, such as PowerPoint, Excel, and Blogs. Constructionist based learning according to Dr. Orey is essentially getting students involved directly in the process where they are in charge of the learning and by combining their ideas with these technologies it is easy to create projects and situations where student can use PowerPoint and create a wonderful multimedia presentation in which they were the architects of the learning process. For example, my history class did a project on Civil Rights and created their own history lesson focusing on key events in the civil rights movement and they went above and beyond what I would have taught them in class and they had fun doing it. The presentations were well received by the whole class and students even actively asked questions.
I am also going to incorporate Blogs into my classroom next year and hope to continue creating constructivist/constructionist learning opportunities for my students online.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
I am also going to incorporate Blogs into my classroom next year and hope to continue creating constructivist/constructionist learning opportunities for my students online.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Cognitive learning theory has student involved in the learning process to help them make the connections necessary to learn the academic material and higher order thinking skills necessary to succeed in the world today. In our class we have been focusing this week on how technology can further student learning by proving tools and experience to increase cognitive learning in students.
Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers all relate to Cognitive learning through getting students brains ready to learn by accessing prior information (Cues) and getting students ready to think through questions and then process information given to them in a organized and visual manner (Advanced Organizer) so it’s all there for them to see. Technology enhances these and makes learning more enjoyable for many students allowing them to be creative, visual, and even add some audio if they like.
Summarizing and note taking are important skills for all student to learn especially if they are going g on to college and these skill relate to cognitive theory because they have students organize information in a way that makes sense to them so it make the proper connections for them to remember and understand and provides the framework for higher level thinking. Technology can be used to enhance this though spreadsheets, Wikis, and other multimedia tools.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program five. Cognitive Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers all relate to Cognitive learning through getting students brains ready to learn by accessing prior information (Cues) and getting students ready to think through questions and then process information given to them in a organized and visual manner (Advanced Organizer) so it’s all there for them to see. Technology enhances these and makes learning more enjoyable for many students allowing them to be creative, visual, and even add some audio if they like.
Summarizing and note taking are important skills for all student to learn especially if they are going g on to college and these skill relate to cognitive theory because they have students organize information in a way that makes sense to them so it make the proper connections for them to remember and understand and provides the framework for higher level thinking. Technology can be used to enhance this though spreadsheets, Wikis, and other multimedia tools.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program five. Cognitive Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Behavorist Theory and Technology
Behaviorist Learning Theory
While reading our text this week something stood out to me in regards to using technology in the classroom is a great benefit to our students, the idea that, “technology makes it easier for students and teachers to track effects on effort and facilitates more immediate feedback” (Pilter, 2007 pg. 156). Immediate feedback (positive reinforcement) is something we as teachers cannot do on a daily basis to everyone of our students face to face without more hours in the day but by introducing technology such as spreadsheet software (Excel) and data collections tools that the text mentions you can track some great student trends and provided that feedback and reinforcement (Behaviorist Theory-Operant Conditioning) to everyone with little time requirements. Of course I believe this will not re-place the face to face feedback and reinforcement but it can add to it and keep it constant for the student’s sake.
The Text and the video both touched on Online web based resources. These can also be very advantageous and connect to the behaviorist theory. “Online educational games have an inherent appeal and generate immediate feedback that allows a student, parent, and teacher to monitor progress towards mastery” (Pilter, 2007 pg. 195). The building of skills to mastery through students mastering small increments of information over time provide positive reinforcements to the student to keep going the whole time learning and slowly mastering concepts needed in the class room.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
While reading our text this week something stood out to me in regards to using technology in the classroom is a great benefit to our students, the idea that, “technology makes it easier for students and teachers to track effects on effort and facilitates more immediate feedback” (Pilter, 2007 pg. 156). Immediate feedback (positive reinforcement) is something we as teachers cannot do on a daily basis to everyone of our students face to face without more hours in the day but by introducing technology such as spreadsheet software (Excel) and data collections tools that the text mentions you can track some great student trends and provided that feedback and reinforcement (Behaviorist Theory-Operant Conditioning) to everyone with little time requirements. Of course I believe this will not re-place the face to face feedback and reinforcement but it can add to it and keep it constant for the student’s sake.
The Text and the video both touched on Online web based resources. These can also be very advantageous and connect to the behaviorist theory. “Online educational games have an inherent appeal and generate immediate feedback that allows a student, parent, and teacher to monitor progress towards mastery” (Pilter, 2007 pg. 195). The building of skills to mastery through students mastering small increments of information over time provide positive reinforcements to the student to keep going the whole time learning and slowly mastering concepts needed in the class room.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Week 8 Reflection
This course has been a real eye opener for me and I am very glad I chose the technology emphasis in my master’s degree. Before this course my idea of using technology in the classroom consisted mainly of using the Internet for research, PowerPoint for giving notes, and the computers for typing on word processors. Thought out this course we learned about using 21st century tools in the classroom such as Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts. These new tools and their possibilities made me take a new look at my teaching and how I could utilize these to make learning more fun for my students and myself. For example, this course had me develop a Blog and utilize it for a number of assignments then develop possible lessons/ projects in which I could incorporate Blogs into my classroom with my students. We also did a group Wiki project in which I worked with other students coming up with designs and content to share online with other teachers. These were both awesome experiences in which I can build off of and implement into my classroom teaching.
I now see that my teaching needs to move away form the teacher directed content which I have been doing for a number of years now to a more student centered and directed classroom in which I guide my students using technology while they engage in learning using 21st century tools in the wealth of information available to them online. I am slowly making changes to my curriculum so I can start implementing them as I go into next year in beyond. I realize it is something I need to do but it will take time for me to completely change. Also, availability to technology seems to be the biggest roadblock right now at my school.
Some ways I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning and teaching is through staying up to date on the latest technologies and their possible uses in the classroom. I can do this by checking education blogs and searching the Internet for new useful tools. I can also take technology classes offered by my Intermediate School District, which frequently offers training for teachers in a number of areas. I can also share with my colleagues what I do with technology in my classroom and ask them for examples on how they utilize technology so in turn we both gain new insight and techniques to incorporate into are teachings.
Two goals I have are to utilize technology in some way on a weekly if not daily basis in my classroom in which students are driving the learning not the teacher. Another goal I have is to create two big group projects for each class that I teach in which students will be responsible for collaboration one all content and incorporating 21st century technologies. As of now my projects are collaborative but do not included technology and are teacher driven not student driven and I would love to change this. In order to achieve these goals, I as a teacher need to relinquish some control of my classroom to my students and allow them to drive the learning as much as possible and I need to redefine my idea of what effective teacher is so I am there to guide them and assist them along the way. Probably the biggest obstacle however is the lack of technology available at my school. We share four computer labs amongst 90 plus staff at my high school and it is hard to get time blocked off to do some of the things I want to do.
I now see that my teaching needs to move away form the teacher directed content which I have been doing for a number of years now to a more student centered and directed classroom in which I guide my students using technology while they engage in learning using 21st century tools in the wealth of information available to them online. I am slowly making changes to my curriculum so I can start implementing them as I go into next year in beyond. I realize it is something I need to do but it will take time for me to completely change. Also, availability to technology seems to be the biggest roadblock right now at my school.
Some ways I can continue to expand my knowledge of learning and teaching is through staying up to date on the latest technologies and their possible uses in the classroom. I can do this by checking education blogs and searching the Internet for new useful tools. I can also take technology classes offered by my Intermediate School District, which frequently offers training for teachers in a number of areas. I can also share with my colleagues what I do with technology in my classroom and ask them for examples on how they utilize technology so in turn we both gain new insight and techniques to incorporate into are teachings.
Two goals I have are to utilize technology in some way on a weekly if not daily basis in my classroom in which students are driving the learning not the teacher. Another goal I have is to create two big group projects for each class that I teach in which students will be responsible for collaboration one all content and incorporating 21st century technologies. As of now my projects are collaborative but do not included technology and are teacher driven not student driven and I would love to change this. In order to achieve these goals, I as a teacher need to relinquish some control of my classroom to my students and allow them to drive the learning as much as possible and I need to redefine my idea of what effective teacher is so I am there to guide them and assist them along the way. Probably the biggest obstacle however is the lack of technology available at my school. We share four computer labs amongst 90 plus staff at my high school and it is hard to get time blocked off to do some of the things I want to do.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
While looking around the website http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/ I was impressed with the number of major companies and brands involved in this endeavour. The website was well laid out and easy to navigate. While reading the mission statement, I was shocked to see some of the points listed there such as Civic Literacy, Thinking and Problem Solving, and Interpersonal and self-direction skills are taught in schools today and was offended that they implied we don;t do these. The other three points seemed reasonable as something we could work on to further our students understanding to prepare them for the 21st century workplace.
I liked that they offered training centers online to help with these new 21st century skills, however non were currently available where I live in Michigan. They seemed to be a fairly new initiative that is trying to grow and define themselves so we will have to wait and see what can really come form all of this.
The resources online offered good description of skills needed but I found it hard to locate any information showing teachers exactly how to incorporate these new skills into our classroom so was disappointed. Over all It looks like allot of talk about things teachers need to prepare students for which sound good on paper, but they offer nothing to teachers to help so they also do not really have the answer of how to change schools to meet these new standards?
I know the implications for my students are real, they ned to be prepared to enter this tech savy work force with a strong understaning of how to interact in society especially in the work place so these skills neesd to be taught. But again my questions on how to do this better were not answered by this site but maybe I missed something?
I liked that they offered training centers online to help with these new 21st century skills, however non were currently available where I live in Michigan. They seemed to be a fairly new initiative that is trying to grow and define themselves so we will have to wait and see what can really come form all of this.
The resources online offered good description of skills needed but I found it hard to locate any information showing teachers exactly how to incorporate these new skills into our classroom so was disappointed. Over all It looks like allot of talk about things teachers need to prepare students for which sound good on paper, but they offer nothing to teachers to help so they also do not really have the answer of how to change schools to meet these new standards?
I know the implications for my students are real, they ned to be prepared to enter this tech savy work force with a strong understaning of how to interact in society especially in the work place so these skills neesd to be taught. But again my questions on how to do this better were not answered by this site but maybe I missed something?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
One thing I would like to use my Blog for is a place to connect my students and parents with what is going on in my classroom. I would like to post documents, homework, links to cool sites for history and government, and a class schedule. I would also like a place for my students to interact with one another on current events that I would post links to on my Blog that pertain to the lessons we are talking about. Eventually, I would like to use my Blog as a jumping off point for a class group project on Interest Groups. Right now I currently have my students do my Interest Group project in which the end result is a nice portfolio but I would like to adapt that so they would each create their own Blog linked through mine using RSS feeds. This would allow them to become more creative and hopefully make it more interesting to them knowing many other people can check it out not just myself or others in that class. This project would be done in my 11th grade Government class and would allow the kids to research their interest and connect to other interest groups aggregator site like bloglines. It would also allow them to make graphics, post pictures, music, and video if they like.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
My first Blogging Experience
I just created my Blog and am getting a feel for it all so give me some time to make it better.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
