As I have previously stated, I rally enjoyed using my GAME PLAN throughout this course. This is one of the first assignments that I have had during my time at Walden to so greatly affect what I am doing in my classroom. The goals that I chose to focus on were two that I have wanted to improve on for quite some time. The format of the GAME PLAN allowed me to do so without feeling overwhelmed. It was ok to take"baby-steps" and I felt encouraged that I did not have to meet my goal in all one time. The gradual progression of the game plan allowed me to really take it seriously while implementing the changes in my classroom.
As far as using more digital aged assessments and lessons, I feel that I have done so. This course helped me to discover multiple technical resources to assist me with this goal. The folder that I have created with technology resources is continuously growing, When I am at school and hear of something that might help me to better meet my goal I take note of it and determine whether or not it would benefit my students. Simply being aware of new technologies and working with others to find new resources has been a growing experience for me.
I have not seen as much progress with my second goal of growing professionally but this is a goal that will continue long after I have completed this course. I have been asking my principal about different PD opportunities and have even joined our technology committee so that I can stay up to date with the help of my co-workers.
This course has opened my eyes to the multiple and various ways that I can implement technology into my first grade classroom. During week 3, we learned about the Universal Design for Learning and how technology can help to meet the needs of all students. This lesson was the most beneficial to me. I believe that all teachers struggle to differentiate. My classroom is filled with students who have unique needs and very different learning styles. I now feel confident that I can use different technologies throughout my lessons to better differentiate. It excites me because not only does it help me with my planning, but I know that my students will benefit as well. "The universal design for learning (UDL) suggests that teachers can remove barriers to learning by providing flexibility in terms of options for materials, methods, and assessments (Ross & Meyer, 2002). (Cennamo, Ross, pg. 116, 2009). The UDL will have a constant presence in my classroom. I have learned a great deal from studying it and am encouraged to continue to implant it's ideals into my classroom.
I will be making some adjustments to instructional practice due to technology integration. I plan to incorporate both digital storytelling and online collaboration. I have already spoke with a teacher who I know from a different school. She loved the idea of having our students read to one another is our distance learning labs. I think this would inspire my students to get reading! This would also be the case with digital-storytelling. Anytime they can hear themselves read they are given the opportunity to evaluate themselves and feel proud of what they have learned.
Overall, this course has provided me with tools that will benefit the students in my classroom. I feel that I have some realistic, new ways to incorporate technology into my class. I am pleased with the changes that I have already made and an inspired to see what else can be done.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
How I will use the GAME PLAN in my classroom...
I have really enjoyed organizing my goals for using technology into a GAME PLAN. It is an efficient, sensible way to be sure that you can stay on track with what you hope to accomplish. It is easy to feel overwhelmed when implementing technology. As I have mentioned before, I often struggle with where to start and how to get going. Having a GAME PLAN helped me tackle these issues. I especially liked the fact that I was forced to record how I would monitor my game plan. It is realistic in the sense that it is hard to stay on track with goals that have been set. The "evaluate" portion reminded me of how important it is to evaluate my own work. As an educator, I spend so much time evaluating others but it is equally as important to evaluate myself, especially when reflecting on whether or not I have met goals.
"As a nation, we want our students to be good thinkers, and we want our schools to teach thinking" (Cennamo, 2009, p.23). I feel that using the Game Plan in our classrooms will help our students to think. They need to learn how to set goals and monitor themselves so that they can reach those goals. We live in times when young people expect things to happen instantly and when they don't, they often don't know how to problem solve. If they knew how to use and implement a GAME PLAN, they would understand the importance of problem solving.
I have some tweaking to do when it comes to using this in my first grade classroom but I know that it can be done. I think the ideas and concepts of the game plan can be present in my room without the students writing out their own. It is never to early for them to learn how to set goals for themselves and evaluate the work that they have done.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
"As a nation, we want our students to be good thinkers, and we want our schools to teach thinking" (Cennamo, 2009, p.23). I feel that using the Game Plan in our classrooms will help our students to think. They need to learn how to set goals and monitor themselves so that they can reach those goals. We live in times when young people expect things to happen instantly and when they don't, they often don't know how to problem solve. If they knew how to use and implement a GAME PLAN, they would understand the importance of problem solving.
I have some tweaking to do when it comes to using this in my first grade classroom but I know that it can be done. I think the ideas and concepts of the game plan can be present in my room without the students writing out their own. It is never to early for them to learn how to set goals for themselves and evaluate the work that they have done.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Monday, October 18, 2010
GP Continued
My first goal is to design and develop Digital-Age learning experiences and assessments and my second is to grow professionally. After studying this week's resources I definitely considered the idea of social networking in my first grade classroom. Specifically, I thought of how I could use it to add to my first goal of designing digital aged assessments. I love everything I have heard on this topic. The idea of collaborative learning between students in other classrooms and even other countries is fascinating to me. I do feel this type of activity works best with older children. Even second graders can spend more time on the concept than strictly focusing on the "how to" of using technology. I would like to give it a try though. Maybe I can prove myself wrong. Some ideas that I had were to assess I could have my students ask questions to one another on a blog. Their ability to ask a question would be an assessment all in itself. I would also look at whether or not the questions they are asking or answering reflected a knowledge of content. If anything an activity like this would introduce blogging and social networking and I feel that as a first grade teacher my job is to often introduce new things and not master them. The exposure they have with technology when they are young, the more comfortable they will be using it when they are older.
This topic has also made me think of my second goal of growing professionally. I would love to attend a conference or training that focuses on technology with lower elementary teachers. I know that I could learn a lot from other teachers who are in the same position as me. Has anyone had an opportunity like this? If not, has anyone seen any online learning communities that are separated by grade level? I know that in our class I have been able to discuss technology issues with other lower-elementary teachers but and entire PD on this would be helpful. So often my challenge with technology seems to be their age. Not always an issue of "what can they do" but the issue of "what's appropriate for their age-group" and "how will they most benefit from using technology".
This topic has also made me think of my second goal of growing professionally. I would love to attend a conference or training that focuses on technology with lower elementary teachers. I know that I could learn a lot from other teachers who are in the same position as me. Has anyone had an opportunity like this? If not, has anyone seen any online learning communities that are separated by grade level? I know that in our class I have been able to discuss technology issues with other lower-elementary teachers but and entire PD on this would be helpful. So often my challenge with technology seems to be their age. Not always an issue of "what can they do" but the issue of "what's appropriate for their age-group" and "how will they most benefit from using technology".
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Continued...
Just as a reminder, my first goal is to design and develop Digital-Age learning experiences and assessments and my second is to grow professionally. Time is still the biggest issue. I have heard a lot of people say it but it really is true. It takes just about all the time in the day to get things done the "normal" way that you do them. Starting something new is tough. I have been inspired reading classmates' blogs because it is clear that a lot of us have the same issues.
I did ask my principal about any professional development activities that I could take advantage of. He gave me a list of options. Even with money being tight, there is specific funds for professional development. I am glad he asked. I found a three day conference specifically being offered to first grade teachers. The focus is language arts but also touches on implementing technology. It will be really helpful to talk with other teachers who teach first grade because implementing technology with young students is a challenge.
I am continuing to add to my technology file on my computer. After speaking with my technology director he reminded me of a program we have called CCC. You can quiz your students on specific standards. What I did not realize is that you have the ability to set the program at different levels or on different content areas for every student in the class. This will help me to differentiate and develop digital-aged assessment.
When reading chapter 12 in "Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use" I was reminded of all of the ways I can integrate technology into science lessons. "Developing science skill sets with the help of technology motivates students to: 1) pose questions, 2)select methods for answering these questions, and 3) implement approaches for testing the accuracy of these answers" (Cennamo, Ross, 2009, p.268) When thinking of my second goal I usually focus on math and language arts the two subjects that we focus most on in first grade. I am inspired now to see what can be done with science!
I did ask my principal about any professional development activities that I could take advantage of. He gave me a list of options. Even with money being tight, there is specific funds for professional development. I am glad he asked. I found a three day conference specifically being offered to first grade teachers. The focus is language arts but also touches on implementing technology. It will be really helpful to talk with other teachers who teach first grade because implementing technology with young students is a challenge.
I am continuing to add to my technology file on my computer. After speaking with my technology director he reminded me of a program we have called CCC. You can quiz your students on specific standards. What I did not realize is that you have the ability to set the program at different levels or on different content areas for every student in the class. This will help me to differentiate and develop digital-aged assessment.
When reading chapter 12 in "Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use" I was reminded of all of the ways I can integrate technology into science lessons. "Developing science skill sets with the help of technology motivates students to: 1) pose questions, 2)select methods for answering these questions, and 3) implement approaches for testing the accuracy of these answers" (Cennamo, Ross, 2009, p.268) When thinking of my second goal I usually focus on math and language arts the two subjects that we focus most on in first grade. I am inspired now to see what can be done with science!
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