During the final course of our Master’s degree through Walden University, I learned a lot of useful information, which will allow me to start the upcoming school year with a technology-driven mindset. After writing the information for a grant for flip cameras, I plan to develop additional grants over the summer. I feel that it is so important to provide our students with as much access to technology as possible. The technology will continue to develop, and if the students are exposed to it at an early age, they will be able to pick up on the new and emerging technologies as they progress through their schooling and adult lives. As teachers, one of our goals is to produce life-long learners. Technology is an essential piece of learning, especially in the 21st century.
Throughout all of the courses we have taken, I see a pattern with the use of technology. As we use and learn one form of technology, other technological resources can be used to enhance one another. They just keep building and building, which in turn encourages our students to enhance their learning in a meaningful way that builds upon their strengths and interests.
Over the summer, I plan to research and experiment with all of the resources we discussed throughout our Walden courses. I am very intrigued to check out MUVE’s and apply them to the content I will be teaching next year. I also plan to develop numerous lessons to address the content and technology standards, allowing students to use various resources to demonstrate their knowledge.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
EDUC-6714I-3: Final Reflection
After completing the assignments in this course, I realize that I have already been differentiating my classroom instruction. I have been using Differentiated Instruction and Universal Design for Learning with the use of technology to enhance the concepts my students are learning. Now I am more aware of my actions and will continue to focus in on each of my students and their strengths, interests, and learning profiles. I will provide my students with more options for each assignment. I will continue to develop their knowledge in available technological resources by teaching them new tools monthly. In addition, I will continue to research new technologies and plan to learn new and emerging technologies to use in my classroom during the final course at Walden University.
Although we only have about seven weeks of school left, I plan to use the last quarter of the school year to enhance the students’ creativity in the classroom while using technology. My goal for my students is for them to realize their strengths within the classroom setting and with the use of technology. I plan to develop lessons which will allow my students to demonstrate their learning in a manner that is unique to each individual. I am planning a unit on writing persuasive papers and will encourage my students to experiment with various digital storytelling technologies. In addition, I hope to learn new information in the next course and apply it to my teaching.
Although we only have about seven weeks of school left, I plan to use the last quarter of the school year to enhance the students’ creativity in the classroom while using technology. My goal for my students is for them to realize their strengths within the classroom setting and with the use of technology. I plan to develop lessons which will allow my students to demonstrate their learning in a manner that is unique to each individual. I am planning a unit on writing persuasive papers and will encourage my students to experiment with various digital storytelling technologies. In addition, I hope to learn new information in the next course and apply it to my teaching.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
EDUC-6713I-3 Reflection: Final Blog Post
I really enjoyed creating a GAME plan to guide me with implementing technology into my classroom instruction. I have seen an immediate positive influence on the learning of my students throughout the 8 weeks of implementing my personal GAME plan. I will continue to implement new instructional strategies using technology into my classroom to carry out my GAME plan for the remainder of the year.
The most influential learning piece I have taken from this course is being able to set meaningful, attainable goals, and organize them in a way that allows me to reach them in a timely manner. With the GAME plan, it allows you to set goals for a week, for a month, for a year, or however long you wish to set your goals. Furthermore, it allows you to monitor and reassess how you are progressing with your goals. If you are progressing slowly, you can adjust your plan to fit your needs. The same is true if you are progressing more quickly than expected.
In addition to finding the implementation of the GAME plan to be so meaningful and productive for me, I have also learned how easy it is to implement technology into the classroom when you have the available resources. We have been exposed to digital storytelling in past courses, but this course really allowed me to see how universal digital storytelling can be. It truly can be used across multiple content areas and at any grade level. Social networking is also a tool which can be used much more easily than I had expected in the past. All of these tools are right at our fingertips, and being able to access them and teach the students how to use them will prove to be extremely influential on my teaching and the students' learning.
I have already made numerous adjustments to my teaching by implementing my GAME plan into my instruction within the classroom. I will continue to use technology as a means to focus on 21st century skills. I will continue to teach my students to use new technological tools and resources to enhance their learning, providing a meaningful and engaging learning experience for them. I have confidence that this will assist them in becoming life-life learners, which will help them in their future endeavors.
The most influential learning piece I have taken from this course is being able to set meaningful, attainable goals, and organize them in a way that allows me to reach them in a timely manner. With the GAME plan, it allows you to set goals for a week, for a month, for a year, or however long you wish to set your goals. Furthermore, it allows you to monitor and reassess how you are progressing with your goals. If you are progressing slowly, you can adjust your plan to fit your needs. The same is true if you are progressing more quickly than expected.
In addition to finding the implementation of the GAME plan to be so meaningful and productive for me, I have also learned how easy it is to implement technology into the classroom when you have the available resources. We have been exposed to digital storytelling in past courses, but this course really allowed me to see how universal digital storytelling can be. It truly can be used across multiple content areas and at any grade level. Social networking is also a tool which can be used much more easily than I had expected in the past. All of these tools are right at our fingertips, and being able to access them and teach the students how to use them will prove to be extremely influential on my teaching and the students' learning.
I have already made numerous adjustments to my teaching by implementing my GAME plan into my instruction within the classroom. I will continue to use technology as a means to focus on 21st century skills. I will continue to teach my students to use new technological tools and resources to enhance their learning, providing a meaningful and engaging learning experience for them. I have confidence that this will assist them in becoming life-life learners, which will help them in their future endeavors.
Using the GAME Plan Process with Students
Throughout this process, my major goals were not only to improve my knowledge and understanding of using technology in the classroom, but it was also a focus for my students. After implementing just a few of the technological tools we have learned throughout our studies at Walden, I have been able to see a positive change in the comfort, confidence, and expertise of my students with using technology to enhance their learning. After the completion of this course, I will continue to carry out my GAME plan goals for implementing a new technological tool each month. By doing so, the students will become more proficient with their technology skills and will be able to choose which tools best support their learning. I believe that the use of technology will enhance their learning in the classroom and will continue to assist them throughout their schooling.
Many comments I have received have included the importance of seeking additional assistance from teachers within my building and district to assist me with this process. By asking around for comments and assistance, I have found numerous resources within my school. It has been great to bounce ideas off one another while comparing and contrasting which strategies have worked and how they could be adjusted to maximize the learning potential of our students.
Many comments I have received have included the importance of seeking additional assistance from teachers within my building and district to assist me with this process. By asking around for comments and assistance, I have found numerous resources within my school. It has been great to bounce ideas off one another while comparing and contrasting which strategies have worked and how they could be adjusted to maximize the learning potential of our students.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Revising my GAME Plan
Throughout the process of incorporating more technology into my daily teaching, I have realized how manageable it is for me as a teacher and how beneficial it is for the students. While using the resources we have incorporated thus far, the students have been able to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the material and are truly engaged in their learning. As teachers, we are taught to have daily, weekly, and yearly goals for our students. I have seen how beneficial it is for my students to reach toward their goals, and now I realize how important it is for teachers to set goals as well.
I am still working on becoming more proficient with the vast amounts of technological tools available, but I am learning day by day. At this point, the goals that I have set so far are manageable yet challenging, as I want to be thorough with teaching each tool every month. This will enable to the students to feel more proficient at using the tools as well so that they can continue to enhance their learning. For the students, I think that an extension would be for them to incorporate the various technological tools we have used thus far into one lesson. They can use their creativity to choose which tools will assist them to demonstrate their learning of the content as well as the technology at hand.
I will continue to research and try new tools throughout the year. I will continue to provide learning opportunities for myself as well as my students with new technology in the classroom. Learning is all about trying new things, and we cannot be afraid of making mistakes because mistakes are inevitable. No one is perfect, and I will continue to try new technology until I can find a successful way to implement it into classroom activities.
I am still working on becoming more proficient with the vast amounts of technological tools available, but I am learning day by day. At this point, the goals that I have set so far are manageable yet challenging, as I want to be thorough with teaching each tool every month. This will enable to the students to feel more proficient at using the tools as well so that they can continue to enhance their learning. For the students, I think that an extension would be for them to incorporate the various technological tools we have used thus far into one lesson. They can use their creativity to choose which tools will assist them to demonstrate their learning of the content as well as the technology at hand.
I will continue to research and try new tools throughout the year. I will continue to provide learning opportunities for myself as well as my students with new technology in the classroom. Learning is all about trying new things, and we cannot be afraid of making mistakes because mistakes are inevitable. No one is perfect, and I will continue to try new technology until I can find a successful way to implement it into classroom activities.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
GAME Plan Progress
I continue to work toward my goal, and am currently on target with what I had set for myself. Currently, I do not have to adjust my goal, as it is working for me and my students. After introducing Webspiration to my students, I found that they were able to display more information using this tool than I had seen without it. I was amazed at the information they were able to share with others once they were given the opportunity to put their creativity, motivation, and effort into something that was important to them. It has taught me to continue to push my students and show them new information, new tools, and new technology. They will continue to shine if I continue to teach them in ways they had never been taught before. I am now incorporating the use of Excel into my teaching of graphs and measurements. I know that as we get more comfortable with using the technology, new ideas will come up and we will build upon those questions and ideas.
Throughout this process, it will continue to be a learning process for me as well as the students. Technology is always changing, and new instructional tools, strategies, and ideas are developed on a daily basis. We teach our students to be life-long learners, and we must demonstrate that skill as well.
Throughout this process, it will continue to be a learning process for me as well as the students. Technology is always changing, and new instructional tools, strategies, and ideas are developed on a daily basis. We teach our students to be life-long learners, and we must demonstrate that skill as well.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress
At this point, since I am spacing out the introduction of each technological resource to my students (1 per month), I have been pretty consistent with last week's progress. The students are becoming more familiar with using Webspiration and have created numerous concept maps to reflect their knowledge in reading and writing. I hope to branch off into incorporating math into this as well.
So far, I have been finding the information and resources needed to facilitate the learning for my students. The students have also been experimenting with Kidspiration as well. I am consistent with my goal of introducing 1 technological resource each month and am currently able to keep up with that task. No modifications to my plan are needed at this time. I have learned that incorporating technology into your lessons is far easier and less time consuming than I imagined. All it really takes is motivation and resources, which I am fortunate to have in my classroom. At this point, I do not have any questions or problems with my plan. I look forward to incorporating more tools to assist my students with their learning.
So far, I have been finding the information and resources needed to facilitate the learning for my students. The students have also been experimenting with Kidspiration as well. I am consistent with my goal of introducing 1 technological resource each month and am currently able to keep up with that task. No modifications to my plan are needed at this time. I have learned that incorporating technology into your lessons is far easier and less time consuming than I imagined. All it really takes is motivation and resources, which I am fortunate to have in my classroom. At this point, I do not have any questions or problems with my plan. I look forward to incorporating more tools to assist my students with their learning.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
GAME Plan Follow Up
In order to carry out my GAME plan, I will need access to the internet through multiple computers for my class. Currently, I have access to these resources on a daily basis in my classroom, which makes my plan much easier to manage. I know that many of these tools are free while others have free trial periods. If I find that any tool requires a yearly membership, I could look into it and see if it really positively influences the learning for my students.
Furthermore, I will need to increase my understanding of the technological resources I discussed including: podcast, wiki, blog, Webspriation, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Digital field trips). In order to increase my knowledge and skills in these areas, I think it is important for me to practice with each of these resources so that I feel proficient with teaching the main concepts of each skill. I will continue to use the resources provided by Walden to increase my knowledge in each of these areas while also collaborating with staff to identify how they incorporate these skills into their teaching.
So far, I have started instructing my students on how to use Webspiration. We are just beginning to dive into it, but already my students are intrigued and motivated. They are coming up with ideas as to how they could design graphic organizers to enhance their learning and are natural in their digital knowledge. I am excited to see where these tools take them!
Furthermore, I will need to increase my understanding of the technological resources I discussed including: podcast, wiki, blog, Webspriation, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Digital field trips). In order to increase my knowledge and skills in these areas, I think it is important for me to practice with each of these resources so that I feel proficient with teaching the main concepts of each skill. I will continue to use the resources provided by Walden to increase my knowledge in each of these areas while also collaborating with staff to identify how they incorporate these skills into their teaching.
So far, I have started instructing my students on how to use Webspiration. We are just beginning to dive into it, but already my students are intrigued and motivated. They are coming up with ideas as to how they could design graphic organizers to enhance their learning and are natural in their digital knowledge. I am excited to see where these tools take them!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
GAME Plan
According to Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer (2009), there are four specific steps to encourage "self-directed learning" using the "GAME Plan" (pp.3-21). These steps include: "set Goals, take Action to meet those goals, Monitor progress toward achieving goals and Evaluate whether the goals were achieved and Extend your learning to new situations" (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 3).
In order to self-direct my learning in regards to technology, I have set the following Goals taken from the NETS*T:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.
My Action Plan:
To facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, I plan to start out small and build upon the technological resources I teach my students. I plan to use a new technological resource (for example: podcast, wiki, blog, Webspiration, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Digital field trip) to facilitate learning for my students each month. I will first demonstrate how to use the resource while facilitating a standards based lesson, and then I will allow my students to explore the resource while focusing on the content standards. This will enable the students to creatively develop new knowledge in an engaging and meaningful manner.
While using these resources, I will be designing and developing digital-age learning experiences and assessments for my students. They will be using the technological resources to develop their understanding of the content standards while I will be constantly assessing their knowledge.
Monitor:
I will monitor my progress as a facilitator of digitally rich content each month. My goal is to incorporate 1 new resource in my teaching. This will be easy to monitor as I will assign myself a new resource each month. If I use it within the month, I will be working toward my goal. If not, I will have to make up for it and incorporate 2 the following month. I will also be monitoring the students and their understanding of the new resources in addition to the information they are learning which relate to the content standards.
Evaluate and Extend:
Each month I will be able to determine if I meet my goal. Once I teach the students 3 new technological learning resources, I will begin to incorporate numerous tools within the same project. I will continue to build upon my knowledge as a facilitator while teaching my students to use the resources to benefit and enhance their learning.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
In order to self-direct my learning in regards to technology, I have set the following Goals taken from the NETS*T:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.
My Action Plan:
To facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, I plan to start out small and build upon the technological resources I teach my students. I plan to use a new technological resource (for example: podcast, wiki, blog, Webspiration, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Digital field trip) to facilitate learning for my students each month. I will first demonstrate how to use the resource while facilitating a standards based lesson, and then I will allow my students to explore the resource while focusing on the content standards. This will enable the students to creatively develop new knowledge in an engaging and meaningful manner.
While using these resources, I will be designing and developing digital-age learning experiences and assessments for my students. They will be using the technological resources to develop their understanding of the content standards while I will be constantly assessing their knowledge.
Monitor:
I will monitor my progress as a facilitator of digitally rich content each month. My goal is to incorporate 1 new resource in my teaching. This will be easy to monitor as I will assign myself a new resource each month. If I use it within the month, I will be working toward my goal. If not, I will have to make up for it and incorporate 2 the following month. I will also be monitoring the students and their understanding of the new resources in addition to the information they are learning which relate to the content standards.
Evaluate and Extend:
Each month I will be able to determine if I meet my goal. Once I teach the students 3 new technological learning resources, I will begin to incorporate numerous tools within the same project. I will continue to build upon my knowledge as a facilitator while teaching my students to use the resources to benefit and enhance their learning.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
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