Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas: Course Reflection

Of all my Walden courses, I think this was my favorite.  It is where my passion is.  Integrating technology to help all students learn.  I truly believe that technology engages students and prepares them for their future.  Teachers need to teach students these 21st Century Skills so that they can be successful.  Technology is exciting because it is always changing.  There is always something new to be discovered.  

My GAME Plan turned out well.  Not how I expected at the start, but I ended with three great lessons that I will definitely use in the future.  I have learned that I don't need to have one specific goal for all students.  Some students may want to share their work on our blog, while others may prefer to do a digital storybook.  This is beneficial to my students because if they are engaged they will work to their full potential.  I have learned that I need to let go of some of the control and let students take ownership of their own learning.  

I know that I can use technology integration in all areas of my teaching to meet all standards.  This is the case if we are using Problem Based Learning (PBL), social networking, online collaboration or different forms of digital storytelling.

I just received a grant for 10 Windows 8 Tables and 5 Kindles.  I am excited to implement all of the new things that I have learned this coming fall.  I know that my students are going to have an exciting year with so much learning ahead!

Monitoring my GAME Plan...GAME on!

My first GAME plan goal is to:

1c:  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experience that advance student learning, creativity and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

My goal is to begin using my class wiki.  I am finding the resources that I need.  There is a lot of information on the Internet about ways to implement wiki's in the classroom and I have also gotten some good ideas from my Walden cohort.  I am trying to find the time with the end of the year coming to teach students how to access the wiki.  I need to either find time to take my class to the computer lab or work with a smaller group of students in my class.  This will be a bit of a challenge with all of the end of the year activities that are happening at school.  I have learned that I should start small.  Maybe pose a question to the students and have them practice accessing the wiki and collaborating.  My only question is, how do I fit this in?

My second GAME plan goal is to:

2d:  Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS-S.

My goal is to have a digital file with student goals (academic, technology and behavior goals).  My students had written goals and their action plans for each subject area.  I have typed these all into individual files on my computer.  Next year I plan on using Google Drive or another site where students could access their own files and make notes on their progress.  I'm not very familiar with all of the options but am currently researching different sites and trying to narrow down some choices.  I would like to have started this earlier in the year but feel that I would really be wasting a lot of time and energy because by the time I finished setting it up we would be on our last week of school.  What I do plan to do during this course is to learn how to use a program so that the first day of school we can begin discussing goals, action plans, and digital files.  This will allow for students to monitor their success and areas of focus from the very beginning of the year.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

There are several things that I need to do to carry out my GAME Plan.  

• I need to spend some time exploring and teaching myself how to use our class wiki.  I have it set up and need to start utilizing it.  I also need to think about how I can have the students use the wiki in a cooperative way.
• I need to focus on implementing technology across all content areas and for all students.  I will have a tech plan for each student so that it can help them to focus on and reach their educational goals.
• I will use my student response clickers and their data on a more frequent basis.  I will use the data to drive my instruction.  I would like to use my clickers more "on the fly".
• I will set up a digital file for each student so that both of us can track their goals and achievement.

Writing a GAME Plan

While reviewing the NETS Standards, I realize there are many areas in technology integration that I would like to either implement or improve in my classroom.  However, there are two standards (from the International Society of Technology in Education, 2008) that I want to implement immediately and set goals for improvement.  Standards 1c and 2d are going to be my focus for my GAME Plan.

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes

GAME Plan for Standard 1c

Set Goals-I will begin using my class wiki, it is currently set up, but not used
Take Action-I will have students work on an assignment for approximately two weeks, every two weeks we will go to the computer lab to post items on the wiki.
Monitor Progress-On the off week, I will review the wiki and focus on what I need to teach the students for the next session in the computer lab.
Evaluate and Extend-After two months, I will evaluate if the wiki is the best format for student collaboration and to help develop their creative ideas.  If I feel there is another more effective collaborative tool, I will try something new.

2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress

GAME Plan for Standard 2d

Set Goals-I will examine student goals written during class and develop a plan for each student to progress toward their goal using a technology tool.
Take Action-I will have a digital file with student goals and their action plan.  I will come up with two ideas for them to achieve their goal while using technology.  I will conference with each student.
Monitor Progress-Every week I will check in to see how the student is doing, and if they are progressing towards meeting their goal.  I will check to see if they are enjoying their new experiences and if they want to adjust anything.
Evaluate and Extend-If students want to try something more engaging, we will come up with a new plan.  However, I will want them to try their new experiences until there is some understanding.  I don’t want them to give up because they don’t understand how to use the new technology.  If students want to add another goal they can do that during their conference time.

Reference

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog...our little world outside of Walden University.

Photo Credit: epltt.coe.uga.edu

Course Reflection

It has become clear to me throughout this course that I implement many different learning theories.  I believe that to meet the needs of all types of learners your instruction, and their application of what they are learning, needs to be flexible.  I believe that I use all of the learning theories that we discussed through this course, however, the three theories that I use most are Cognitivist, Social and Constructivist Learning Theories.  I believe that the implementation of technology can aid in each of these theories.

It is my goal to use technology as a learning tool instead of only as an instructional tool.  I plan to use the computer lab weekly so that students have access to computers and can work on project based assignments.  I will use my clickers as a diagnostic, formative and summative assessment tool.  I want students to use the Flip Video camera to write, edit and practice speaking.

I have set up a wiki for my class.  In the future, possibly when we are in the lab, I want my students to work on the wiki.  I think some will really enjoy it and want to even work from home.  I am just trying to think about what would be an appropriate topic for third graders. I will do some research on different ways wikis can be used with students and make a plan to have them do at least three projects before the end of the year.  I also want to help my colleagues set up class websites or blogs.  Only two teachers in my school have websites.  My principal just told me that she really appreciates the way I encourage staff to incorporate technology with families and in their classrooms.

 

 

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

The social learning theory is the belief that students learn with in a social environment.  I believe this is actually a necessity.   If you think about the environment in which most adults must work, live and function, we are social beings and will benefit when taught ways to work cooperatively from a young age.  With the Web 2.0 and technology tools available, it is easy to incorporate technology into any type of instruction.  However, tools such as blogs or wikis, that are set up to promote cooperative groupings or a social environment are even more effective for grouping. 

The idea of connectivism is based on the theory that learning is made through different types of connections and is something that doesn't naturally exist.  Students that are working cooperatively can make connections with others, thus learning new information.  Social learning tools can also aid in this type of learning because students can be exposed to a wide range of cultures, ideas, and higher level thinking.


References

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism, retrived on 11.27.12.