This week I have been searching for resources and information I need. I've searched various search engines for virtual field trips. What has amazed me is how unaware my student are of heroes from long ago. They are so wrapped up in their own little worlds that it will be so beneficial to open up their eyes to heroes around them using technology. I've found tons of resources on United Streaming. Some of these are videos and some are photos. The virtual field trips I've been searching for this week would help to dive deeper into the person's life. For example, the students can learn about Thomas Jefferson and then take a virtual field trip to Montecello. I found a virtual field trip of an old slave market that I could show while learning about Harriett Tubman or even Abraham Lincoln. A few classes ago, the instructor gave us a virtual field trip to the theater in which Lincoln was shot. I also discovered I could use Google Earth to "fly" us directly to certain places.
The only way I've decided to modify is by spending more time on the prior knowledge part of it. Before students choose their own hero, I will spend more time introducing them to various types of heroes.
So far I'm amazed at the resources out there. What I've learned so far is that it will take a long time to sift through it all and pick out the truly valuable resources. I also need to find a balance and that will take time as well. I realize that some will be trial and error, but having a plan ahead of time will be greatly beneficial. I must admit, though, that as the school year is winding down and all the state tests are coming upon us, I don't feel I have been able to truly sift through all the resources completely. At this point, I'm thinking, next year will be my year. This year, I'll do what I can and next year I will be able to truly finesse it.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Carrying out the GAME Plan
In order to go forward with my GAME plan I will need to locate different resources. Already we have United Streaming within our classroom which will assist me with finding videos, pictures, etc. when needed for certain subjects. For instance, with our hero unit I was able to use this to find videos or snippets of videos of various heroes. Also, there are experts out there just waiting to be found. We've had speakers come in for various reasons. For the hero unit we have an Olympian come in and talk to the students. Being able to locate these experts is a task I will continue to work on. Finally, since I am fortunate enough to be going through this Program with 3 of my colleagues, it is so nice to be able to go to them for advice when needed.
Additional information I will need will involve how I can use certain tools. For instance, our district blocks certain sites that I would like to use in the future. I need to find out how I can go about unblocking them. I have heard there is a way, but I have not looked into it entirely. Other information is coming to me daily through this class alone. Knowing what is out there is so beneficial.
So far, I've taken steps to look at my curriculum and lessons I already teach to analyze just how I can integrate these new tools. It will be an ongoing process. I want to choose two or three to be the guinea pigs, so to speak. Once I am comfortable enought with the process I think it will be much easier to quickly integrate the rest of the curriculum.
Additional information I will need will involve how I can use certain tools. For instance, our district blocks certain sites that I would like to use in the future. I need to find out how I can go about unblocking them. I have heard there is a way, but I have not looked into it entirely. Other information is coming to me daily through this class alone. Knowing what is out there is so beneficial.
So far, I've taken steps to look at my curriculum and lessons I already teach to analyze just how I can integrate these new tools. It will be an ongoing process. I want to choose two or three to be the guinea pigs, so to speak. Once I am comfortable enought with the process I think it will be much easier to quickly integrate the rest of the curriculum.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Developing a GAME Plan
Developing my GAME Plan will force me to fully integrate technology is the best manner possible into my classroom. What I like about this assignment is that we are given time to develop it step by step. I took the time to really familiarize myself with the ISTE NETS-T standards. Looking through them I was able to reflect upon my teaching and realize that while there are some that I feel comfortable with, a few are very overwhelming for me and need a GAME Plan in order to for me to conquer them.
This year I have focused on Standard 4: Promoting and Modeling Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. I felt that this was the base that all other standards need to be built upon. Before we can make our classroom truly digital, the students needed to learn how to be digitally responsible and safe while using internet tools. We’ve discussed internet safety and ethical use of digital tools. My students know not to use their names, to avoid plagiarism, and the proper etiquette for online activities.
The two standards I am not yet fully comfortable with are Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I feel I am gaining experience in facilitating student learning and creativity and am much better able to teach using new digital tools. The students are inspired; however, I feel I need to learn the best methods in which to carry this further. Where my discomfort with this comes is always within the management of the lessons. I am still searching for best practice methods in how to best have the students all part of the digital creation. An example is building a VoiceThread. They love this, but I still am working on how to best engage all students without some of them being left behind. I’m sure a lot of it will come the more I do it. One thing I know for sure is the more I do these lessons, the more I learn “what not to do” the next time. The other standard of Designing Learning Experiences is overwhelming in the sense that I am learning how to creatively use what I have, or more precise, what I do NOT have. The technology is my classroom is sparse. I have a SMARTboard which I use daily and often. As far as computers for my classroom I have 4 computers for 33 students and access to the computer lab for 25 minutes each week. It makes it difficult to develop a technology enriched learning environment. I grapple with how to give all students time to not only learn the digital tools, but also to have time to use them.
Part of my goal for strengthening my confidence is simply to continue to dive in. I know that I learn best by doing and my comfort level grows the more I am engrossed in the “doing”. I’ve already learned from my mistakes and know not to bite off more than I can chew. I will choose one lesson or one digital tool and teach it well instead of trying to do too much all at the same time. We will grow upon each tool rather than try to grow them all at once. As for how to meet my goal of a technology rich classroom, I’m still at a bit of a loss and would love any feedback. I am growing it with my own money, in that I have purchased FLIP cameras, digital cameras, etc. with my own money, and I’ve brought in my own laptop, but I don’t know how to truly set up a digital classroom with so few options.
I realize that monitoring my progress will need to be ongoing and reflective. I will set specific goals and time frames for each technological tool. For instance, the students will have created a VoiceThread by November, PowerPoint presentations in December, etc. It will help to schedule as well as monitor.
As I continue to learn and grow in my own experience with technology I will be able to better evaluate and extend not only my own learning, but that of my students as well. The important thing in this day and age is to not remain stagnant. Technology changes so fast that we have to be willing to change along with it. Making a promise to grow along with the technology around me will be the best way to continue to extend my learning.
This year I have focused on Standard 4: Promoting and Modeling Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. I felt that this was the base that all other standards need to be built upon. Before we can make our classroom truly digital, the students needed to learn how to be digitally responsible and safe while using internet tools. We’ve discussed internet safety and ethical use of digital tools. My students know not to use their names, to avoid plagiarism, and the proper etiquette for online activities.
The two standards I am not yet fully comfortable with are Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I feel I am gaining experience in facilitating student learning and creativity and am much better able to teach using new digital tools. The students are inspired; however, I feel I need to learn the best methods in which to carry this further. Where my discomfort with this comes is always within the management of the lessons. I am still searching for best practice methods in how to best have the students all part of the digital creation. An example is building a VoiceThread. They love this, but I still am working on how to best engage all students without some of them being left behind. I’m sure a lot of it will come the more I do it. One thing I know for sure is the more I do these lessons, the more I learn “what not to do” the next time. The other standard of Designing Learning Experiences is overwhelming in the sense that I am learning how to creatively use what I have, or more precise, what I do NOT have. The technology is my classroom is sparse. I have a SMARTboard which I use daily and often. As far as computers for my classroom I have 4 computers for 33 students and access to the computer lab for 25 minutes each week. It makes it difficult to develop a technology enriched learning environment. I grapple with how to give all students time to not only learn the digital tools, but also to have time to use them.
Part of my goal for strengthening my confidence is simply to continue to dive in. I know that I learn best by doing and my comfort level grows the more I am engrossed in the “doing”. I’ve already learned from my mistakes and know not to bite off more than I can chew. I will choose one lesson or one digital tool and teach it well instead of trying to do too much all at the same time. We will grow upon each tool rather than try to grow them all at once. As for how to meet my goal of a technology rich classroom, I’m still at a bit of a loss and would love any feedback. I am growing it with my own money, in that I have purchased FLIP cameras, digital cameras, etc. with my own money, and I’ve brought in my own laptop, but I don’t know how to truly set up a digital classroom with so few options.
I realize that monitoring my progress will need to be ongoing and reflective. I will set specific goals and time frames for each technological tool. For instance, the students will have created a VoiceThread by November, PowerPoint presentations in December, etc. It will help to schedule as well as monitor.
As I continue to learn and grow in my own experience with technology I will be able to better evaluate and extend not only my own learning, but that of my students as well. The important thing in this day and age is to not remain stagnant. Technology changes so fast that we have to be willing to change along with it. Making a promise to grow along with the technology around me will be the best way to continue to extend my learning.
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