It's funny, as I wrote the title I know I'm supposed to be reflecting back on this class, but it truly is my final reflection for this entire program. What a ride! I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned and grown. Twenty months ago I could send e-mail. What a difference those months have made.
I think this class was the perfect one to wrap it all up. I feel that it took everything we've learned and helped us see exactly where to go and how to get there. Learning about digital gaming in the classroom was an eye opener in the sense that I was not aware of all the many sites available. My bookmark site is now huge! The Horizon Report was a sneak peek of things to come and I can't wait. Having to take it all a step further and to see where to go to get some grant money was so beneficial. It's always the first complaint I have...our district has no money and certainly does not put technology as a priority. Being able to look past that to other sources feels like a weight has been lifted. It won't be easy seeking out other sources; however, if we are to be the true trailblazers that we need to be, we will have to find the money and show proof of the benefits of technology and hopefully the rest will follow.
This has been an amazing experience that truly went by so fast. I now have the tools to keep searching for the newest emerging technology. I also now realize that the search should never end. Just when the newest and greatest emerges, something else will be just around the corner. Knowing that to be true will keep me on my toes so I do not fall behind. I certainly don not feel this is the end, it's just the beginning!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Reflection
The resources from this class, either from the course material or the Differentiation Network regarding Universal Design and Differentiated Learning are some of the most helpful tools I have gained throughout this entire program. It's real life, it's where we are headed, or where we have already landed as teachers. It is no secret that our classes are not cookie cutters or robotic. Each class is different, full of students who are all very unique. No longer can we just teach in one manner and hope they will all catch on. The time has come to make a shift in the way we teach, assess and present. The concrete tools gathered in this course regarding technology help to make those shifts.
One of the biggest things I learned was how to deal with what I've got. I will admit that until this class I spent a large amount of time whining about the lack of technology in my classroom. Yes, it's still a definite issue, but now I know ways around it. I've seen how to set my classroom up in order to best use what is available. The technology tools take "good teaching" or best practices to another level and reach all students at their level. I don't feel like it's one more thing to do, as I often feel. Instead, I feel it's what is necessary.
I learned not only from the resources posted, but also being forced to DO. Creating the movie for Universal Design enabled me to dig into a media tool that was unfamiliar and create something that I can then show my students. It had an immediate effect on my classroom. I integrated Windows MovieMaker into my curriculum and the impact it had was huge. I had one of those AHA teaching moments when something just clicks. I had the perfect storm of technology, student excitement and risk taking that created an experience for my students and myself one that will not be forgotten. It is also one I will definitely build upon in later years.
Now that it's summer, I will make adjustments in units where I know it will impact the students greatly. I'm happy to have this time off to really look at my class curriculum and how I can integrate technology here and there in a way that all students are engaged in learning at their own level and style. I feel that I am better able to recognize the differences in my students, but instead of being overwhelmed with the severe gaps between then, I am now excited about the knowledge I've gained to help bridge those gaps. I definitely feel refreshed and invigorated! It was a great way to end the school year.
Tonya
One of the biggest things I learned was how to deal with what I've got. I will admit that until this class I spent a large amount of time whining about the lack of technology in my classroom. Yes, it's still a definite issue, but now I know ways around it. I've seen how to set my classroom up in order to best use what is available. The technology tools take "good teaching" or best practices to another level and reach all students at their level. I don't feel like it's one more thing to do, as I often feel. Instead, I feel it's what is necessary.
I learned not only from the resources posted, but also being forced to DO. Creating the movie for Universal Design enabled me to dig into a media tool that was unfamiliar and create something that I can then show my students. It had an immediate effect on my classroom. I integrated Windows MovieMaker into my curriculum and the impact it had was huge. I had one of those AHA teaching moments when something just clicks. I had the perfect storm of technology, student excitement and risk taking that created an experience for my students and myself one that will not be forgotten. It is also one I will definitely build upon in later years.
Now that it's summer, I will make adjustments in units where I know it will impact the students greatly. I'm happy to have this time off to really look at my class curriculum and how I can integrate technology here and there in a way that all students are engaged in learning at their own level and style. I feel that I am better able to recognize the differences in my students, but instead of being overwhelmed with the severe gaps between then, I am now excited about the knowledge I've gained to help bridge those gaps. I definitely feel refreshed and invigorated! It was a great way to end the school year.
Tonya
Sunday, May 30, 2010
UDL Presentation
This week our assignment was to create a presentation describing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its impact upon all students and future students. I learned a lot and discovered many new tools to use in my classroom. In addition, since I decided to make it a video and just jumped in feet first, I learned many new aspects of Windows MovieMaker strictly through trial and error, which was an added bonus!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Class Reflection
The biggest thing I learned from this course is the importance of planning technology lessons all out from start to finish before beginning. It makes it much easier to anticipate problems and think them through before being faced with them with 33 students staring at you. The GAME Plan lays it all out piece by piece. This will impact my instructional practice greatly.
I also feel like this course gave me a much better picture of what a digital story is. I think this will help with the most immediate adjustments. I feel a better sense of what it is and how to teach it. Once I feel comfortable with a topic, it makes it much easier to teach. I've already begun to dive into the curriculum using digital stories and they are going very smoothly.
I took an already existing lesson and added wikis, digital video commercials and group collaboration to make it better and more 21st Century friendly. Since I am currently in the middle of the lesson I can definitely say these immediate adjustments have grabbed the attention of my students in a way that I haven't seen before. Having the Plan helped immensely. I plan on putting the GAME Plan to use this summer when I review other curricular areas.
I also feel like this course gave me a much better picture of what a digital story is. I think this will help with the most immediate adjustments. I feel a better sense of what it is and how to teach it. Once I feel comfortable with a topic, it makes it much easier to teach. I've already begun to dive into the curriculum using digital stories and they are going very smoothly.
I took an already existing lesson and added wikis, digital video commercials and group collaboration to make it better and more 21st Century friendly. Since I am currently in the middle of the lesson I can definitely say these immediate adjustments have grabbed the attention of my students in a way that I haven't seen before. Having the Plan helped immensely. I plan on putting the GAME Plan to use this summer when I review other curricular areas.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Using My GAME Plan and NETS-T Standards
I must say, I am happy we had to create a GAME plan as it has really helped me to think things through rather than simply jumping in with both feet. Don't get me wrong, I've jumped in with both feet now, but I tested the water this time to figure out the best place to jump and, frankly, how not to bellyflop! At times when I've tried to use technology for lessons I've bitten off more than I could chew. The GAME Plan forces teachers to think things all the way through first.
The lesson I created using the GAME Plan is the perfect example. I did the lesson last year as I was just learning some of these new technology skills and wanted to try them out. I had my class creating a wiki at the same time I was still learning myself how to create one. It was halfway successful. The students loved it but I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Creating the GAME Plan this year has helped me to spell it all out, step by step, beforehand and not make it up as I go. Already I'm feeling more at ease with it all.
Having a GAME Plan also helps in meeting the NETS-T standards. Simply being aware of them and knowing what they are as we are planning lessons helps us to plan for them. So many of the Teacher Standards and the Student Standards overlap. In order for the students to use creativity in technology, I will need to come up with creative lesson plans. At the end of the day, I still believe it comes down to flexibility and comfort. We need to meet these standards while providing the students with the comfort with technology that will enable them to meet the new standards as technology changes, as we all know it will. Also, being a third grade teacher, the way I meet these standards will be very different from the manner in which they meet them in high school. I need to make sure they are introduced and the students feel comfortable diving in. I feel that will prepare them for the years when they are truly put into practice at a much deeper level.
The lesson I created using the GAME Plan is the perfect example. I did the lesson last year as I was just learning some of these new technology skills and wanted to try them out. I had my class creating a wiki at the same time I was still learning myself how to create one. It was halfway successful. The students loved it but I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Creating the GAME Plan this year has helped me to spell it all out, step by step, beforehand and not make it up as I go. Already I'm feeling more at ease with it all.
Having a GAME Plan also helps in meeting the NETS-T standards. Simply being aware of them and knowing what they are as we are planning lessons helps us to plan for them. So many of the Teacher Standards and the Student Standards overlap. In order for the students to use creativity in technology, I will need to come up with creative lesson plans. At the end of the day, I still believe it comes down to flexibility and comfort. We need to meet these standards while providing the students with the comfort with technology that will enable them to meet the new standards as technology changes, as we all know it will. Also, being a third grade teacher, the way I meet these standards will be very different from the manner in which they meet them in high school. I need to make sure they are introduced and the students feel comfortable diving in. I feel that will prepare them for the years when they are truly put into practice at a much deeper level.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Revising the GAME Plan Week 6
Today I have to say, my eyes have been opened! I sit here in a hotel room in San Diego. I am visiting colleges with my daughter who is a Junior in high school. Today we visited two universities. What I always knew (and feared just a little) has now become a stark reality in my brain. Every college student I passed was carting a laptop. Every hallway I walked down, students were plugging away at laptops, individually and in groups. Everywhere I looked in the huge libraries were computers and other types of technology. Classrooms were full of technology I've never even seen. Students were creating things in front of me with just a few clicks. It made my head spin. That is the future of our students. Not to even mention the fact that when my third graders get there it will be even further advanced. The funny thing is, and the most telling, my head was literally spinning at it all and my daughter was salivating, so anxious to get right to it. She doesn't know all the technology we saw today...but she isn't afraid to jump right in, in fact, can't wait to do so.
How does this relate to this week's blog? It made me realize that I need to stop making excuses for the lack of technology in my classroom. I need to stop letting my own discomfort get in the way. We have work to do! I need to revise my GAME Plan in many ways. I need to figure out a way around having only 3 working computers in the classroom. I also need to get over my want for control and let the students take over their learning sometimes. That's not always easy with third graders who are not very independent.
I looked at the NETS-T standards and have decided that I need to focus on standard 1: Inspiring and Facilitating Student Learning and Creativity. I don't have all the answers yet, but I know I need to make sure that I can facilitate that learning even without the technology at my fingertips. With my unit I will have to get creative. I can show students techniques they can use for our Economics unit that they can do at home, if they are able. Maybe I can even have a Parent Education nights teaching the parents about the wikis and blogs we are creating. This could take away some of the parents' fears about technology and may create an avenue at home that has not been available to me as of yet.
All in all, I think the most important thing I've learned today was from my daughters reaction vs. my reaction. She had the "Bring it!" look in her eyes where I was more cautious and intimidated (and more than a little overwhelmed) from the unfamiliar technology. I need to create lessons that create that "Bring it!" look in my students' eyes. I don't know all the answers yet, but I do know I need to approach it from that angle from now on.
Tonya
How does this relate to this week's blog? It made me realize that I need to stop making excuses for the lack of technology in my classroom. I need to stop letting my own discomfort get in the way. We have work to do! I need to revise my GAME Plan in many ways. I need to figure out a way around having only 3 working computers in the classroom. I also need to get over my want for control and let the students take over their learning sometimes. That's not always easy with third graders who are not very independent.
I looked at the NETS-T standards and have decided that I need to focus on standard 1: Inspiring and Facilitating Student Learning and Creativity. I don't have all the answers yet, but I know I need to make sure that I can facilitate that learning even without the technology at my fingertips. With my unit I will have to get creative. I can show students techniques they can use for our Economics unit that they can do at home, if they are able. Maybe I can even have a Parent Education nights teaching the parents about the wikis and blogs we are creating. This could take away some of the parents' fears about technology and may create an avenue at home that has not been available to me as of yet.
All in all, I think the most important thing I've learned today was from my daughters reaction vs. my reaction. She had the "Bring it!" look in her eyes where I was more cautious and intimidated (and more than a little overwhelmed) from the unfamiliar technology. I need to create lessons that create that "Bring it!" look in my students' eyes. I don't know all the answers yet, but I do know I need to approach it from that angle from now on.
Tonya
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