New and Emerging Technologies Reflection

This course has taught me a lot about what is a new and emerging technolgy. I realized through this course that my school was actually not up to date on some of the great new technologies that are being introduced in society and even other schools around the country. From learning this I realize that it is our jobs as teachers to bring those technology ideas to our school and district. By sharing our knowledge, we are helping equip our students.

One way that we can influence our schools to use technology is by showing its validity in the classroom. If we come ready to show how teachers can take the tool back to the classroom and make it work for them, it becomes something they value. I think that is what was so great about Application 7. It showed me that you not only have to think it's is worthwhile, but so do your colleagues. Also, I learned that writing a grant proposal is something I believe I can do. They always intimidated me before but I see that it is simply believing in a technolgy and expressing that to whoever you are writing it for.

I plan on making an effort with identifying new and emerging technologies by researching on the internet. You really can learn a lot about what others are doing around the world if you just take time to look. From there, if I feel it is something I would like to bring back to my school I would share it with others. If the technology is something that would need to be purchased, I am much more open to reasearching possible grants or speaking to and administrator about our budget.

I believe this class has taught me to be more proactive with new technolgy. I realize that I can't sit back and wait for it to come to me. If I want a new technolgy than I need to get my school on board and go after it!

Voice Thread for Online-Learning

Hello Everyone! I encourage you to visit my Voice Thread presentation on Online Learning with First Graders. This will help you gain a better understanding of what online learning looks like with younger students and the benefits it can create for your classroom. I hope you enjoy...

http://voicethread.com/share/1025860/

Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas Reflection

This course has really helped me organize my thoughts and future goals I would like to apply in the classroom. The GAME Plan is a great tool for not only setting goals, but making sure those goal are carried out. I feel like the GAME plan is something that allows the goal setter to reflect and make changes if something is not working. That is something that I really appreciated because when setting goals sometimes things do not work out the way you think and the flexibility of the GAME plan process really makes it easier to apply.

The GAME plan focused around the NET-S, which really helped me focus on how I can use technology to impact my classroom and prepare my students for the future. The 21st century skills that the NET-S lays out are integral for having a well rounded classroom. I realize the the GAME plan and the idea laid out by NET-S is something that is not only useful for the teacher, but something that the students could apply in their lives as well. The GAME plan is something that could be applied to any goal setting situation for any age.

Another thing I learned from this course is the value that technology can add to learning. I really enjoyed putting together the three lesson plans that used technology integration. Social networking, problem based learning and digital storytelling are all things that I will take back to my classroom. Each component helped me to create a well-rounded science unit that I believe my students will enjoy and learn a lot in the process. Overall, this course has helped me become a better goal setter and learn even more the impact that technology can have in the classroom.

Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology Reflection

This course has taught me so much in regards to individualizing instruction and reaching all learners. One way that I gained a great deal of knowledge was by being a member of the Differentiation Station social network. Our group really bounced a lot of great ideas and resources off of each other. There was great websites given that I will use in the future to help me with UDL and DI. I also liked the survey websites given in one of the earlier application. These websites gave vital tools on getting to know my students and what their needs are socially and academically. The social networking is something I can also take back to my classroom. I see the value of sharing ideas and learning with others and it is something I believe my students would benefit from greatly.

There are many things that I have learned that I have and will bring back to the classroom. I see the benefits that technology has on individualizing instruction and meeting the needs of my students. I think one way I have already changed is not being so rigid in product. I used to not give my students the opportunity to choose how they would present their knowledge. I have learned through this class the importance of allowing students to express what they have learned in a way that best suites their learning needs. I think technology really allows the students to have multiple outlets in showing their learning.

Also, technology allows the teacher to manipulate what is presented to the student. I feel like I can be a better teacher because through technology, I can individualize instruction. Next year, I want to use tumble books. These online books allow me to highlight certain content to meet the needs of the different level readers represented in the classroom.

Using the GAME plan with my students

I have learned that the GAME plan is something that is really helps organize your thoughts and reach your goals. I really feel like this is something that would work with my students. As I examines the NET-S I realize that the terms used would not be something my first graders would understand. I thought about making the wording more kid-friendly and conducting a student survey using www.surveymonkey.com. The students would visit the site and then I would group the students together who had similar interest. The groups would work on creating a GAME plan to reach their goals. I considered giving each group chart paper to write down their GAME plan. I would hang them in the room so that the students could see their goals daily. We would try to discuss our goals daily and evaluate once we have carried out our action plan. Do you feel like this would be an effective way to carry out the GAME plan with first graders?

Revising Your GAME Plan

As I continue to reach my goals, I have learned a lot thus far. I realize that integrating technology into my assessments is not as daunting as I once thought. I thought that it would be something my first graders would struggle with. I realized that it could be an assessment using common software or tools. I actually am incorporating Kidpix with my plants unit. Students have to design a picture integrating all of the important components that plants need to survive. I have also learned a lot about integrating new multimedia tools. I have gotten a lot of feedback and ideas from my peers about what will be workable with first graders. My goal of integrating two new programs or websites in a year is something I have not met yet but I feel that I am on my way. I have showed my students powerpoint and I also want to introduce Voicethreads.

The next NETS-T goal that I would like to set is to engage in professional growth and leadership. I think one thing I have gained from my graduate work is a lot of knowledge. I have enjoyed being able to share that with my peers. I am working on trying to get some training through my county. I have run into some stumbling blocks within my county as far as Internet access. I would be interested to find out what are some ideas the county has to integrating technology within the limitations. My way to reach this goal is to sign up for one professional learning opportunity over the summer.

Evaluating your GAME Plan Progress

As I reflect on my GAME Plan I realize that I am learning so much to reach my goals. I have realized that assessment is easier than I had first thought. Using a simple word processor or PowerPoint can be used and considered an assessment. I also have found that I will have access to clickers next year, something I am very excited to use. I feel that the actions I set in place were very helpful in reaching my goals. I feel that I have met my assessment goal is already met but I will continue expanding my assessment methods.

I have learned many things that I will apply to my instructional practice. My outlook on assessment has really changed. I had not realized how much control I felt like I needed to have over the way students show what they have learned. I now know that I can give my students options on the method in which they use to show their learning. By giving them options, I feel that by giving them some ownership over their assessment, it will result in a better project.

I still need to learn more age appropriate methods of technology to use with first graders. That is the main struggle I have had during my graduate level studies. I have found a lot of useful tools but some are not age appropriate. I try to modify some of the ideas to work for the younger ones. Does anyone have any helpful and meaningful ideas for first graders?

Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress

I have found that I am finding a lot of information just from this course that is helping me reach and understand my goals more. I believe this weeks learning resources really shed some light and gave me some great ideas for my first goal of designing and developing digital-age learning assessments. I realize that a lot of the media I am familuar with can be used as assessments. Take for example a word processor, I can use that to create a math journal for my students. It would be a better tool to use for open-ended questions, because I would really be able to read what they are saying because penmanship would not be an issue, something that can be hard to read when teaching first grade(Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I liked the idea of using digital cameras and video cameras. These are tools I am comfortable using and have access to at my school. Somthing I am still waiting to hear about is the acccess to clickers. I like that it sends the results directly to the computer and gradebook. This would be such a time saver for the teacher and a truer assessemnt for the students. I considered what Dr. John Ross noted in this weeks video, it is important to have a variety of assessment tools (Laureate, 2009). I believe this will accompany my initial goal. Not only is it important to use technology but to have a wide variety of types.

As far as indicator #3 is another area I would like to improve, Model-Digital Age Work and Learning. I think by incorporating the use of different types of assessment using technology, I am also meeting this goal. It is interesting how theyt came together. I had previously thought of them as separate but really they are one in the same. I feel a boost of confidence that I can use technology to meet instructional and assessment needs.

Some questions I will still need to sort out are: how can I access the lab more often? What resources do I have available that I still am not comfortable using? When can I recieve training on those resources? Most of the questions I will have to take to my computer specialist at school but I am always open to new ideas and insight from my classmates!

Refrences:
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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Ross, D.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

As I reflect on my GAME Plan I realize that it is going to require a lot of effort on my part. It will be stretching me and changing ways I normally do things. To help me accomplish my goals I realize that I will need to reach out to others to learn more about assessment and learning new multi-media tools. I have already spoke to my technology contact at my school about using a vlog. He is checking on getting that approved through the county because of our strict regulations.

Also, I am looking for some professional learning opportunities that revolve around technology. This would be something I will need to talk with my administrator about. Last week it was brought to my attention about the use of clickers for assessment purposes. I do not think this is something we have at our schools but I am planning on talking to our technology teacher about seeing if we can get our hands on some.

I realize that I still have a lot of work to do to accomplish my goals. I think I have already taken some steps but I have noticed the lack of accessibility to some of the great multi-media tools I have learned through out my graduate work at Walden. The county I work for has very strict regulations about any blogging, vlogging, and researching. This is very frustrating. Is anyone else running into this problem? Any suggestions on other multi-media ideas that I could do with my first graders?

My GAME Plan

I consider it a personal conviction to stay on top of the latest technology and resources for teaching. I believe this will offer my students the best education and the greatest advantage for acquiring 21st century skills.

The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS-S) provides indicators that help educators gauge how they are performing. These five standards are meaningful for every classroom and boost the level teaching that is taking place in the classroom.

My GAME Plan is as follows:
Goals: While reflecting on the five standards that NET-S has created I found that I most would like to improve my standing on "Designing and Developing Digital Age Learning Experience and Assessments." I feel comfortable In having my student using technology to create authentic and self-directed learning experiences, I feel that using technology as a resource for assessments is one area that I could use more frequently and appropriately. Situations might be better suited for the use of technology as an assessment tool.

Indicator #3 is another area I would like to improve, Model-Digital Age Work and Learning. Working with first graders I feel that I do not always have the opportunity to expand beyond computer basic to create multi-media and other creative learning opportunities for my students. Sometimes I feel like it might be beyond their grasp because of their lack of exposure to basic computer components.

Action: The action aspect of a GAME plan shows how I will carry out reaching my goals.

Goal #1 of designing and developing digital-age learning assessments is something I belive will take a lo of work. I have use search engines to find more appropriate ways of assessing first grade students using technology and so much seems to be too technological for their limited skills. I have decided the most helpful source maybe to sit down with my schools computer specialist and ask for some specific ideas on what I can use with my students. Also I thought about asking him for some sources that I might be able to do some professional development regarding assessment.

Goal #2 I believe will be taking a leap of faith beyond my comfort zone. I thought about starting out small and creating opportunities as a class to learn two new multi-media or software with students a year. We could learn the ins and outs of the program and create a class project together. I might also need the help of the computer specialist to assist with some of the introductory lessons. This way we can help troubleshoot issues that my arise with first graders.

Monitor:To monitor my progress I plan on placing an area to make sure that I include one digital age assessment in each unit plan. This assessment may be formative or summative. By starting out small I believe it will kick start the momentum to include more as I become comfortable. For goal #2 I plan on creating a survey that the students could fill out that would gauge the level of enjoyment and engagement using the technology more often. I will also ask for ways to improve the two projects we create.

Evaluation: To evaluate on whether or not I accomplished my goals I believe it will come down to reflection and looking at my lesson plans to see if I was able to incorporate new assessments and multi media projects. I will also take this time to look at if my students enjoyed using the tools and areas they felt would improve the learning experience.

I would love to get some feedback on age appropriate assessment and learning projects.

References:
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.