Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
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?
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?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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?
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?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry in the Classroom
Throughout this course I have learned a lot about how to use the web to teach literacy skills. Teaching students to use the Internet and how to properly navigate it, is such an important component. This course gave me some real world application on how to do that.
The biggest revelation I had during this course and learning about the new literacy skills was that I teach an age that can really take advantage of learning these skills. I work with first graders and some of the material we have learned has been way above their head. But during this course I was really able to benefit from some of the new information given. For example the websites given (www.yahooligans.com, and www.kidsclick.org) are really beneficial for my students. I would not feel comfortable, neither would my school allow, students to use general search engines. I felt like these websites really allow me to teach important new literacy skills, such as searching for and locating important information, evaluating information, and synthesizing information. All of these skills are so important for students to learn at an early age and through the ideas given in the videos, I feel that I am now more prepared to teach them.
Learning the different literacy skills has changed my views on how to teach literacy. Teaching first grade means that I do a lot of literacy work. I teach the foundations for reading. I never realized what a valuable tool the web was to help my students create that foundation. I really feel like after the first of the year my students will be ready to integrate technology as a part of our literacy program. I love that students will be using higher level thinking than just searching for information in a book. I liked that the question is given at the beginning and students must use deeper level thinking while looking for the answers. I am excited to start teaching the foundations for researching on the Internet.
One professional goal that this class has inspired is to learn more multimedia tools. I realized this while creating my unit plan. I felt very comfortable with all of the other aspects but this area really stumped me. I am very familiar PowerPoint but I want to offer mys students more. I feel that I must first become more comfortable with these tools before I introduce them to my students. I have considered mentioning this to our schools computer specialist and either sitting down with him and allowing him to walk me through some of the tools or even better having a staff development that is centered around the usefulness and use of multimedia tools with students. I feel that other teachers do not realize the usefulness of technology and the usefulness of the new literacy skills.
This course has taught me a lot and allowed me to expand my horizons when it comes to literacy and teaching in general. This information will help to change how I teach literacy and will me grow as a teacher and continue to prepare my students for the world outside my classroom.
The biggest revelation I had during this course and learning about the new literacy skills was that I teach an age that can really take advantage of learning these skills. I work with first graders and some of the material we have learned has been way above their head. But during this course I was really able to benefit from some of the new information given. For example the websites given (www.yahooligans.com, and www.kidsclick.org) are really beneficial for my students. I would not feel comfortable, neither would my school allow, students to use general search engines. I felt like these websites really allow me to teach important new literacy skills, such as searching for and locating important information, evaluating information, and synthesizing information. All of these skills are so important for students to learn at an early age and through the ideas given in the videos, I feel that I am now more prepared to teach them.
Learning the different literacy skills has changed my views on how to teach literacy. Teaching first grade means that I do a lot of literacy work. I teach the foundations for reading. I never realized what a valuable tool the web was to help my students create that foundation. I really feel like after the first of the year my students will be ready to integrate technology as a part of our literacy program. I love that students will be using higher level thinking than just searching for information in a book. I liked that the question is given at the beginning and students must use deeper level thinking while looking for the answers. I am excited to start teaching the foundations for researching on the Internet.
One professional goal that this class has inspired is to learn more multimedia tools. I realized this while creating my unit plan. I felt very comfortable with all of the other aspects but this area really stumped me. I am very familiar PowerPoint but I want to offer mys students more. I feel that I must first become more comfortable with these tools before I introduce them to my students. I have considered mentioning this to our schools computer specialist and either sitting down with him and allowing him to walk me through some of the tools or even better having a staff development that is centered around the usefulness and use of multimedia tools with students. I feel that other teachers do not realize the usefulness of technology and the usefulness of the new literacy skills.
This course has taught me a lot and allowed me to expand my horizons when it comes to literacy and teaching in general. This information will help to change how I teach literacy and will me grow as a teacher and continue to prepare my students for the world outside my classroom.
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