One goal that I have implemented into my GAME plan is teaching my students to collaborate with others. I am incorporating a website, www.globalschoolnet.com into my curriculum. This site with allow my students to learn through online exhibitions, interactive games, and writing about global issues. Through this site, my students will be able to collaborate with students from all over the world. One question that I had is what my school policy was regarding this type of website as well as if I needed parental permission to allow my students to take part in this. In speaking with my administration and reading though my school handbook, I found out that this website would be acceptable. Students were given a permission form at the beginning of the year to give students permission for internet access. Since researching this, I have introduces this site to my students. We have explored all of its features. My students are very excited about getting started on a collaborative project!
The other goal that I have implemented into my GAME plan is teaching my kids to be safe when using technology. In researching rubrics and checklists to use through this process, I have found quite a variety. Some of the information that I have found is explanations as to why this is so important as well as the steps to take during this process. Here is a list of websites that include information as well as rubrics:
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/tbarcalow/490net/EvalRubric.htm
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic32.htm
http://www.nhema.net/rubric.pdf
http://www.nhema.net/rubric.pdf
I have learned that evaluating websites is a skill that many teachers are trying to teach their students. Technology plays a major role in today’s classroom. Teaching students to stay safe when they are searching the web will help them research more efficiently and maximize learning.
As I continue to implement my GAME plan, reflection is very important. In Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use, Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009) state, “Key to effective reflection is the ability to go beyond a simple description of what happened to consider why it happened , how it is connected to other events, and what adjustments should be made to subsequent actions based on this understanding.” I need to reflect on what is working and what changes need to be made as I move forward with implementing my goals. Keeping a journal will help me in this process.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress
In Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use, Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009) state, “As you take action to achieve your learning goals, you’ll need to monitor whether you are making sufficient progress toward your goals and reflect on whether the strategies you have chosen are working.” My GAME plan includes collaborating with others using digital tools and resources and teaching students to be safe when using technology.
In teaching my students to collaborate with other using digital tools and resources, I am implementing www.globalschoolnet.org into the classroom. I am very impressed by this website and am confident that this will help my students to collaborate with others. In searching through this site, I have found online exhibitions, an interactive game to teach geography, and even a program that allows students to write articles for the whole world to see. This website gets teachers and students involved in developing all content areas. It also teaches students to be effective citizens and to understand other cultures. One question that I do have is what policy my school district has in participating in a program such as this. Parents would also have to give permission for students to showcase their work and collaborate with others on the web.
In teaching my students how to be safe when using technology, I plan on researching rubrics and checklists that would assist my students. In my research, I am amazed at how much is out there as resources. One site, http://21cif.com/tools/evaluate/ ,explains the steps of evaluating websites and leads students step by step through the process. This is just one of many sites that I have found. In teaching my students how to evaluate websites, I need to talk to others and find out how I can keep my fourth graders engaged in this process.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom
Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
In teaching my students to collaborate with other using digital tools and resources, I am implementing www.globalschoolnet.org into the classroom. I am very impressed by this website and am confident that this will help my students to collaborate with others. In searching through this site, I have found online exhibitions, an interactive game to teach geography, and even a program that allows students to write articles for the whole world to see. This website gets teachers and students involved in developing all content areas. It also teaches students to be effective citizens and to understand other cultures. One question that I do have is what policy my school district has in participating in a program such as this. Parents would also have to give permission for students to showcase their work and collaborate with others on the web.
In teaching my students how to be safe when using technology, I plan on researching rubrics and checklists that would assist my students. In my research, I am amazed at how much is out there as resources. One site, http://21cif.com/tools/evaluate/ ,explains the steps of evaluating websites and leads students step by step through the process. This is just one of many sites that I have found. In teaching my students how to evaluate websites, I need to talk to others and find out how I can keep my fourth graders engaged in this process.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom
Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Carrying Out Your GAME Plan
My first goal is to learn how to collaborate with others using digital tools and resources. The site www.globalschoolnet.org is designed to connect students with others around the world. What a great way to learn about other cultures and world issues! In order to carry out this plan, I would need to read more about this program. I will also talk to other colleagues that have used this and how to go about implementing this into my classroom. The fact that I am getting my masters in integrating technology in the classroom allows me to collaborate with other teachers on this topic in the hopes that they have used this program in the past. In researching this website, it is essential to check the reliability of the site and its references. So far, in viewing this site, it looks like a way to enable my students to collaborate with others. World projects and international challenges are just some of what is featured through this site.
My second goal is to learn how to properly teach my students to be safe when using technology and make sure that the information is coming from a reliable source. In Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use, Cennamo, K., Ross, J., and Ertmer, P. (2009) state, “In evaluating resources, it’s useful to answer the standard questions of who, what, when, why, and how.” In teaching my students how to evaluate websites by using these standard questions, my plan is to find rubrics and checklists that will help them through this process. To do this, I must research and speak to other educators that have worked with their students on this same skill. Often as educators, we expect our students to find answers to questions on the internet without teaching them the correct steps to take. In teaching my students this evaluation process, it is important for me to determine how much practice, if any, they have had in doing this.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
My second goal is to learn how to properly teach my students to be safe when using technology and make sure that the information is coming from a reliable source. In Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use, Cennamo, K., Ross, J., and Ertmer, P. (2009) state, “In evaluating resources, it’s useful to answer the standard questions of who, what, when, why, and how.” In teaching my students how to evaluate websites by using these standard questions, my plan is to find rubrics and checklists that will help them through this process. To do this, I must research and speak to other educators that have worked with their students on this same skill. Often as educators, we expect our students to find answers to questions on the internet without teaching them the correct steps to take. In teaching my students this evaluation process, it is important for me to determine how much practice, if any, they have had in doing this.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Developing My Personal GAME Plan
In examining the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T), I have identified two goals that will help me build my confidence and skills in teaching technology. First, I want to gain the knowledge needed to collaborate with others using digital tools and resources. It will be great to teach my students how to collaborate with each other as well as with students from other parts of the country. In order to achieve this goal, I plan on becoming familiar with The Global Schoolnet. In Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use, Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer P. (2009) explain that this site is an “example of using the computer to connect students from around the world to explore community, cultural, and scientific issues that prepare them for the workforce and help them to become responsible and literate global citizens”. As I apply my knowledge to the classroom, I will reflect on how this will benefit my students. It is important for me to look at the benefits, how my students are learning, and ways that I could improve in this area. As my students and I integrate this into the classroom, I will add this to my portfolio. This will allow me to make changes in the future and look back on this for future tasks.
Another goal that will further develop my technology skills is learning how to properly teach my students to be safe when using technology and make sure that the information is coming from a reliable source. My students need to be aware of the copyright and whether it is an appropriate source of information. The action that I will take to meet my goal is researching available checklists and rubrics that will be helpful in teaching my students to evaluate websites. I will place my students in groups as they use these checklists/rubrics to evaluate a variety of websites. As I monitor their progress, I will reflect on how this is working and what changes need to be made. My students will also reflect. I evaluate this plan through the rubrics and student feedback.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Another goal that will further develop my technology skills is learning how to properly teach my students to be safe when using technology and make sure that the information is coming from a reliable source. My students need to be aware of the copyright and whether it is an appropriate source of information. The action that I will take to meet my goal is researching available checklists and rubrics that will be helpful in teaching my students to evaluate websites. I will place my students in groups as they use these checklists/rubrics to evaluate a variety of websites. As I monitor their progress, I will reflect on how this is working and what changes need to be made. My students will also reflect. I evaluate this plan through the rubrics and student feedback.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Ohio: Cengage Learning.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Reflection on Teaching New Literacy Skills
Before taking this course, I knew how essential technology is to education. However, this course has integrating the strategies needed in teaching my students how to use technology. Learning how to teach my students to question, understand resources, evaluate, synthesize, and transform are key to the 21st century. In creating a unit of study, I have developed strategies that will help my students to be successful in researching standards based topics and creating a well developed project that gets them excited about learning.
In the past, I have felt overwhelmed with researching a subject. I know that my students have felt the same way. Through this course, I have learned how to take it in steps. This way, it is not so overwhelming. In Reading the Web, Maya Eagleton and Elizabeth Dobler (2007) state, “We would be doing students a disservice by not preparing them to apply the inquiry process to the world’s most massive source of information, one that will impact their future daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine.” Technology is a major part of our society and will surely expand by the time our students face the working world. We have to give them the skills needed to be successful. In creating future lessons, I will use the “QUEST” model. In applying each of these strategies, my students will learn much more throughout their projects. Yes, the end result is important. However, the inquiry process allows them to really understand what they are researching, evaluate the information, and stay on topic.
In the DVD, “Its Not About the Technology”, David Warlick (2007) explains that it is not about how much technology a teacher has in his/her room or what kind of technology he/she implements. It is about creating an environment that allows students to make connections to what they are learning and communicate that to each other. Technology does help students to do this because students are actively working together or individually and making connections to the task. As Warlick explains, blogging is a great way for students to make connections and communicate with each other. This year, my goal is to continue to learn how to implement blogging into the classroom. I teach 4th grade and know that this will be very beneficial to my students. I can incorporate all subjects and it will help them to practice their writing skills. This school year, I would like to visit an elementary school classroom where the teacher has implemented blogging. I want to see how he/she incorporates this into the lessons. I am curious to see how much time it takes up in the classroom and how it is graded. Slowly, I will implement this into my own classroom. In taking steps, I will begin by creating one class blog where students will post comments to questions that I ask. My long-term goal is to teach them how to create their own blog. I am very excited about this goal. I can’t wait to see how much fun my students have while learning!
References:
Eagleton, M.B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.
Warlick, D. (2007). Its Not About the Technology, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
In the past, I have felt overwhelmed with researching a subject. I know that my students have felt the same way. Through this course, I have learned how to take it in steps. This way, it is not so overwhelming. In Reading the Web, Maya Eagleton and Elizabeth Dobler (2007) state, “We would be doing students a disservice by not preparing them to apply the inquiry process to the world’s most massive source of information, one that will impact their future daily lives in ways we cannot even imagine.” Technology is a major part of our society and will surely expand by the time our students face the working world. We have to give them the skills needed to be successful. In creating future lessons, I will use the “QUEST” model. In applying each of these strategies, my students will learn much more throughout their projects. Yes, the end result is important. However, the inquiry process allows them to really understand what they are researching, evaluate the information, and stay on topic.
In the DVD, “Its Not About the Technology”, David Warlick (2007) explains that it is not about how much technology a teacher has in his/her room or what kind of technology he/she implements. It is about creating an environment that allows students to make connections to what they are learning and communicate that to each other. Technology does help students to do this because students are actively working together or individually and making connections to the task. As Warlick explains, blogging is a great way for students to make connections and communicate with each other. This year, my goal is to continue to learn how to implement blogging into the classroom. I teach 4th grade and know that this will be very beneficial to my students. I can incorporate all subjects and it will help them to practice their writing skills. This school year, I would like to visit an elementary school classroom where the teacher has implemented blogging. I want to see how he/she incorporates this into the lessons. I am curious to see how much time it takes up in the classroom and how it is graded. Slowly, I will implement this into my own classroom. In taking steps, I will begin by creating one class blog where students will post comments to questions that I ask. My long-term goal is to teach them how to create their own blog. I am very excited about this goal. I can’t wait to see how much fun my students have while learning!
References:
Eagleton, M.B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.
Warlick, D. (2007). Its Not About the Technology, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Reflection: Final Blog Posting
In reflecting on my personal theory of learning, I find that this course has helped me to develop ways to use technology to reach all learning styles. I based my theory on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. He believes that one intelligence stands out for each person more than another. Through this course, I have learned key strategies that will engage my students in learning through technology and cooperative grouping. This course focused on behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and social constructivism and ways to help students be engaged in the learning process. In the DVD, “Brain Research and Learning”, Dr. Pat Wolfe (2007) explains that teachers have to create concrete experiences for students. She also explains that the brain is good at remembering through hearing and seeing. Technology is a way to create meaningful lessons for students, reach all learners, and prepare students for the 21st century.
This course has really helped me to understand how the brain works and how important it is for me to use technology as a way to get students involved in the learning process. Before taking this course, I had a very different idea of what it meant to integrate technology into the classroom. Presenting information through PowerPoint or using my ELMO is not enough. My students need to be out of their seats participating in lessons that integrate technology. I really enjoy allowing my students to work cooperatively on group projects in my classroom. This class has given me many ideas as to how to include technology into my projects. In the DVD, “Spotlight on Technology: Voice Thread”, Kevin Jarrett (2007) explains that technology makes a teacher’s day easier because it helps meet the needs of learners.
One technological tool that I would like to integrate into my classroom is VoiceThread. In creating a VoiceThread in this class, I felt that it was very user friendly. I can also see how beneficial that this tool will be in all subject areas. I teach social studies, reading, and math. Voice Thread is a great way to allow the students to express themselves, give each other feedback, and engage them in learning.
Another activity that I would like to integrate into my classroom is concept mapping. In The Theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Novak, J.D. & Canas, A. J. (2008) state, “Concept mapping is important because it serves as a kind of template or scaffold to help to organize knowledge and to structure it” (p.10). Having a graphical representation helps students to organize their thoughts and remember the information more easily. I can also use concept mapping in reading, social studies, and math. Requiring the students to identify the focus question, cross-links, and include examples of events or objects will help to create meaning for the students.
One long-term goal that I have is to incorporate one activity that involves technology into each social studies unit that I teach by the end of next school year. I feel that it is important that I make a big effort to add more technology into my instructional practice. I am gradually feeling more and more comfortable with technology and feel that this is a realistic goal. Another long term goal that I have is to create a classroom blog. I feel like this would be a great way to get my students and parents involved in the learning process. Next year, I plan on posting weekly questions on my blog in the hopes that parents and students will respond. These questions will range from their opinion on a book to their thoughts on classroom projects. I am very excited about this. Parents have to feel like they are a part of the classroom. It takes all of us to ensure that the students are successful.
References:
Jarrett, K. (2007). Spotlight on Technology: VoiceThread, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
Novak, J.D. & Canas, A.J. (2008). The Theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Technical Report IHMC Cmap Tools. 2000-01 Rev 01-2008. Retrieved from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Web Site.
Wolfe, Pat (2007). Brain Research and Learning, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
This course has really helped me to understand how the brain works and how important it is for me to use technology as a way to get students involved in the learning process. Before taking this course, I had a very different idea of what it meant to integrate technology into the classroom. Presenting information through PowerPoint or using my ELMO is not enough. My students need to be out of their seats participating in lessons that integrate technology. I really enjoy allowing my students to work cooperatively on group projects in my classroom. This class has given me many ideas as to how to include technology into my projects. In the DVD, “Spotlight on Technology: Voice Thread”, Kevin Jarrett (2007) explains that technology makes a teacher’s day easier because it helps meet the needs of learners.
One technological tool that I would like to integrate into my classroom is VoiceThread. In creating a VoiceThread in this class, I felt that it was very user friendly. I can also see how beneficial that this tool will be in all subject areas. I teach social studies, reading, and math. Voice Thread is a great way to allow the students to express themselves, give each other feedback, and engage them in learning.
Another activity that I would like to integrate into my classroom is concept mapping. In The Theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Novak, J.D. & Canas, A. J. (2008) state, “Concept mapping is important because it serves as a kind of template or scaffold to help to organize knowledge and to structure it” (p.10). Having a graphical representation helps students to organize their thoughts and remember the information more easily. I can also use concept mapping in reading, social studies, and math. Requiring the students to identify the focus question, cross-links, and include examples of events or objects will help to create meaning for the students.
One long-term goal that I have is to incorporate one activity that involves technology into each social studies unit that I teach by the end of next school year. I feel that it is important that I make a big effort to add more technology into my instructional practice. I am gradually feeling more and more comfortable with technology and feel that this is a realistic goal. Another long term goal that I have is to create a classroom blog. I feel like this would be a great way to get my students and parents involved in the learning process. Next year, I plan on posting weekly questions on my blog in the hopes that parents and students will respond. These questions will range from their opinion on a book to their thoughts on classroom projects. I am very excited about this. Parents have to feel like they are a part of the classroom. It takes all of us to ensure that the students are successful.
References:
Jarrett, K. (2007). Spotlight on Technology: VoiceThread, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
Novak, J.D. & Canas, A.J. (2008). The Theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Technical Report IHMC Cmap Tools. 2000-01 Rev 01-2008. Retrieved from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Web Site.
Wolfe, Pat (2007). Brain Research and Learning, Laureate Education, Inc, DVD.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Voice Thread
This link will take you to my voice thread. I have included pictures of standards based bulletin boards in my voice thread. My school is in the process of becoming a standards based school. Each teacher must display the standard, essential question, and vocabulary that correlates to each lesson. Many of you might be working in standard based schools. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as to how I can easily make the transition. Thanks!
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