Throughout this course I have had the opportunity to explore new technologies and eloborate more on some technologies I have already been familiar with. With the resources provided, I was able to look at the four change agents and see where I could fill in the gaps to improve my overall instruction. Having an understanding of today's learner will put give my teaching the edge it needs to meet students needs and provide quality instruction.
One of the technologies I became more familiar with during this experience is multi-user virtual environments. These can be such a powerful tool if used correctly in the classroom. I found it extremely interesting that teachers could find professional development opportunities through second life and the amount of professional organization/colleges/universities use them. In addition, I really enjoyed learning about the possibilities of the Moodle. With this technology, teacher can motivate and encourage students to be active learners and participators in class. I felt this offers so many options for teachers to use as a learning tool and an assessment piece. I also feel it helps encourage students to get involved during after school hours.
With the details of application seven, I have a thoughtful plan to pursue during the new school year. Students will be using the Moodle site in the classroom to present how life is connected to math in every skill we teach in the classroom. I would also like to encourage other teachers to use technology to enhance their instruction. What is useful about this site is the ability to make adjustments for a variety of students without other students knowing. In addition, technology is what motivates our students regardless of ability. I would ask teachers who oppose using it, why not? Paper and pencil methods are a thing of the past! If we want to connect with kids, we need to do it with what motivates them. I feel strongly that is technology!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Integrating Technology Across the Content Area Reflection
When developing the GAME plan in the beginning of the course, I created an accountability piece of my own for this course. Through the work completed in this course, I believe I have begun to develop a strong beginning to improving the teaching methods in my classroom. I have a better focus in terms of where I started this course and where I want to go. I really feel that I have a stronger knowledge base of technology and how to integrate it into the classroom as a result of my GAME plan. It has challenged me to locate new resources through the course materials, colleagues and conducting my own personal searches.
Overall, I feel the idea of collaborating on a networking site such as the wiki we completed in class gave me the opportunity to work with classmates from across the nation. This piece had a huge influence on my unit plan, because I was able to get the perspective and constructive criticism from people who do not know me on a personal or professional level. I think it helped take down barriers that might be up when asking colleagues for advice, and gave me a true insight into how I can better my instruction. This is one area I would like to take with me from this course. The use a social network system in my classroom to give my students the opportunities to interact with people all over the globe and gain new perspectives.
On area I would like to make an immediate change is encouraging other teachers to be creative with technology. I think most teachers get stuck in the realm of power point, videos and interactive gaming sites for students and do not truly incorporate it into the classroom. I would like to immediately start using the wikis, digital stories and so on in the classroom and invite teachers to observe. I would also encourage teachers to seek help with using technology and be an aide to anyone that wants to incorporate technology into their classroom and does feel comfortable.
Overall, I feel the idea of collaborating on a networking site such as the wiki we completed in class gave me the opportunity to work with classmates from across the nation. This piece had a huge influence on my unit plan, because I was able to get the perspective and constructive criticism from people who do not know me on a personal or professional level. I think it helped take down barriers that might be up when asking colleagues for advice, and gave me a true insight into how I can better my instruction. This is one area I would like to take with me from this course. The use a social network system in my classroom to give my students the opportunities to interact with people all over the globe and gain new perspectives.
On area I would like to make an immediate change is encouraging other teachers to be creative with technology. I think most teachers get stuck in the realm of power point, videos and interactive gaming sites for students and do not truly incorporate it into the classroom. I would like to immediately start using the wikis, digital stories and so on in the classroom and invite teachers to observe. I would also encourage teachers to seek help with using technology and be an aide to anyone that wants to incorporate technology into their classroom and does feel comfortable.
Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology Reflection
Over the last eight weeks, this course has provided me with useful information that I can incorporate into my classroom instruction and share with my colleagues. One of the areas that I needed to improve upon was the differentiation piece. As a professional, I think that this course has opened my eyes to the many different ways I can differentiate and how I currently do with realizing that I am doing in it the classroom. Even more apparent now, is how the use of technology can make the differentiation piece easier for me and more motivating for students. There are a plethora of resources that teachers can use on the internet that can aide them during this process. The thought of one size does not fit all in the classroom is now less intimidating because I have access to the ways I can find a shoe size for each student. In addition to the differentiated instruction, universal design for learning is no longer jargon that teachers use in the building that I was clueless about. This course has opened my eyes to the fact that each student is truly a unique individual and the way the material is presented in the classroom should reflect that. Adjusting the material for one or students in the classroom now has a new meaning because the techniques that being used benefit more than that student(s).
Universal Design for Learning is simply providing access to benefit all students. This is no longer scary jargon talk, but a reality that I can provide in my student's instruction.
During this course, I had the opportunity to be a member of a social networking site too. What is really nice about a networking group is the collocation that occurs. I find it extremely useful to see how people think on different levels and interpret materials differently. The end product from that is having a variety of resources, tools, and ideas that I can take and use in the future. Where I would normally not have the opportunity to discuss and meet with people across the nation, this social networking site is not providing that access. It amazes me how powerful of a tool this can be in the classroom too!
Universal Design for Learning is simply providing access to benefit all students. This is no longer scary jargon talk, but a reality that I can provide in my student's instruction.
During this course, I had the opportunity to be a member of a social networking site too. What is really nice about a networking group is the collocation that occurs. I find it extremely useful to see how people think on different levels and interpret materials differently. The end product from that is having a variety of resources, tools, and ideas that I can take and use in the future. Where I would normally not have the opportunity to discuss and meet with people across the nation, this social networking site is not providing that access. It amazes me how powerful of a tool this can be in the classroom too!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
GAME Plan Reflection
Overall, I think it extremely important to instill the value of goal setting and having a GAME plan to meet those goals. What is nice about this GAME plan format is how straight forward it is. I think it is very important for students to set goals when they arrive to school on the first day. I really think that this class was useful in the fact that it made me sit down think about what my goals where.
It is one thing to set goals, but a completely different thing to follow through on them. That is why I really like the action part of this plan. This is the meat and I think the most important part. I think this is the part that most students would struggle with. For educators, I feel this part of the GAME plan should be modeled and stressed so students know the importance of having an action plan.
For the monitor part of the plan, I think this is a way to be creative with the students. This is part that the students can collaborate with one another and really discuss how their action plan is working out. They can provide each other with insight and suggestions. It also leads into the evaluation part and how did I do.
When I set my goals, I did not realize how much I self-directed my learning. As a result, I have tons of information on how to meet the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. Through this experience, I can now walk away with strategies and techniques to use in the future. I have begun to develop a network of resources that I can use in the future. This GAME plan has encouraged me to search for ways to be a more effective teachers.
Overall, I think it extremely important to instill the value of goal setting and having a GAME plan to meet those goals. What is nice about this GAME plan format is how straight forward it is. I think it is very important for students to set goals when they arrive to school on the first day. I really think that this class was useful in the fact that it made me sit down think about what my goals where.
It is one thing to set goals, but a completely different thing to follow through on them. That is why I really like the action part of this plan. This is the meat and I think the most important part. I think this is the part that most students would struggle with. For educators, I feel this part of the GAME plan should be modeled and stressed so students know the importance of having an action plan.
For the monitor part of the plan, I think this is a way to be creative with the students. This is part that the students can collaborate with one another and really discuss how their action plan is working out. They can provide each other with insight and suggestions. It also leads into the evaluation part and how did I do.
When I set my goals, I did not realize how much I self-directed my learning. As a result, I have tons of information on how to meet the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. Through this experience, I can now walk away with strategies and techniques to use in the future. I have begun to develop a network of resources that I can use in the future. This GAME plan has encouraged me to search for ways to be a more effective teachers.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
GAME Plan Progress
Instructional Practices
What is really nice about taking courses together in a semester is how well they blend together. In each class we are learning about Universal Design for Learning, which I feel really coincides with differentiated instruction. I am learning a variety of ways to use technology to incorporate these practices into the classroom. What is really nice about technology is the fact that most students can play with technology and get it. What I need to do is make the content have the same accessibility. I am learning throughout this course and my other course ways to do that.
New Learning Goals
My new goals is convince my school technology department to unlock the protection against some of our social networking sites so that students can have access to a diverse learning community.
Learning Approaches
At this point in the semester the only approach I would do differently is to complete my work a week ahead of time.
Instructional Practices
What is really nice about taking courses together in a semester is how well they blend together. In each class we are learning about Universal Design for Learning, which I feel really coincides with differentiated instruction. I am learning a variety of ways to use technology to incorporate these practices into the classroom. What is really nice about technology is the fact that most students can play with technology and get it. What I need to do is make the content have the same accessibility. I am learning throughout this course and my other course ways to do that.
New Learning Goals
My new goals is convince my school technology department to unlock the protection against some of our social networking sites so that students can have access to a diverse learning community.
Learning Approaches
At this point in the semester the only approach I would do differently is to complete my work a week ahead of time.
Monday, June 7, 2010
GAME Plan Progress
How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
- I have had opportunity to use a really great website with the students called xtranormal
- They are creating skits on math concepts that will then be turned into animated video
- This use of technology has really created a great social interaction in my classroom
- It has also sparked a lot of motivation
- The importance of multiple means of representation
- It is crucial to present the material in ways that meet all learning styles
- It is clearly just good teaching practices
- Strategies to use to
- Specific ways to make students goal setters
- Overall, I would like to continue on the path of my original GAME plan so I can see it out and then revise or create a new one
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