Looking back at my progress during this course, I am very pleased with the amount that I have learned and the amount of technology that I have incorporated into my classroom.
My initial goals were to work on two NETS standard areas. First to "participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning" (Standard 5a) and second, to "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity" (Standard 2a).
I did not work a lot on the first goal, since I have set things in motion to go to a great workshop this summer and will work on collaboration with fellow teachers over the summer break as well. However, I did spend a lot of time during this course working on the second goal. Creating a unit plan that including using problem-based learning, internet-based collaboration, and digital storytelling, allowed me to learn about Geometer's Sketchpad, Mathalicious, Ning and other wonderful sites. I actually used sketchpad and Jing with my students and was able to see that technology helped my students learn math and review for finals.
Using the GAME plan, having a goal, setting an action plan, monitoring my progress and then evaluating and extending my success, has been helpful and I can see now that this will be a great tool for me to use as I continue to be a life-long learner.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Helping My Students Form a GAME Plan
As this course draws to a close, I realize that I have learned a lot about technology and how to use it in my classroom. More than that, however, I have realized that I need to be a life-long learner and continue to put my GAME plan to use as I learn even more. Now it is time for me to help my students become self directed learners themselves.
There are a few standards that I feel my students could spend some time working on and using the GAME plan would help them a lot. For example, I have noticed that many of my students do not really have a good understanding of how the computer can help them do better in school. They know how to use it socially, but when I ask them to use it for group projects, many tools that I mention, they have not used before.
Therefore, when my new classes come in next September, I will start by sharing the NETS-S with them and talking about why these standards are important. Then I will ask each of them to set up a goal for the year. For some, this may be as simple as learning how to use a wiki page, and for others, it may mean putting together and editing a video with a computer. As individuals, I will ask them to come up with an action plan as to how they see themselves achieving this goal.
As the year progresses, and I incorporate technology and problem-based learning into my classroom, I will have the students pull out their goal and action statement from time to time, so that they can monitor their progress. If they have achieved their goal, then they can set a new one. If not, then maybe they will need some guidance as to how to work toward achieving that goal.
At the end of the school year, and after several opportunities for them to reach their goal, we as a group will evaluate the success of the individuals and the class. Within this process, I will follow the steps as well, so that I can model the importance of working through the GAME plan.
I am really excited for next year, and for trying out some of these great ideas that we have been learning about in our courses. Have a wonderful summer, all of you, and good luck with your GAME plan!
There are a few standards that I feel my students could spend some time working on and using the GAME plan would help them a lot. For example, I have noticed that many of my students do not really have a good understanding of how the computer can help them do better in school. They know how to use it socially, but when I ask them to use it for group projects, many tools that I mention, they have not used before.
Therefore, when my new classes come in next September, I will start by sharing the NETS-S with them and talking about why these standards are important. Then I will ask each of them to set up a goal for the year. For some, this may be as simple as learning how to use a wiki page, and for others, it may mean putting together and editing a video with a computer. As individuals, I will ask them to come up with an action plan as to how they see themselves achieving this goal.
As the year progresses, and I incorporate technology and problem-based learning into my classroom, I will have the students pull out their goal and action statement from time to time, so that they can monitor their progress. If they have achieved their goal, then they can set a new one. If not, then maybe they will need some guidance as to how to work toward achieving that goal.
At the end of the school year, and after several opportunities for them to reach their goal, we as a group will evaluate the success of the individuals and the class. Within this process, I will follow the steps as well, so that I can model the importance of working through the GAME plan.
I am really excited for next year, and for trying out some of these great ideas that we have been learning about in our courses. Have a wonderful summer, all of you, and good luck with your GAME plan!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Week 6 with my GAME plan.
This has been a great week for learning more about technology for the classroom. Since we have to work on putting together a lesson plan with social networking tools, I have done a lot of reading and trying out of new programs. For example, I went on Ning and Wiggio last night and found them both to be amazing concepts. I can really see myself using them with my classes and having each of my students be a part of my "team." I will need to spend some time working on both sites to really be comfortable using it next year as a part of my classroom.
I also found a great site called Mathalicious that had a variety of math related problem-based learning opportunities. I already sent the link to my math colleagues at work and they will also be spending some time working on the site this summer. Overall, I am really excited to start getting some great problem-based learning activities into my classroom that incorporates technology and then begin to collaborate with other teachers and classrooms.
These new discoveries are helping me to continue to work on standard 2a, "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity."
*An update on my screencast activity... They went great! The kids were really into the activity and in general the results were good. Some students had trouble with the activity since they did not have microphones on their computers, and had to come in at lunch to use mine. However, many took advantage of the extra credit opportunity, and the entire class had a fun time viewing them. Some were really cute, and the students reported that having to explain how to do the problem verbally, and not just in written form, really helped them understand the process better. This review activity is a keeper!
I also found a great site called Mathalicious that had a variety of math related problem-based learning opportunities. I already sent the link to my math colleagues at work and they will also be spending some time working on the site this summer. Overall, I am really excited to start getting some great problem-based learning activities into my classroom that incorporates technology and then begin to collaborate with other teachers and classrooms.
These new discoveries are helping me to continue to work on standard 2a, "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity."
*An update on my screencast activity... They went great! The kids were really into the activity and in general the results were good. Some students had trouble with the activity since they did not have microphones on their computers, and had to come in at lunch to use mine. However, many took advantage of the extra credit opportunity, and the entire class had a fun time viewing them. Some were really cute, and the students reported that having to explain how to do the problem verbally, and not just in written form, really helped them understand the process better. This review activity is a keeper!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Continuing with my GAME Plan
I am on my way! I assigned the screencast activity today to my Algebra II students. They were really excited. Not only did I show them how to use Microsoft Equation, which is part of Word, so that they could write out the math problems, I then showed them how to use Jing. Some of the students who had their lap tops in class, immediately downloaded Jing, and started on the process. It is really exciting for me to be able to show my class how to use new technology.
My monitoring will occur as they work on this project. It will be due next Tuesday, so I want to check with each of them to see how it is going. Then I will evaluate the project by using a quick survey.
Another area where I need to use my GAME plan is with my Smart Board. I have been using it now, for a little over a year. I know that there is so much more that I could be doing with it. So...
My Goal: Get some quality time with my colleague who is a Smart Board Pro! I think that I will offer her lunch out, or something, if she will spend a couple of hours with me. I want to know how to get the kids up there and what other cool things that I can do.
Action: Spend some time on line at the Smart Board site to look at some sample lessons and ideas
Monitor: I will go into my classroom once every two weeks this summer to try at least one new thing with my Smart Board
Evaluate: Hopefully the students will notice the changes.
By the way - does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get better? Any good sites that you know have worked? Please share.
My monitoring will occur as they work on this project. It will be due next Tuesday, so I want to check with each of them to see how it is going. Then I will evaluate the project by using a quick survey.
Another area where I need to use my GAME plan is with my Smart Board. I have been using it now, for a little over a year. I know that there is so much more that I could be doing with it. So...
My Goal: Get some quality time with my colleague who is a Smart Board Pro! I think that I will offer her lunch out, or something, if she will spend a couple of hours with me. I want to know how to get the kids up there and what other cool things that I can do.
Action: Spend some time on line at the Smart Board site to look at some sample lessons and ideas
Monitor: I will go into my classroom once every two weeks this summer to try at least one new thing with my Smart Board
Evaluate: Hopefully the students will notice the changes.
By the way - does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get better? Any good sites that you know have worked? Please share.
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