Final Blog Post
The GAME plan I developed about seven weeks ago had realistic expectations but was difficult to follow through. Since it is the end of the school year it is difficult to keep up with everything that is going on. It was also a difficult time to implement new technologies since there was not much time for follow up.
With the time that I did have to work on my GAME plan I found some interesting resources that I can use next year. Implementing the GAME plan now allowed me to collect ideas for next school year and I can continue to search for new ways to use technology throughout the summer. I would revise my GAME plan by being sure to include other teachers and technology integrators within the building to help find needed resources such as classrooms to Skype with. I would not have students create their own GAME plan since they are five years old. However, I think we can create one as a class as needed to be sure we are learning new things together and using exciting new ways to learn and present our learning.
This course and the GAME plan have shown me how much a push there is to use technology. I feel like I have little time to implement the curriculum the way it is, let alone use all different types of technology to do it. I do see the many benefits of using it for my students, so of course I will try it. I try to implement technology as much as possible without “reinventing the wheel”. Once a technology is introduced, I will try to use it several times with students so once they are familiar with using it, the content of study will be their main focus.
After this course I really see how education is headed toward using technology in every way possible. As of now, I do not feel the pressure of using technology all the time in the classroom. I would be interested in seeing a high school or middle school classroom in my district and see how often they are using it with their students. This would give me a good idea on how and what I should be introducing to the Kindergarteners that are coming into my classroom.
I would like to incorporate more collaborative learning within the classroom for students to create artifacts to show their learning. We have used TuxPaint a lot this year since it was something they could do independently after a few short lessons. However, I would really like to use digital storytelling with my students. I think it would be a great way for them to show their creativity and practice their writing, communication, problem –solving, and content knowledge.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monitoring Your Game Plan Progress
This year I am left with two main themes in my teaching - summer/beach and safety. I am researching to find some virtual field trips that may take us to see the ocean. I know that a series called Planet Earth has been published but it the vocabulary is over the heads of my Kindergarteners. I am looking for more resources that may allow the students to see different parts of the ocean they do not typically see when they may vacation at the beach. I would also like to find a few different ways to show how certain animals live in the ocean.
I do not feel that I need to monitor my game plan at this point. I have been doing what I planned and have been focused on my two goals of designing and developing digital age experiences within my classroom as well as being a model of digital age learning for my students.
So far, I have learned that there are a lot more resouces available if you look in the right places and ask colleagues. I have also found our textbook to be valuable introducing me to new ways to incorporate technology into my instruction and assessment.
A concern that has arisen during this process (not a question) is time! I am having trouble finding the time at this point of the school year to put the effort I was planning into this GAME plan. I do not feel my students are suffering because of this, however, I am not living up to my own personal expectations. I am looking forward to the summer where I will have more time to explore the new resources that I have found and plan ideas for the beginning of the year so my students can be exposed to technology at the start of their Kindergarten experience.
I do not feel that I need to monitor my game plan at this point. I have been doing what I planned and have been focused on my two goals of designing and developing digital age experiences within my classroom as well as being a model of digital age learning for my students.
So far, I have learned that there are a lot more resouces available if you look in the right places and ask colleagues. I have also found our textbook to be valuable introducing me to new ways to incorporate technology into my instruction and assessment.
A concern that has arisen during this process (not a question) is time! I am having trouble finding the time at this point of the school year to put the effort I was planning into this GAME plan. I do not feel my students are suffering because of this, however, I am not living up to my own personal expectations. I am looking forward to the summer where I will have more time to explore the new resources that I have found and plan ideas for the beginning of the year so my students can be exposed to technology at the start of their Kindergarten experience.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Carrying Out A GAME Plan
Carrying out a GAME plan requires resources that can help you achieve your goals. Some of the resources that I will need to be successful with the carry out of my GAME plan include other teachers including technology specialists and the internet. By using the internet, I will be able to find and explore additional resources that will help me achieve my goals.
Additional information I would like to obtain from another teacher would be observations. I like to hear what other people think about my lessons so I would find it valuable if a colleague could observe a few lessons and write down their observations on the technology they are seeing. It would be interesting to hear an outsider’s opinion on how fluent my students are with technology skills.
The steps taken so far in my GAME plan are researching a time or two on the internet to find lessons that integrate technology with my curriculum in Kindergarten and a portion of my long range planning is complete. I do not think my long range planning will have much more to extend on since the school year will be coming to a close shortly. I have planned three content lessons using technology for the next week alone so I feel successful with that portion of my goal.
Additional information I would like to obtain from another teacher would be observations. I like to hear what other people think about my lessons so I would find it valuable if a colleague could observe a few lessons and write down their observations on the technology they are seeing. It would be interesting to hear an outsider’s opinion on how fluent my students are with technology skills.
The steps taken so far in my GAME plan are researching a time or two on the internet to find lessons that integrate technology with my curriculum in Kindergarten and a portion of my long range planning is complete. I do not think my long range planning will have much more to extend on since the school year will be coming to a close shortly. I have planned three content lessons using technology for the next week alone so I feel successful with that portion of my goal.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Developing Your Personal GAME Plan
Developing Your Personal GAME Plan
Having a GAME plan can help focus personal development as well as include intentional learning. Dr. Katherine Cennamo describes a GAME plan to include having a goal, taking action, monitoring the learning, as well as evaluating the learning (Laureate Education, 2009). All of these planned aspects will increase the knowledge of the teacher trying to learn more about a topic.
For my GAME plan I am selecting two goals in the NETS-T to strengthen my confidence and proficiency. The two goals I am selecting are to design and develop digial – age learning experiences and assessment as well as model digital – age work and learning (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). I chose these two goals because I feel that I am currently working hard trying to incorporate them into my kindergarten classroom but I feel a GAME plan would focus me a bit more to achieve my goal.
The actions I feel I need to take to achieve these goals would be to deliberately plan lessons that incorporate technology into my curriculum. This inclusion can be teacher modeling with student participation or students completing authentic assessments using creativity and self – directed learning with technology. I will also do research on the internet to find interesting ways to use technology in my Kindergarten classroom. There are many great resources for teachers and setting aside to find them will need to be part of the plan of action.
I will monitor my progress by having a long range planning schedule. I probably will focus on one subject area at a time and begin to incorporate technology with a goal of about three times per week. I will highlight the technology used in my lesson plans so it stands out when I am using technology. It will make it more noticeable to me during my planning for the following weeks. I can also choose one night each week and set aside fifteen or twenty minutes to allow myself to explore internet resources.
I will evaluate my learning by seeing how often students are being exposed to technology within my classroom by revisiting my lesson plans. I will also incorporate ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of technology tools that I have been modeling for them. Because one of my goals is to model digital – age work and learning, most of my students will learn by watching and doing. Therefore, as they are watching me model, they are also processing how they would be able to use the technology tool as well. Providing opportunities to present their learning will be an evaluation of my modeling.
International Society for Technology in Education (2008). Nets for teachers, 2008. Accessed from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx on May 12, 2011.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Promoting Self-Directed Learning With Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Having a GAME plan can help focus personal development as well as include intentional learning. Dr. Katherine Cennamo describes a GAME plan to include having a goal, taking action, monitoring the learning, as well as evaluating the learning (Laureate Education, 2009). All of these planned aspects will increase the knowledge of the teacher trying to learn more about a topic.
For my GAME plan I am selecting two goals in the NETS-T to strengthen my confidence and proficiency. The two goals I am selecting are to design and develop digial – age learning experiences and assessment as well as model digital – age work and learning (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). I chose these two goals because I feel that I am currently working hard trying to incorporate them into my kindergarten classroom but I feel a GAME plan would focus me a bit more to achieve my goal.
The actions I feel I need to take to achieve these goals would be to deliberately plan lessons that incorporate technology into my curriculum. This inclusion can be teacher modeling with student participation or students completing authentic assessments using creativity and self – directed learning with technology. I will also do research on the internet to find interesting ways to use technology in my Kindergarten classroom. There are many great resources for teachers and setting aside to find them will need to be part of the plan of action.
I will monitor my progress by having a long range planning schedule. I probably will focus on one subject area at a time and begin to incorporate technology with a goal of about three times per week. I will highlight the technology used in my lesson plans so it stands out when I am using technology. It will make it more noticeable to me during my planning for the following weeks. I can also choose one night each week and set aside fifteen or twenty minutes to allow myself to explore internet resources.
I will evaluate my learning by seeing how often students are being exposed to technology within my classroom by revisiting my lesson plans. I will also incorporate ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of technology tools that I have been modeling for them. Because one of my goals is to model digital – age work and learning, most of my students will learn by watching and doing. Therefore, as they are watching me model, they are also processing how they would be able to use the technology tool as well. Providing opportunities to present their learning will be an evaluation of my modeling.
International Society for Technology in Education (2008). Nets for teachers, 2008. Accessed from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx on May 12, 2011.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Promoting Self-Directed Learning With Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Reflection
When rereading my personal theory of learning that was written at the beginning of this course, I do not feel that any of my personal beliefs have changed. However, throughout this course I have been given the tools to enhance the learning theories I feel work well for students in my classroom. Collaboration, part of the socialist learning theory is an important aspect of my upcoming Kindergarten classroom. Students will be working together to explore new concepts during play and structured activities. It is also important to remember the aspects of the cognitive learning theory and incorporating different learning styles and multiple intelligences. This will allow all students to be actively engaged in their learning.
In regards to integrating technology, before this course started, I was planning to incorporate technology when I could in the classroom but I did not want to push it since Kindergarten is a new grade level and I was unsure how it would go. However, after this course, I am motivated to make sure my students really get what they need, including 21st century skills. Two technology tools I would like to incorporate are Voice Thread and Virtual Field Trips. With Voice Thread, I will have students incorporate their ideas by drawing a picture and telling their story using video or audio. This will allow students to express themselves without having to worry about the writing aspect. With virtual field trips students will be able to experience certain places and experiences without leaving the classroom. Some students do not have many opportunities to explore new places so bringing the experience into the classroom will allow all students to have background knowledge about a topic or experience the place regardless of home involvement.
Two long term goals of using technology are to put technology into the hands of students more and to try new technology with students. In order for these goals to be successful, I feel a lot of modeling needs to be seen in the classroom. In order to put technology more into the hands of students, modeling will need to occur for students to see the procedures of the technology as well as what is expected out of the tool. I will need to make sure that technology is readily available and a teacher or parent is availabale as well for assistance. Second, trying new technology with students will need to be taken slowly in order to be successful. I will need to be sure to teach my students one tool at a time so they can become proficient with it. This will allow students to use it more often and for multi purposes.
I look forward to trying these new technology tools within my kindergarten classroom this upcoming year.
In regards to integrating technology, before this course started, I was planning to incorporate technology when I could in the classroom but I did not want to push it since Kindergarten is a new grade level and I was unsure how it would go. However, after this course, I am motivated to make sure my students really get what they need, including 21st century skills. Two technology tools I would like to incorporate are Voice Thread and Virtual Field Trips. With Voice Thread, I will have students incorporate their ideas by drawing a picture and telling their story using video or audio. This will allow students to express themselves without having to worry about the writing aspect. With virtual field trips students will be able to experience certain places and experiences without leaving the classroom. Some students do not have many opportunities to explore new places so bringing the experience into the classroom will allow all students to have background knowledge about a topic or experience the place regardless of home involvement.
Two long term goals of using technology are to put technology into the hands of students more and to try new technology with students. In order for these goals to be successful, I feel a lot of modeling needs to be seen in the classroom. In order to put technology more into the hands of students, modeling will need to occur for students to see the procedures of the technology as well as what is expected out of the tool. I will need to make sure that technology is readily available and a teacher or parent is availabale as well for assistance. Second, trying new technology with students will need to be taken slowly in order to be successful. I will need to be sure to teach my students one tool at a time so they can become proficient with it. This will allow students to use it more often and for multi purposes.
I look forward to trying these new technology tools within my kindergarten classroom this upcoming year.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Voice Thread
Below is the link to my voice thread. My topic is ways to use parent volunteers in the classroom.
http://voicethread.com/share/1261883/
http://voicethread.com/share/1261883/
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
I am really enjoying learning about social learning theories because a good amount of the time in my classroom, I have my students collaborate during activities or to complete a task. Even in second grade, students are able to collaborate with each other to gain more meaning on a topic or a different approach to completing a task. I also feel in second grade it is very important for students to be practicing problem solving skills and cooperative and social learning is a great way to incorporate those skills.
With social learning, I feel high expecations must be set in order for students to get the most out of the activity. They must know how to interact with each other, take turn, and value all group member's ideas. Cooperative learning and social learning allow students to view each other as teachers and gain valuable knowledge from each other. I feel it also makes them less dependent on the teacher for giving them information and are more willing to use a more knowledgeable other.
The technology resources presented this week, I found to be very valuable to the classroom as well as social learning. The social learning theory's goal is to have students engaged in their learning while collaborating with others. Through the use of programs such as Google Docs and Voice Thread, students are achieving these goals. I feel Google Docs would work really well with older students, including upper elementary. I feel it is a bit complicated for lower elementary, but not impossible. Also, students needing an e-mail address, or Google account, to access this makes me uneasy. Our district just gave all students K-12 an e-mail address. I am unsure how I feel about this, but at least if it is through the district, it can be closely monitored. If it is through Google, there may be less filtering and more privacy to their account than through a school district.
I can definately see Voice Thread working in my Kindergarten classroom next year! I am actually very excited about this! After the example of the boy discussing his monster, a world of possibilities came into my mind for my five year olds! First, I do think it takes away a lot of pressure of them having to write about a picture. I definately think they need to write but it would be a great beginning for KidWriting. I think students would be more willing to talk into a microphone than write as much as they would be saying. Students are really required to only write one to two sentences. However, when they would be speaking, they would really be telling a story as we noticed in the example shown in this week's video.
I am very excited to complete a Vocie Thread this week and see how the program works. I am hoping it is as easy to use as it looked on the video program because I think my Kindergarteners will be able to handle using it with little guidance.
With social learning, I feel high expecations must be set in order for students to get the most out of the activity. They must know how to interact with each other, take turn, and value all group member's ideas. Cooperative learning and social learning allow students to view each other as teachers and gain valuable knowledge from each other. I feel it also makes them less dependent on the teacher for giving them information and are more willing to use a more knowledgeable other.
The technology resources presented this week, I found to be very valuable to the classroom as well as social learning. The social learning theory's goal is to have students engaged in their learning while collaborating with others. Through the use of programs such as Google Docs and Voice Thread, students are achieving these goals. I feel Google Docs would work really well with older students, including upper elementary. I feel it is a bit complicated for lower elementary, but not impossible. Also, students needing an e-mail address, or Google account, to access this makes me uneasy. Our district just gave all students K-12 an e-mail address. I am unsure how I feel about this, but at least if it is through the district, it can be closely monitored. If it is through Google, there may be less filtering and more privacy to their account than through a school district.
I can definately see Voice Thread working in my Kindergarten classroom next year! I am actually very excited about this! After the example of the boy discussing his monster, a world of possibilities came into my mind for my five year olds! First, I do think it takes away a lot of pressure of them having to write about a picture. I definately think they need to write but it would be a great beginning for KidWriting. I think students would be more willing to talk into a microphone than write as much as they would be saying. Students are really required to only write one to two sentences. However, when they would be speaking, they would really be telling a story as we noticed in the example shown in this week's video.
I am very excited to complete a Vocie Thread this week and see how the program works. I am hoping it is as easy to use as it looked on the video program because I think my Kindergarteners will be able to handle using it with little guidance.
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