Final Reflection

Throughout this course I developed and worked at achieving a goal that was planned through a GAME plan method.  The goal that I was working towards was creating a class Edmodo site.  I did research and collected information from my colleagues at Walden. I also gathered information from district colleagues and by experimenting with the Edmodo site. Throughout achieving my goal I did come across some challenges such as parent approval and computer access. While developing the site I was surprised at how easy it was and also the security that it provided. I have created the class site and am working towards implementing it in my classroom. I think the next step in my GAME plan is to use it consistently with the students and get feedback from both the students and parents about the effectiveness of it.

I think it is highly important for students to set goals. Ways that I would use the GAME plan with them would be setting grade two goals and also setting goals for their home reading. It would be great for them to set an amount of points, research and decide how they will act on it and then see if they need to modify their goal the next month.

This course has opened my eyes to many different ways to integrate technology into my classroom such as digital storytelling, problem-based learning and online collaboration.  I way that I will make immediate adjustments to my instructional practice regarding technology integration would be using technology more often as a support to teaching content and curriculum standards.  It is important to realize the benefits technology has for students and how it support curriculum rather than being an extra thing to teach.  

Overall, this course has added to my knowledge of how to integrate technology into a classroom and engage students while having them achieve the goals of their grade.

GAME Plan Update

The goal for my GAME plan is to meet the following ISTE outcomes: “Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” and “Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008).

So far, I have been progressing in meeting my goal. I have been busy finding resources and ensuring that I have a specific thing to work towards. After re-evaluating my goal it became apparent that I need to create a specific task that would determine that I have met my goal. After some research about different technology that is being used in classrooms, I decided that if I create and apply a class Edmodo site that I would have “Demonstrated fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” as well as “Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). I am excited that I have reworked my goal and made it more specific.

One of the reasons for reworking my goal is that I was finding too much information. There was so much to choose from and so many different ways that I could be incorporating technology into my classroom. Now that my goal is more specific I can look up only resources and information that will be relevant in meeting my goal.

So far I have learned that specific is better and that a smaller goal is more attainable and a better place to start. I have also learned that there is a lot of information and resources, the tough part is finding the ones that are going to help you reach your goal.

I have an Edmodo account but am still learning how to use it. Any suggestions on how to get started or ways to implement it in the classroom would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Updating my GAME Plan

The goals of my GAME plan are: “Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” and “Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). The resources and information I will need to meet these goals are in regard to technology integration in the classroom. I could use any resources such as text books, websites, colleagues and experts in the area of technology integration as resources and for information. Basically anyone or anything that can provide me with different methods to apply technology in a classroom is a resource for me for meeting this goal. I intend on learning about and meeting this goal through experimentation and self-directed learning. I will gather information and work on applying it myself. Once I feel comfortable with a new form of technology I will work towards integrating it into daily lessons.

So far I have begun gathering information about the use of technology in classrooms. Through taking this course as well as previous courses and talking to colleagues I have began to come up with some exciting and new ideas. In order to meet the next part of my goal I will have to start experimenting with these ideas and becoming comfortable with the new technology.

Reference

International Society for Technology in Education (2008). National educational standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs?NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

The GAME Plan

It is very important that teachers are continually learning new concepts and programs. With technology being such an important aspect of society it is essential that teachers are paying attention to the NETS-T when planning lessons and committing to incorporating them into their teaching. A good way to set a goal for yourself in regard to the NETS-T or any other learning goal is to make a GAME plan.  A GAME plan “requires you to think about and take steps to direct your learning process, specifically while learning about technology and how to integrate it into the curriculum” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.3). 

For my GAME plan I decided to strengthen my confidence and proficiency in the following two indicators in the NETS-T:

“Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” and “Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008).

In order to take action with this goal I will have to talk to colleagues and IT specialists about their use of technology in the classroom, experiment with different technological programs and devices and search the internet for blogs and ideas for integrating technology in the classroom.

To monitor the progress toward achieving this goal I will have to ensure that the information I am retrieving is useful and technology focused. I will also have to ensure that I am getting enough information to complete the suggestions and tasks independently.

I will evaluate and extend my game plan when I can demonstrate the following goals: I can successfully model a lesson to the students where a new form of technology is used in an out of the ordinary situation. During this lesson I can support the students by answering questions and troubleshoot problems that may arise.

  References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

International Society for Technology in Education (2008). National educational standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs?NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

EDUC 6711 Course Reflection

In week one I discussed the learning theory of Constructivism and how it is a learning theory that I like to incorporate in my classroom as often as possible. I still agree with the importance of having students creating things and working in a hands on environment.  One modification I would make to this learning theory is also adding in a behaviourism aspect. I like the idea of encouraging positive behaviour in order to have students identify this behaviour and how it looks and hopefully then do those positive acts more frequently. This course has helped me to realize the many different ways that technology can be integrated no matter what the learning theory is that is preferred.  It also showed me that integrating technology does not have to be challenging or time consuming and that the more it is integrated the more children can be engaged.

Some changes that I will make in my instruction are integrating technology as a learning tool rather than an instructional tool more often. In the past I have struggled with putting the technology in the hands of the students but this course helped me to see the importance of it. I also have decided that I will begin to have my students track some of their own progress using Microsoft Excel. I would like them to track the minutes that they read each month.  I would also like to try concept mapping with my students as a form of displaying research. I think they would really enjoy making the concept map and be very engaged in their research.  My knowledge of instructional skills has expanded immensely due to this course.  The course has not only provided knowledge of different instructional strategies but ways to integrate them using technology in a classroom.

Two goals that I would like to make to my instructional practice is to put technology in the hands of the learners and also to continually be integrating technology through instructional strategies in my classroom.  The way in which I plan to achieve this goal is to have a section on my lesson plans and unit plans for technology integration and also to be constantly reflecting on the technology used and how it was used.

Post to my VoiceThread

http://voicethread.com/share/3490586/

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Dr. Orey explains that the Social Learning Theory is a theory where “context and culture are critical in constructing knowledge and understanding the world around us” (Laureate Education Inc., 2010).  Collaboration and cooperation is a vital part of the Social Learning Theory (Laureate Education Inc., 2010).  “The instructional strategy of cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).   The Social Learning Theory and cooperative learning directly correlate. They have the same purpose and goals.  If you use the Social Learning Theory in your classroom then in some way you are using cooperative learning.  Technology can be involved in cooperative learning and The Social Learning Theory.  “Technology can play a vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and allowing members of groups to communicate even if they are not working face to face” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). 

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Michael Orey.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.