Sunday, November 28, 2010

Why use R Campus

Below is the link to my Prezi presentation on R Campus. Preszi was fun and easy to use! Try it some time!

https://prezi.com/secure/99bd7713b622de7aceff1174149293343b89b717/

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Reflection

As the 8 weeks draw to an end, I am amazed at all I have learned and accomplished. I love the network that was created with my Differentiated Work station group. We worked well together and the ideas that my colleagues provided were so helpful. I have visited and saved many of the links that were posted and have used some in my learning and teaching. I try to encorporate some form of technology in each subject that I teach. It is a great way to differentiate and meet the needs of all the learners in my room, while having them reach all the same objectived and goals.

This class has shown me that it is possible to use technology, even when there is not a great deal of technology to be found in a school. I have a smartboard in my room, and 2 very old and ancient computers. I was frustrated when I eould try to use them but now I know that I can make this work, if I go about it the right way. The web has many ideas to help me use UDL and DI. The kids do not always need to use computer to have differentiation.

I am going to use the vast amount of resources that are available to me onthe web, especially the UDL website, as well as the links my colleagues provided to meet the needs of my class. I have begun using interest surveys and independent learning projects in my class already. I am amazed at what the students can do! I am excited to continue to try new things at a slow and steady pace!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Reflection

Looking back over the past eight weeks, I am amazed with the wealth of information I have gained. More so than any other class I think. When I review my GAME plan, I have seen growth and learning. I have set many goals for myself both in my professional and personal lives, but get "lost" when it comes to full filling them. By using the GAME plan, ir will allow my students and me to be self directed learners, by following the four steps, (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009). I have implemeted many parts of my GAME plan, but need the beginning of school in order to continue on. I am anxious to do this and to come up with another goal to reach from the NET-T standards.

I think this is very beneficial to the students as well. They need the skills of being a self directed learner in order to be successful in the real world. By teaching them the GAME plan,they can apply what they learn now later. This can be done through the use of Problem Bassed Learning. Dr. Ertmer notes that this type of learning has many benefits beyond self directed learning. They are learning to work with others, use of a broad range of skills and objectives/content, knowledge tranfer, and authentic learning experiences. I have learned that I do not do enough of this type of learning in my classroom. I have some road blocks in the way that are set inplace by my district, but I am going to talkto "the powers that be" and see what I can do to convince them otherwise. This type of learning is so beneficial to students that I cannot see how they can turn me away!

I would love to use more technology in my classroom and this course was able to help me determine the best way to do this. It is sometimes frustrating watching the videos with the classrooms filled witha laptop for each students and technology everywhere. I do not think this is typical of schools around the counttry. I wish I had such luxeroes but I do not. I have a computer lab for 500+ students to share. I am hoping to bring some of my own technology into my classroom by using my ipod and projection chart. Simply things as cameras are also a good small way to start. I have thought about asking parents to donate old digital cameras to the class. IT seems as if people are upgrading cameras often and may be willing to donate their old ones. It is worth a shot. I am also going to sign up for that lab as often as possible so that I can incorporate technology as much as possible. This is a mini GAME plan I have created to do as much as I can to ue technology witht he little that I have to work with. I see the importance of it for learning and living.

Laura

Friday, August 13, 2010

Using the GAME plan with students

Going throught the NET-T standards has helped me to better reach my students through the integration of technology. By incorporating the GAME plan into this, I was able to set goals and monitor my reaching them. In many cases goals are set for both teachers and students with no clear direction on how to get there. In the end no goals, or few, are met. By making a plan, I held myself accountable.

To help my students, I will create a survey through the use of Sentios. The students will answer questions related to the NET-S standards and indicators. By using the Sentios, the data is automatically organized so I can also see what areas ALL students need help in and those can be made into class goals. Based on the results of each student,they can set individual goals. I will also introduce them to the GAME plan so that they are provided with a workable way to meet those goals. At the beginning of each computer class,(we meet once a week inthe lab), they can use the first 15 minutes to work toward the goals. If they finish other assignments early they can continue on those goals as well. After each goal is reached, the students can revisit the survey results to chose another goal.

I think this is a great skill for students through life. As they enter high school, college and the real world, students will need a plan to reach goals. I never had a foundation for meeting goals, and always let things slide. I can see how this would be a life long skill. I also believe the students will be able to see how this will help them.

Laura

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Revising My GAME Plan

After several weeks of working toward my GAME plan, I have come to a stand still. I cannot go any farther without school beginning. I will not know if the resources I have found will be useful until I am able to implement them. With school starting in several weeks I will be able to go forward with my plan at that time.

What have I learned so far that I can apply in my instructional practice? I have learned that by spending the time at the beginning of the year to teach digital citizenship, I will be saving time in the future. Sometimes it takes time to save time. This is sometimes hard for people to understand. I am trying to help my adminitration understand this. There is a typing program I would like to do with my students but it needs to be done daily for 6-8 weeks. My principal thinks this will interfer with the time I need to teach core classes. By having the students able to type, it will save time with on-line projects, word processing, and other projects that require technology. I also have taken my parent/student communication tool as far as I can until school starts. Only once I see what is working or what suggestions parents and students have for ma to add to the clas blog, can I evaluate and determine what revisions are necessary.

Since I am not ready for a new learning goal, how will I extend my learning? I would like to extend my learning by finding some professional development courses that I could attend. In addition, I would also like to extend my learning to others. I would like to host a workshop for my colleagues on Digital Citizenship and encourage them to take the time to teach it. I have many colleagues who are reluctant to use technology and this may help them to find comfort in allowing students to become 21st century learners. I have conducted a brief workshop on blogging and several teachers joined the ranks with the blogging crowd. I found blogging was easier thatn keeping a web page. I would like to offer this workshop again to again, help teachers see that technology does not need to be frieghting, but can be very helpful!

I think by setting these GOALs for myself I will become a better teacher providing more for my students. Once I have evaluated and met my GOALs, I will set a new goal to accomplish. By doing this I will always be in the loop of the new and up coming technology.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Evaluating the GAME Plan

As I look at what I am doing toward reaching my goals, I am chugging along. I have a good understanding of the content and the direction I am headed. I have found some resources that have proved to be valuable to me. I have been in contact with my district's tech department and have run ideas past them. They are supportive of my choice to conduct a unit on Digital Citizenship and have decided to use my class as a test group. If the unit goes well then it will be used district wide. This is exciting for me, but does add some added pressure as well.

I am excited to also use my Blog as a major form of contact with my class, both poarents andd students. This will allow for a "no excuses" approach in my class. Everything they need will be right there for them. Only time will tell if my GSAME plan has worked. I will need to re-evaluate again in September and October to see what changes need to be made.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Monitoring the GAME Plan

As I carry out my GAME plan, I am quickly realizing that I have come to a stand still on one of my Goals. I cannot do too much with my Goal for parent and student communication. With it being summer break and class list not ditributed, I cannot do many things on my Blog. I cannot upload names, birthday, etc. I also need to see which students are allowed to have their names and pictures published, some parents will not allow this. Rules cannot be added because I allow the students to create their own classroom rules so they have ownership of them. Homework cannot be added for there is none yet. The only thing I can add to this now is sites for the students to visit once school starts, and field trip that are planned thus for. I will add a calendar with some important dates from the school claendar to the site as well. This Game plan is hard to continue because of the lack of information and the time of year.

As for the second GAME plan, I am still creating the lessons I would like to use to teach digital citizenship. I have found many great sites that have lessons on this, and it is a matter of sorting through the information. One problem I am running into is not having the technology I need to do this. I cannot create Smart Board lessons from home or Sentois quizes. This is a road block for me, again due to the time of year. I cannot create the activities when the technology is not available to me.

I have learned that there are so many resources on Digital Citizenship and sometime that is a bad thing. You can become very overwhelmed if you search too much. Learning to stop when you think you have found what you are looking for could be a good thing. In addtion, I have learned that my district is so far behind. We would like to think we are creating 21 century digital citizens but we are not. We do not do enough with technology. I want to be a ground breaker to encourage more teachers to do all they can. I watch the videos and see the classrooms with a computer for every student. Is this really realistic? I wish the videos would be more directed to the average school where this is not the case; teaching us how to over come the obsticles of lack of technology but still be successful in creating digital citizens.

Laura