My Final Blog Post EDUC-6713I-6 (Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas)

While reviewing the evolution of my GAME plan I noticed a progression towards a more organized set of goals. In order to achieve a goal it must first be clearly defined. My GAME plan has helped me to become more organized and identify the areas I would like to improve upon. I saw my plan progress from a rough draft which consisted of several basic ideas to a refined plan that focuses on specific goals. As my GAME plan progressed I also began to reevaluate the way I currently run my classroom. For example: I have been reminded that there is more to assessment then simply generating grades. Cennamon, Ross, and Ertmer (2010) describe assessment as “doing more than just determining grades; it is information that can be used to inform teachers and improve learning” (p.137). A simple adjustment allows me to use the assessment process to its full potential.

When considering the impact new learning will have as a result of this course my thoughts go to the online learning / social collaboration section. I have learned through this course just how valuable a teaching and learning tool online collaboration can be. The integration of online collaboration tools such as blogs and wikis not only makes a lesson more interesting to my students but it also aids in accommodating different learning styles. This type of forum allows for many choices such as: video, audio, and text. In the week six media Vicki Davis mentions that students will gravitate towards certain types of expression based on their strengths. The options students are given is an important accommodating factor.

The importance of social networking was also evident in the collaborations I experienced with my classmates during this course. Their feedback and ideas for lessons have proven to be very valuable! For example: Susan Lorenzini uses a site to create online surveys for students and parents; (www.surveymonkey.com). I plan to use it in a similar way to evaluate my lessons effectiveness with students and communicate with parents.

My GAME plan has helped me to organize my goals and focus on specific areas of my lessons to make them more effective. One of the goals in my GAME plan focuses on Facilitating and Inspiring Student Learning and Creativity. An immediate adjustment to my instructional practices will be to incorporate an electronic portfolio project into the lesson plan to help achieve this goal. Barrett, and Garrett, (2009) refer to Portfolios as “a students own stories of what they know, why they believe they know it, and why others should be of the same opinion (p.2). This is an artifact students can be proud of and continue to add to each year during their time at the middle school.

References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009).“Spotlight on Technology Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 1” [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009).“Spotlight on Technology Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 2” [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.

Online Personal Learning Environments: Structuring Electronic Portfolios for Lifelong and Life Wide Learning by Helen Barrett & Nathan Garrett - a work in progress in GoogleDocs (October 2007) Published in On the Horizon Vol. 17 No. 2, 2009, pp. 142-152, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1074-8121 http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dd76m5s2_39fsmjdk

Game Plan Process: Proficiency in NETS-S (WEEK 7)

I believe that there are steps or a process to achieving a goal, and the first step is to identify the goal. The GAME plan process is a way of identifying a goal and then setting the plan in motion to achieve it. The first performance indicator or goal I chose to focus on for improvement is: Indicator #1 Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. Soon after identifying this goal I began creating lesson plans designed to achieve the goal.

The lesson on bridge design encourages students to consider; what I have taught them, what they believe is true, and through collaboration what others know on this topic. With my guidance they will use critical thinking and problem solving skills to form their own opinion. I am trying to create lifelong learners who consider the information they have and form a conclusion based on higher order thinking skills.

The use of technology has been integrated into my lessons in productive ways. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2010) have noted that: “technology is well suited to supporting problem-based and inquiry learning approaches ”(p.271). The use of blogs and power point presentations for communicating ideas is an example of this. The lesson also requires students to demonstrate their creativity through the creation of an artifact; the balsa wood bridge.

My evaluation of students is designed as a way of enhancing the learning process, not just to assign a grade. Kuhlthau, Maniotes, & Caspari (2007) have noted that: “assessment is part of the learning process, not just an evaluation tool”(p.116). This has been an important adjustment to my GAME plan and will continue to be a consideration when creating future lessons.

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Kuhlthau, C. C., Maniotes, L. K., & Caspari, A. K. (2007). Guided inquiry: Learning in the 21st century. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.

Revising My GAME Plan (Week 6)

Reading through my classmates blogs I have been able to come up with some new ideas and resources. For example: Susan Lorenzini uses a site to create online surveys for students and parents; (www.surveymonkey.com). I believe I can use it in a similar way to evaluate my lessons effectiveness with students and communicate with parents.

A major concern which was brought to my attention while going over the resources in week six of this course is that my knowledge of social networking is needs improvement. My goal is to become better educated in this area so I can successfully implement changes to my lessons. I plan to do so by examining the way my Walden courses are set up and also reading what ideas my classmate have regarding this area. Their feedback and ideas for lessons has proven to be very valuable! I am open to any suggestions my classmates may have on the implementation of social networking into lesson plans.

Right now would not be a good time to set new learning goals. I do not believe it would be a good idea to do so until I am comfortable with the goals I am currently working on. As I mentioned previously, a big hurdle I will need to make is becoming comfortable with social networking. Based on NETS-T a learning goal I have pertains to Indicator #4 Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. My school has become very concerned about teaching safe and ethical use of digital information they are often very reluctant to allow changes such as a school wide social networking plan. In the online article: “How To: Use Social-Networking Technology for Learning” Fran Smith mentions: “Administrators have to facilitate change, they have to decide this is valuable for the whole community”.

My plan is to speak with the principal in my school to get her approval to begin using some social networking tools in my classroom. In the resource media from week six Vicki Davis recommends the social network site “think.com”, she mentions it a very safe platform and requires a teacher to login every thirty days or it is canceled. Understanding how concerned the administration is with digital responsibility I believe this may be a good starting point. My plan is to get approval to try it out with one class to start.

References:

Edutopia: How To: Use Social-Networking Technology for Learning located at http://www.edutopia.org/print/3980.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009).“Spotlight on Technology Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 1” [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009).“Spotlight on Technology Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 2” [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.