Here is my Voicethread presentation on online learning in today's K-12 classrooms.
http://voicethread.com/share/1538615/
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
EDUC 6714- Reflection
Differentiation is a term that I became familiar with over these last eight weeks. Having a better understanding of brain research and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) has helped me develop a solid understanding of how to meet the needs of my students. This course, Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology, has also helped me learn how to utilize technology to help engage and motivate my students.
From developing technology-based assessments, participating in a social network, creating a VoiceThread, and developing an informational presentation through Wondershare, I have been able to fill my technology toolbox with many new tools and applications. Known as a tech-savvy teacher, I enjoy using the new resources that I have learned throughout my courses at Walden University with my students. I also like sharing what I have learned with my coworkers, because it helps them engage their students in the learning process.
As Tomlinson (1999) noted in our resources, it’s all about getting to know your students (Laureate, 2008). By taking the time to become acquainted with my students and determine their interests, learning styles, intelligence preferences, and learning profiles, I can develop lessons to meet the needs of each student. Understanding that what might work for one student, won’t necessarily work for another is an important skill for teachers to have. Reaching and engaging all learners is what it is all about. Giving choices and using technology are two ways I can meet the needs of my students. By differentiating my lessons, I am showing my students that I care for them and that I am genuinely interested in helping them learn.
The social network was a nice complement to our weekly discussions and application assignments. At first, I thought it was just a burden, but as a group we were able to review each other’s projects, collaborate and share resources, and help with technological problems. I think the most helpful part of the social network was the sharing of resources dealing with Differentiated Instruction (DI). I have added numerous new links to my delicious account, which will help provide my students with multiple ways to learn fourth-grade skills. After experiencing the benefits of social networking, I do see it as a resourceful tool for the classroom. However, the school district I work for does not allow the teachers to use these tools within the classroom.
As this school year continues to whirl on by, I look forward to establishing a student-centered classroom that applies the principles of UDL and DI, along with more technology rich assessments to reach and engage all of my learners. I will begin by having my students complete the survey I created in this course. The results of the survey will help me customize instruction and assessments for the diverse learners found within my classroom, which, in the end, will allow my students to become more successful in the classroom.
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Introduction to differentiated instruction. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.
From developing technology-based assessments, participating in a social network, creating a VoiceThread, and developing an informational presentation through Wondershare, I have been able to fill my technology toolbox with many new tools and applications. Known as a tech-savvy teacher, I enjoy using the new resources that I have learned throughout my courses at Walden University with my students. I also like sharing what I have learned with my coworkers, because it helps them engage their students in the learning process.
As Tomlinson (1999) noted in our resources, it’s all about getting to know your students (Laureate, 2008). By taking the time to become acquainted with my students and determine their interests, learning styles, intelligence preferences, and learning profiles, I can develop lessons to meet the needs of each student. Understanding that what might work for one student, won’t necessarily work for another is an important skill for teachers to have. Reaching and engaging all learners is what it is all about. Giving choices and using technology are two ways I can meet the needs of my students. By differentiating my lessons, I am showing my students that I care for them and that I am genuinely interested in helping them learn.
The social network was a nice complement to our weekly discussions and application assignments. At first, I thought it was just a burden, but as a group we were able to review each other’s projects, collaborate and share resources, and help with technological problems. I think the most helpful part of the social network was the sharing of resources dealing with Differentiated Instruction (DI). I have added numerous new links to my delicious account, which will help provide my students with multiple ways to learn fourth-grade skills. After experiencing the benefits of social networking, I do see it as a resourceful tool for the classroom. However, the school district I work for does not allow the teachers to use these tools within the classroom.
As this school year continues to whirl on by, I look forward to establishing a student-centered classroom that applies the principles of UDL and DI, along with more technology rich assessments to reach and engage all of my learners. I will begin by having my students complete the survey I created in this course. The results of the survey will help me customize instruction and assessments for the diverse learners found within my classroom, which, in the end, will allow my students to become more successful in the classroom.
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Introduction to differentiated instruction. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Final Blog Post for EDUC 6713
As this class comes to a close, I now have more digital tools to use within my classroom. This class has helped me learn how to effectively and appropriately integrate technology into the curriculum. The tools I have learned to use due to this class will help me as a teacher make an impact on my students learning. Also, these tools will help my students become 21st century learners.
The GAME plan strategy is a great tool I learned from this class. It is great to use when setting new goals. I plan on modeling this strategy with my students, so that my students can develop their own GAME plans for the school year. Once I have effectively reached the goals I have established for myself, I plan on developing a new GAME plan to further my learning. I believe this will help me stay knowledgeable of new and innovated technology tools that become available for the classroom.
The one tool I learned from this class and absolutely love is digital storytelling. I plan on using this technology tool within my classroom and I hope that my students find it as interesting and fun as I do.
Overall, I now understand the impact technology can have on student learning. I plan on incorporating more technology into my classroom by taking small steps. I know that if I incorporate too much at one time my students and I will develop technology burnout. I feel that by taking small steps, I will be able to effectively show my students how to use each tool and the different ways to use them. Taking these small steps will help my students become effective and consumers of technology.
The GAME plan strategy is a great tool I learned from this class. It is great to use when setting new goals. I plan on modeling this strategy with my students, so that my students can develop their own GAME plans for the school year. Once I have effectively reached the goals I have established for myself, I plan on developing a new GAME plan to further my learning. I believe this will help me stay knowledgeable of new and innovated technology tools that become available for the classroom.
The one tool I learned from this class and absolutely love is digital storytelling. I plan on using this technology tool within my classroom and I hope that my students find it as interesting and fun as I do.
Overall, I now understand the impact technology can have on student learning. I plan on incorporating more technology into my classroom by taking small steps. I know that if I incorporate too much at one time my students and I will develop technology burnout. I feel that by taking small steps, I will be able to effectively show my students how to use each tool and the different ways to use them. Taking these small steps will help my students become effective and consumers of technology.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Using the GAME Plan Process with Students
I would like to tell everyone that my GAME plan is now in the hands of the students, but there is still a lot of ground work for me lay before handing off this GAME plan to my students. This is the first week of school and I feel like I have run a marathon by the end of the day. (I am in no shape to run a marathon by the way). My plan is that by the end of August to have my students blogging. Then I will move to VoiceThreads.
After personally experiencing the GAME plan process, I believe that this strategy would be good to use with my students, because it would allow my students to become 21st century learners. My students could set goals for themselves that would allow them to meet the standards addressed in NET-S. I believe that if I follow my GAME plan, my students should be able to meet the standard communication and collaboration. As the students are reflecting on what they have learned by communicating with their classmates and then responding to their peers the students are working on communication and collaboration skills. Also, my students would meet the standard creativity and innovation. By incorporating more digital tools within, my classroom my students will be able to create original works. These original works will allow my students to incorporate higher order thinking skills and go beyond the pages of a textbook.
After personally experiencing the GAME plan process, I believe that this strategy would be good to use with my students, because it would allow my students to become 21st century learners. My students could set goals for themselves that would allow them to meet the standards addressed in NET-S. I believe that if I follow my GAME plan, my students should be able to meet the standard communication and collaboration. As the students are reflecting on what they have learned by communicating with their classmates and then responding to their peers the students are working on communication and collaboration skills. Also, my students would meet the standard creativity and innovation. By incorporating more digital tools within, my classroom my students will be able to create original works. These original works will allow my students to incorporate higher order thinking skills and go beyond the pages of a textbook.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Revising My GAME Plan
With regards to my GAME plan I believe it is still on track. I have my classroom blog set up and ready to go. I have also developed mini lessons to use for the first two weeks of school that will help my students become familiar with blogging. I have had to make a slight change to my game plan, instead of using podcast I will be using Voice Threads. The district I teach for was unable to purchase the items I needed in order to complete podcast in my classroom. Therefore I was forced to change my plan slightly. When it comes to incorporating these goals instructionally in my classroom the ideas are limitless. I am just going to start off easy and move on from there. Hopefully by October I will be able to incorporate new forms of technology to use with my students.
Once I get my two goals established within my classroom, I would like to work on communicating relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. I plan on doing this by setting up a personal classroom website. I will use this website to communicate with my parents and students by posting homework and test reminders. I could also use the website to showcase student work. Again there are many different ways that I can use the website in my classroom.
When it comes to learning approaches I think my goal this use is to incorporate more student centered technology projects within my classroom. I believe this is important because it will allow my students to develop 21st century skills that will help them develop a successful future.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress
I must admit with the new school year approaching quickly I have been busy finding all of the resources available to me in order to achieve the goals in my GAME plan. I am currently working on my classroom blog. I am trying to make it inviting so that my students want to use it. I am still waiting on word from the technology department about microphones for the podcast. It looks like I may have to go to a local office supply store and see what kind to deal they would be able to offer me.
As I work on my classroom blog many ideas come to my mind on how to incorporate blogging into my instructional practices. This school year my administrator is pushing reading, so that is what I am gearing my blog toward. I am going to use it as an interactive page where my students and I can talk about books. I think this is a great way to motivate my students to read and discuss literature. Also, my first podcast project is going to be an oral book report. I will then take the podcast and upload them to the classroom blog. I am still trying to think of other ideas for using podcast in the classroom, so any suggestions would be nice.
I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to effectively incorporating blogging and podcast into my classroom, that is why I am constantly searching the Internet and reading teacher forums for ideas.
As of now, no new questions have come up. I feel ready to take my GAME plan and implement it into my classroom. I also don’t see a need to adjust my GAME plan.
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