The following is my GAME plan to enrich the learning environment of my social studies class by integrating technology into both new lessons and those already created. Two areas that I would like to improve upon from the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T)and Performance Indicators for Teachers and Performance Indicators for Teachers are:
1. #1 - Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
2. #3 - Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
The following GAME plan is fit to help me improve myself with regards to these performance standards and indicators:
G : Before starting anything, it is important to set goals. My first goal is to become proficient in the technology that will be implemented. With regards to the first standard of facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity, I will specifically focus on indicators: c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes and d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments. I have created a class blog and wiki for the first time this year. As a result of my inexperience and lack of technology within the district, I have taken small baby steps towards implementing such tools. The students have already been conditioned on how to properly cite online resources and how to properly post onto our class blog. My goal for this is to enhance student comprehension of certain topics through the use of this blog and other social networking resources online. Utilizing virtual environments and other technological tools is a something that I intend on incorporating for many lessons. My second goal of modeling digital-age work and learning will be focused primarily on indicators: a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations; and b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation. In order for the lesson to be successful, I need to become proficient in the technology that will be incorporated.
A : The action that I will be taking towards achieving these goals are simply to adequately prepare for facilitating such lessons. Due to my inexperience with such tools, I must become proficient in managing these resources. I will coordinate several meetings and collaborate with the media specialist at our school and two teachers of whom I know already have integrated similar technology into their lessons and have been successful. I have already spoken to one of those teachers and gathered valuable information as to how to manage certain functions within such assignments. I will also approach my supervising principal and ask for "friendly coverage" so that I can observe a lesson firsthand from one of my colleagues.
M : I plan on monitoring all student input into the blog and keeping a log of each entry per each student. I have already spoken to our technology director and have inquired about software that may be available that can monitor each computer in the lab during the time spent in class. I will be able to monitor what each student is doing and without being physically standing over them. The difficult task I will have is to monitor those students who will complete their entries and tasks at home online. I am not certain of the appropriate methods for this and will definitely seek out advice from my colleagues at school and my classmates here at Walden.
E: How I intend on evaluating my progress will be according to the responses from my students. I will be able to determine, through their responses, how they are comprehending certain topics and adjust the lesson accordingly. I will need to develop specific rubrics that will outline certain responsibilities and they will be followed by certain deadlines that will need to be met. I will evaluate their progress at various stages of the lesson(s) and not simply at the end.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
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I like the idea of observing the tools action in another classroom, rather than just discussing it with a colleague. The first hand experience should hopefully allow you to walk through how you would use this learning tool in your own classroom.
ReplyDeleteAs for monitoring the blogs posted, could you use an aggregator like we have been using to follow each other's blogs to monitor the blogs completed outside of class?
-Melissa K.
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI've used blogs for a while now, and I think you have wonderful ideas. When you mention monitoring students' posts and keeping a log of their work, you can use Google Reader for that, making folder and tags and whatnot. Is each student going to do their own individual blogs? I tried that for a couple of semesters, and I struggled with the time issue. Reading 75 to 80 blogs every week, in addition to everything else, did eat up a large chunk of time. I do admit that a lot of it was my fault, because I didn't have it timed properly (I would check every blog the same day, for instance). Once I figured that out, it got a little easier (checking one group's blog on Mondays, the next group on Wednesday, etc.). Another thing I did to help me with that was have them do team blogs, that way I didn't have to check 80 blogs a week, I just had to check 15 to 20.
Like I said, great ideas, I'm sure you'll do great.
César Rubio
Melissa K,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the idea of using an aggregator account such as what we use in this class. I think that is a good idea and I am not quite certain of all the features within it. I will have to devote some time to see what would work best. I always believe it is better to learn by doing; simply talking to colleagues only goes so far. I think it would be more beneficial if I could have an opportunity to sit in someone's class that uses a similar approach and are successful. Thanks for the post.
Kevin Curtis
Cesar Rubio,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the helpful suggestions. It is always comforting to hear from someone who is more proficient than I am. Those are all great ideas and using Google Reader is a great example for what I am trying to accomplish. Thanks again for the many suggestions. To answer your question, I was intending on grouping the students to avoid having so many blogs to sift through. Also, I want them to learn from each other initially until they become more proficient accomplishing such a task, and then we will do more individualized projects. Thanks again.
Kevin Curtis