In looking at my original GAME plan and the progress that has been made throughout the time in this course, I would like to take this time to step back and analyze what I accomplished and what still needs to be done over the course of this year and next. In comparing the first few months of my first year of teaching to this year, I would say the amount of technology that I have incorporated into my teaching has been two-fold. I not only have created my own website to use as an extension of the classroom, but have found a few small wrinkles in my day-to-day teaching that has peaked student interest and assessment of learning. I have begun to utilize devices such as SMART Tablets, a newer Eno pen to be used with Smart Boards, the ability for students to create their own essay outlines and post/share with others in the class.
In addition to the technology that I am using, I am using the time our school designates as PLC (Professional Learning Community/Collaboration) time with my colleagues and we are developing common assessments, monitoring pacing of content with other teachers, and beginning to establish department norms, standards and such so that we are all on the same page as a department.
Looking toward the future of this year and next, I would like to implement more student-based projects that focus on hands-on creation of 21st century skills such as blogs, wiki-sites, student developed course outlines and others. In doing so, I will look at what I have done with technology this year and try to build upon it for the remainder of this year and beyond.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Development of GAME plan...
The development of my personal GAME plan has begun to take shape over these last few weeks and even looking into 2012 and beyond. A few options have presented themselves and I am looking forward to these opportunities that I have been given.
The school district that I currently work in has recently begun using the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In doing so, I was able to attend a short in-service presentation given by a local advocate of this method. She was very well-spoken and gave a lot of great ideas for teachers to reach out to their students in a more meaningful and worthwhile way. This was something that I had said I wanted to research more (The idea of more in-service opportunities) and being able to connect more within the community.
In addition to the aforementioned, we have begun to progress nicely with our PLC collaboration on Wednesdays within our school. We are currently looking into ways on putting the Social Studies curriculum on our school's website and becoming more transparent as a school district. In addition to this, I have begun to use the website Quizlet as an extension of my classroom to be used as a study guide before tests. This is a great site to use because it offers review games, the ability for the computer to read back vocabulary words and also offers a variety of ways for students to study. Here is my link to the site:
http://quizlet.com/user/rschupp/
In response to the following questions, here are my answers.
The school district that I currently work in has recently begun using the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In doing so, I was able to attend a short in-service presentation given by a local advocate of this method. She was very well-spoken and gave a lot of great ideas for teachers to reach out to their students in a more meaningful and worthwhile way. This was something that I had said I wanted to research more (The idea of more in-service opportunities) and being able to connect more within the community.
In addition to the aforementioned, we have begun to progress nicely with our PLC collaboration on Wednesdays within our school. We are currently looking into ways on putting the Social Studies curriculum on our school's website and becoming more transparent as a school district. In addition to this, I have begun to use the website Quizlet as an extension of my classroom to be used as a study guide before tests. This is a great site to use because it offers review games, the ability for the computer to read back vocabulary words and also offers a variety of ways for students to study. Here is my link to the site:
http://quizlet.com/user/rschupp/
In response to the following questions, here are my answers.
- Are you finding the information and resources you need?
- Do you need to modify your action plan?
- What have you learned so far?
- What new questions have arisen?
Taking a GAMEplan and Putting it to Work...
In recapping my GAME plan from Week 1, my thoughts of utilizing technology extensively in my teaching career is what my GAME plan is primarily focused on. In doing so, I hope to involve students in the community atmosphere of utilizing technology because both of these skills and goals are what I hope to get out of my students down the road. A few things that I have done over the last few weeks have been the following:
- Confering with my colleagues within my department and with the tecnology department as to how I can further involve technology in my teaching.
- Something new that our schools district has employed this year has been the shortening of class periods every Wednesday so that 2:00-2:30 pm is reserved for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). This has been a huge help in getting familiar with the teaching styles, material and such with teachers across all disciplines.
- I have taken a look at a few technology courses/in-service opportunities in the spring in hopes of furthering my knowledge of technology utilization in the classroom.
Monday, October 10, 2011
How one's GAMEplan can transform teaching...
A game plan is needed to achieve goals in life. John Wooden once said that "Failure to prepare is preparing to fail," and having a game plan when it comes to education is no different. One's GAME plan involves acting on a Goal, determining what steps are needed to put this goal into Action, being able to Monitor where along your journey in meeting your goals you are and then Evaluating if your goal was reached.
Using the NEST standards, teachers have the ability to implement a GAME plan of their own and in doing so, embed their teaching with that of technology of today's 21st Century world. Of these standards, two that I feel I could use more strength in improving my teaching repertoire, would be the following:
1) Standard 3; Section B - Collaborating with students, parents & community members in supporting student success and innovation
2) Standard 5; Section C - Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice and make use of effective technology resources in achieving student success.
In establishing my own personal GAME plan, I have first understood where my deficiencies lie and thus take action. My goals for both standards, in a way, overlap one another - both have the same objective in mind and that is student success, built upon both by community support and current professional practice mixed in with a dose of technology.
Two avenues that are viable options in achieving my goals would to continue to attend professional learning opportunities in the realm of technology development and to also become involved in community programs within my school district. In doing so, this would enable more of an awareness in both areas of concern.
Throughout my GAME plan, progress will be monitored by keeping a checklist of sorts related to both of my goals. In referring back to this checklist, I will be certain to continue down the path of expanding my own options and teaching capabilities, while stay focused on the objective at hand.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx
Using the NEST standards, teachers have the ability to implement a GAME plan of their own and in doing so, embed their teaching with that of technology of today's 21st Century world. Of these standards, two that I feel I could use more strength in improving my teaching repertoire, would be the following:
1) Standard 3; Section B - Collaborating with students, parents & community members in supporting student success and innovation
2) Standard 5; Section C - Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice and make use of effective technology resources in achieving student success.
In establishing my own personal GAME plan, I have first understood where my deficiencies lie and thus take action. My goals for both standards, in a way, overlap one another - both have the same objective in mind and that is student success, built upon both by community support and current professional practice mixed in with a dose of technology.
Two avenues that are viable options in achieving my goals would to continue to attend professional learning opportunities in the realm of technology development and to also become involved in community programs within my school district. In doing so, this would enable more of an awareness in both areas of concern.
Throughout my GAME plan, progress will be monitored by keeping a checklist of sorts related to both of my goals. In referring back to this checklist, I will be certain to continue down the path of expanding my own options and teaching capabilities, while stay focused on the objective at hand.
References
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Screencast Critique
The following is a link to a two part discussion regarding a website and its credibility in being a source of info for students to use. This was part of the Week 4 Application of the current course titled "Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry in the Classroom"
Part I:
http://www.screencast.com/t/P4SukDp1
Part II:
http://www.screencast.com/t/P8799URc
Part I:
http://www.screencast.com/t/P4SukDp1
Part II:
http://www.screencast.com/t/P8799URc
Monday, December 20, 2010
Final Reflection
It is hard to believe that seven weeks have passed of this course which discussed the numerous ways in which student's brains process and learn content with the incorporation of technology. In this being the final week, it is customary in this Master's program to reflect upon material learned and aspire to use what was taught in our classrooms in the future.
Personal Learning Theories
At the onset of this course, my personal learning theories revolved around the idea that student learning should be geared toward what they will be tested on later in the year for state assessments. In doing so, they must use techniques that would help categorize what they learned into its appropriate function (Essay writing & scaffolding questions for example). However, throughout this course, the use of technology and finding meaning and resourcefulness within what is being taught has pushed the limits and expectations of my students beyond doing well on state assessments.
Technology Tools In the Classroom
There were a number of great tools discussed throughout this course that i certainly have saved and added to my bookmarks in hopes of using them in the coming years. These tools include the PowerPoint presenter Prezi, Webspiration software online & VoiceThread. What was unique about these tools and resources that can be used in the classroom, is that teachers use these types of technology in a different way then someone else. Finding more unique ways to using this technology opens students to the possibilities of what they're learning each day.
Long-term Goals
Since I am halfway through my first full year of teaching, I am glad that I have a foundation to build upon next year and the years after that. I would like to try and implement two to three new types of technology or alter the way I currently do it for each marking period next year and then build upon that. The school district I currently work at offers various summer programs in becoming familiar with Web 2.0 tools and other types of technology that were used throughout this course. Keeping an open line of communication between myself, fellow department members and the technology facilitators is key to ensure that growth and awareness occurs throughout the district.
Personal Learning Theories
At the onset of this course, my personal learning theories revolved around the idea that student learning should be geared toward what they will be tested on later in the year for state assessments. In doing so, they must use techniques that would help categorize what they learned into its appropriate function (Essay writing & scaffolding questions for example). However, throughout this course, the use of technology and finding meaning and resourcefulness within what is being taught has pushed the limits and expectations of my students beyond doing well on state assessments.
Technology Tools In the Classroom
There were a number of great tools discussed throughout this course that i certainly have saved and added to my bookmarks in hopes of using them in the coming years. These tools include the PowerPoint presenter Prezi, Webspiration software online & VoiceThread. What was unique about these tools and resources that can be used in the classroom, is that teachers use these types of technology in a different way then someone else. Finding more unique ways to using this technology opens students to the possibilities of what they're learning each day.
Long-term Goals
Since I am halfway through my first full year of teaching, I am glad that I have a foundation to build upon next year and the years after that. I would like to try and implement two to three new types of technology or alter the way I currently do it for each marking period next year and then build upon that. The school district I currently work at offers various summer programs in becoming familiar with Web 2.0 tools and other types of technology that were used throughout this course. Keeping an open line of communication between myself, fellow department members and the technology facilitators is key to ensure that growth and awareness occurs throughout the district.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Social Learning & Technology
In almost every facet of the working world, collaboration and support is needed in come form to acheive an objective. Whether that means running for political office or cultivating student growth, social learning is essential for success in the real world.
"Cooperative learning is when students work together to attain group goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively" (Palmer, Peters, and Streetman, 2001.) This statement expresses the notion that students and teachers alike are not an island, where learning isn't to be only internalized by the student without any interaction whatsoever from others, but in fact, should be discussed and debated among their peers.
A key part of today's efforts to branch cooperative learning and technology is the use of Web 2.0 tools. These tools such as blogging, wikis and video chats enable users to collaborate on a digital level thus creating a world for them to flourish in because these tools are encouraged in the real-world setting. (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).
One particular practice that I like to use when incorporating cooperative learning groups in my class is a tool for actually getting them into groups: I pass out slips of paper that are cut into various sizes that used to be pictures and students must find the pieces that fit their particular picture. A jigsaw puzzle essentially, but students use the warm up as a way to review class rules and procedures before beginning the activity when they are in groups.
References
Palmer, G., Peters, R., & Streetman, R. (2003). Cooperative learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved November 29, 2010, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
"Cooperative learning is when students work together to attain group goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively" (Palmer, Peters, and Streetman, 2001.) This statement expresses the notion that students and teachers alike are not an island, where learning isn't to be only internalized by the student without any interaction whatsoever from others, but in fact, should be discussed and debated among their peers.
A key part of today's efforts to branch cooperative learning and technology is the use of Web 2.0 tools. These tools such as blogging, wikis and video chats enable users to collaborate on a digital level thus creating a world for them to flourish in because these tools are encouraged in the real-world setting. (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).
One particular practice that I like to use when incorporating cooperative learning groups in my class is a tool for actually getting them into groups: I pass out slips of paper that are cut into various sizes that used to be pictures and students must find the pieces that fit their particular picture. A jigsaw puzzle essentially, but students use the warm up as a way to review class rules and procedures before beginning the activity when they are in groups.
References
Palmer, G., Peters, R., & Streetman, R. (2003). Cooperative learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved November 29, 2010, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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