The first thing I needed was a complete list standards from the NETS website; I needed to print out a copy and add this link to my favorite so it is always easy for me to locate. My first goal is to incorporate these standards into my daily lesson plans. The second goal is to start a technology group or forum was my fellow teachers discuss ways to incorporate technology into our lesson plans. My two goals are 2a design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. 2b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
My first goal I is the easier one because I have to rely on myself to get it done. I told my principal that I was going to be adding technology standards to my lessons and he thought it was great as long as I continue to teach my content. I need to get one of my classes on board with me and see how they feel about adding technology to our lessons. I want it be part of their own personal goals.
My second idea to start a technology group will probably not happen until next year. Timing is everything. One idea I got from my Walden classmates was to add current and former students to the mix. I like this idea. As long as the students are serious and willing to help, they will be welcomed. The problem will be my co-workers and time of year. We have four weeks until Winter Break and finals and when we get back, we fall into the FCAT (Florida’s state test) black hole until March. I will try to see if I can get my department to add a technology goal at our next meeting.
I have started planning for January and trying to add technology to my current plans.
How can I get people on board at this time of year? Does everyone feel like they are annoying people when they try to change the status quo?
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
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Mary,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of becoming a part of your students' personal goals and discussing the integration of technology with them. What are your intentions with the technology group? Will you be teaching them ways that they can use technology to learn outside of the classroom? Including former and current students will also allow the spread of technology throughout your school because more and more students will become interested in using it in their classrooms. If the students start to push for more technology, maybe the teachers will begin to listen and take the necessary steps to learn how they can teach to meet students' needs.
I understand your hesitance to try to integrate technology with the pressure of standardized testing approaching. Maybe you could find a use for technology to help prepare the students for the FCAT so that they will become interested in what they are learning, as well as reviewing the standards that they need to understand. I am sure that teachers would go for this idea if it would ease the pressure of preparing for the FCAT. Good luck!
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI also experience a good deal of pressure to get our students to perform well on mandated assessments. In my grade (5th), student promotion is dependent on successfully meeting standards in reading and math. However, I have found my peers to be open to utilizing technology to engage students because of this. One problem we have is engaging students in core content, or motivating them to want to do well. Utilizing technology to engage learners in reading, math and science helps our students become successful. Success builds confidence, which equates to more success. At my campus, we are highly encouraged to use technology to engage students. Engaged students work harder and in the end will perform better on the state exams. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteMany times I feel the same way and that I am just annoying other teachers when I ask them to take part in something. I know that many times when I am asked something, my first thought is "oh great, something else to add to my already never ending list of things to do!". Do you have a lot of teachers at your school that are really into implementing technology into their classroom? If so, I bet they would be willing to join a forum and post their ideas. I would say the best thing to do is to just put it out there and see what type of response you get. If you don't get much of one, then reevaluate your plan and try a different approach. Good Luck!
Tiffany- the technology is a group to discuss new ways of adding technology to lesson plans and a place to bounce ideas off others.
ReplyDeleteKen- I agree with you that engaged students do better. I hope my lessons that I added technology to as interesting as I think.
Abby- the idea of having teachers post ideas is great, more like a blog. Who has time to do one more thing after school? This would be a great way to allow anyone to give or take ideas.
Thank you all for your thoughts. I have found your input very helpful.
Thanks,
Mary
Mary, may be you can ask from the administration, for an IT committee to be set up in your school. An IT committee would be a great place to get together with your peers, discuss and share new ideas and form a consistent evolving platform. You can create a scope and sequence for integrating technology in the classrooms. This would also allow teachers to easily integrate technology in their classrooms in the future.
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