When I viewed the NETS website I found two standards that I feel I need to focus on to enrich my classroom and allow my lesson to enhance technology while focusing on content. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
2 Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: 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. (Cennamo, Ross, Ertmer, 2009) I believe that I will be able to achieve my GAME plan.
My goals will be to include the previous standards in my daily lesson plans. I have learned several ways to incorporate technology while obtaining my masters degree. I believe that I need to make my lessons plans more relevant for my students that are leaving school next year and entering the workforce. One goal I have to set up a technology group at my school that works to add new technology to all classrooms. I know my county has a technology board, but no one knows what they do.
Take Action-I would like there to be an open dialogue about what inexpensive enhancements can be added to current lesson plans to make them successful for the 21-century learner. I will add the NETS standards to my lesson plans and make sure that I am using them to enhance my lessons.
Monitor- I will monitor my use of technology and make sure that I am including the two standards I previously mentioned and adding new ones until I feel I am using all the standards frequently. When I was first teaching I wrote my daily standards on the board every day, not just in my lesson plans. I think that I need to go back to basics and start doing that again. Doing this reminded me daily what my goals were.
Evaluate and Extend-I will evaluate my plan by the reaction and work of my students. If they seem engaged and excited about assignments, then I will be an accomplishment. The reaction of my colleagues will also evaluate how I am doing. If I can get dialogue about adding technology to our yearly reviews, beyond using an overhead, I will feel that I have succeeded.
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,
ReplyDeleteYou remind us all about the importance of going back and making sure we have solid outcomes based lessons. You have also mentioned looking back to see how you can take existing good lessons and make them better by incorporating technology. Too many teachers believe that technology in education means giving up everything and starting over. Technology is not necessarily making sweeping changes, but adding to the good things we already do in the classroom.
I hope you technolgy group will be well received. I think about my school and such a committee or group would have to be implemented carefully. Some of the more "vetran" teachers may feel threatened by this type of committee no matter how well intended it may be. Some good ideas.
Russ
Mary~
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could create a blog where you can post the standards you are meeting each week and how you are doing that for other teachers in your building/district. Not only would it be helpful for them to have a model, but you could get feedback on how others may be able to use the technology in their classrooms. I think it's a great way to open dialogue among colleagues and also "open the doors of our classrooms" so to speak.
Kristen
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, you have a definite plan!
You had a great idea with having a group for technology in your school. Will this board only include adults? I think it would be fantastic to have a group that is made up of adults, students, and former students that are in college or in the workforce. These students would know what is needed for college etc.--then the current students would be so excited that the teachers are taking their thoughts into consideration. Then maybe your group could start attending the technology boards meetings, and give them some of your ideas.
After some serious thought, I am going to take your idea and try and implement this into our school.
With your open dialogue, have you used blogging with your students. There are some great sites for teachers and students--such as www.k12lessonplans.com ---you could blog with students and adults.
Mary,
ReplyDeleteI think you have a good GAME plan. I like the ideas of having a technology group and including the NETS in your lesson plans. I believe I too will begin including these standards into my lesson plans as well.
In my district all teachers are required to post their learning objectives in the classroom daily. I have found this to be extremely helpful in keeping the students and myself focused and on task. It really helps with organizing our day.
Russ – My Mother in-law taught for 35 years and she also said the most important thing a teacher needs is the ability to change. She said every 5 years or so there was new method or way of doing things and that if you were unable to adapt well, this was not the profession for you. I do not think all change is good but I definitely hate when people are scared to try new ideas. My school has that set of teachers as well. Maybe the best way to implement the changes would be slow and offer the teachers a few ideas that they can supplement their lesson with.
ReplyDeleteKristen-
The blog for my peers is a great idea. I love to share my ideas and take lessons and make them my own. Wouldn’t teaching be better if our peers were taught to how to collaborate too? My first year teaching was much harder then it needed to be because many teachers feel threatened at the ideas of share plans. I don’t know why that is but I know my school is not the only place that happens.
Tammy-
Thank you for the idea about adding students to the board. I have learned several technology tricks from my students, so their insight would be appreciated. In addition, I cannot wait to check out the web site you gave me.
Kratrina- I agree posting the standards sounds so simple, but it is a great reminder.
Mary
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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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