It's truly hard to believe that 20 months of hard work are really over. While the program itself is over, the continuation of my education in technology needs to never stop. Technology is changing, and change, as we all know very well, is the only thing that ever stays constant. So, while I will no longer be logging into MyWalden anymore, I will be logging into my computer and the Internet regularly to see all the new things the world of technology has to offer.
The last assignment we had to create was a doozie for me. I knew what I wanted to do, knew how I wanted to get it done, but just had a little trouble communicating it. Once it was finished, I read it and discovered a beautiful lesson that really reaches all spectrum's of the curriculum. This assignment shows how easy it is to truly integrate technology into every aspect of a school day. Through one program, I was able to teach lessons about Social Studies, Science, Math and even Health. This one program took little prep from the teacher and if the students are taught the correct way to use the Internet from the first day of school, almost no prep is needed at all. This lesson is self guided, leaving the teacher to walk around the classroom and help where needed. Deeper discussions can be held due to the amount of information given in this lesson. Students are more attracted to this lesson then say, a paper and pencil lesson, because it allows the to use their gaming and socializing skills they love so much. This program, and class, have taught me that we really need to teach to our students and not at them. Teaching to them means we strive to engage and find their interests and whenever possible, pull those interests into our lessons. No one says a good lesson has to be boring...in fact the opposite is true.
Next year, I will possibly be transferring to another school. I would like to start that school year off with showing others all I have learned. As a team we can create lessons that are technology heavy and then have them for years to come. I will share the engaging lessons, programs and technological advances that without this class I would never have learned about.
So much can be learned through technology. So much can be taught through technology. I hope to open the eyes of my peers and show them that this is really true. No longer are worksheets and overheads going to cut it. We really need to engage and in doing this we will create learners that work hard and are prepared for the unknown future.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Application 4
We use technology so much. My xtranormal movie character explains so much!
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6311375
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6311375
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Class Reflection
Just like one shoe will not fit every person who tries it on, one teaching technique is not appropriate for all learners. A teacher must be able to identify her student’s needs and create lessons and activities that meet these needs. This is not always an easy task. Our students come into our room needing many different things. They come with different levels of readiness, different interests, and different learning styles. In this course, we learned about two different ways to support the differences our learners present. These are the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Differentiated Instruction (DI). Both of these strategies call for the acceptance of the different learners we teach and allow us to create the best learning environment possible for them.
This class has taught me that differentiated instruction is a way to reach all learners through modified lessons. The easiest way to modify a lesson is through the use of technology. In the end, we just want all students to succeed. In offering different computer programs or technology related lessons we are tapping into the interest of most students and by differentiating these lessons we are meeting almost all students likes. This class has taught me to be open minded about the way I create lessons, assignments and even assessments.
One thing that really helped me in this class was my Ning group. Not only was this a great place to meet with my peers and discuss the class, but it was also a great place to share resources we may have found. Many resources, that I may have never found on my own, were shared here. Two minds (or more) are really much better than one. I found great ways to modify my lessons and was even able to make friends, with whom I continue to share information and ideas.
This course has helped me see that I need to look at my students more. As a teacher, I need to be able to create surveys or quizzes that allow me to get to know my students on a deeper level. Doing this will allow me to create lessons and assignments that really reach the learners I teach.
I am actually using my differentiation lesson plan this week. I divided the students based on ability and am very surprised by the outcomes. All students are producing and working well together. Students I was worried about completing the project are actually working hard to guide their group in the right direction. Giving assignments based on ability and interest really seems to work. While I believe this all in writing, seeing it work in real life is wonderful!!
This class has taught me that differentiated instruction is a way to reach all learners through modified lessons. The easiest way to modify a lesson is through the use of technology. In the end, we just want all students to succeed. In offering different computer programs or technology related lessons we are tapping into the interest of most students and by differentiating these lessons we are meeting almost all students likes. This class has taught me to be open minded about the way I create lessons, assignments and even assessments.
One thing that really helped me in this class was my Ning group. Not only was this a great place to meet with my peers and discuss the class, but it was also a great place to share resources we may have found. Many resources, that I may have never found on my own, were shared here. Two minds (or more) are really much better than one. I found great ways to modify my lessons and was even able to make friends, with whom I continue to share information and ideas.
This course has helped me see that I need to look at my students more. As a teacher, I need to be able to create surveys or quizzes that allow me to get to know my students on a deeper level. Doing this will allow me to create lessons and assignments that really reach the learners I teach.
I am actually using my differentiation lesson plan this week. I divided the students based on ability and am very surprised by the outcomes. All students are producing and working well together. Students I was worried about completing the project are actually working hard to guide their group in the right direction. Giving assignments based on ability and interest really seems to work. While I believe this all in writing, seeing it work in real life is wonderful!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Course Reflection
This course, along with the GAME plan I have developed for it has helped me in many ways. Because of my GAME plan, I am able to see what I need to do to reach my ultimate goal. My students need a lot of help to reach use all of the technology available to them. Our school does not always provide students with the best technology available so it is up to me to find this and make the students aware that it is available. Training is lacking at my school, but through this class I have learned so much. Students can relate everyday ideas to the lessons we need to teach and create connections through the use of technology. The lessons I have created for this class have been a launching pad for the great ideas I have floating around in my head. Students can do so much and create so much through the use of technology.
The second part of my GAME plan called for me to work more with global communities. This idea was foreign for me. Other then Walden, I have never worked in a online global community. I know now that this idea is priceless in the education of our students. By working with others from all around the country or world, I am able to learn in ways I would have never been able to learn before. Different people have so many different things to offer and through online communities, I am able to see this.
This class and the GAME plan has really gotten me thinking over the past 8 weeks. I look forward to taking much of what I have learned and putting into play in my classroom. This has been a wonderful experience and I have really enjoyed all I have learned.
The second part of my GAME plan called for me to work more with global communities. This idea was foreign for me. Other then Walden, I have never worked in a online global community. I know now that this idea is priceless in the education of our students. By working with others from all around the country or world, I am able to learn in ways I would have never been able to learn before. Different people have so many different things to offer and through online communities, I am able to see this.
This class and the GAME plan has really gotten me thinking over the past 8 weeks. I look forward to taking much of what I have learned and putting into play in my classroom. This has been a wonderful experience and I have really enjoyed all I have learned.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
GAME Plan
Through this class I have created a GAME plan to guide me in the right direction with my students and technology.
My first goal was to create better communication with my students, parents and the community through use of technology. I have started this and it is working well, but only to the stage of reaching my students. Perhaps my students and I can work together to create a website that's goal is to reach parents and the community. This can be student directed, and teacher regulated. We could post pictures and work samples so that the community can see what is happening in our classroom.
My next goal was to become a participant in global learning communities. While I do this regularly through Walden, I would like for myself and my students to find other avenues of this. my colleagues have shared many ways to do this and I look forward to looking into them and using them in my classroom. If students are able to learn using more then just the regular classroom and same old everyday teacher when learning globally. This helps them realize that there is more out there then what their own teachers share daily.
With this ever changing world, students must be kept up to date with technology. The two goals I have stated above are just the tip of the icebergs and are just part of what students need to know to succeed. This year I have learned so much when it comes to technology. I look forward to using them in the future and seeing how much they benefit my students.
My first goal was to create better communication with my students, parents and the community through use of technology. I have started this and it is working well, but only to the stage of reaching my students. Perhaps my students and I can work together to create a website that's goal is to reach parents and the community. This can be student directed, and teacher regulated. We could post pictures and work samples so that the community can see what is happening in our classroom.
My next goal was to become a participant in global learning communities. While I do this regularly through Walden, I would like for myself and my students to find other avenues of this. my colleagues have shared many ways to do this and I look forward to looking into them and using them in my classroom. If students are able to learn using more then just the regular classroom and same old everyday teacher when learning globally. This helps them realize that there is more out there then what their own teachers share daily.
With this ever changing world, students must be kept up to date with technology. The two goals I have stated above are just the tip of the icebergs and are just part of what students need to know to succeed. This year I have learned so much when it comes to technology. I look forward to using them in the future and seeing how much they benefit my students.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
GAME Update
Not much has changed this week with reaching my goal. I feel like small changes over time will be what amount to me reaching my goal in the end.
I have defiantly learned that technology is a great way to draw students in and keep them engaged. I can put the same thing on my blog and on a piece of paper, and the work from the blog will be done more frequently and at a higher standard. Students use the computer on a daily basis at home and enjoy it. By allowing students to work on computers in my classroom, normal everyday lessons and assignments wind up feeling like games! It is amazing how much it is helping my student's grades.
I am still working towards the goal of have more community interaction using the Internet. When I get back from maternity leave, I think I will take my student blog live. I will send out letters letting parents know about the blog and update it regularly with what we are doing. It will no longer just be a blog for students to use, but also a great way for parents to keep up with what their students are doing. This is possible now through Homeworknow.com, but I find this site takes a lot of time to access and update, for both myself and the parents who follow along. I think I would also, somehow, like to use this blog to work with the community. I can take pictures of stellar student work and post it for our local community to see. The community could respond back to my students and help guide them and give them motivation. If students hear positive thoughts from more then just the normal people, they may be more motivated to work hard.
Based on what I have done so far, I do not feel ready to set new goals. I feel that at this point, that would be overwhelming. The goals I have are far reaching and need time to put into action. I feel that once I reach these goals, others will create themselves.
I believe in order to learn more, I need to be more open and take more time. I struggle to find the time needed in order to work on my GAME plan. Things are falling into place, but I feel we have so many other things asked of us as teachers. We must attend meetings, classes, staff developments...all in order to better ourselves. In order to improve my learning, I need to take all I learn in these classes and use them in my GAME plan...I really think they can all work together!
I have defiantly learned that technology is a great way to draw students in and keep them engaged. I can put the same thing on my blog and on a piece of paper, and the work from the blog will be done more frequently and at a higher standard. Students use the computer on a daily basis at home and enjoy it. By allowing students to work on computers in my classroom, normal everyday lessons and assignments wind up feeling like games! It is amazing how much it is helping my student's grades.
I am still working towards the goal of have more community interaction using the Internet. When I get back from maternity leave, I think I will take my student blog live. I will send out letters letting parents know about the blog and update it regularly with what we are doing. It will no longer just be a blog for students to use, but also a great way for parents to keep up with what their students are doing. This is possible now through Homeworknow.com, but I find this site takes a lot of time to access and update, for both myself and the parents who follow along. I think I would also, somehow, like to use this blog to work with the community. I can take pictures of stellar student work and post it for our local community to see. The community could respond back to my students and help guide them and give them motivation. If students hear positive thoughts from more then just the normal people, they may be more motivated to work hard.
Based on what I have done so far, I do not feel ready to set new goals. I feel that at this point, that would be overwhelming. The goals I have are far reaching and need time to put into action. I feel that once I reach these goals, others will create themselves.
I believe in order to learn more, I need to be more open and take more time. I struggle to find the time needed in order to work on my GAME plan. Things are falling into place, but I feel we have so many other things asked of us as teachers. We must attend meetings, classes, staff developments...all in order to better ourselves. In order to improve my learning, I need to take all I learn in these classes and use them in my GAME plan...I really think they can all work together!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
GAME Updating
As of today, my actions have been pretty effective in meeting the goals I have set forth in my GAME plan. My first goal was to communicate more with students, parents and the community using technology. Starting in January, our gradebooks will go live and parents will have 24 hour access to see how their students are doing. I have also been working on updating my HomeworkNow page, which is an interactive teacher website, and keeping people up to date on what is going on in my classroom. My second goal was to engage in professional growth and leadership. I have volunteered to spend some time working with my peers to show them all that I have learned in this class and the others I have been in. I think that in doing this, not only will I help my peers, but I will also better myself and sharpen my skills with the technology we have already begun to use.
So far, I have learned so much I can use in my everyday instruction. I need to keep a GAME plan in mind for everything I do, be it technology related or not. Everyone can benefit from keeping their goals in mind, students included. I have also learned that students react very well to technology. A simple test created on my blog instead of on paper really helped the students succeed. The grading was the same for me and the student's grades improved.
I know I still have a lot to learn. Right now it seems that it will take me a while to reach the end of my GAME plan. I would like to work on it all year and complete the evaluation step at the end of year. This will allow me to see how I really did.
My plan will soon need to be adjusted just a little bit. I will be going out on maternity leave and not have as much interaction with my students and peers. I plan to continue my student's use of technology through use of my blog. I have already let my sub know that I will be updating my blog and sending her the information my students need to learn. By doing this I am still working on my first goal and helping my students in the mean time.
So far, I have learned so much I can use in my everyday instruction. I need to keep a GAME plan in mind for everything I do, be it technology related or not. Everyone can benefit from keeping their goals in mind, students included. I have also learned that students react very well to technology. A simple test created on my blog instead of on paper really helped the students succeed. The grading was the same for me and the student's grades improved.
I know I still have a lot to learn. Right now it seems that it will take me a while to reach the end of my GAME plan. I would like to work on it all year and complete the evaluation step at the end of year. This will allow me to see how I really did.
My plan will soon need to be adjusted just a little bit. I will be going out on maternity leave and not have as much interaction with my students and peers. I plan to continue my student's use of technology through use of my blog. I have already let my sub know that I will be updating my blog and sending her the information my students need to learn. By doing this I am still working on my first goal and helping my students in the mean time.
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