Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools

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GAME plan reflection...

As I review my GAME plan and think about the complications and possible successes I could have with following it I see that integrating the technology standards is a must. My students need to learn to develop the skills to work and function in the 21st century learning skills. Many opportunities students will come in contact with in the work force (in the future) they will be required to use those technological skills. Having students work on assignments and projects that require them to use technology is a great way to get them working and motivated about technology!

Many of the issues I see with my GAME plan, like creating classroom blogs, is an easy hurdle to overcome. Since the district blocks many websites due to their content, I just have to work harder to show the importance and learning possibilities for students with the use of classroom blogs. As long as I show I can manage the content and student use of the blog I am sure I can get the permission and website allowance. Another issue is if students do not have access to computers at home, however I can combat that with allowing students to use the classroom computers so they can complete the blog post.

Ultimately, I want my students to be comfortable using technology and developing those 21st century learning skills. I know that with constant reinforcement and use of computers in the class as well as other resources like the Smart Board and clicker system students will be able to see the importance of technology.

Resources

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

GAME plan with students...

The GAME plan process has been really helpful with planning for student success. Monitoring and assessing students is important to making sure that students are understanding content. Integrating technology is another aspect of giving students another way to learn new information. After reading through the NETS standards I realize that many of the standards are addressed day to day in the classroom. However, I have been working hard at keeping students and parents informed about technology usage in the classroom. Keeping parents involved in the classroom has also been what I have been working with. A class blog is a great way to make sure parents are aware of what students are learning about and it also gives them a chance to share opinions and insights.

The NETS standards are a great way for me to assess myself as well and make sure I am reaching those standards for the students. They serve as a guide almost and I can monitor what I have done in the classroom and continue to work on what I lack.

REVISE...my GAME plan!

I have made some progress as the week has gone on. We created a blog that parents can check to keep up with assignments and classroom activities. It is very much like the website that our school uses, so I think that in the future I would want to have it geared more towards student use. I wanted to get a trial run in though and see how it would work.

I have been utilizing my Smart Notebook more, which is a program that goes along with the SmartBoard. It is very similar to PowerPoint, but it is specifically for SmartBoard use. It is a great program, but it is somewhat difficult to navigate! I am working on learning the tricks that go along with the program and I hope to get more in depth with it as the quarter progresses.

A new learning goal I would also like to try to work on is the (4a) “advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.” I would like to incorporate more student research in the classroom and with projects. When I do this though, I really want my focus to be on finding sources that are appropriate and most importantly legitimate! Teaching students to cite sources and understand copyright is a valuable lesson that they can use later in life!

I am going to continue to work with some of the technology savvy teachers and those who know the SmartBoard “ropes” so to speak. They are more than willing to help and share different things they do with their students. I have been given some templates that I can use in class and some games that can be played on the SmartBoard. I am also on the lookout for any professional development opportunities that come across to us in the district.

Resources:

NETS Standards

http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx

Evaluatinb my GAME plan...

This week I talked with my “team” of teachers, the Math, ELA and SS teachers and discussed trying to implement the use of blogs in our classrooms. We all thought that having a team blog with simple things for now, like classroom expectations, upcoming events, ect would be best! We will then have the opportunity for parent/student feedback to see how the blog works. I think this was a good way to go about bringing the blog “to life” because it is introducing the idea and I can see where it takes me.

I hope that with the feedback of parents and students I can get an idea of how I could use it next year in my classroom. Many students are thrilled that they are going to be given this opportunity to use the computers for blogging and sharing their ideas. As far as assessing students, I am not to that point yet since we are just doing the trial blog for now. Next year though when I want to use it in my class, I will need to come up with a good way to assess or grade students on participation.

The other part of my GAME plan was dealing with using technology more frequently in the classroom. My room is equipped with a SMART board and projector, so I have technology at my full disposal. However, the SMART board can be very tricky to use. Some of the applications are hard to follow and can be slow at times. I am attending a workshop on our next professional development day to try and gain some ideas on what others are using their SMART boards for. I have started using them for playing Jeopardy and other interactive games and students have loved it! I think I just need to continue to ask my colleagues questions about the program and continue to work at it until I feel confident!

Attending the workshops and installing the latest software on my SMART board will definitely make me feel better about using it. It’s my first year using it, so I am still “in training”. However, I know how important it is for student learning to have the use of technology in the classroom, so I am going to do whatever it takes to keep my students happy and engaged in the lessons!

Monitoring my GAME plan!

As I continue to assess my GAME plan I am finding new and fun ways to use technology. I have been focusing a lot of finding ways to have students assess themselves. I hate that they do not get instant feedback when we do activities in class that need to be graded, so I have been searching for quick games to check student understanding. We have started studying human body systems and with learning the function of the system, students must also identify organs. When we are working on a body system I have students work in groups and rotate around to different stations. I have incorporated a station that uses the classroom computers to "test" students on their labeling/naming organs! They get instant feedback and really enjoy the time spent on the computer.

My other part of the GAME plan dealt with having students begin blogging. Next week I am planning to show students how blogging works. I have spoken with my principal about unblocking a website so I can set up a classroom blog. I am hoping that showing students how the classroom blog works as a whole group and then having them start out posting once a week from the classroom can get the ball rolling!

I would like to try and network with some other teachers that have used blogs in the classroom so I can see how they go about grading and assessing the student work. We had an opportunity last week to sit down with all of the 7th grade science teachers in the district and they had a wealth of information when it came to using technology tools. Many of them are using Flip cameras and having students do podcasts. I would really like to use these tools in my classroom, so that would be a modification I would make to my GAME plan. Allowing students to learn and show what they are learning through the integration of technology (video, ect) is an awesome experience for the students and me!

At this point in my GAME plan I would like to see how others assess students when using technology, like blogs, podcasts, flip camera videos, ect. It would be interesting to see if students are given a rubric of some sort or just a simple set of directions. Regardless of how you assess students it is more important to make sure that what students are doing with technology is meaningful and a positive learning experience!

Carrying out GAME plan

In my reflection and responses on my last blog about the NETS-T standards, I have noticed that there are several things I can do to reach my goals of engaging my students and enriching the learning environment. It seems that a resource I can turn to is having students do their own blog or having a classroom blog! This would give students the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions for all to see and they could reflect on one anothers comments (very much like we do now!) It would be important for me to make sure students had access to a computer on a regular basis if I were to try the blogging idea. However, I could always give students time during class to work on the school computers, so it would not be a huge issue if students did not have daily access.

Another idea for keeping students engaged and being more “active” in their goals, learning and assessment of their progress is through self-reflection. An easy way to monitor student progress is through journaling. The journal is a form of assessment, but also acts as a way for students to reflect on their “day to day activities in the classroom,” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I can also provide students with the chance to assess their work when a big project is do or another assignment. It seems that if they can take the time to “grade” their work with a rubric they can understand what it is they are missing or what they are succeeding at!

I have always provided students with a rubric before an assignment is due so they can see what they need and do not need. I have taken the steps to make rubrics; I just need to utilize them more to support student reflection and learning.

Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful Classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Developming my GAME Plan: NETS-T Standards

The two NETS-T standards, found on the International Society for Technology in Education website, that I would like to build up and streghten my confidence with are the following:

1b . Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

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.

GAME Plan:

Goal: (1b) Allow students to work in collaborative groups and individually to explore real-world issues that will help build their knoweldge of the 21st century learning skills.

Goal (2b) Promote positive learning environments that allow studens to use hands on experience with technology to explore their own goals and push students to take charge of their learning and be actively engaged in the process.


Action (1b) I will need to reach out to my professional community and ask for ideas and suggestions on getting students to work with real world issues. I can attend professional development workshops and build a network between my collegages that will provide open communication between us, sharing what works and what does not. It will also help the students to see me working with real world issues so they can learn from me.

Action (2b) I will need to work more with technology tools and refresh my skills with workshops and using computer tutorials. I will also need to monitor students learning and it would be beneficual to do so through a computer based assessment, (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer 2009).

Monitor (1b) Have students create a journal of reflections based on real world issues using technology. Focus will be on science and technology since that is my content. Students can do a weekly or bi-weekly current events check on any science and technology issues in the news. I can also bring to the students attention news about the topic and have them reflect on it in class.

Monitor (2b) Students can take computer based assessments to help determine student understanding. Make sure students have the proper tools to assess their own learning, possibly through self-reflection or peer-reflection.

Evaluatre and Extend I will need to assess that I have met the standands and goals that I want my students to succeed in. I can do this by making sure I am utilizing technology on a regular basis to help students understand and see the importance of technology in their every day lives. I will also need to continue learning new ways to use technology in the classroom and I can do this by attending workshops, professional development opportunties and asking questions when I need help! Giving students a positive learning environment is my ultimate goal, but giving them a learning environment that can also include technology on a daily basis as well as student engagement is my dream!

Resources
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.