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!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
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
Thursday, January 13, 2011
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.
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.
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