Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning

I created an powerpoint presenation of MOODLE and uploaded it to Google Docs to share.

( I know there is a nice neat way to edit the description on my link but I can't seem to get it, but I will keep trying). For now, if you highlight the link, you will go directly to my presentation.

Enjoy!

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0BwzYEVVMjdZYN2YxNDFhMDktMTAxMi00YzlmLWFjNDctZGQyODJjOWEzYzlh&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

6714- Reflection - UDL & DI

The first thing I do when I start a new class is to run through the syllabus and I remember thinking that the subjects were a little intimidating, UDL and DI. As the course began and I learned more information about these two subjects, it was apparent that I have just brushed the surface in my class without even knowing it. This course has introduced me to new tools, new ideas and new ways of making sure that UDL and DI is a part of every lesson plan.

According to CAST’s the whole idea behind UDL is for each student to have access to the curriculum in a way that promotes the most learning for that individual. The various resources that can help us as educators included social networking, surveys, technology, creating assignments that are self directed projects. Most importantly we need to really understand our students and what learning styles they poses.

The resources in the Differentiation Station social network that will help me to implement the principles of UDL and DI will start with a survey. One new objective is that I would really like to know my student interests better. My assignment subjects can easily be changed to something more interesting to the students. I want them to learn new computer skills, have fun doing it and remember the skills in the future. Using a special interest survey will give me an opportunity to learn about my students. The other change would be to use a KWL chart, this would provide me with a better idea of the student preconceived notions to what they think they are going to learn and what they want to learn and of course, explain what the already know. A small tweaking of a current word-processing assignment such as changing the content to be collaborative writing with reaches all of my diverse learners.

The most immediate adjustments that I will begin to make in customizing instruction will be to change the way I teach every lesson. Every new lesson will begin with what do I really want the students to learn today. This is my third year of teaching, and so far the best. The first year was spent

Just getting use to everything. My second year was spent really concentrating on my classroom management skills and this year I really want to provide the best learning experiences for all of my students. My plan is to make small changes at a type so that I do not feel overwhelmed. I will start with changing the subject matter of the assignments, added technology in a way that is most productive to my students and keeping myself current with instructional strategies. I hope that I never teach a lesson the same way twice.

When I look at my sea of students I can’t help but think of the simple example cited in one of our course resources. The story about the teacher who walked into class, stood on a chair with a fist full of dollar bills and then asked the kids to jump for the dollars. The shorter kids would be at a huge disadvantage. If you think about this analogy, isn’t this how we should approach every sea of students. You cannot teach a lesson as one lesson fits all students. As educators, we have so many tools to prevent this way of teaching.

Reference

Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004) Technology and the Diverse Learner: A Guide to Classroom

Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

6713-Final REFLECTION

A GAME plan will not only help my studnets meet the standards but will also me to meet my professional goals. One you get use to the idea, I believe creating a GAME plan comes much easier. It has been extremely helpful for me because I have massive quanities of ideas on how to use technology but this course work has showen me how to intergrate meaningful technology skills.

One of the most important aspects I’ve learned from this course is to begin every idea with a GAME plan. This is a solid approach to keeping me and students on track. Many of the new strategies we learned will promote all the students, whether they are critical thinker, analytical thinkers or slower thinkers.

I have made it a persoanl goal this year to meet two of NETS-T per content change. I have three changes in one year. Social networking and online colboration is a powerful tool for all students,

Using GAME Process with Students - Week 7

The NETS – T and the NETS – S have some common language. What I would like to do is show my students the NETS for teachers and then for students. I would like to have them pick one or two Nets and have them create a game plan on how they might meet these goals.

My classes are only a quarter long so what I would like to do is having each student picking out one goal. Then I would like to have them list two actions statements as to how they are going to achieve that goal. For evaluation, I would like to have them keep a weekly journal or if they are comfortable using a blog. However a posting must be created weekly. At the end of the quarter, I’d like to have one on one discussion to evaluate if we both felt the student met their goal.
For the amount of time I have these students this will be enough for them to keep track of. Once schedule change to a full blown year, I would probably follow the same logic but add two or three more goals.

I believe middle school students should be setting goals for themselves. The simple logic of creating a GAME plan can be carried over to their personal lives also.

REVISING MY GAME PLAN - WEEK 6

I have learned so far, that I can apply a few different ideas in my instructional practice. Inspiration software is rather quite simple; it’s a digital way of putting your thoughts on paper. I’ve learned that now that I have spent some time with the software it is not as intimidating to me and I hope to set a good example for other teachers as well as my student. Through the last two weeks of resources I have some generic ideas of where to go for good questions, but I need to analyze a final product for them. Sure the software is easy but I really want it to make a difference for them so that they will remember it.

My game plan contains two goals, so I need to excel in is integrating technology in every lesson. I teach computers’ so access is not a problem, so every lesson should revolve around a new technology skill. I would really love to come up with an idea, where students could keep a blog all quarter long, kind of like we are doing for this class. I have document ideas in my own journal and I continue to look on the internet for ideas.

I will continue to work On NETS-T 2, promoting student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify student’s conceptual understanding, thinking, planning and creative processes. I have all revamped two of my beginning lessons for the New Year.
As this point in my game plan, I am not read to set new learning goals. I plan on setting aside half of my planning period to take the time to find new and fresh ideas on the internet and to analyze what lessons I will implement new technology with because it adds something, not because I’m trying to mark a goal off.

The next time I learn something new, it should be a little easier. I will create a brief game plan with small steps to accomplish learning something new. This would be a great way to use the Inspiration software that I want my students to use. Also, I would refer to the many new online resources I’ve learned about and most importantly to relax and enjoy the ride of learning something new. Once I’m familiar with a new skill, being able to share it also reinforces what I’ve learned and makes me a more confident teacher.

EVALUATING MY GAME PLAN PROGRESS: WEEK 5

How effective is my actions in helping me meet my goals? My game plan was to head to school one day last week and start experimenting with the software on my own. However, unexpected family obligations kept me from this goal. It has been rescheduled for this week. Having quite time to perform some trial an error work will eliminate a lot of anxiety that I’m feeling know.

So far, I’ve learned that I need have a good subject matter. This will keep it interesting for the students and my hope is that their creative ideas will be flowing so that they won’t get so hung up on the new technology they are learning, The best way to assess their learning is to do a practice run in class together and then have the students work in groups and for the final evaluation, have the students turn in individual projects.

I still have to learn about the application itself and this is only going to be resolved with time and practice. So, I have a lot of application questions and then I my other concern am how to divide them up in productive groups. Only in my second year of teaching, I’ve come to realize how beneficial group projects can be.

The only adjustment that I see at this time is that I would like to contact the technology specialist in our district and see if there is a way I can bring a copy of Inspiration software home. Maybe there is a lab top with this application on it in the district. With a 5 year and being 20 minutes away from work, this would allow me quite time at night to learn more about the application. Once, I become more familiar with the application other adjustment may be needed.

MONITORING MY GAME PLAN PROGRESS:

So far I believe I have the information that I need to begin meeting my goals. I’m getting a little nervous as the new school year is quickly approaching. I have verified that the Inspiration software is available on my computer and the lab. There is a tutorial for me to work with. I plan on spending some time at school next week to begin practicing with this software.

I’m not sure that I need to modify my action plan at this point. My nature is to follow my original game plan and then analyze the situation when I have completed the task on hand. I am flexible but because this is new to me, I tend not to veer from the game plan.

There are so many important lessons I’ve learned up until this point I’m not sure where to start. The most important lesson that I learned so far is that it is so very important to have a plan in place. Research and we have so much technology at our finger tips. I think it is so important to real try and understand how technology can be used in your own content area. Just because it is meant to be used a certain way doesn’t mean you can’t change the use of the technology to better suit your class. I’ve also learned that there are so many resources available to us and we need to reach out and use them. Through everything we’ve learned, I know I have to strive harder than ever to set a good example for my students and for other teachers. Another important lesson I learned is how technology can reach many types of students with disabilities. There are four different assessment strategies that can be used to better understand the needs of my students.

The biggest question I have is TIME; I don’t have enough of it. I see the importance of planning each lesson. But I wonder where I can find enough time to change all of my lessons to have a GAME plan associated with it. So I’ve decided to take baby steps. If I can revamp 3 lessons for each of my application areas and then the same goal next year or over the summer I will be in a better position than I am today.