I’m thrilled to be setting up a potentially very useful plan for my classroom. I’ve been wondering when and if I’d have time to promote technology in my classroom. Also, I was puzzled how I could make it worthwhile to my students. There are numerous goals that I would like to set for my students, and myself so we must start with baby steps. Ultimately I want my students to feel at ease with the computer and not be afraid to try new things while also using technology as a learning tool, not just for socializing and sharing funny videos (although, I really enjoy those aspects!).
Two of the NETS-T (2008) standards I would like to strengthen throughout this course are Modeling Digital-Age Work and Learning and Engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership. I would like to be able to model how to work and how to learn to use technology while keeping current with its uses and applications. Technology is continuously updating and I never want to be that teacher that absolutely needs someone to come in and “just do it for me.” I will of course be open to suggestions and learning situations, but I must feel confident. As a teacher, I need to pass along current and correct information to my peers, students, parents, etc. To help with this goal is my second standard. I worry that after my master’s program is completed, keeping up-to-date with information will be more difficult without the help of a professor and mandatory assignments.
Often teachers become lax and used to what they have always done and fall into a routine. By engaging in professional learning communities and classes, I can maintain current understanding as well as how to incorporate such items into my classroom with seamless transitions, making learning effortless. To achieve these goals, as I have mentioned, classes are offered that will keep teachers updated. I can also partake in learning communities within my school as well as online and within our community.
By monitoring my learning and its usage within my classroom, I will be able to adapt these goals to suite my needs as well as make changes to achieve them. Surveying students and asking opinions of peers will also help to monitor my goals and examine progress. By using the information gathered from my students as well as observing their learning progress, I will be able to modify my plan.
To understand whether I have met my learning goals, I will be using my students’ own learning as a guide. Did my students master the content? Did what I model help them learn efficiently? Are they able to utilize digital tools effectively? Did my lesson or plans work? What do I need to work on? What strategies do I need to work on?
With this plan in mind, I have many ideas that I’d like to collaborate on with my fellow teachers. I’m interested in using technology more efficiently within my classroom.
References
National Education Standards for Teachers. (2008). Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
Val,
ReplyDeleteAs always, I enjoy reading your thoughts and feelings on the topics that we are assigned. I am glad that you are strong enough to identify that you do not want to be one of those teachers who has people come in and work on the technology instead of you taking the initiative and developing the skills yourself. Good for you. With that attitude I do not think that you would be one to not keep up on the latest technology tools and instruction. If you are working and using it in your classroom I do not think your students would let you be a "slacker"!!
You chose two very strong goals that I know that you can reach based on my knowledge of you. Do you think that in the future you could be one of those teachers that teach one of those technology classes for other teachers? That idea would really hit your goal of the leadership in technology that is part of the GAME Plan you have laid out (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). It is worth a shot and like I said before with your knowledge and skills I think that you could really excel in this area.
Marilyn Goodrich
K-12 Ed. Con.
Reference
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.
Valerie,
ReplyDeleteI love the tone of your writing because it comes across very honestly and intriguing. You mentioned that it will be much more difficult to remain current with technology once our master's course work is over. However, do you think that creating a technology committee or team at your school would help you in the future? I started one at my school and their are 8 of us who are all committed to helping staff stay current with technology trends. Just a thought, but it might assist you in the future and allow you to increase your knowledg and proficiency.
Doug Gunter
SS 6
Valerie, you sound so excited to learn and apply strategies for integrating technology into your instruction. As Ertmer (Laureate, 2009) said, our beliefs about the value that technology plays in enhancing learning is important. You obviously believe that technology has a place in your classroom instruction. Possibly, your enthusiasm will "turn the light on" for others who may still be in the dark about integrating technology to enhance student learning (Prensky, 2008).
ReplyDeleteReference
Prensky, M. (2008, March). Turning on the lights. Educational Leadership, 65(6), 40–45.
Valerie, I like how excited you are to learn new strategies using technology in the classroom. I think that all educators should set goals each year acquiring new strategies to enhance learning in the class. Your game plan will allow you to grow and engage students in their world of technology. "The GAME plan enables you to continue your approach to learning taks, to develop relevant skills that are important to you, and prepare you for life longlong learning" (Cennamo,Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). You chose Engaing in Professional Growth and Leadership, I also selected this because I believe that with the changes in technology that take place ongoing training is essential to meet the needs of our students.
ReplyDeleteReference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont. CA: Wadworth, Cengage Learning.