EDUC-6713I-4 Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas- FINAL REFLECTION

I have learned so many new things from taking this course for 8 weeks.  One, I was able to create a GAME plan and steadily work to achieve my plan by setting goals and taking small steps. I was able to research and find many new technology tools and then use those different types of tools to strengthen my plan and implement them during my lessons. Also, my GAME plan has impacted my learning by strengthening my instructional practice. Dr. Peggy Ertmer explained that “integrating technology effectively requires: knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and supportive culture” (Laureate Education, 2010).

From taking this course, I plan to implement many more types of technology tools into my daily lessons. One, I plan to open my school year with a classroom blog for parents and students to access. On that blog, I plan to tell my future students about my subject, classroom, what to expect throughout the school year, and etc. I feel this will help strengthen teacher, student, and parent communication early on in the school year. I also plan to include many multi-media projects and have my students participate in making digital stories. I am looking forward to a new start next school year with fresh technology ideas.

Week 7: Using the GAME Plan Process with my Students

After reviewing the NETS-S and the NETS-T standards, they are both very similar. Each resource models the complete process of integrating technology into the classroom. The GAME plan is provided for us to see if we are including a well thought and expanded lesson. This relates to both teacher and student standards by sharing an equal correlation between the two. I would use this plan with my students to make sure they understand and are using the standards during instruction. I will want to make sure that I am practicing (modeling) these standards in the classroom and when the time comes, my students are able to do the same thing. I do understand that technology continues to grow, so my students, and myself, will be faced with hurdles on the way. As their educator, I want to make sure we are achieving these standards together and they are able to implement the selected standards within a variety of assignments and assessments throughout the school year.

Week 6: Revising My GAME Plan

I have learned a variety of things that I can apply to my instructional practice. One thing I have learned is that students are fairly knowledgeable when it comes to technology and how to use it. I have also learned that the goals I have developed are long term goals and are goals that I would introduce in the beginning of the school year all the way until the end of the school year. With my GAME plan I have established, I am still working towards using a variety of technology tools. I seem to “overuse” the tools that I feel confident in. I am trying to explore my options and expand my knowledge on all of the technology tools available.

At this point, I don’t necessarily want to set any new brand new learning goals, but I would like to expand on my first goal. Like I mentioned above, I feel I overuse certain technology tools that I feel confident with using. I want to learn how to use additional tools and media. Many of my students know how to use the “traditional” learning tools, but aren’t as familiar with the newer tools. So as I explore the new tools, I want to make sure I am modeling these tools with my students.

Last but not least, I just try to use a variety of technology approaches within my lessons. My students love any kind of technology that is involved, so I just try to provide that variety to them.

Week 5- Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

Overall, I feel like my actions were effective in helping me move towards meeting my GAME plan goals. I went ahead and created a survey that asked my students and their parents their awareness using technology tools. Before my GAME plan began to grow, I wanted to see where I stood with my fellow students and parents. I am just taking it step by step and trying to research the best approach on how to get my students more tech savvy and how I can increase communication with technology.

I know I said this last week, but so far I have learned that this whole GAME plan process takes time and practice. Not only have I learned those two things, but I have also learned a little bit more about my students and their parents. I can now begin to see where I stand with my students and parents.

I am still seeking the question of whether my students and parents will adapt to communicating via technology. I asked myself if they will be dedicated in moving towards this communication direction. Also with my first goal, I would like to see which digital tools are being overused and which tools I can introduce to my students for them to become more comfortable in using them.

I will adjust my plan to fit my current needs by taking “baby steps.” I plan to try an incorporate some different types of digital tools in my classroom, but not all of them. I also plan to try a small part of communication with my parents via technology I figured I would solely rely on technology once a month or I will kind of see where my parents comfort levels stand.

GAME Plan Progress

I feel like I am successfully moving towards achieving my GAME plan. All of the information from my colleagues and blog postings has been very helpful and resourceful. To modify my action plan I am going to use the information from comments made earlier this week. I want to survey my students to see where they stand with technology knowledge. I think that process would offer the assistance I am looking for because it would help me find a starting point for achieving my GAME plan. So far I have learned that achieving a goal takes time and patience. Just because it seems like an approachable task, it still takes lots of time and research. Lastly, I still continue to ask myself if parents or guardians would be “on-board” with using technology as the primary form of communication. Also I wonder if my school district would allow blog sites or if I would have to jump hurdles to achieve that goal?

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

When focusing on my GAME plan, I will need to make sure I have my resources available for me to use. First, I will make sure I have daily access to a computer and computer lab. I will need to make sure I am using my computer daily to become familiar with all of the digital tools. I will also make sure my students have computer access as well because I want them to also feel comfortable with using the different types of technology. Not only will I make sure I have computer access, but I will also consult my colleagues for additional help and support. I will ask my colleagues if they have any suggestions or pointers for me about carrying out my GAME plan. I will also ask them if they’ve experienced using a variety of digital tools and if they have used technology to communicate with students and parents.

Not only do I need resources, but I need to make sure I survey my students in the beginning of the school year. I will survey them to see how familiar they are with technology and ask them how many types of digital tools they have used before in the classroom. This survey would help me determine where I stand in the classroom with them and where they stand with their comfort level to technology. I would also need to find out which students and parents didn’t have access to a computer on a daily basis if I want to be successful in communicating using technology.

Last but not least, I have taken a few steps to achieving my GAME plan. First, I have spent hours becoming familiar with the different types of learning tools available. I have also asked my colleagues for advice using these tools and any pointers. Lastly, I have contacted my district about their procedures when it comes to blogging and using wikis with students and parents.

My GAME Plan

The first goal I am going to focus on is the process of engaging students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. I plan to achieve this goal by becoming more knowledgeable about the different types of digital tools and resources. I also plan to practice using these tools within some of my daily lessons. I will monitor my progress by constantly checking and reviewing how I am implementing technology into the classroom and I will also check to make sure I am using a variety of digital tools and resources. I will also create a check list so I am not overusing one digital tool or resource more than the others. Finally, I will evaluate my learning by asking myself what I accomplished by using that particular digital tool and I will also ask myself if this a tool my students have access to in the classroom and will be able to use as well.

My second goal that I have focuses on the indicator found under modeling digital-age work and learning. I want to successfully communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. I plan to achieve this goal by presenting information to my students and parents virtually. During open house in the beginning of the school year, I could create a podcast introducing them to my classroom, as well as, creating a slideshow. I could also create a classroom blog site that has my classroom procedures and information on it and ask for student and parent feedback. I plan to monitor this goal by seeing how many students and parents are using my classroom blog. I will also monitor this goal by seeing if “questions” have decreased from previous years to the year where I have included technology to relay messages and information. I will evaluate this goal by sitting down and writing a reflection on my accomplishments with using technology to communicate. I will also write down notes to compare from year to year. Lastly, I will talk with other peers to hear their ideas and what they think of my ideas.

So overall, this is my first experience creating a GAME plan. I am excited to see if I am able to fulfill my goals and carry them out each school year.  

Reflection for EDUC 6712

During the first few weeks of this course, I realized that my students were using the new literacy skills more often than I originally thought. Dr. Douglas Hartman summed up new literacy by saying “literacy is evolving- our past was rooted in book culture and the future will be rooted in online and digital research” (Laureate Education, 2009). After hearing his encouraging words about new literacy and our children’s future, I knew as a teacher, I needed to make sure my students understood how to use literacy skills with all of the different types of learning. I encourage and use literacy skills everyday in my teaching practices. There are so many ways I can promote and model these skills because I teach Integrated Language Arts. Not only did I learn new strategies focusing on literacy skills, but I also learned many other techniques to strengthen my teaching career.

            I have learned so many things from this course that will help move my teaching experiences forward. I have gained so much knowledge when it comes to online literacy skills and evaluating web sites. I know the best way for me to expand my knowledge is to practice, practice and model these techniques with my students. I look forward to using all the new knowledge and experiences I have gained in this 8 week course.

            Last but not least, one goal I would like to pursue with my students is for them to use the ABC strategy that Beth Phillips explained. I loved learning about this approach. This approach helps students when they begin navigating through websites. Since the school year is past the half way mark and my students have already written their persuasive essay, I concluded that I am going to use this approach in the beginning of the school year with my students. Next year, my 6^th graders will write an essay that is persuasive and on any topic of their choice. They are to use their own knowledge and research from websites. After they begin this process, I am excited to introduce and model the ABC approach. They will use this approach evaluating websites of their choice to see if they are reliable, opinion/fact, author, and etc. So overall, I am excited to use all of the strategies I have learned throughout this 8 week course.