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.
Your goals of increasing technology use are admirable. Even when students are presented with technology that you feel you overuse, often they still find new parts that work out to be shortcuts. What I love is the times when a student calls me over to share a new discovery, or often this is something that was presented but they probably weren’t listening or forgot. I am just as excited for them and will congratulate them as if they discovered it on their own to instill a feeling of discovered learning increasing their feeling of self worth and pride. When we introduce new technology that we are unfamiliar with, students often have insights that we can’t anticipate. If we are open to learning from them and adjusting our instruction in the future, not only do we gain, but the students gain. “While students come with different experiences, languages, cultural backgrounds, and varied levels of technology understanding, technology tools help us customize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles” (Cennamo, Ross, Ertmer, pg. 109, 2009). The opportunities to differentiate are amazing.
ReplyDeleteResources:
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.
Robert to Caryn:
ReplyDeleteI can’t remember where I first heard this saying about trying new things, but it goes like this: Ready, Fire, Aim. I think many of us are “digital immigrants” when it comes to a lot of this stuff, so of course we are going to be a bit nervous. But whenever I introduce something new in my class, it always amazes me at how little I have to do besides go around and keep kids on task. Leaders always emerge from the groups and other kids are always willing to help the ones having trouble-even my worst behavior problems.
For me, I find that technology helps students begin certain kinds of projects that they may otherwise have had difficulty with just pencil and paper. Most of my students do not enjoy writing, and when I introduced poetry last week they used a few websites that are available on our school library website. These included “poetry generators” where the lines are started and the students just fill in the blanks. This helped those less creative types make some fun poems.
Remember that the students have great ideas for lessons. Ask them how they would want to learn a certain concept or create a project.
Good luck!
Robert Newell