A Successful Change Agent - Reflection
Reflection Blog Posting
This course has stressed how new and emerging technologies have transformed the learning process in the school environment. In the educational setting students can no longer relate to the traditional curriculum methods of lectures, textbooks, and paper and pencil but instead have mobilized it with new digital tools (Soloway, 2010). These particular digital tools incorporate graphics with texts in delivering a more appropriate multimodal instruction. The new and emerging technologies allow the students to learn by doing by collaborating in multi-user virtual environments, using gaming activities, and through the use of learning modules. The use of these tools encourages important 21st century skills such as student collaboration and anytime, anywhere learning (Young, Birtolo, & McElman, 2009). Skills are essential in developing the necessary tools for students to have for their future.
Digital games and simulations play a huge role in our students personal interests. Students are engaged with these activities because they play a personal role in accomplishing a task (Gee, 2005). By being actively involved in the situations and directing their own learning by making decisions students develop a deeper understanding through this process (Foti, 2007). In the implementation of my lesson plan I recognized this fact and combined a Science Court gaming activity with the iPad an emerging piece of technology.
The science lesson on Electricity required the students to use their iPads to look up important vocabulary and complete a webquest in their designated groups. After students completed their webquest their groups were assigned characters participated in a Science Court gaming activity. Students were able to use their iPads to complete their responses to all activities, conduct research, and digitally store textbooks.
I believe the iPad is a great new and emerging technology for students to utilize to enhance their learning. This tool not only has over 300 educational tools across the content area to increase student performance but it also has word processing, presentation tools, and global networking capabilities supporting one-to-one computer access for students. For these reasons I found this device to be rather impressive and have already begun to influence my students who have access to this tool to adopt it as a learning tool. For example, in order to support my special needs students it provides applications for translation, flashcards, digital books, simulations, and tutorial aids to assist the student in their assignments. It also has several digital notebook applications and agendas for the student to use to keep them organized. I believe the adoption of these tools support 21st century learning skills will allow the student to customize their own learning and the ability to construct artifacts to demonstrate and share their learning.
In summary, I believe in supporting 21st century skills the gaming activity and the use of the iPad provided a successful example of providing educational technology within my lesson. In this lesson students will be able to collaborate, share, and communicate ideas using critical thinking skills with authentic learning experience in order to develop new knowledge. They will also have the ability to have access and work with a tool, which is presently being used in the business world giving them the opportunity to learn real life skills necessary for their future.
Foti, S. (2007). Did we leave the future behind? Phi Delta Kappan, 88(9), 647–649
Gee, J. P. (2005). Good video games and good learning. Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 85(2),
33–37.
Soloway, E. (2010, January). New and Emerging Technologies. “Mobile Devices and the
Future”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2010 release).
Young, J., Birtolo, P., & McElman, R. (2009). Virtual success: Transforming education
through online learning. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(5), 12–17.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools
Hi Everyone,
Here is the link to my presentation:
Learning Modules:
http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AZJBrTdQ-wIzZGZzenBzYnFfMTkxZDc4eDU4aGs&hl=en
Thanks,
Lynda
Here is the link to my presentation:
Learning Modules:
http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AZJBrTdQ-wIzZGZzenBzYnFfMTkxZDc4eDU4aGs&hl=en
Thanks,
Lynda
Monday, April 19, 2010
Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology
Week 8: Final Reflection
Technology has become an important tool for educators to deliver instruction to our students. This course has allowed me to learn more about how to effectively combine UDL instruction, differentiated instruction, and technology to better support every students learning style in the classroom setting. In addition, through out the duration of this course each member of our learning community has provided invaluable resources, tools, and strategies demonstrating innovative ways to apply the information and skills we have learned in this course.
When reviewing all of the different tools and strategies it is evident the important role technology plays in effectively reaching our students. Both the links and the ideas shared by my fellow classmates rage in topic across the curriculum. When applying the
non-negotiables of differentiated instruction and UDL methods of instruction within the classroom all interact together as a unit to become successful (Tomlinson, 2009). This resource will become an invaluable resource in preparing lessons that consider all elements found in providing meaningful and engaging experiences providing built in options and alternatives for students considering readiness, learning styles, product, and content to name a few.
For instructional purposes technology serves as a powerful tool create engaging and meaningful opportunities for students to display and share their new knowledge. Many of the resources available in our differentiation station offer a variety of technology links to help the diverse learner which include eduscape, wiki spaces, webquests, and other sites will enable me to customize my instruction and provide a more effective learning experience for my students. Thus the flexibility and various formats found in technology will allow me to reach all learners while teaching students the necessary 21st century learning skills they need for their future endeavors (Smith & Thorne, 2009). In short technology will enable my students to demonstrate more self-directed learning skills while creating a meaningful learning environment (Smith & Thorne, 2009).
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Putting It All Together”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Reflection”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Tomlinson, C., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Ongoing Assessment”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Tomlinson, C., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “ Differentiating Instructional Elements”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Technology has become an important tool for educators to deliver instruction to our students. This course has allowed me to learn more about how to effectively combine UDL instruction, differentiated instruction, and technology to better support every students learning style in the classroom setting. In addition, through out the duration of this course each member of our learning community has provided invaluable resources, tools, and strategies demonstrating innovative ways to apply the information and skills we have learned in this course.
When reviewing all of the different tools and strategies it is evident the important role technology plays in effectively reaching our students. Both the links and the ideas shared by my fellow classmates rage in topic across the curriculum. When applying the
non-negotiables of differentiated instruction and UDL methods of instruction within the classroom all interact together as a unit to become successful (Tomlinson, 2009). This resource will become an invaluable resource in preparing lessons that consider all elements found in providing meaningful and engaging experiences providing built in options and alternatives for students considering readiness, learning styles, product, and content to name a few.
For instructional purposes technology serves as a powerful tool create engaging and meaningful opportunities for students to display and share their new knowledge. Many of the resources available in our differentiation station offer a variety of technology links to help the diverse learner which include eduscape, wiki spaces, webquests, and other sites will enable me to customize my instruction and provide a more effective learning experience for my students. Thus the flexibility and various formats found in technology will allow me to reach all learners while teaching students the necessary 21st century learning skills they need for their future endeavors (Smith & Thorne, 2009). In short technology will enable my students to demonstrate more self-directed learning skills while creating a meaningful learning environment (Smith & Thorne, 2009).
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Putting It All Together”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Reflection”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Tomlinson, C., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Ongoing Assessment”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Tomlinson, C., (2009, November). Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “ Differentiating Instructional Elements”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Reflection: Final Blog Post
I believe one of the most important skills I learned throughout this course is how to increase my knowledge in any particular topic by using self-directed learning strategies. The GAME Plan that I designed for myself during the past weeks permitted me to customize the specific ways and activities I applied during this learning process (Cennamo, Etmer, & Ross, 2009). This process focuses on the individual nature that is evident in the learning process. The flexibility of this self-directed learning combined with the use of technology gave me the ability to direct my learning by being able to identify and choose resources that complimented my own particular learning styles in order to meet my goals. This experience demonstrated just how crucial it is to create authentic learning experiences for our students that build students’ confidence and keep them motivated in order for them to continue learning (Cennamo, 2009). In turn, I believe in designing my future instructional activities will incorporate the GAME Plan method to assist my students in achieving their goals while teaching what their optimal learning style is.
When adjusting my instructional practice I also plan to incorporate and encourage the use of more technological tools within my classroom. As noted above these tools provide several different formats where students can interact with content while creating an artifact. In addition technology provides students an opportunity to expand their learning from the traditional text and lecture-based model to a more authentic visual learning experience where students are able to more creative and self-directed in their learning (Abrams, 2009). As a result, I believe this change in my instructional practice will benefit my students by exposing them more to 21st century skills that they will undoubtedly need for the future.
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.
Cennamo, K. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Promoting Creative Thinking With Technology”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009
release)
Abrams, A. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Spotlight on Digital Storytelling”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release)
When adjusting my instructional practice I also plan to incorporate and encourage the use of more technological tools within my classroom. As noted above these tools provide several different formats where students can interact with content while creating an artifact. In addition technology provides students an opportunity to expand their learning from the traditional text and lecture-based model to a more authentic visual learning experience where students are able to more creative and self-directed in their learning (Abrams, 2009). As a result, I believe this change in my instructional practice will benefit my students by exposing them more to 21st century skills that they will undoubtedly need for the future.
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.
Cennamo, K. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Promoting Creative Thinking With Technology”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009
release)
Abrams, A. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Spotlight on Digital Storytelling”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release)
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blog Post: Using the GAME Plan Process with Students
Blog Post: Using the GAME Plan Process with Students
When learning and executing my GAME plan, I had the ability to promote self-directed learning skills when setting goals, determining what action was best in achieving my goals, monitoring and revising elements within my plan in order to progress, and finally evaluate my final accomplishments (Cennamo, 2009). Overall I found this process to be the same sequence I would find myself and my students use when creating a piece of art. I believe my students use the GAME Plan process unconscientiously when working on and critiquing there art projects. Since artwork is subjective in both the interpretation and execution it provides the creator several different options when developing a GAME Plan on how to achieve their ultimate goals.
When reflecting back to the NETS-S and NETS-T it is evident much of the standards inter-relate to one another. For example, it is clear that when both students and teachers use technology it open the possibility for the development of knowledge and creative thinking to flourish. Another benefit of using technology offers students unlimited opportunities to collaborate with one another using several different formats. This not only assists in producing student engagement and motivation interacting with the content but also in developing new ideas while constructing products displaying their understanding of material. Exposure to these skills found in the NETS-S and NETS-T standards will also provide students and teachers the opportunity to practice and develop 21st century fluency skills.
The GAME Plan process has allowed me to reach some of my goals so far in a more proficient way and I believe will also be helpful for my students in becoming more proficient in regards to meeting NET-S goals as well. Some ways I would have my students use the GAME Plan process to assist them in meeting NET-S goals would be to keep an electronic journal in a word document or have them develop KWHL Charts for activities and projects (Cennamo, 2009). This give students a record of set goals which will allow them to develop ideas, use self-regulation, and reflective judgment to gain new knowledge. By doing this students will also be applying self-directed learning techniques which is a crucial skill to have for their future endeavors.
Cennamo, K. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Promoting Self-Directed Learning With Technology”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009
release).
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
When learning and executing my GAME plan, I had the ability to promote self-directed learning skills when setting goals, determining what action was best in achieving my goals, monitoring and revising elements within my plan in order to progress, and finally evaluate my final accomplishments (Cennamo, 2009). Overall I found this process to be the same sequence I would find myself and my students use when creating a piece of art. I believe my students use the GAME Plan process unconscientiously when working on and critiquing there art projects. Since artwork is subjective in both the interpretation and execution it provides the creator several different options when developing a GAME Plan on how to achieve their ultimate goals.
When reflecting back to the NETS-S and NETS-T it is evident much of the standards inter-relate to one another. For example, it is clear that when both students and teachers use technology it open the possibility for the development of knowledge and creative thinking to flourish. Another benefit of using technology offers students unlimited opportunities to collaborate with one another using several different formats. This not only assists in producing student engagement and motivation interacting with the content but also in developing new ideas while constructing products displaying their understanding of material. Exposure to these skills found in the NETS-S and NETS-T standards will also provide students and teachers the opportunity to practice and develop 21st century fluency skills.
The GAME Plan process has allowed me to reach some of my goals so far in a more proficient way and I believe will also be helpful for my students in becoming more proficient in regards to meeting NET-S goals as well. Some ways I would have my students use the GAME Plan process to assist them in meeting NET-S goals would be to keep an electronic journal in a word document or have them develop KWHL Charts for activities and projects (Cennamo, 2009). This give students a record of set goals which will allow them to develop ideas, use self-regulation, and reflective judgment to gain new knowledge. By doing this students will also be applying self-directed learning techniques which is a crucial skill to have for their future endeavors.
Cennamo, K. (2009, September). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
“Promoting Self-Directed Learning With Technology”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009
release).
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Revising Your GAME Plan
Blog Post: Revising Your GAME Plan
I believe I am making significant progress regarding my goal to become more aware in my knowledge of technology. As a Special Education teacher I can apply my new knowledge of various technology Web 2.0 tools and formats to assist my classified students. These tools will provide flexibility for students to interact and learn content. In many instances theses students cannot learn using traditional methods in a general education classroom. Since I have learned how to use and apply many technology tools such as blogs, wiki spaces, podcasting, screencasting, power points, SMART Board activities and voice threads I will have the ability deliver information to my students in and therefore be able to design my instruction to meet the specific needs of each student.
While working to develop more effective ways to communicate information and ideas with various technology formats I believe it is necessary to still continue my growth in new advancements in technology in local and global environments for my students to excel in the classroom. In effort to achieve this goal I would first like to learn more about educational networking tools. The resources I believe will be a great starting point would include epals and eduwiki.us. Since social/educational networking has become such an important tool in the classroom and in the workplace I feel this might be the most beneficial place to start.
In reviewing the NETS-T standards I do not feel the need to set any new learning goals for myself but instead extend the technology skills I have gained and apply discover ways to properly apply them in the new content areas I will be teaching next year. Since I will be teaching art next year I believe many of the multi-media programs can deem useful in my classroom especially when developing student portfolios.
Finally, one of the approaches I would incorporate next time to improve my learning would be to develop a personal learning network with teachers and other experts online in addition to my own colleagues. This will allow me to gain more insight in what other projects teachers outside of my own school, are applying in their classrooms to discover new ways in delivering engaging instruction in my classroom.
I believe I am making significant progress regarding my goal to become more aware in my knowledge of technology. As a Special Education teacher I can apply my new knowledge of various technology Web 2.0 tools and formats to assist my classified students. These tools will provide flexibility for students to interact and learn content. In many instances theses students cannot learn using traditional methods in a general education classroom. Since I have learned how to use and apply many technology tools such as blogs, wiki spaces, podcasting, screencasting, power points, SMART Board activities and voice threads I will have the ability deliver information to my students in and therefore be able to design my instruction to meet the specific needs of each student.
While working to develop more effective ways to communicate information and ideas with various technology formats I believe it is necessary to still continue my growth in new advancements in technology in local and global environments for my students to excel in the classroom. In effort to achieve this goal I would first like to learn more about educational networking tools. The resources I believe will be a great starting point would include epals and eduwiki.us. Since social/educational networking has become such an important tool in the classroom and in the workplace I feel this might be the most beneficial place to start.
In reviewing the NETS-T standards I do not feel the need to set any new learning goals for myself but instead extend the technology skills I have gained and apply discover ways to properly apply them in the new content areas I will be teaching next year. Since I will be teaching art next year I believe many of the multi-media programs can deem useful in my classroom especially when developing student portfolios.
Finally, one of the approaches I would incorporate next time to improve my learning would be to develop a personal learning network with teachers and other experts online in addition to my own colleagues. This will allow me to gain more insight in what other projects teachers outside of my own school, are applying in their classrooms to discover new ways in delivering engaging instruction in my classroom.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress
Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress
In evaluating my GAME Plan I believe I have been able to make some progress in increasing my knowledge with technology and applying these skills to assist my students to reach their own individual academic goals. For example, in the past couple of weeks I have been able to become more efficient in learning and using more Web 2.0 tools such as wiki spaces, blogs, pages programming tools, and Inspiration software. Right now these tools are helpful for my position as a special educator in addressing individual student needs.
In continuing my GAME Plan I do feel it is necessary to adjust my goals due to restructuring of our school. As of next year my role will change from teaching Special Education to Visual Arts and Drivers Education. I am very excited for this change because it will allow me to use my teach in an area that I am passionate about (art) and implement instruction more than I do now as an in class support Special Education teacher. However in light of this change it is necessary to refocus original goals. As a result I have been actively researching various resources that may be available to me regarding how I can integrate technology during instruction in this area. This weeks application allowed me the opportunity to begin my action plan by developing a Visual Arts Unit plan. I am looking forward in continuing to reach my goals and enhance my knowledge for next year.
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