Reflection

Reflection

Technology plays a large roll in differentiating instruction. It gives students opportunities to learn at their own level created by readiness, interest, and learning profile (Smith & Throne, 2007). The CAST website provided a number of technology opportunities which will enhance my ability to differentiate educational tasks for my students. I will adjust my instructional practice immediately by integrating the resources available.

One CAST resource in particular I will use immediately is the UDL Editions which presents classic texts in more accessible formats. It provides different levels of support for the student depending on their needs, but allows them to read and understand the same material as other students. Students will enjoy reading the text in this manner because they will be using technology with support and it will help them comprehend the text. It provides visuals and descriptions, as well as prompts, all which aid in understanding.

Another form of technology I will use will be how students design products which show their knowledge of the curriculum. Students will be given choices such as PhotoStory, Powerpoint, Movie Maker, written documents. This will allow students to use their strengths to show their understanding of the material they have learned.

I will also use the CAST UDL Lesson Builder which will help me focus my goals and objectives and ensure everything I do will be the most helpful for my students. Integrating useful and meaningful technology will ensure that my students are receiving the best instruction at their individual learning levels.

Smith, G., & Throne, S. (2007). Differentiating instruction with technology in K-5 classrooms. Belmont, CA: International Society for Technology in Education.

GAME Plan Reflection

Creating a GAME Plan was an important step in extending my understanding of new technology which can be used in my classroom. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) explain how “to set goals for your own professional growth, take action, then monitor and evaluate your progress toward obtaining your goals” (p. 11). I chose to better understand how cell phones can be used as an educational tool, rather than just a nuisance in the classroom! It was difficult to find information, but because the GAME Plan requires you to change your plan as needed, I was able to persevere and find what I needed to be successful.

Before beginning the GAME Plan, I only knew a few ways students could use their cell phones in school, mostly for organizational purposes. I’ve had students take pictures of notes and put assignments into their calendars, but when I saw a teacher’s use of student cell phones to blog and submit podcasts for an assignment (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009), I was really inspired. I’ve discovered many new ways for students to show their learning using their cell phones, including many software programs which help students connect with each other in safe ways. What I’ve learned will allow my students to use a tool that they already have and talk about their learning in new ways.

When school begins, I will be teaching my students to use their cell phone responsibly in school but also how it can be a used to complete assignments and projects. I have already spoken with my administration about the benefits of using this technology and the ways I will incorporate it into my classroom. My students will not be familiar with using their cell phones in this manner, but with scaffolding, they will become more comfortable. Students will be blogging, posting to wikis and other social networking sites, video conferencing, taking video and pictures which can be used in presentations and digital stories. It is amazing how many endless possibilities there are, considering the students can access these easily with technology they already have access to. Also, after going through this process of using this tool in a new way, they will learn new ways to manipulate information using different types of technology, which is something they’ll have to do in the future in college or at a job.

References

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology, Part One. Baltimore: Author.

GAME Plan for Students

Using a GAME Plan has helped keep me focused over the summer months when it’s easy to put aside professional development and self-improvement! Because monitoring is a built-in part of the plan, it forced me to continue learning and seeking new information. When I came to some road blocks, particularly in the area of collaboration with colleagues, the plan also helped me find new ways to obtain information. As Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) explain, developing GAME Plans is a step towards continued lifelong learning.

I often teach a learning strategies course where goal setting is a topic. Students will be able to use the GAME Plan to identify types of technology they would like to learn and how they plan to master it. They can determine the types of assignments which would lend themselves to different types of media. After they master different technologies, they can focus on their creative use and collaboration using technology. Especially in the upper grades, students need to research and focus on content areas. By having GAME Plans, students will improve their abilities to find information that is relevant to their needs. Students will be able to meet all of the standards set forth in the NETS-S (ISTE, 2007). The most important, I feel, is that students become digital citizens, which will set them up for successful futures using technology.

By teaching students to use this plan, they will become self-sufficient and motivated to learn independently now and in the future. That is an important skill to have, especially because technology is changing and evolving so rapidly. Once one type of technology is learned, another becomes available that has different benefits. The GAME Plan will help students remain of their own learning and always monitoring their own learning in order to go forward. I’d love to teach students to use the GAME Plan method in all areas, not just technology!

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.

National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

GAME Plan Update #4 Already?

Over the past several weeks, I have learned a great deal of skills I will need to implement my technology in my lesson plans. I have good plans for meeting the goals I set for myself regarding the NETS-T standards. The use of cell phone technology will allow me to engage them in real-world problems by allowing them to actually take their technology into the community and then communicate with the world. They will be able to collaborate and share their ideas and their learning with others. By planning these lessons and engaging the students in this type of learning, I will be meeting the second standard, which is to design and develop learning experiences using technology. I have learned several different ways to use cell phones to support learning, and will incorporate those in my lessons when appropriate.

I would like to extend my learning by engaging in professional development activities. I would love to continue to learn more about this topic and how other teachers have used it successfully in their classrooms. I would also like to share what I have learned with my colleagues. By opening up a dialogue and collaborating about our experiences, we will all become more effective teachers.

As I’ve been saying all along, I feel that it will be very important to speak with my colleagues at school because they know the students and the district policies. They will be a good resource to bounce ideas off of and tell me when I’m getting out of hand with my ideas. Sometimes I want to include too much, but need to reign it in when there are better ways to convey information or assess student learning.

Sarah

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.

GAME Plan Update #3

It has been very difficult to make a lot of progress on my GAME Plan apart from the internet. I would love to get more ideas from my colleagues at work because they know our students and what might work best in our district. If I took this class during the school year, I’m sure they would’ve helped me brainstorm even more ideas, knowing the kids and what I teach!
I’ve looked into a few websites that discuss some innovative ways to use cell phones in school. Polling using text messages Poll Everywhere to have students answer questions or give their opinions on things happening in a story we’re reading in class. Students can also use Wiffiti from their cell phones to give their thoughts on a question I pose. These can all be looked at and discussed at a later time. Twitter accounts can be created and used as “microblogs” about topics in class. Students can discuss reading assignments and talk about what they are learning and what they still don’t understand. Google SMS to look up information, get an answer to a question, etc. Students just have to text GOOGLE (466453) and their request and the answers automatically are sent to their phone. Students can view podcasts on phones and then move into creating and uploading their own for the class to view. I’m sure there are tons more options available, too! I’m looking into some books that were written on the topic, but I’m not sure they’ll be up-to-date or have any more information than what I’ve been able to find online.
The only questions I still have are regarding the possibility that they might not let me do this with my students!! What if one student in my class doesn’t have a cell phone? Will I have to modify the lesson or should I not even incorporate the cell phones?
Once I get back to school, I will definitely learn more about using it in my own classroom at this time. By being well informed and having concrete ideas about how I will use cell phones, I think I have a better chance of convincing the “gatekeepers” that it’s a good idea! I will just continue to find more ways to use the technology and see where it can enhance my lessons! Having this plan has helped keep me focused towards my goal and will eventually pay off for my students. As Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) explained, having this goal clearly defined and by continuing to evaluate my progress has helped me stay focused and motivated.
Sarah

References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (LaureateEducation, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

GAME Plan Update #2

Part of my discussion this week was inspired by my GAME Plan. When reading about project-based assessments and how to incorporate technology, Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) discussed web-based media. I began thinking about ways to use these, and came up with a pretty interesting way to make a current unit even better. The more I read and research the tools that are available, the easier it all seems.

As some people have said, it may take a long time before cell phones are allowed for use in schools, but I’ll probably be able to incorporate them into homework or project-based assignments. That is the only way I think I’ll have to modify the plan at this point. Technology is important to our superintendent and he actually did his doctoral thesis on the benefits of technology on math performance. So, it may be sooner rather than later that we will be able to incorporate more innovative methods into our classrooms.

I’ve learned that there are many types of ways to use different media in the classroom. It’s always important to remember that technology shouldn’t just be used to use it, but rather to enhance the learning if appropriate, which Dr. Ross (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009) reiterated this week in our video. I’ve been trying to find free programs that are easy to use (for the students and for me!) and have found a few which I will need to try out a few times before attempting to use it in class.

I have a few questions still regarding how people have used any of these types of technology using cell phones with their classes. I’m continuing to have a hard time finding many good uses of cell phones in the classroom, but I know they exist because the technology exists and those people in our videos are so good at it!! If anyone does anything like this, or if they know any other teachers who have been successful using it, please let me know! I’d love to hear more real stories about how it has been used. I find a lot of articles on using cell phones as calendars and digital assignment books, but I’m aiming much higher than that!

Sarah

References

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across
the Content Areas: Assessing Students Learning With Technology. Baltimore:
Author.

GAME Plan Update #1

This week, I used the internet to search for ways cell phones can be used as teaching tools to support learning in the classroom. I found several videos of workshops that have been presented which provide a great deal of professional development in this area. I have also read articles regarding the pros and cons of using cell phones in school. It is still highly debated, but with sufficient data, I believe this piece of technology which most students come to school with will be accepted as a learning tool. Some research has been done where schools give students cell phones for school-related use, but I’m pretty sure my district won’t be doing that, since they’ve laid off many teachers this year already. I will be relying on my students to provide their own cell phones (which I know they have, because I’ve seen them in my class!).

I still need to collaborate with my colleagues from my school to see what, if any, they have done with this tool in the past. I know one teacher texts assignments and reminders, but I’d like to go beyond that. I will continue to use the internet for searches and look into testimonies of teachers who have successfully used them in innovative ways to support what they are learning in class.