In the previous post I explained how I am going to improve student proficiency in regards to learning and technology. I have chosen two NETS standards for teachers which are Model Digital-Age Work and Learning and the other is Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.
In order to carry out my plans in being a model teacher for technology use I constantly need to continue reading teaching and technology based blogs and websites created from teachers and professionals. It is then adapting the technology and using it within my own classroom to engage students more fully to support student success. I will meet with colleagues and share information and digital tools that I have found useful. Our Education Service Department (ESD) provides technology classes and ideas to incorporate and teach students how to use the tools that we are given and the school pays for. For example: culturegrams, Proquest, eLibrary, etc. I am planning on taking a course through the ESD to aid in my professional growth and become more informed on using the resources that we teachers have available already in our school.
Additional information that I will be looking for is interesting digital tools and technology that I can incorporate into my lesson plans. I would really like to focus on differentiating lessons and giving more students flexibility is showing thier technology literacy skills (Laureate Education, 2011). In order to do this I need to have a reportoire of digital tools at my disposal. Once I find these ideas I need to get them passed through administration and our tech team in a timely fashion.
Steps that I have already taken include creating a online bookmarking page through Diigo that is complete with some of my favorite resources to use in the classroom. I have also started getting my students prepared for their next activity which is Digital Storytelling. I have worked with the Tech Team to get Photo Story 3 downloaded on student computers. They will be using this for their final project. Attending a technology workshop during a teacher inservice day was also a highlight. Teachers were able to spend time collaborating and sharing ideas, something that we do not get to do alot of.
I have a lot of work to do!
Feel free to browse my personal library on Diigo: http://www.diigo.com/user/rikkiraap
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Program 3: Meeting Students' Needs with Technology, Part 1 [Webcast]. In integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Ross.
Rikki,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you are definitely on your way to taking Action! Good for you!!
You mention that you want to build your repertoire of lessons that incorporate the use of technology. Here is a site that might get your creative juices flowing (it is bookmarked in my Diigo personal library as well) http://edte.ch/blog/interesting-ways/. In addition, here is a fantastic site with a very extensive video tutorial library that addresses almost every application (all in my Diigo bookmarks) http://www.atomiclearning.com/ and here is another, but not quite as extensive http://teachertrainingvideos.com/general.html.
You bring up a great point about learning what resources that your school already has because often school districts are not great about communicating things like this. I applaud you for taking that initiative.
By the way, I checked out your Diigo library and see that you "followed" me. I reciprocated.
Bruce-
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate all of your helpful links. I will look through your library and check out your sites.
Working extensively with technology, do you run into problems with your district blocking websites, or do your students have full access to nearly everything on the web? Blocking students' access has been a frustrating thing with teachers this year, myself included. My students could not access all information on the web regarding the right to bear arms or current events like the drug trafficking happening from Mexico. I am having difficulty getting access to blogs and wikis for my students. Any insight that you have on the matter would be greatly appreciated.
Response to Rikki,
ReplyDelete“I would really like to focus on differentiating lessons and giving more students flexibility is showing their technology literacy skills.” I think this is an excellent goal. How are you going to differentiate your lessons? Will you use technology to differentiate or will you use technology as a tool for a differentiated lesson plan? I would like to accomplish this goal in my classroom as well. It is difficult to find chunks of time to put these goals into action. We have Professional Development Days 2 mornings a week at our school. I am hoping to convince our administrators to allow some of those days for collaborative time to work with the Special Ed teachers. I think they could help me integrate technologies that would assist the diverse students in my room.
I would like to begin differentiating by implementing small technological changes such as keyboard adaptations to assist students who struggle with keyboarding due to vision impairment or coordination skills. Our textbook mentioned that there are several adapted keyboards designed to meet physical or sensory needs of students like InfoKeys BAT Keyboard(Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). If you have any suggestions, I would welcome them.
Kathy
Kathy-
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response. When it comes to differentiating in my classroom I use technology when preparing lessons. I try to find different reading levels of materials students will be reading, pictures and videos to incorporate to instruction and help build background. I have found interactive maps and simulations to also be helpful. In terms of differentiating for student outcomes, I have students choose which technology they are most comfortable with. Many students are willing and open to try new technologies like a Glog, a Digital Story, etc. Students that need more support tend to be successful with creating a PowerPoint and that is always an option for those students. When it comes to instructing students I do not have computers within the classroom so having them work on programs on a daily basis is hard.
I also feel like I have a lack of time to really discuss information with fellow teachers, especially the special education teachers. Good luck with your goals and thanks for the post.