Concept Map:UDL

https://bubbl.us/?h=ac662/146771/70AmlNIMg3b2I

Final Reflection

Throughout this course, I was afforded the opportunity to expand my understanding and proficiency with digital media in the classroom.  I believe that this course has been one of the most meaningful courses for me.  I feel that this course gave me the chance to not only create lesson plans using new types of technology,  but it, also, implement, review, and reflect on it when it is implemented in my classroom.

            I was particularly attracted to the idea of Problem Based Learning (PBL) because it offers a medium for students to address a problem in an authentic and meaningful way.  Instead of teachers lecturing and dictating lessons, the teacher becomes the facilitator while students are fully engaged in problem solving.  Based on the structure of our Summer Discovery Camp, the students worked through thematic units instead of the traditional learning style.  This summer, student worked on this lesson which correlated to these lessons.  For this unit, the focus was around Montana.  I created the first lesson where students created a Montana travel guide, the second lesson was about the Lewis and Clark Expedition (this was adapted from the original lesson plan), and the third lesson focused on Montana landmarks viewed through the lens place-based education as outlined in Indian Education for All. 

            Implementing these lessons, was both challenging and exciting.  I enjoyed these lessons because it gave me the chance to shake up the old routine and teach in an entirely new and diverse ways.  However, certainly utilizing technology in this way creates some management issues.  I was fortunate that in the setting of Summer Discovery Camp, I had only about 12 students in my class compared to my usual 30 plus.  Given this, I had enough netbooks for students to use their own.  However, if I were to implement this lesson my classroom, I would have to work on restructuring it to accommodate effective group work.   By far, the most meaningful aspect of this lesson was the impact it had on the students.  The kids were so jazzed about these lessons that they didn’t even realize the extent of learning that was occurring.  I had several students who wanted to skip recess to continue their project. 

            Throughout this course, I enjoyed working with my colleagues (my Walden classmates) to tweak and adjust my lesson plans.  The advice and questions that I received helped me alter my lessons so that they were more articulated. I have certainly appreciated this constructive criticism.  I feel that my lessons were so successful because of the observations and notes.

GAME Plan Check In

• Are you finding the information and resources you need?

Thus far, I am feeling very successful in accomplishing my first goal.  I have reached out to fellow teachers at my school and they have offered me a wide variety of interactive tools which I can implement in my classroom.

• What have you learned so far? 

After e-mailing my librarian, I realized that I can use the SmartBoard technology with my e-Beam.  This information is important because SmartBoard has numerous pre-made interactive tools and PowerPoints available to implement.

• Do you need to modify your action plan? 

At this point, I do not feel as if I need to modify my action plan.  As of now, I feel that my GAME plan is going well  What have you learned so far? Perhaps after progressing from the planning stage to the implementation stage, this GAME plan might need greater reconsideration as issues arise.

• What new questions have arisen?

\The one area I have questions about regard what other interactive tools and resources are available for teachers.  I have asked this question of my collegues, but now I would like to open that same question up to my peers through Walden University.

Carrying Out the GAME Plan: Stage 1

For this aspect of my GAME plan, I focused primarily on my first goal of “design[ing] or adapt[ing] relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2008).  Specifically, I want to establish a clear guide for how I will find at least 1 interactive website or webtool that I can use in my classroom every week for the next 5 weeks.

There are several resources which I feel would be valuable in carrying out this game plan.  First, my personal research of books, teacher resource magazines, and internet resources will yield some avenues for finding appropriate interactive tools.  However, I feel a key resource in this goal will by my colleagues.  As I network with fellow teachers, I feel that I will gain a plethora of new knowledge, as well as firsthand experience.  Therefore, to ignite this process, I have contacted several teachers in my school district asking them to suggestions and advice on any interactive tools that might be meaningful to my new third-grade curriculum.  Additionally, as I am beginning to design my yearlong plan, I am beginning to see areas which will likely be conducive to interactive webtools.

My second goal, “collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success” (ISTE, 2008) is much less in fruition because many aspects of it rely heavily on activities to complete during the regular school year.  However, I have signed up to take a web-design class to bolster my skills and comfort with maintaining a class website.  I believe that the more comfortable I feel with the process, the more likely I will be to maintain an effective and meaningful class website.

GAME Plan

As a means of ensuring that teachers are implementing effective, meaningful utilization of technology, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) developed the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T).  In it, it describes ways in which teachers can examine their comfort and proficiency in each of the five standards. Upon examining these standards, I found two which I felt could be benefited through additional examination, research, and implementation.  The second standard, “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments,” and the third standard “Model Digital-Age Work and Learning,” are the two areas which I want to foster growth and gain greater understanding in. 

My first goal is to become proficient in “design[ing] or adapt[ing] relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2008). Although I feel that I have utilized technology consistently as a sixth grade teacher, I am concerned that in my transition to third grade I will not be able to seamlessly continue this level of technology integration.    To work towards achieving this goal, I plan on locating pre-existing, grade-level appropriate websites to utilize in conjunction with the curriculum.  Additionally, I want to begin to develop presentations to use through my interactive whiteboard.  Our school has E-beams which are similar to SmartBoards, I would like to investigate what software is available to support my classroom.  To monitor this process, I need to create a more specific responsibilities to ensure that I am fully completing this goal.  Therefore, I will find at least 1 interactive website or webtool that I can use in my classroom every week for the next 5 weeks.  Then, by the time that the school year begins, I am ready to implement this new sites and skills.  In order to evaluate their effectiveness, I will use them in my classroom then I will take field notes to analyze (qualitatively) how effective I felt that they were and the sort of student feedback I received. 

Similarly, for my second goal, “collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success” (ISTE, 2008). This upcoming school year, I would like to work on maintaining my school website and adding a blog component as a means of further communicating with my students families and community.  By establishing my classroom website as a vital portal of information and connectedness to my classroom, I feel that I can better open the lines of communication between myself and the families.  Additionally, by establishing a blogging component to this website, I feel that I can add a more personal touch to the website.  Ideally, in the beginning of the school year, I will use be blogging weekly on the website, but would like to transition that opportunity to my students so that they can offer their personal blog about what is happening at school.  Similarly to my other goal, I will monitor my accountability by confirming that I have updated my website weekly which I will self-monitor for the first eight weeks of school.  To evaluate the effectiveness of this goal, I will take anecdotal evidence as well as surveying the families regarding the effectiveness and usefulness of this maintained website.

I feel that through effectively working with these goal, I will become a more effective teacher through utilizing technology.  Additionally, by establishing weekly self-check-in, I will ensure that technology integration remains at the forefront of my focus.  

Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009) Technology integration for meaningful

classroom use: A standards based approach.  Cengage Learning, United States.

 
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

Reflection on Application 4

Attached is my screencast reflection of Application 4.
http://screencast.com/t/h6EOKzsfXvXk

Determining Validity of a Website

Attached is a screencast explaining how to determine the validity and reliability of a website.
Enjoy!
http://screencast.com/t/lSlFWGjA4X