I feel like my GAME plan has been a mini success so far. I believe that time will allow me to complete this GAME plan to a bigger success in the future. Many of my actions will be taking place when school gets back into session. I also have not had enough time available to synthesize the information like I would like.
The small success so far is finding and implementing a math tutorial program into my fifth grade classroom. Following my action plan I have been able to compile an excellent list of resources that are available on the web for free. I am going to take these resources and list them by the content strand that my students can explore on each site. After I have finished my list I am going to make posters of the list throughout the classroom for students to use. I still have some questions about one tutorial program called accelerated math. To answer my questions and to hopefully complete my GAME plan, I am going to attend a training on accelerated math at our local ESD in October. This training will hopefully provide the information that I need to make a decision about pursuing accelerated math as a district funded program.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monitoring the GAME Plan
I feel that my game plan is right on track to achieving the goals that I have established. This process is taking a little bit longer than I expected. So more than anything I need to continue to complete my action plan when school gets back in session from summer break.
Thanks to everyone who offered comments and suggestions last week to help me find more information and resources about math tutorials. I am going to continue researching the information that I was given last week. I am also going to make one small modification to my action plan. I had taken an action to contact colleagues at my building through email, requesting any information they had on math tutorials. After receiving information on my blog last week I am going to extend this to some neighboring school districts that are in our athletic conference.
After last weeks exploration in UDL principles I am even more excited to bring a math tutorial program into my classroom. If I can find a program to fit the needs of my students this could be an excellent technological tool to help me provide experiences that students need to become enthusiastic about learning. One tutorial program so far that I am very interested in is Accelerated Math. I have requested more information from their website. The tutorial program appears to be very individualized. Students take a placement test that tarts them at their appropriate level; the program also appears to give quick and easy data to the students and teacher monitoring progress.
Some new questions that have arisen are will the free tutorial programs online meet the goals of the tutorial that I am looking for? How much does a math tutorial program cost? What will my principal think about purchasing a math tutorial program?
Thanks to everyone who offered comments and suggestions last week to help me find more information and resources about math tutorials. I am going to continue researching the information that I was given last week. I am also going to make one small modification to my action plan. I had taken an action to contact colleagues at my building through email, requesting any information they had on math tutorials. After receiving information on my blog last week I am going to extend this to some neighboring school districts that are in our athletic conference.
After last weeks exploration in UDL principles I am even more excited to bring a math tutorial program into my classroom. If I can find a program to fit the needs of my students this could be an excellent technological tool to help me provide experiences that students need to become enthusiastic about learning. One tutorial program so far that I am very interested in is Accelerated Math. I have requested more information from their website. The tutorial program appears to be very individualized. Students take a placement test that tarts them at their appropriate level; the program also appears to give quick and easy data to the students and teacher monitoring progress.
Some new questions that have arisen are will the free tutorial programs online meet the goals of the tutorial that I am looking for? How much does a math tutorial program cost? What will my principal think about purchasing a math tutorial program?
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Carrying out the Game Plan
Resources & Information to Complete the GAME Plan
Goal 1 Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Standard B- develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
Actions to Take
• Conduct reading and research on the Web about math tutorial programs.
• Post an information request to all my colleagues through email.
• Ask my Walden University classmates for assistance on their experiences with math tutorial programs.
• Meet with my district tech-coordinator when he is back in his office from summer break.
Steps Taken
• I reviewed the textbooks companion website and linked to Mrs. Linquist: The Tutor.
• I also reviewed information on a math program called accelerated math.
• I sent out an email request to colleagues at my elementary school.
Goal 2 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Standard B-exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
Actions to Take
• Schedule a meeting with my Principal to share the technology skills that I have learned with my professional learning community.
• Choose one skill each month to share with my colleagues.
• Work with my grade level team to share methods to infuse technology into the content.
Steps Taken
• None-I will set up a meeting with my principal after summer break. I will also meet with my grade level team in August when we meet before the beginning of the school year.
Goal 1 Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Standard B- develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
Actions to Take
• Conduct reading and research on the Web about math tutorial programs.
• Post an information request to all my colleagues through email.
• Ask my Walden University classmates for assistance on their experiences with math tutorial programs.
• Meet with my district tech-coordinator when he is back in his office from summer break.
Steps Taken
• I reviewed the textbooks companion website and linked to Mrs. Linquist: The Tutor.
• I also reviewed information on a math program called accelerated math.
• I sent out an email request to colleagues at my elementary school.
Goal 2 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Standard B-exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
Actions to Take
• Schedule a meeting with my Principal to share the technology skills that I have learned with my professional learning community.
• Choose one skill each month to share with my colleagues.
• Work with my grade level team to share methods to infuse technology into the content.
Steps Taken
• None-I will set up a meeting with my principal after summer break. I will also meet with my grade level team in August when we meet before the beginning of the school year.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Game Plan-NETS-T
Before starting this master’s degree program at Walden University, I needed strengthening in all of these NETS-T indicators. After completing the course work and developing new technology skills, I feel that I have gained more confidence and proficiency. With that being said, it is an ever changing world that we can never stop learning in or we will fall well behind.
One indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. Specifically, standard b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. To complete this goal, I would like to learn more about computer tutorials. I would like to find a math tutorial that my fifth grade students could use to meet standard b. The action that I will need to take is to review different math tutorial software. I believe that my district tech-coordinator would be a good resource to start with. I will also reach out to colleagues about their experiences with math tutorial software. I would like this tutorial to be a tool that challenges the students’ creative thinking skills. To monitor this goal, I will need to evaluate the different tutorial software to make sure that it meets the criteria that I am looking for. To evaluate and extend my learning, I want to identify the techniques that could be used best for my students. I would like to find the best ways to allow my students to be successful when using the software.
The second indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is engaging in professional growth and leadership. This program has increased my excitement about infusing these new technology skills into my classroom. I would also like to take a leadership role in sharing what I have learned with my intermediate grade level team. Standard b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others. The action I would like to take is to take a leadership role and present the skills that I have learned at a professional learning community meeting. To monitor this goal, I will need to make sure that I am prepared to take this leadership role. I believe that we are not preparing our students for the technology skills needed for the future, and I would like to help my colleagues by sharing what I have learned throughout this program so far.
One indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. Specifically, standard b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. To complete this goal, I would like to learn more about computer tutorials. I would like to find a math tutorial that my fifth grade students could use to meet standard b. The action that I will need to take is to review different math tutorial software. I believe that my district tech-coordinator would be a good resource to start with. I will also reach out to colleagues about their experiences with math tutorial software. I would like this tutorial to be a tool that challenges the students’ creative thinking skills. To monitor this goal, I will need to evaluate the different tutorial software to make sure that it meets the criteria that I am looking for. To evaluate and extend my learning, I want to identify the techniques that could be used best for my students. I would like to find the best ways to allow my students to be successful when using the software.
The second indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is engaging in professional growth and leadership. This program has increased my excitement about infusing these new technology skills into my classroom. I would also like to take a leadership role in sharing what I have learned with my intermediate grade level team. Standard b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others. The action I would like to take is to take a leadership role and present the skills that I have learned at a professional learning community meeting. To monitor this goal, I will need to make sure that I am prepared to take this leadership role. I believe that we are not preparing our students for the technology skills needed for the future, and I would like to help my colleagues by sharing what I have learned throughout this program so far.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
New Literacy Skills Reflection
Before taking this class, I had a vision of how my fifth grade classroom would look after I had integrated many of the skills that I have learned throughout this program. This class has helped me begin to understand how I can make this vision a reality for my students. This course has shown me that it is real easy to get caught up in students’ final products and loose sight of the important steps that are along the way. So the biggest revelation I take from this class is breaking down the final product in an inquiry research project and teaching the step-by-step literacy skills that are essential to prepare students for today’s online world. Before this class, I didn’t understand the skills that are important for students to be successful online. I also placed too much emphasis on the final product and not enough on the learning that needed to be taking place along the way.
Going forward, I will work to implement the QUEST model of internet inquiry research into my classroom. This implementation will be a step-by-step process teaching students how to navigate the internet using new literacy skills such as; questioning, searching, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating. This process will not be quick and easy. Many of my students lack the essential skills that are needed, but I now feel that I am equipped with some skills that are going to help these students be successful. These new skills have made me excited to teach and learn along with my students as we begin to master the ability to read and learn on the Web together.
One professional development goal that I would like to pursue is to put this inquiry based internet model of learning into action in the intermediate grades at my elementary. First, I will need to explore this model with my students but hopefully after I have learned more about this model I will be able to promote these skills to my colleagues. To get help with this plan, I will need to meet with our district technology coordinator and our district technology committee to see if there our any trainings available in our district or region that would be helpful. I believe that this goal would make a big impact on our students. Getting teachers to work together would be a very powerful tool to develop a different way of teaching for many educators.
Going forward, I will work to implement the QUEST model of internet inquiry research into my classroom. This implementation will be a step-by-step process teaching students how to navigate the internet using new literacy skills such as; questioning, searching, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating. This process will not be quick and easy. Many of my students lack the essential skills that are needed, but I now feel that I am equipped with some skills that are going to help these students be successful. These new skills have made me excited to teach and learn along with my students as we begin to master the ability to read and learn on the Web together.
One professional development goal that I would like to pursue is to put this inquiry based internet model of learning into action in the intermediate grades at my elementary. First, I will need to explore this model with my students but hopefully after I have learned more about this model I will be able to promote these skills to my colleagues. To get help with this plan, I will need to meet with our district technology coordinator and our district technology committee to see if there our any trainings available in our district or region that would be helpful. I believe that this goal would make a big impact on our students. Getting teachers to work together would be a very powerful tool to develop a different way of teaching for many educators.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Learning Theory Reflection
Looking back upon my “Personal Theory of Learning” I still believe that students learn best when they are active participants in the learning process. When students are active and engaged in learning, they are able to connect to the learning and make it meaningful to them. When students construct and manipulate the information, they make connections that allow them to remember and recall the information much better. I still am in support of the Constructivist Learning Theory. However, I have become more ecliptic in my approach to learning after taking this class. I have a greater understanding of all the different learning theories and the strategies that help students learn with these different perspectives in mind. I am looking forward to implementing these new strategies and tools into my classroom. I have already begun using mind maps with my students on a regular basis.
Two immediate instructional practices regarding technology that I would like to implement are the use of VoiceThread and PowerPoint. These two tools will allow my students to actively use technology as they are learning content. These tools also approach student learning using multi-sensory applications that provide students with the opportunity to represent their knowledge in a variety of techniques.
Two long-term goal changes that I would like to make are to get more computers in my classroom or get the district to provide a lab on a cart, and the second goal is to transition my technology tools from instructional to learning tools. These two goals go hand in hand together. The more access to computers the more opportunities I will be able to get technology into my student’s hands. I will also continue to seek district-sponsored professional development after I have completed this masters program. I am going to be taking two technology courses Advance PowerPoint, and Advanced Google Tools this spring.
Two immediate instructional practices regarding technology that I would like to implement are the use of VoiceThread and PowerPoint. These two tools will allow my students to actively use technology as they are learning content. These tools also approach student learning using multi-sensory applications that provide students with the opportunity to represent their knowledge in a variety of techniques.
Two long-term goal changes that I would like to make are to get more computers in my classroom or get the district to provide a lab on a cart, and the second goal is to transition my technology tools from instructional to learning tools. These two goals go hand in hand together. The more access to computers the more opportunities I will be able to get technology into my student’s hands. I will also continue to seek district-sponsored professional development after I have completed this masters program. I am going to be taking two technology courses Advance PowerPoint, and Advanced Google Tools this spring.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Social Learning Theory
Social learning theories are based on the belief that students actively engage in constructing artifacts in a social setting where students can have conversations that help contextualize the information. According to Beaumie Kim, “individuals create meaning through their interactions with each other and with the environment they live in.” “Meaningful learning occurs when individuals are engaged in social activities.”(Orey, 2001)
Using the strategy “Cooperative Learning” as an instructional tool in the classroom definitely promotes the ideas of social learning. Cooperative learning allows students to construct meaning and knowledge together by working side by side with other students. “By combining teamwork and individual accountability, students work toward acquiring both knowledge and social skills.”(Orey, 2001)
I really liked the two-week movie project that students constructed about a famous mathematician in cooperative learning groups. I really like that the students not only work together to do the research, but they are working together to teach the information to other students. They become the so called experts in the field. These students are creating an artifact in a social setting that will make the learning meaningful and fun for the students.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Using the strategy “Cooperative Learning” as an instructional tool in the classroom definitely promotes the ideas of social learning. Cooperative learning allows students to construct meaning and knowledge together by working side by side with other students. “By combining teamwork and individual accountability, students work toward acquiring both knowledge and social skills.”(Orey, 2001)
I really liked the two-week movie project that students constructed about a famous mathematician in cooperative learning groups. I really like that the students not only work together to do the research, but they are working together to teach the information to other students. They become the so called experts in the field. These students are creating an artifact in a social setting that will make the learning meaningful and fun for the students.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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