As
a life-long self-directed learner I "will be responsible for locating
learning opportunities and completing tasks to meet my own learning goals" (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 1-2). In order to
carry out my GAME plan I will need to consult various sources to best meet my
goals. The first step that I took was discussing my goals with my PLC. I wanted
to get their suggestions, professional opinions, and ideas about my current
goals. We were able to discuss the importance of incorporating new digital
technologies within all of our classrooms and having our students become
self-directed learners as well. I was also able to receive some great feedback
and suggestions from my Walden PLC on my goals.
Last
week I registered for a social studies Smart Board technology integration
workshop. I attended this workshop today and found some creative ways not only
to use the Smart Board but also was introduced to several interactive websites
that will help students learn the content in different ways. The goals that I
have set for my GAME plan will allow me to incorporate UDL. Universal design for learning (UDL) is a plan to help customize
and provide flexibility among the lessons, activities, and assessments (Cennamo
et al, 2009). The digital technologies that I will be working towards
incorporating will not only give students various options and opportunities to
succeed but also allow them to be self-directed learners. Therefore, both of my
goals can be combined and worked on simultaneously.
The
next step in my GAME plan is to continue researching ways of incorporating
digital technologies which will give my diverse students the opportunity to
succeed. I will also have follow up meetings with my PLC and will continue to
search the web. I plan on incorporating some of these new technologies within
my lessons and begin tracking student progress and motivation. Once I start
tracking student progress I will then be able to modify the activities as
needed and continue to integrate new digital technologies.
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.
Aneta,
ReplyDeleteWhen I was student teaching the SMART board was being introduced into my school it was awesome! In my current school, they have shunned the SMART board for something similar called a Promethean board. Same basic idea, but with a built-in projector. My biggest problem was that I float, and moving into a classroom, logging in, getting the Promethean set up, and starting class took way to long for the one room that had the board. I did not get into the Promethean as much as I could have / should have.
Will you be able to have students create lessons or projects that incorporate the SMART technology? Obviously you will be using it to teach and access, but if you could give the kids a chance to work on it, that would be a pretty great use of educational technology. Students would be able to use the multimedia aspects of the SMART to use "linked material [which] may incorporate text, audio, or visual information that helps students with diverse learning preferences find support in a mode that they prefer" (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p123). Having the students learn from and learn on the SMART technology is going be a great use of your GAME plan!
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.
Daniel,
DeleteThis week I attended a SMART Board workshop where the presenter showed us and explained different ways we can have our students be the ones creating projects and exploring the technology by making new things. Unfortunately, students do not have access to SMART Board software on the school computers or floating laptops. The teachers in the school are the only ones who have this loaded onto their laptops. Therefore, the primary way that I can use this technology is by creating different presentations for students to explore and manipulate and have them access links to various websites, since students are not allowed to use teacher laptops. I would like to bring this up to administration to see if we have the resources to make SMART software available on students' computers because it would definitely allow them to explore using and incorporating "text, audio, or visual information" as you have pointed out (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009).
Aneta