EDUC-6715 Reflection

This course has opened my eyes to the desperate need for technology in the classroom, and how to persuade co-workers and school administration to support the effort. I am more aware of the multitude of online applications such as digital games or sites like RCampus and Moodle. The digital games offer a more interactive approach to learning. The online sites like Moodle allow for students to always have access to the classroom even when they are at home. By being able to submit assignments, take tests, and view grades online, students are more likely to put in effort and complete their work since it is much more convenient. Even using the Avatar type programs in the classroom has some validity in regards to improving student learning. It is basically a means of communication that can be used to ask classmates questions outside of school. This even allows for groupwork withough having to gather the students in one room. There are so many possibilities, and also so many opportunities to obtain grant funding for our schools. There are many grants available. We just need to open the eyes of our colleagues and prove that technology is necessary. Then we can collaboratively research useful grants. Once that is done, we just sit back and hope that our schools will be chosen to receive this much needed help. I feel like there are many grants out there that schools do not take advantage of. Like the old saying goes..."You gotta be in it to win it"!

Reflection

My graduate course at Walden University has taught me so many new ways to incorporate Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction with these technology tools I was introduced to. The differentiation Station assignments were helpful, because instead of sifting through the infinite number of search results online, I found a few of them and the rest of my group found others. This is how schools should encourage their teachers to find new ways to teach using technology. Collaboration makes the task simple and interesting.

Using these new tools will be very motivational for my students (when I can finally get a job). The technology and computer programs will be sure to spark their interests and hold their attention. Who wouldn’t want to watch online videos rather than read from the textbook? I plan to use online assessments, along with podcasts, voice threads, and digital stories to teach the material to my students.

GAME Plan Week 7

After comparing the NETS-T and NETS-S I realized how closely related they are. The students are expected to learn basically the same way the teachers do. Both involve collaboration, creativity, and safety with the use of technology. While the teachers collaborate with other teachers, students and peers to decide the best way to utilize and incorporate technology, the students need to collaborate with others to better understand, utilize, and learn the concepts. Teachers and students alike are required to use the technology in a professional manner and respect copyrights and such. The teachers should be responsible while preparing information for their classes with regards to information on the internet, and the students must do the same as they work on assignments.

I would use the GAME plan approach to help familiarize my students with these standards. I would create a lesson, or use the PBL unit. I would make sure that I had the students create a GAME plan, and solve the problem by being planning their approach, being creative, using technology properly and responsibly, and collaborating with each other to gain insight.

GAME PLAN WEEK 6

I have learned so many ways to present information using technology rather than simply using paper and pencil. Before this, Power Point was my only idea. Now I was introduced to digital storytelling. These are fantastic alternatives and allow freedom of choice when it comes to students presenting their information and ideas. I still need to figure out exactly how to create a secure and monitored site for our classes to post and discuss ideas before I can present to my principal. I need to continue my research in order to establish a successful argument to unblock or create a website.
I still need to perfect my skills with the many online digital story telling tools. If I am not proficient then I will not be successful in teaching the tools to my students. Much of it may be self-directed learning along with trial and error, but I still need to be able to answer question so my students trust my confidence and abilities. To achieve this goal I will use various programs and websites to create my own digital stories. This will help familiarize myself with these new tools.

GAME Plan Week 5

Through my research and exploring I found some very useful ideas in our class resources that will help me differentiate instruction. There are various types of learners, and I want to be able to reach out to them all. Whether they are visual, auditory, or another type of learner I will be prepared with a helpful tool to help them learn and comprehend the content. Dr. John Ross suggested using online videos for visual and auditory learners. They could simply be posted on a class website that can be accessed by students at a later time or at home. This is great, because it can be utilized by the students who know they will benefit more from this visual aid, and it won’t necessarily consume class time for those that are successful without it.

I still need to find a way to gain access o a class website or blog site. Realistically, this will take a while to be approved. Since this is a lesson that I am developing for later use, I hope that by acting to achieve my GAME plan now will allow me to gain the tools I need to carry out this lesson in the near future.

Modifications to My GAME Plan

Once I came up with the idea for me lesson plan on world peace, I was able to easily find information that my students would find useful to my students. I know that there is enough information on the internet for my classes to utilize. It was easy to plan, and the technology involved is easy to use and accessible to all students.

I actually have discussed my lesson with one of me fellow English teachers. He thought it was a great idea and had the idea of creating a class website on one of the free website pages, like geocities. I have never used this, so I will have to experiment to see how it works. This way, not only can my class see each others’ work, but the entire school and parents could also view our progress and final products. This enforces the concept of teacher collaboration. The more minds you have, the more ideas will arise. Each teacher will bring their own ideas to the table to help modify the GAME plan.

The question that I am pondering now is how to give more options to the students. They already have the option of what to discuss in their projects. They get to choose the world issues they wish to focus on. Now, I am brainstorming other options in the form of presenting. I have them creating a Power Point as or right now, but I might extend the options to include wikis and podcasts. I will have to develop this as I move forward with my unit.

GAME Plan Week 3

My GAME plan involves finding examples of real world problems that disturb the concept of World Peace. I will have some videos to prepare the students for the task, and to give them ideas of what to look for on their own. The students will need access to the internet to perform their research, and there must be a class blog site to post their ideas to the class as homework/study hall work. In order for my lesson to be successful I need to have the parents aware of our class blog site so they know it is a safe assignment consisting of only students and teachers from our classes. I need to know if it is possible to only allow certain people to post to our blog site so that no outsiders can interfere. Once I get this figured out we will be able to move ahead with our online collaboration. I also need to do some more research on how to include UDL principles in this unit.