Final Reflection

Final Reflection- Game Plan

The past seven weeks have taught me valuable lessons in using technology in the classroom. We all know that we are not supposed to add technology just to add technology. The technology needs to enhance our lesson.  I had t think about how I was going to use technology in my classroom AND align it to my curriculum.

After I stopped stressing over it, I realized that the technology really made my life easier. Students were engaged and WANTED to learn. I received class iPads about 4 weeks ago, my students could not be happier! They want to learn. They want to do lessons on the iPad. This has made my technology integration easier.

The adjustments I have found have gone smoothly.  I use technology each day. I add the iPads whenever I can. I also have two touch screen laptops in my classroom. When I make the laptop a tablet the students are much more eager to use technology. I have found that my instruction has changed to meet the needs of my students.

I do this each year; however, with more education, I find that I really look to my students to guide my practice. I look at their needs, their wants, their interests and go from there. I also enjoy teaching more!

My Game Plan started here (CLICK HERE) and ended here (CLICK HERE) and now I see that I still have a lot of work. I will not receive classroom computers because of my iPads. I do not have Microsoft on my iPads at this point. I have put in a request to get the programs. I am hoping to have them by February 2013. I will then put into place my plan.

I talked with the technology teacher, he thinks my plan is a great idea. He said he can tell the students who have technology (computers, internet, Microsoft) at home and those who do not.  Of my 19 students, only one student has a computer with internet at home. My students are the ones who are behind in computer class.  I want to help them be successful in school and life. I want to implement my GAME PLAN.

I have made progress with my GAME Plan. I have used my laptop and the SMARTboard to show my students the Microsoft programs. We have walked through each program. We have talked about it. I have showed them how I make my newsletters and how I make graphs. We have put in numbers in Excel, pictures in PowerPoint and information in Publisher.

My students have enjoyed this. I would really like to have them work with each program. As I stated, I would like to have them do this by February when I get the programs I need.

My students, because of their socioeconomic background, do not have exposure to the technology. This could hurt them in the long run. So, I have to be the proactive teacher and give my students exposure.

I plan to use digital story telling a lot more often in my class. It does take a few days in order to be successful. I have to remember that even though I am taking time away from my daily lessons, my students are still learning. They are learning real life skills for the 21^st century.

I am making a difference. I am a teacher!

Monitorng my GAME Plan

Monitoring my GAME Plan

I have two GAME plan goals. I felt to be more realistic and really work on my goal I am going to focus on this goal:

Students will match Microsoft programs with a given lesson.
Students will pick a make believe project and then choose which Microsoft program would best fit the project.
Students will play with each Microsoft program to get a better understanding of each area.

My main idea with this lesson would be to have students experiment with different Miscrosoft programs and then in the end know which program would be used for different kinds of projects.

For my complete GAME Plan please CLICK HERE, it is the second set of Goals.

The main reason I am going to work on this GAME Plan goal is because my school will support this. My school does not support social networking, wikis, blogs or other online tools.

Am I finding information and resources that I need?

Yes and no.

My biggest YES would be my iPads. I got them yesterday!!! I am so excited.   I have talked to the Computer Teacher and he is going to help me when needed. I am not as familiar with Publisher as I am with the other programs. I did some “playing” with Publisher this week.

My iPads do not yet have all the programs on them. I am a little unfamiliar with iPads and have found that they have the Apple version of Microsoft. The IT is going to be put the other version on next week. This well help me, I believe.

I brought an iPad home to work with it this long weekend. This should help me teach students.

I need to find some more online research about how other teachers incorporate Microsoft in the classroom.  Some resources I have found are below: (They are hyperlinks, click to read more)

Microsoft has great ideas! I was surprised bythe resources they offer.

Publisher in the classroom- this is the olderversion and more of a help for me.

Publisher in the classroom – resource

Miscrosoft Games in the classroom- great links

Did I need to modify my action plan?

YES! As listed above. I had to and I feel it will be more successful.

What have I learned so far?

As always, everything takes more time. I have my lesson pretty planned out and when in December I will teach it.  I have added extra time. I have planned a whole week of time during reading to do this lesson.  I am a pull out and only have 90 minutes a day with the group of students I plan to do this lesson with. 

I have learned more about Publisher and I am learning more about iPads. Because I have iPads I would like to use them in my room with my students. They are also portable and FUN!

What new questions have arisen?

My biggest one is, “WHAT DO I DO NOW?” I know what to do, but the iPads have me a little nervous and I am not an Apple person. I am SUPER excited and ready to learn. 

My other question, “Do I have enough time built in?” I hope so and want this lesson to be successful.

I have talked to my principal and she thinks this is a great plan. She was a huge help in getting my iPads. I now have them, I need to use them.

This is going to be a great GAME Plan and lesson for the students. Microsoft Office are programs that are used every day by every company and every job. This will be a great stepping stone for my students in the 21^st century. There are programs our students will use that have not yet been invented. My students will have a step up on others, because they will be familiar with the “now days” programs.

If you have any feedback please let me know. Thanks so much for your support/ideas/feedback.

 

 

Next steps in my GAME Plan

 

Last week I posed about my GAME plan. Click Here to read my plan. This week I need to put my affairs in order to make my GAME plan work in my classroom.

One of the most important parts of my plan requires iPads or laptops.  The biggest obstacle is to get my iPads. I still do not have my class iPads, although the district has had them since school has started. I have talked with my principals and she is working with IT and the superintendent to have them to me soon. I was told I would not receive classroom computers this year, because I am getting iPads. I was fine with this; however, it is the fourth month of school and still no iPads or classroom computers.

I have been making due by checking out the mobile laptop carts. They work, however, they are slow and it takes much longer when everyone is logged on to the server.

I feel that this obstacle is about to be resolved.  I cannot dwell on the negative, I need to be proactive and still work with my students to make their education the best it can be.

For my first goal I have done the following to help prepare myself:

I have started to research blogs, wikis, and other online collaboration sites that do not require students to have an email. If you know of any PLEASE let me know.  I also am working with my students on real life vs. make believe.  This concept is hard for my students.  We will spend each day working with non-fiction works.

My students are very familiar with Google Image because they use it for previous lessons. They use it often in school via mobile laptops. 

My biggest need in order to make this lesson/goal successful is to find an online collaboration tool that my district will allow. Again, if you have any ideas please let me know.

My second goal is much more doable. I will have students working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Publisher.  According to cast.org (2011) all students learn differently and need different types of instruction and/or materials to be successful. This lesson will help students express themselves in different ways. Students who need to write/type can do so in word. Students who need graphs and diagrams can use Excel. Visual students can use Powerpoint or Publisher.

The materials I will need in order to make the lessons/goals successful are below:

·         Teacher text book

·         Student text book

·         Paper

·         Pencil

·         SMARTboard

·         Laptops or iPads

·         Teacher laptop

·         Internet

·         Microsoft programs

·         Network  for students to save work

·         Reading block of time to teach each program

I also plan to research more “fun” ways to use each program. I have used Google to look at projects and have found a few blogs that list classroom project ideas. 

I feel I have a good start to my GAME Plan. Any ideas or suggestion are more than welcome. Thanks a million!

Resources

CAST (2011) Learning about universal learning design (URL). Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/learn.php

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.

GAME Plan

This week in my EDUC 6713 class I was asked to share a GAME plan for strengthening my confidence with two NETS goals.

Let me start by explaining a few things. NETS are National Education Technology Standards. They can be found at www.iste.org/nets. GAME plan is Goals, Action, Monitor your learning, Evaluate and Extend your learning. This information was taken from the book Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use by Katherine Cennamo, John Ross and Peggy Ertmer, 2009. Other information can be found on GAME plan by a Google Search and sources by Laureate Education.

I teach Special Eduacation grades PreK-3^rd. The following GAME plans are for students that are grades 2 and 3 in a fast track reading program. They work very hard and we are trying to close the gap between them and their general education peers. I hope to have three of the four exited from SpEd by the end of the school year.

The first NETS that I need to strengthen is:

Standard two Communication and Collaboration- Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support in individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

G-Goals:

Students will work together to complete an online and/or on network program.  
Students will be assigned a role by the teacher to help complete the project.
Students will each be responsible for his or her part of the project.
Student will also have to work as a team to complete project.

A- Take Action to meet goals:

I have my students for the longest chunk of time during reading. I would like to use the reading block to have students work together on a project. Students will not only be fulfilling NETS 2, they will be self-directed learners (Laureate Education, Inc. 2012). I would like to expand on the daily lesson by having students work together to complete a Wiki.

Students are currently about to start a new level of reading. The first reading stories and concepts are non-fiction about real and make believe animals. Students can work together to make a Wiki with pages on make believe animals and real animals.

Each student (four students in group) would have to post a real animal with a picture and a make believe animal with a picture. My students are familiar with Google Image search and can easily find a picture to match the animal. Students would also have to put a short description of why the animals are real or make believe.

M- Monitor progress toward achieving goals:

Students will be monitored by teacher. Teacher, (me) will work directly with the small group. The students will be using mobile laptops or classroom iPads. Students will be at a large Kidney table with teacher.  I can move around the group and help each student as needed. 

Monitoring will take place informally. I will help when needed and offer support for higher thinking. I want my students to think creatively and be self-directed learners.

E- Evaluate whether the goals were achieved and Extend your learning to new situations:

Students will follow a rubric to see if all parts of the lesson were met. This is a group project and I do not want students’ grades to reflect if someone else did not do the work. I will also talk with each student one-on-one where they can tell me how they felt the project went.

I also believe that this lesson has real life value. Students are reading about real and make believe topics all the time. It is important that they can decipher the difference.  Reasoning skills are some of the hardest skills for special education students to master. This lesson will help them distinguish the difference.

The second NET that I need to strengthen is:

Standard six Technology Operations and Concepts- Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.

Not only do I need to have a better understanding, my students also do. I need to have a better understanding in order to teach my students. I feel I have a GAME plan to help them with the basic understanding of this standard.

G-Goals:

Students will match Microsoft programs with a given lesson.
Students will pick a make believe project and then choose which Microsoft program would best fit the project.
Students will play with each Microsoft program to get a better understanding of each area.

A- Take Action to meet goals:

Students will be shown each Microsoft program via the SMARTboard. They will then follow along with laptops of iPads. Students will be given time to play and explore each program. After students are familiar with each program the teacher will give examples of work and the students will tell which program should be used.

Examples:

Writing a paper – Microsoft Word
Making a list with numbers – Microsoft Excel
Making a slide show – Microsoft PowerPoint
Making a flier/news letter/banner – Microsoft Publisher

Students will then give examples of what they could make in each of the above programs. Students and teacher will brainstorm ideas. Teacher will write down ideas on SMARTboard. It would be benefit if teacher uses Microsoft Word to write down the ideas.

M- Monitor progress toward achieving goals:

Teacher will monitor students as a group. I will ask questions to constantly check for understanding. If students are incorrect in an answer I will help them find the correct answer to feel successful.  I will use as much repetition as needed in order for my students to feel successful.

E- Evaluate whether the goals were achieved and Extend your learning to new situations:

Students will have a quiz at the end of the lesson (it will take a few days to get through all of the programs). Students will have to match the four Microsoft programs with different ideas/projects/examples. Student’s ideas from brainstorm will also be used.

Students will have a spot where they can write out a lesson/idea/example of their favorite Microsoft program.

When done students will have one-on-one time with the teacher to go over answers and score.

I feel that this would be a real life lesson and skill for my students. Most of the 21^st century is done on a computer. I know I personally rather type notes than write them. I am a faster typer and I can get my ideas down. Words can be looked up and spelling can be checked. My students need skills to help them be successful in the real world. Being able to use Microsoft is a real life skill.

Please give me feedback on my lessons and let me know what you think! I hope that I have made a change for the better with my students. I would really like to implement a form of these lessons with my students.

Resources

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012). Promoting Self-Directed Learning with Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author

Action Research

I am working on my action research paper for grad school. I finally have my question and my first 8 pages of my plan done. I am in week three of my 8 week planning period. I will then have 24 weeks to implement my plan and write my paper.
An Action Research Paper is a paper that is about my class or district. It is a plan that I will put into place to make a change.  When all said and done, this will be my "thesis" for my masters.

My question:
How does a parent's influence and support regarding education impact their child's grades in school?

Wish me luck!

On another note!

I had my baby girl. She was born June 30, 2012 at 2:30 am. She was 6 pounds 15 ounces 20 3/4 inches long. Her name is Prudence Fiona. We will call her Fiona. She is the 4th generation Prudence.

Have a great week.

Final Reflection

During this course (Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology), I was asked to write my learning theory. I wrote my theory seven weeks ago. My learning theory breaks down to one sentence, “Each student learns differently and is able to learn.”

I was asked to revisit my learning theory and summarize any modifications to my learning theory. I have to say that my learning theory has not changed, but it has expanded. I am now more aware of how students learn. I have a better understanding of different learning theories and instructional strategies.

Each week we watched videos about different learning styles. Each of these videos has helped me expand my learning theory. Dr. Orey was a recurring character in our videos. He did a fantastic job of explaining each learning theory along with giving examples of how the learning theory is applied in the classroom.

I also am more aware of my teaching style. I am defiantly a behaviorist. I try to replace the undesirable behavior with  desired behavior. I do this by reinforcing the positive and punishing the negative. I focus on the positive. If Johnny is not doing what is desirable, I will praise Suzy for doing the correct behavior. I found this approach works very well. It is successful in my classroom. I track most of my students’ behavior on behavior charts. I have data to back up that this approach works.

I also use a lot of cognitive learning theory styles in my classroom. As a special education teacher, I see each person learns differently. I am aware that dual coding works wonders when teaching a lesson. A lesson is much more successful if I use multiple types of deliverance. An example would be not only explaining the lesson orally but offer a visual or hands on experience to the students.

I still am very fond of Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. In his book, Gardner (2011) states how each person learns differently and may need more than one approach to learn successfully. I could not agree with him more. As a teacher, it is my duty to find out how my students learn. Once I understand how they learn, I can tailor my lessons to each student. By differentiating each lesson, I can ensure that my students will succeed.

I was also asked to describe any immediate adjustments I will make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration. The biggest adjustment I plan to do is, think about how I use technology in my classroom. Our textbook, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (2007), makes it clear not to use technology just to use technology. Make sure there is a plan when using technology. First plan out the lesson, and then add technology to the lesson. The technology should enhance the lesson; it should be used as an add-on to make the lesson better.

I now think about my lessons, plan them out, and then add technology to my lesson. The technology is not just thrown in to meet a standard or to say, “Yep, I used technology.” Putting technology in the lesson to help student engagement. I now have a better understanding of how to use technology as a learning tool.

Technology tools I would like to use more with my students are iPads, laptops, SMARTboard manipulatives, and internet based networks such as wikis, VoiceThread, and blogs. These tools can be used as instructional tools and learning tools. It is important to know which way these tools will be used. I plan to use them as learning tools. The students will be the ones using the technologies to enhance learning.

All of the technologies I listed can be used to enhance daily lessons by using different instructional strategies. Each one could use all nine strategies, depending on how the lesson is taught. (Please see attached appendix for a list of instructional strategies and definitions.) How the technologies are used, depends on the planning of the lessons. It is important to remember that technology adds to the lesson, they improve the lesson. Do not add technology just to add technology.

I was asked to make two long term goal changes I would like to make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration. My first goal is the same goal I posted in my reflection from my last class. The goal is:

By April 2014, I will have students using tablets daily as part of lessons with 90% accuracy as measured by classroom data.

This goal is going to be tricky for a few reasons. Reason one, funding! I have been looking at grants for tablets for my classroom. I have a few of them downloaded and I will be applying for them this summer. I was also told that I would have two iPads for my classroom next year, if funding becomes available . I have to find apps and explain why they would be helpful to a Special Education class. I have been working on these goals the past few months. They were due to the IT the last week of May.

Once the iPads are in my classroom, I will be able to use them in a variety of ways to enhance my lessons. Each day will depend on the lesson that is being taught. I will plan my lesson then add technology and instructional strategies to make the lesson better.

My second goal: By May 2013, I will plan lessons more appropriately while integrating technology with 90% as measured by classroom data.

Objective one: Each lesson will be planned thoroughly to reach students’ IEP goals.

Objective two: Each lesson that uses technology will use technology to enhance the lesson.

Objective three: Each lesson will follow state and NETS standards.

I will reach the second goal by following the objectives above. I will make sure that I am integrating technology into my lessons with thought and research. It is very important that I am preparing my student for a 21st century. I can do this by thinking out each lesson with great preparation.

Overall, the most important “thing” I have learned from this class would be to prepare my lessons with thought. Make sure that technology enhances the lessons; it is not used just to use technology. I have also learned more about myself and my teaching style. I highly recommend teachers go back to school. I recommend them never stop learning. We ask our students to learn each day; it is important that we do the same.

Appendix

The Instructional Strategies DefinedPitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom             instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Page 9, Figure 4
Category	Definition
1.      Identifying similarities and differences	Enhance students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge by engaging them in mental processes that involve identifying ways items are alike and different.
2.      Summarizing and note taking	Enhance students’ ability to synthesize information and organize it in a way that capture the main ideas and supporting details.
3.      Reinforcing effort and providing recognition	Enhance students’ understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing students’ attitudes and beliefs about learning. Provide student with rewards or praise for their accomplishments related to the attainment of a goal.
4.      Homework and practice	Extend the learning opportunities for students to practice, review, and apply knowledge. Enhance students’ ability to reach the expected level of proficiency for a skill or process.
5.      Nonlinguistic representation	Enhance students’ ability to represent and elaborate on knowledge using mental images.
6.      Cooperative learning	Provide students with opportunities to interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning.
7.      Setting objectives and providing feedback	Provide students a direction for learning and information about how well they are performing relative to a particular learning goal so they can improve their performance.
8.      Generating and testing hypotheses	Enhance students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge by engaging them in mental processes that involve making and testing hypotheses.
9.      Cues, questions, and advanced organizers	Enhance students’ ability to retrieve, use, and organize what they already knows about a topic.

References

Gardner, H. (2011). Frames of mind: the theory of multiple intelligences. Kindle Edition

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). [Webcast]. Multiple videos.

            Baltimore: Laureate Media.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom

            instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Social Learning in Practice (and VoiceThread)

Social Learning in Practice (and VoiceThread)

What is social learning? How do we use it to help our students achieve more?

Social learning fits right in with last week’s post about Constructionism. Social learning according to Dr. Orey (2010a) is when students are actively engaged in learning.   With social learning students work together, collaboratively, to complete a project.

There are many ways to do this. Many teachers have group projects they do in class.  Each person in the group has a title or job that they must do in order for the project to be successful.  Now we bring these projects to the 21st century. We add computers and the internet.

Students can use many online resources and work collaboratively on a project.  Wikis, blogs, and websites just to name a few.  A few examples mentioned in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (2007) are having students create a video, become part of the JASON project, make or follow a webquest, make a website, or use a simulation game.  Each of these examples allows students to work with other students, either in the classroom or across the world. These students work together in order to complete a project.

I think it is important for us, teachers and parents, to remember that the jobs our students and children will be doing in twenty years, do not exist today.  We are preparing our youth for a future we are not sure about. One of the best ways to help prepare our youth is to give them the opportunities that are available.

Many companies use a form of social learning and social collaboration.  This saves time and money for a company. A worker in Japan can communicate and collaborate with a worker in New York. This can be done in live time or on their own time.  In 2008 workforce.com published an article about how corporations were going to e-learning because of cost and the ability to reach a wide range of employees.  Today we have all watched the commercials that endorse people to work at home. They are all business attire up top, then the camera scrolls down; they are in pajamas and slippers.

Many fortune 500 companies take advantage of social media. Fifty-eight percent of fortune 500 companies have a Facebook page (Kramer, 2012).  “35 percent of the top 100 Fortune 500 companies have a corporate blog compared to 14 percent of those Fortune 500 companies in the bottom 300-500 of the category. Hmmm, top companies devoting more attention to their corporate blogs than those in the bottom of the pack—no surprise to us” (Kramer, 2012).  Our students are going to have to know how to use a blog, how to use social media and how to collaborate with one another in order to be successful.

As George Siemens (2010b) states, the lessons we are teaching need to be practical.  They need to apply to what students are learning.  Don’t use technology just for technology’s sake (Pitler, Hubble, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Students need the real world application when they are using technology. An example might be a Wiki. A student could make a Wiki with a group, just to make a Wiki; however, it would be more beneficial if the students are applying what they have learned from class.  Tie in a reading, math, science, or social studies lesson.  It also is very beneficial to help students see how using a Wiki will be usable in the future.  This might be easier for high school students. Explaining to them that many companies use a form of internet based collaboration.

When people think of Social Learning or Social Networking many people think of Facebook or MySpace.  These are applications that many companies have taken advantage of.  Some teachers, schools, classrooms have Facebook pages. They are used to communicate with parents, students, and the community.  I personally use Facebook a lot with my job with Special Olympics. Special Olympics has taken Facebook and turned it into the main form of communication between coaches, employees, and staff members.  

There are fears with using social media.  The biggest paper in Montana, Billings Gazette, published an article this week about how cyber criminals are using social media sights to gain personal information.  The cyber criminal will send a bogus friend request with a malicious link (Associated Press, 2012), people then click on the link and are taken to a site where they are asked to fill out information.  

After my principal read my blog and listened to my class VoiceThread she reminded me of the Billings Gazette article. It was one more reason to be cautions of social networking. She can see the good in social media/social networking; however, she is trepidations about using it in the school.  Facebook has not played a positive role in our school this year.

This brings me to my VoiceThread. VoiceThread is new to me.  VoiceThread is a way for people to communicate with others. Please take a minute to watch this VIDEO to help you understand VoiceThread.  (Click on the word VIDEO)

I was asked to make a VoiceThread for my graduate class. I was asked to “think of a need, problem, or situation you are confronted with in your classroom or school today.”  The  need I feel my school needs is more education about social networking/social media. Please take a minute (or two) and listen to my VoiceThread. I would love your feedback.

VOICETHREAD- Social Media

How do you use Social Learning and Social Networking, safely, in your personal and professional life?

references

Associated Press (2012, June 1). Cyber criminals using new tricks for break-ins. Billings

            Gazette­. Retrieved from http://billingsgazette.com/news/national/cyber-criminals-using-

new-tricks-for-break-ins/article_e1b7f999-895b-576b-807c-0ee150c9b344.html

Karmer, Shelly (2012, May 28). How fortune 500 companies use social media. V3 integrated

            marketing. Retrieved from http://www.v3im.com/2012/05/how-fortune-500-companies-    use-social-media/#axzz1wmkjMciu

Kranz, Gary (2008, February 26). E-learning hits its stride. Workforce. Retrieved from

            http://www.workforce.com/article/20080226/NEWS02/302269994

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). [Webcast]. Social learning theories. 

            Baltimore: Laureate Media.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010b). [Webcast]. Connectivism as a learning

            theory. Baltimore: Laureate Media.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom

            instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.