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 21st
century.
I am making a difference. I am a teacher!
