CLAY-B-Cs: Version 2.0

CLAY-B-Cs: Version 2.0: <--Click here for the details of my updated app!!!!

CLAY-B-Cs

I made an app! During my summer holidays, I decided that I wanted to learn how to program an app for the iPhone/iPod. I wanted to be able to inspire my students and show them something they could use programming for outside the computer science classroom setting!

I have set up a blog specifically for my app which is called "Clay-B-Cs". The app is an interactive children's alphabet book that is made entirely out of clay. So if you have a moment, please check it out!

Link to Clay-B-Cs blog.

EDUC-6715: New and Emerging Technologies

WEEK 4: Spotlight on Emerging Technology

Online Learning in K-12 Schools

Below is a link to my powerpoint presentation on Emerging Technology:

VoiceThread

EDUC-6714: Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology

Week 8 Reflection

Differentiated Instruction and Universal Design for Learning allow the teacher to address the individuals of the classroom rather than the class as a whole. Technology has made the implementation of these principles a tangible reality.

I found that my peers in the Differentiation Station social network had many valuable resources that I will be able to take and use in my classroom. I was so overwhelmed by the resources that are available from the http://cast.org/ website. I had never heard of this website prior to this course and I look forward to the possibilities that are available! I think that it is very important to take the time to search for resources that will help students achieve success. Technology provides so many options and provides so much scaffolding for students who desperately need it. I look forward to finding those tools that students will use in order to complete tasks that they wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

The biggest adjustment that I have made in my classroom is that I am trying to keep my goals simple in terms of DI and UDL. I am working to implement at least one lesson in each unit that incorporates these elements. I am also working to combat the “fair vs. equal” mentality that is present in my classroom. I have always struggled with how to deal with students who complain about the differences in assignments and expectations, but I am learning that I just need to do what is best for each student.

I have incorporated technology in my Social Studies and ELA classes in order to provide tools for students to complete their assignments. It is so exciting for me to see students excited and engaged with their learning! “The integration of a variety of technologies into the classroom can provide learners with unique opportunities to help meet their diverse needs.” (Bray, Brown & Green, 2004, pg. 76) As I become familiar with even more tools for DI and UDL, I look forward to more students finding success in the classroom. The skills and tools that technology provides will be useful for students as they continue their educational journeys.

References:

Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Technology and the Diverse Learner: A Guide to Classroom Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

EDUC-6713: Integrating Technology Across Content Areas

FINAL BLOG POST: Reflecting on my GAME plan

Throughout this course, I was challenged to work towards the two goals that I identified for my GAME plan. While I did not achieve my goals within the time frame of this course, I am hopeful that I will continue to work towards both goals as the school year continues. I think that the two areas that I chose to focus on were very relevant for my class and I do not want to forget about them as this course ends. I know that I would have really liked to work more towards developing the WebQuest, however, since that is for a future unit of study, I just could not devote the necessary time required at this time.

I really liked the simple layout of the steps associated with the GAME plan model and have passed it along to my administrator so that it can be incorporated into our staff's professional goal-setting. I think that the GAME plan makes goals appear more attainable and sets a standard of how to know when that goal has been met. I have incorporated the GAME plan model for my own professional development, and am excited to continue working towards my goals to better my own professional practice.

As a result of this course, I have been changing my current assignments to draw in more "real-world issues" that students can identify. I have enjoyed looking for resources that will engage my students and will connect them to the real world. I have been impacted to think about ways that I can make the content of my courses relevant to my students. I am working towards being more intentional in the resources that I choose to use in my class. I think that this change in my own attitude towards technology-infusion in the classroom has been a positive change for my instructional practice.

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Based Approach. (Laurete Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cenage Learning

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

The process of developing a GAME plan is such an easy method for goal-setting. Since the start of this course, I have found the steps of this process to be helpful in my own teaching practice, not only in meeting the NETS-T, but also in developing my practice in other areas. After visiting the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) , and looking at the standards for students, I was not surprised to find that teachers are the facilitators for the students achieving their standards. Teachers need to be prepared to model and teach students the skills they need to achieve success with the NETS-S standards.

A similar resource to the NETS-S that I have to use as part of the Manitoba Curriculum for Literacy with Information Communication Technology. (Continuum can be found here.) There are many similarities between the standards found in both of these documents, and I really like the way the Manitoba LwICT Continuum lists the outcomes in "student-friendly" terms so that they can evaluate their own progress in these areas. For the various outcomes, it also gives examples of what that might look like and what technology they could use in order to meet that goal.

I think that I would like to incorporate the GAME plan into my class. Setting goals is an important element of grade eight and I would like to begin to get my students to evaluate their skill level, and I think that using goal-setting with their comfort level with technology.

References:

NETS-S: International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

LwICT Continuum: Manitoba Education

Revising My GAME Plan

Goals:

The two indicators that I would like to focus on are:

1. Teachers engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.

2. Teachers 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.

Action:

In order to achieve these goals I will:

1. Research resources that I can use from the "real-world" that will engage my students in understanding the concept of Water Systems in Grade 8 science.

2. Develop my own web quest-type authentic learning experience that will be used in a combined ELA/Social Studies project on Ancient Greece.

As this course has progressed, I have found myself frustrated with the amount of time needed to reach my goals in a way that meets my standards and the needs of my class. I want to develop lessons that are not only infused with technology, but also lessons that meet the students where they are. There is such a diverse group of students in my class, as in every class, and it can be difficult to find "real-world" issues that students can explore if they cannot comprehend the information they find.

Even though I faced this frustration in the completion of the "action" portion of my goals, I have still tried to incorporate these goals in smaller ways in my classroom. I am in the process of developing an assignment for ELA/SS to wrap up the study of Mesopotamia. They will have the opportunity to choose a project that is best suited to their strengths that will also make use of technology in a way that highlights what they have learned.

I found that I aimed too high with my action plan for reaching my goals. I have to remember to keep it simple and straightforward, and know that I cannot accomplish it all overnight. As I looked back in the course text, I was reminded that I need to continually revisit and question whether the plan is working. Are students successfully learning what they need to through my lessons and projects? If not, I need to revise.

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Based Approach. (Laurete Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cenage Learning.