Reflection - New and Emerging Technologies

I have learned so much in this class that I will take forward and implement in my classroom. One thing I have learned is that I can take my love of American History and social studies and turn it into fabulous technological experiences for my students. I enjoyed creating this lesson plan, and cannot wait to introduce it to my students. Sometimes it is not easy to incorporate technology with younger grades, but I have found that there are a plethora of programs - websites, tools, software, etc. that can be used and adapted for younger grade levels. I loved browsing through Second Life, and hope that soon it can be used for younger ages too. I also enjoyed the virtual field trips and instructional tools such as Moodle that I can use in my classroom.

My completed assignment incorporates the change agents as it challenges my students to create a voicethread in which they will draw a picture and describe one of Benjamin Franklin's inventions/ideas they researched in the library using the internet and encyclopedias. They will collaborate with high school students in the computer as they create their voicethreads.

I would like to introduce ways my collegues can use emerging technologies in their classrooms. A lot of my collegues would consider voicethreads and webquests as new technologies because they are not commonly used at my school. My computer lab teacher does a phenomonal job with introducing new technologies to the students, as teachers I would like to see more of our faculty utilize these technologies in thier lesson plans.

Lemke, C., & Coughlin, E. (2009). The change agents. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 54–59.

http://moodle.org/

Posted by amorea at 6:50 PM

hello this is a test

This is a great site to help with creating a moodle account:

http://www.cats-pyjamas.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/MoodleToolGuideforTeachers_May2010_JS.pdf

To Moodle or not to Moodle?

The term Moodle is an acronym for Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment. It is a program that uses a variety of net based projects to enhance the learning process.

Moodle is a free download and is used by a variety of institutes and individuals. Moodle is used in Whitfield County, Georgia elementary, middle and high schools.

Moodle entry can be controlled by the classroom teacher.
The teacher may give access to all sites the teacher has downloaded or the teacher may block access to only a sampling of the web-based instructional tools.

One of the pluses about Moodle is the ability to download YouTube which is normally blocked. There are many videos on YouTube that increase student learning. However, there are also many that are not appropriate for school use. The teacher can browse through the YouTube collection and download only those videos that are instructionally appropriate. By doing this, there is no chance of inadvertently playing an unsuitable video.

Teachers spend many hours searching and researching for tools that will increase their students’ learning and more importantly – their joy of learning. By downloading into Moodle the teacher has a lasting address of the projects that deem worthy of his/her students’ time.

From Pete’s Power Points, to YouTube and beyond, Moodle is the voice of the future.

Below are bulleted benefits of utilizing Moodle:

• keeps all educational/skills web sites together
• monitors students’ uses
• creates a forum to communicate between student/teacher and parent/teacher
• keeps teacher's tech skills up
• provides emergency long distant learning if child or teacher is ill
• enables teacher to see who is online if he/she is out
• can check in with substitutes (subs use student computer)
• can put substitute lesson plans on line without leaving home
• save on paper/worksheets
• selective video to enhance lessons

I have learned so much from developing my GAME plan. I have always set goals that I wanted my students to attain, but through this course I learned it is important to set goals for myself as well as my students for the lessons I teach. I like the way the GAME plan is broken down in chapter 4 on page 84. This table has ministered to me as I have, and will, prepare for units and lessons.

I must say I have many immediate adjustments I plan to make regarding integrating technology into my classroom. I LOVE the ideas and implications using a digital story can have on student learning. I have already begun designing lessons with digital story in mind. I also want to use Voicethread with my students. I love Social Studies and plan to have my students use these resources to tell their side of the story. I also want my students to design their own ‘costumes’ and have them dress up like the historical figure they are studying and tell about that figure. This gives me a way to assess their comprehension while offering lots of fun for them!

This course was a lot of fun for me and I feel I learned so much I can take back to my classroom.

I can use my GAME plan to demonstrate to my students the beginning concepts outlined in the NETS standards.

I can reiterate to them the importance of using good digital citizenship by making sure they copyright others' work and their own. I also want them to learn that there is information out there that is not appropriate for them nor is it always true.

I would love some comments on other ideas to help my utlilize my GAME plan with my kindergarten students.

Revising my Game Plan

I have learned so much I can apply to my instructional practice. One thing I learned from watching the video with Vicki Davis is that although my students are in kindergarten, we can still incorporate social networking. I can be the responder, but my students are still a part of the process.

I am interested in looking into twitter. For my life cycle of frogs/pollution lesson, I would like to twitter with some environmentalist that have specialized in water pollution and its effects.

One goal I would like to set for myself is to search for ways I can get my students to the point they can access some social networking independently. I plan to talk to our computer lab technician and see if I can sign up for more lab time.

Revising my Game Plan

Game Plan Progress

How effective were my actions in helping me meet my goals?
My actions have been very effective! I am excited about collaborating with the other kindergarten classroom. The teacher and I have talked several times about the activities we will create and technology we will need to make this plan successful.
What have I learned so far that will help me in my instructional practice?
I have learned that my Game Plan is going to take ALOT of preparation! I have also learned through the video with Dr. Peggy Ertmer in our resources this week that background knowledge is vital to successful learning. Dr. Ertmer talked about students studying/creating a water filtering project. Well, the students must have some background knowledge or know how to find the information they need BEFORE beginning the project. Likewise, I need to ensure my students have the background knowledge they need to successfully complete this plan.
What do I still have to learn?
I still have a lot to learn about technology resources. I am now in fact attending a session provided by our district that will give teachers the opportunity to share some technological resources they are using in their classrooms. Our district asked for at least one representative to go to this session. I am thankful I am going and looking forward to what I will be able to come back and implement in my own classroom.
How will I adjust the plan to fit my current needs?
I will adjust my plan to make sure my students have the background knowledge they need to be successful. Especially the vocabulary of my ESOL students.

Monitoring my Game Plan:

One of the NETS standards I want to focus on is creating a local community with another classroom. I am going to interact with another kindergarten class from a school on the opposite end of our district. We are going to create voice threads, power points, and share pictures via email. We are going to explore the necessary tools we would need to talk live with each other through the screen on our smart boards.

• Am I finding the resources and information I need?

I do have access and am familiar with Power Point, voice threads, and sharing pictures via the internet. I am going to have to explore the technological resources we need to be able to share with each other live through the big screen

• Do I need to modify my action plan?

For my action plan I will need to make sure my students are familiar with the content. I must make sure my students are aware of what a life cycle is. Some of the resources my students will need are drawing materials and posters, student computers, and access to pictures. I also need to send a note home to my parents asking who has computers and internet access at home.

• What have I learned so far?

I have learned that with kindergarten basic skills cannot be taken for granted. My students need practice to stay consistent with their computer skills.

• What new questions have arisen?

Some questions that have arisen are how to group my students, or if I will place my students in groups. I will need students with good computer skills to work with my students who do not have the skills to be successful with this unit.

Carrying out my Game Plan

In order to carry out my game plan on the life cycle of frogs, there are many resources I will utilize such as: websites, the active board, computers, and most importantly my colleagues!

One website I will use is allaboutfrogs.org. This site is FULL of information on frogs and it offers fun activities. I will explore the site with my students using the active board.

I would also like to complete a webquest at
www.mtsd-vt.org/webquest/maranjo/frogs/htm.

Game Plan: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners

After reading over the NETS standards for technology, I found many areas in which I need to strengthen my confidence.

One area of NETS I found I need to become more confident and proficient is:
4. Promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility. I need to make my students more aware of their surroundings by instilling in them a sense of ethical awareness. I can accomplish this by modeling to my students the correct ways to cite works whether the work is thier work or another persons piece of work.

Another area I need to become more confident and proficient is:
5. Engaging in professional growth and leadership. I can accomplish this by being more involved in local and global learning communities.

I would like to begin this goal with a lesson on life cycles. I would read several books to my students so they could compare pictures they would copy on a poster board while giving the copyright at the bottom of the picture. I would find a local or global kindergarten classroom who is working on life cycles also. I would make time during the lesson to talk with the other class. I would like to teach my students to complete a voice thread and have them place and site pictures they find from the internet.