Reflection

     Dr. Ertmer stresses that an educator must have knowledge and confidence to successfully integrate technology into instruction (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).  Before I started my coursework in Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas, I had my doubts about my ability to implement 21st tools into my curriculum.  However, through the creation of my GAME unit plan and the creation of this blog I have become confident with the idea of incorporating technology into my classroom, and I have become knowledgeable.

     The creation of my GAME unit plan forced me to not only consider using technology with my instruction, but I started to plan for its implementation.  Creating lessons centered around blogs and digital storytelling was an enlightening experience.  It made me cognizant of how technology can truly enhance instruction.  As a language arts teacher, tools such as digital storytelling lend themselves well to my content lessons.  For example, a digital story could help a struggling writer produce a narrative or persuasive essay in a new and engaging fashion.  Digital storytelling allows for flexibility.  Students can present content information in ways that suit their individual learning styles (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009).  While digital storytelling provides differentiation, blogs help students communicate.

    Blogs provide students with an authentic audience.  After this class I am convinced that incorporating blogs, my students would be more engaged with answering writing prompts if they know their classmates will be reading what they have to say.  Because of the weekly resources in this course, I am prepared to teach students how to create a blog and use a blog aggregator to follow their peers' blogs.  It will be exciting to see if some of my reserved students participate in class discussion through the use of blogs when they are silent in class.  All in all, I am excited to take the knowledge I have gained from this course and apply it when I begin class in the fall.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2013). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology part 1. [Video Webcast]. Retrieved at https://www.class.waldenu.edu

Monitoring My Progress of My GAME Plan

     As the school year is coming to a close, and I prepare to move to a new grade level and classroom, I have found it challenging to work towards the goals set out in my GAME plan.  However, I have made some strides towards incorporating more technology into my instruction.
    Assessment  is an area where technology can be successfully implemented to provide options for students to demonstrate their understanding of content (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).  Some of my colleagues have used clickers to administer multiple choice tests, which provides them with fast, accessible data.  During the past week, I visited with my technology specialist, and learned how to use the clicker system.  I had always wondered about using this software, but my fear of technology, or change, had always prevented me from using this tool.  Next year, I will use this tool when I want to give a quick grammar quiz, or just to check student understanding regarding a specific skill.
     In addition to speaking with the technology specialist, I had a conversation with a colleague that coordinates pre-AP courses and training.  Next year, I will teach pre-AP English for the first time, and I will go through training.  Because pre-AP classes are meant to increase rigor, I asked her how we could incorporate more technology with instruction and assessment to challenge students and bring real world application to assignments.  She seemed intrigued by this question, and we talked about how we might be able to choose a technology based tool and include it in the pre-AP training.  While I still have to find more time to conduct research on technology tools that would be applicable to my curriculum, I feel I have made some significant steps in moving towards becoming a more technology savvy instructor.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2013) Assessing student learning. [Video Webcast] Retrieved from https//www.class.waldenu.edu

Finding Resources for my GAME Plan

     In order to meet the goals from my GAME plan, I will need to access print and web sources regarding technology integration into my content area, language arts.  Additionally, I will need to use my colleagues as a resource as I embark on this technological journey.  Dr. Ertmer states that a supportive culture where your colleagues are willing to support you, work with you, and defend the risks you take using technology is vital to the successful implementation of technology into a classroom (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).  If my GAME plan is to be successful, I will need to lean on my peers.

     Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer's textbook will, and already has, provided me with great insights into incorporating technology into the classroom.  I have already discovered technology tools that I can use, such as digital storytelling.  Along with the textbook, the Internet will be a great asset.  The CAST website has already provided me with valuable ideas for improving my use of technology.  One source I found on the CAST website that interested I will explore is Kerproof Teacher's Page.  This website helps students use media to communicate their ideas in multiple ways.

     While the resources print and web sources will prove important as I put my GAME plan into action, my colleagues will be my most valuable resource.  My building's media specialist and a technology teacher have already provided me with ideas for using digital sources and bringing viable technology into my classroom.  I will continue to ask for their support as I move through my plan.

Resources

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2013). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology: Part 1. [Video Webcast]. Retrieved at https://class.waldenu.edu

My G.A.M.E. Plan

     It is imperative that educators integrate technology into their curriculum in the 21^st century classroom.  In order to be successful in this endeavor, teachers need to be knowledgeable, confident, have strong beliefs, and work in a supportive culture (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013).  Teachers need to know when and how to use technological tools and have the confidence to not always know the answer.  In order to become a teacher who can be successful with the integration of technology, I need a G.A.M.E. plan.

Goals – My goal is to become more competent in two NETS-T standards.  The two standards I wish to address are 2.a. and 2.c.  2.a. states that teachers “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE NETS-T).  2.c. states that teachers “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.

Action – In order to meet my goals, I will need to seek out information regarding technological tools that fit well with my content standards.  Technology should not be forced.  Instead, it should enhance a lesson or unit (Laureate Education, Inc., 2013). I will gather plenty of ideas from this course, but I will need to conduct my own independent research regarding tools as well.  Additionally, I will need to learn more about my students’ diverse learning styles in order to choose my strategies wisely.

Monitor – I will need to monitor my progress and make adjustments as I navigate through unfamiliar technology programs and tools.  I plan to use my blog in this course to take monitoring notes on my own progress.  In addition to my blog, I will use a reflective journal to keep notes on my instructional successes and failures.

Evaluation – To evaluate my progress in designing lessons with technology tools and personalizing them for my students, I will use my blog and reflective journal to practice self-awareness of my instruction.  Being a self-aware instructor is an important element in professional growth (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).  Additionally, I will use assessment data to inform me of the success of my instruction with technology.

References

Cennamo, K. Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2013). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology: Part 1. [Video Webcast]. Retrieved from https:// class.waldenu.edu

My first post

I cannot believe this is the first time I have tried blogging.  I am excited to teach this to my students.