I have been using technology in my classroom for several years. It really does engage students more than "traditional" approaches, and considering the proliferation of technology in our world, it is a necessary tool.
The two technology standards for teachers I want to improve my proficiency in are to "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning" and "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" (ISTE, 2010).
I am going to chart out my GAME plan for these goals:
I. Goals
A. To collaborate and communicate using digital tools
B. To engage students in exploring real-world issues
II. Actions
A. I will work with the technology specialists in my building to use my school's web page efficiently.
B. I will continue taking professional development classes beyond my master's degree.
C. I will collaborate with colleagues, at my school and abroad through the internet, to identify real-world issues that will lend themselves to English content standards.
1. One assignment I am looking at is a persuasive essay in which I will give the students freedom to chose a current issue in the school or community. They will research the issue and write a persuasive letter to a specific audience about the topic. The letters will actually be sent.
III. Monitoring
A. I will keep an archive of digital work I engage students in.
B. I will reach out to my professional learning community for feedback.
IV. Evaluate and Extend
A. I will apply what I learn now to new technologies as they arise.
I feel my plan for evaluating and extending is weak. If anyone reading this has ideas for how I can improve, please share.
Reference
The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education | Home. Retrieved January 14, 2010, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
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Hi Shannon:
ReplyDeleteI also selected the same standards. As I learn more about how effective digital tools engage students in their learning, I want to integrate as much technology as I can into my instructional practice. Your plan is well developed and your assignment, I’m sure, will excite your students. Perhaps your students can create and forward short videos to the appropriate decision makers. (Just a thought). In addition, problem-based learning projects are great ways to engage students in “real-world” issues. Many PBL websites (e.g. edutopia.org) provide opportunities for teachers and students to share their ideas and artifacts as well as participate in an online pbl community network.
Have fun!
Hello Shannon!
ReplyDeleteI have my students write letters and send them as well. I think it is a terrific way to apply what they are learning to the real world. I've also found it shocking that my students were incredibly weak both in writing business letters and in using Word Templates. I teach 11th and 12 graders and I had to show them how to access the templates AND how to fill them in (not to mention checking spelling and grammar). I think letter writing is a very effective way to model NETS and I wish you the best of luck.
Karla and Dianne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback. I like the idea of making videos as well. My speech class already makes public service announcements. This would be similar.
Dianne, I empathize with you about older students not knowing how to use the technology. We really can not take it for granted than they all already know this.
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteYour paln is very will organized and I agree that engaging students in exploring real-world issues became a must in today's classroom in addition to incorporating technology in our teaching practice. One idea to improve the Evaluating and Extending plan is to survey your students for feedback on the usefulness of tools that you introduce to them. I also think that what you mentioned in your Actions section about continue taking professional development classes beyond the master's degree could be a part of your Extend plan as well.
Joseph