Technology in the Classroom? Get a GAME Plan!
I often feel that implementing technology into the classroom is such a daunting task. I have all the latest and greatest technologies in my classroom such as a Promethean Interactive Smart Board, Active Expression Polling System, a slate, and a document camera. My trepidation comes from wondering if I am doing it right. After reviewing this week’s learning resources and the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers (NETS-T) I am left with a new found feeling of relief that I am doing it right. The key is to simply dive in and get started.
National Technology Standards
When it comes to the NETS-T Much of what is covered I already do in my classroom. The facilitation and inspiration of my student learning and creativity is easy because it comes naturally. I find that my students are so eager and interested in hand-on activities that it takes very little on my behalf to get them inspired to be creative in the technological lessons. I also teach gender specific classes and with some of my boys who are not at all interested in school they come to life when working on technology based projects. The next technology standard, promoting digital citizenship and responsibility is a very important standard that should be exercised in every component of classroom teachings. This should be taught and modeled at every opportunity. The third standard which is engaging in professional growth and leadership is another standard that will come naturally to most teachers. As more and more districts devote more dollars to technology, those districts will then train their teachers how to implement their new technologies into the classroom. With my district’s new technologies I have already been to several technology development seminars on how to implement these new technologies into my classes. These three standards, in my opinion, will come naturally to most teachers.
My Goals
Not to discredit or take away from the importance of the aforementioned standards from NETS-T but the two standards I am devoting this blog to are the design and develop digital aged learning experiences and assessments and modeling digital aged work and learning. Designing and developing digital aged learning experiences and assessments is important to give the kids engaging, hand-on, real-world activities that translate to real work problem solution and critical thinking activities. Similar to digital aged learning experiences, modeling digital aged work and learning – model is important to show how it should be done and so that I can learn and understand how to use the programs, it is also nice to learn from my students. Designing and developing digital aged learning experiences and assessments is important to give the kids engaging, hand-on, real-world activities that translate to real work problem solution and critical thinking activities. Similar to digital aged learning experiences, modeling digital aged work and learning – model is important to show how it should be done and so that I can learn and understand how to use the programs, it is also nice to learn from my students.
My GAME Plan
Goals – What do I want to be able to know or be able to do? I guess the short answer here is everything! I am interested in technology, and I am not afraid to get involved with it. The problem comes with asking myself which technology works out best for my student’s success. What do I already know about the topic? I know a little about technology, but there again, I am not afraid to jump in the deep end and learn. I know my students are always very helpful if I don’t know. They are always willing to lend a helping hand, and surprisingly understand if something does not work out the way we had planned. How will I know when I have been successful? Success is a pretty subjective word here. Am I successful when I learn the programs inside and out? Am I successful when all my students are getting 100 percents? I suppose Success can be measured ten, 20 or thirty years down the road when I find my student’s having happy, successful lives whether they are stay-at-home mothers, or corporate CEOs.
Action – What information do I need? What learning strategy will I use? What resources are needed? Fortunately through my classes at Walden University, my professional development seminars, and my drive to learn more about technology I am never at a loss for information. The problem I have is information overload, and the selection of the best technology to use with my students. I am also very fortunate to have a lot of tech tools at my disposal.
Monitoring – Am I finding the information I need? What patterns are emerging from the information sources? Do I need to modify my action plan? MY best monitoring system is the direct observation of my students. Are they engaged? Are they successful? Are they happy? Are there discipline problems? In my experience a successful classroom comes from solid, engaging lessons.
Evaluate – Have I met my learning goals? If not, should I modify my goals or my learning strategies? What will I do differently in the future? I am always looking for better or new ways to implement my lessons. I evaluate myself daily in an effort to achieve long term goals. Similar to my monitoring my evaluation comes from a smoothly running classroom and engaged and successful students.
Final Thoughts
This is a lengthy blog; I hope you find it engaging and thought provoking. The topic of technology standards for teachers is a new and emerging concept and educators must look at themselves with close scrutiny to ensure the success of our students. As always I encourage your input, comments, and suggestions.
Thanks
Paul
Resources
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
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). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
I often feel that implementing technology into the classroom is such a daunting task. I have all the latest and greatest technologies in my classroom such as a Promethean Interactive Smart Board, Active Expression Polling System, a slate, and a document camera. My trepidation comes from wondering if I am doing it right. After reviewing this week’s learning resources and the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers (NETS-T) I am left with a new found feeling of relief that I am doing it right. The key is to simply dive in and get started.
National Technology Standards
When it comes to the NETS-T Much of what is covered I already do in my classroom. The facilitation and inspiration of my student learning and creativity is easy because it comes naturally. I find that my students are so eager and interested in hand-on activities that it takes very little on my behalf to get them inspired to be creative in the technological lessons. I also teach gender specific classes and with some of my boys who are not at all interested in school they come to life when working on technology based projects. The next technology standard, promoting digital citizenship and responsibility is a very important standard that should be exercised in every component of classroom teachings. This should be taught and modeled at every opportunity. The third standard which is engaging in professional growth and leadership is another standard that will come naturally to most teachers. As more and more districts devote more dollars to technology, those districts will then train their teachers how to implement their new technologies into the classroom. With my district’s new technologies I have already been to several technology development seminars on how to implement these new technologies into my classes. These three standards, in my opinion, will come naturally to most teachers.
My Goals
Not to discredit or take away from the importance of the aforementioned standards from NETS-T but the two standards I am devoting this blog to are the design and develop digital aged learning experiences and assessments and modeling digital aged work and learning. Designing and developing digital aged learning experiences and assessments is important to give the kids engaging, hand-on, real-world activities that translate to real work problem solution and critical thinking activities. Similar to digital aged learning experiences, modeling digital aged work and learning – model is important to show how it should be done and so that I can learn and understand how to use the programs, it is also nice to learn from my students. Designing and developing digital aged learning experiences and assessments is important to give the kids engaging, hand-on, real-world activities that translate to real work problem solution and critical thinking activities. Similar to digital aged learning experiences, modeling digital aged work and learning – model is important to show how it should be done and so that I can learn and understand how to use the programs, it is also nice to learn from my students.
My GAME Plan
Goals – What do I want to be able to know or be able to do? I guess the short answer here is everything! I am interested in technology, and I am not afraid to get involved with it. The problem comes with asking myself which technology works out best for my student’s success. What do I already know about the topic? I know a little about technology, but there again, I am not afraid to jump in the deep end and learn. I know my students are always very helpful if I don’t know. They are always willing to lend a helping hand, and surprisingly understand if something does not work out the way we had planned. How will I know when I have been successful? Success is a pretty subjective word here. Am I successful when I learn the programs inside and out? Am I successful when all my students are getting 100 percents? I suppose Success can be measured ten, 20 or thirty years down the road when I find my student’s having happy, successful lives whether they are stay-at-home mothers, or corporate CEOs.
Action – What information do I need? What learning strategy will I use? What resources are needed? Fortunately through my classes at Walden University, my professional development seminars, and my drive to learn more about technology I am never at a loss for information. The problem I have is information overload, and the selection of the best technology to use with my students. I am also very fortunate to have a lot of tech tools at my disposal.
Monitoring – Am I finding the information I need? What patterns are emerging from the information sources? Do I need to modify my action plan? MY best monitoring system is the direct observation of my students. Are they engaged? Are they successful? Are they happy? Are there discipline problems? In my experience a successful classroom comes from solid, engaging lessons.
Evaluate – Have I met my learning goals? If not, should I modify my goals or my learning strategies? What will I do differently in the future? I am always looking for better or new ways to implement my lessons. I evaluate myself daily in an effort to achieve long term goals. Similar to my monitoring my evaluation comes from a smoothly running classroom and engaged and successful students.
Final Thoughts
This is a lengthy blog; I hope you find it engaging and thought provoking. The topic of technology standards for teachers is a new and emerging concept and educators must look at themselves with close scrutiny to ensure the success of our students. As always I encourage your input, comments, and suggestions.
Thanks
Paul
Resources
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
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). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI agree that students learn better when involved in hands-on activities. This seems to perk their interest more and stimulates their minds. I do not have gender specific classes but have found classes with more boys tend to be more rowdy. This in turn leads me to try to incorporate as much as possible things that are able to manipulate in order for them to be more engaged. A question that I have is-- With all the technology that you have available for your classes enable you to reach more students?
Paul,
ReplyDeleteYour post is very creative and visually appealing as usual. It is wonderful that you have so many technology tools available for you to use in your classroom. It sounds like your school system understands the importance of integrating technology into the learning process of your students. Since participating in many courses with you in this master's program, I have always been impressed with your enthusiasm and the motivation that it creates with your students. Reading your posts, I am always encouraged that one day my school district will value the incorporation of technology in content areas as much as we do.
Kristin
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI like the point that you made in reference to observing students when monitoring progress and/or effectiveness during your lessons. I had not mentioned this aspect of student feedback in my own response. Even Cennamo & Ertmer (2010) failed to make the distinction between oral, written, and observational input from pupils in their list of steps to take prior to, during, and following instruction. Well done, as I think this is an important insight.
Monica
Reference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Paul
ReplyDeleteYou have written such a great post; I can feel your excitement by reading it! Your thoughts on recruiting students to help in the integration of technology and making the learning experience a shared endeavor are excellent. Motivation can be contagious when our students are engaged, have a stake in the outcome, and see real applications for what they are learning. Practicing this give and take behavior with your students helps them to see how you value learning and models the same teamwork skills they will need in their futures.
Having technology tools in abundance is a wonderful start and eliminates the hurdles many teachers face. As you stated, sorting through the many options and deciding the best resources and activities will be your challenge. Keeping your vision of what success entails will help you to make the choices that are best for your students. With your GAME plan in place, you have a solid foundation for making these decisions.
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm for your students and profession is clearly evident through your words. Your post was a pleasure to read. I was most struck by your monitoring plan. It is so true we know we are succuessful and moving in the right direction when our students are happy, motivated and engaged! Good luck on implementing your GAME plan, and keep up the great work!
Lauren