Sunday, January 30, 2011

online learning modules 1-30-11

Voice thread

http://voicethread.com/share/1694589/

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Reflection 12-21-10

Reflection on DI and Technology

Ideas that I have learned and decided to implement into my classroom and teachings are the use of DI and adding technology into my daily practices. Through the readings, videos, and discussions I have realized how DI works and how to gain the most from using it in the classroom. It can seems very intimidating at first to plan for, but once you understand your students and how they learn it becomes much more easy to manage. Adding technology into the mix can be frustrating if not coached the right way. I have to remember there is certain classroom management for using technology. Also, it can be a great tool to add dimension to a DI classroom. Students can all use the same program on a computer or IWB and get different things out of it. If it has sound, text, and pictures you are touching on many different learning styles. There are so many options for teachers to use technology and continue to control a DI classroom.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Reflection end of course

Reflection

- My GAME plan has helped me stay on track and learn to make obtainable goals for myself and my students using technology. I have found that with only tackling one or two goals at a time they are easier to achieve. I don’t get overwhelmed anymore by trying to gain knowledge and present to my students. I only use the information needed to achieve the goals and wait to introduce the other material at a later time. I have noticed my students enjoy knowing what is expected of them and how to achieve their goals as well.

- I have found that classroom management in very important when using technology. The students need to know the expectations before the assignment is given. I noticed that even my young students show interest and knowledge in technology. They are very computer savvy children. Being digital natives the students come to me each year with more and more knowledge. It is my job to make lessons fun and inviting. Getting the students involved in their learning makes the day much more enjoyable. Giving the students more options such as project based learning lets them go at their own pace and with what is comfortable with them.

- I am implementing daily computer exposure time to literacy websites for the children during their center time. I am trying to take advantage of our new IWB and bring lessons to life with You Tube and other programs. I am in the works of starting a class blog where I will be posting notes I send home and the weekly newsletter. This is to keep parents involved but to also save a few trees and dollars on paper.

Brandy

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Using the GAME plan

Using the GAME plan with the students
By exposing the students to new technologies through my GAME plan it will help the students have educational gain. The students will have new experiences not only with using the technology but what they are learning through the technology. These opportunities will give some students exposure to things they wouldn’t normally have. It gives them a strong back bone in some basics.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

NETS-T and GAME Plan

NETS-T and GAME Plan
My progress in my GAME plan has started rolling. I went to use the IWB with my students this week. The students were very receptive using it. They like that it was big and that they could touch it and move things around. We played an alphabet game on starfall.com. This helps the students with the letters and the sounds. They associate the sounds with pictures and animated videos.
- I have learned that there are many different things and ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.
- I am working on incorporating technology more often during the month. Right now I am doing it twice a month and I would like to increase it to once a week.
- I would like to incorporate more creativity in my lessons. Also, more collaboration and communication would be a goal I would like to create.
- I would like to create a blog or wiki that the parents could access so I would not have to print out newsletters. This way I could just post it and the parents could respond with questions.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

GAME plan progress week 5

GAME plan progress

• How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?

My actions have helped me towards meeting my goal. I have signed up and started using our Smart Boards. The students have had a positive reaction toward using this new technology.

• What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?

Working from a backwards design model is important. Knowing where you want the students to end up helps with planning. Adding technology into as many lessons as possible helps the students relate the subject matter to their real lives.

• What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
How do you manage younger students when they are at IWB? How do you explain about taking turns and good etiquette on when someone else is taking a turn?

• How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?

Make sure that I am planning from a backwards design model.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Progress towards GAME plan!

Progress toward my GAME plan

- I have signed up for 2 days of smart board time during the month of October.
I will need to increase it to 4 times a month or once a week once the technology is up and running, and I am comfortable using the IWB. I will also need to make plans ahead of time to use on the IWB. Being prepared is a huge step in technology. Children don’t like to wait.

- I have given a survey to the children to find their different learning styles.

I will now have to organize the information and group the children by their learning styles to maximize their potential. I will start a rotation through the computer in the room during group time to expose the children to the technology according to their learning style. I will give the students free choice during Center time to choose which site they want to use.

- I am using the backwards design model with my children. I am looking at the end product and the road map I need to get there. Using that map is how I will gather the data to put together the lesson plans needed for the IWB and for the computer programs. Cennamo, Ertmer, and Ross stated, “Assessment and learning activities are closely linked and should be considered together.” So, to be a successful teacher and implement the GAME plan these items need to be linked.


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