It is always interesting when something from these master's classes directly corresponds to a professional goal I had created long before I knew what course I would be taking next. For the past two years, I have been focusing on professional development that is technology centered, so it is very exciting to have created and to have started to execute GAME plans that support my professional development goals.
What resources will I need to carry out my plan?
In carrying out the action plan of implementing a class blog in order to teach students appropriate digital etiquette and social interactions, I will of course need the resource of a blogging site and computer and internet access for students. Additionally, I will need to create or find a list of blogging rules/tips to help remind students of what is defined as appropriate use. Finally, I would create a screencast presentation (screencast.com) that would model successful blogging for students, and then would provide a fake/practice blogging page for students to apply their understanding before they officially begin blogging.
In completing the action plan of becoming a technology advocate in my own building, the first resource I will need is time. I will need time to research current trends in classroom technology as well as time to visit other schools and classroom to observe how technology is being incorporated into instruction. In addition to time, I will also need the support of administration and other colleagues in being allowed to take time to travel and observe as well as being given the permission to present my findings to the faculty in my own building. Finally, to present to my faculty, I will need the resource of presentation software and data software to be able to successfully express my findings and suggestions for technology use.
What additional information do I need?
Outside of the resources I will need to carry out my GAME plans, I will also need information regarding how many of my students have internet access at home. If I am going to require them to blog, then I must be aware of any challenges with lack of availability so that I can modify the blogging requirements if necessary.
Along with student data, I will also need a list of available technology in my school building as well as in the other schools I plan to visit to observe technology in the classroom. Knowing these things will allow me to getter a better grasp of what I can encourage my own colleagues to take advantage of as well as provide me with a list of technology "wants" that I can work to have brought to our school building.
What steps have I been able to take so far?
With teaching two new classes and having to learn brand new curriculum, I unfortunately have not had as much time as I would have liked to begin implementing my GAME plans. So far, one step I have taken is to begin researching blogging sites and determining which may be best suited to use as a class blog. Thanks to this course, I have been getting quite a bit of good introduction to the blogging world, so I am looking forward to beginning one in my own classroom.
Some steps I have taken in my second GAME plan are that I have already met with my administrator and discussed the possibility of taking time to visit other classrooms and schools to observe technology use, and we are developing an initial plan for this process. Additionally, I have started to research and have started a file of information regarding current educational technology trends, and I am slowly sifting through my finding.
Feel free to help me fill in any blanks with your suggestions, recommendations, or questions. Thanks!
-Jen
8 comments:
Hi Jen,
I really like that you've discussed visiting other classrooms with your administration. It's exciting to see that they also like the idea and are interested in setting up those visits. It's always nice to see how other teachers run their classrooms and it would be even more valuable if they are willing to sit down and show you how they use their technology. I was able to visit a school that took us on a tour of the classrooms and walked us through all of the various forms of technology they use.
I hope you keep updates about that visit on your blog. I'm interested in hearing about how well those visits go.
Best of luck in your blogging research. Since we were forced to dive into using these, I think we are learning much more than we would if we had simply been asked to write a paper on it!
If I had any advice, I would share. But I'm a novice at this as well.
Kim Bick
Jen,
Nice blog entry. I like how you are thinking about a sample entry with fake blogs so the the students can see what is the correct way to present themselves and their ideas online. I did something like this with Edmodo. I set up a fake class with 5 or 6 fake students that had a 'conversation' online. When I was done, I used my computer projector and put it up on the big screen for the entire class to see. We talked about the good, the bad, and the really bad. This way they could all see it and know what was expected. Later if I needed a new student to review it, it was still online as one of my other classes. I hope this is an idea that will help you. Have a good week.
Wayne
Hi Jen,
You definitely have a great start toward achieving your goals. In fact you may have had a head start on most of us in the class as you already had goals related to the integration of technology in your instruction and school. Your plan to visit other classrooms and schools to identify trends in technology and how it is utilized is a great idea. One thing you may not have thought about while doing this research, however, is that the people you meet can be invaluable resources. In your interactions with other professionals you can share ideas and collaborate to help solve common problems and broaden understanding. I hope your are able to visit other classrooms and schools. This will not only benefit you but your students, colleagues, and school as a whole.
Jen
I get the feeling that teaching has become a turf thing. I don't want you in my class because I don't want you taking my ideas or even critiquing me.
Do you find that staff members genuinely welcome the idea of having you sit in on their lesson?
@ Kim,
I believe we are all learning as we go here, and that's what is so great, because we will really be able to see with a student's eye and think about how we can best break things down and model them for our students as we attempt to enter the blogging world with them.
I am excited about setting up visits at other schools as well, and I am hopeful that many schools will be receptive to the idea. The only concern that I have is that I will become green with envy after visiting some of the newer schools in our county who have all the technology bells and whistles that I dream about. I am hoping to keep things in perspective and hope for the best as I visit different classrooms.
-Jen
@ Wayne,
Thanks so much for your comments. I appreciate your advice about the fake scenario with Edmodo. That is a great idea to set it up and be able to save it online to allow students to refer back to it when they need to. I have found that even though they live in a technologically savvy society, many times students do learn best when they are given an exact model for right and wrong, so that was a great idea! I hope I have your permission to legally borrow it.
-Jen
@ iancampbell,
You are exactly right that people will be just as valuable of a resource as the technology itself. I am relying on that as I spend time visiting other teachers and classrooms. I know that I am trying what I can in my own classroom, but I am looking forward to being pushed to do more by seeing what others are doing and being able to talk with others who are finding success with technology.
I am hoping to eventually establish a technology PLC in my building so that I can share my findings while working together with others to determine technology goals for our own building and classrooms. It must me a team effort is we really want to see an impact on student learning. We cannot take one step forward because some teachers are utlizing technology resources and take two steps back because other teacher are refusing to use anything other than the chalkboard and overhead.
-Jen
@ Patrice,
I agree that sometimes it can feel standoffish with some teachers and the idea of observing their classrooms and lessons, but I have been fortunate to receive a fairly warm reception so far. Granted, I believe it is more likely for teachers who do actually use technology to be the more receptive and open minded teachers in general, but I believe it is also important to observe classrooms that may serve as the "what not to do" example. The key that I have found is to be respectful while not giving too many details about why I am really there. If I want to get the most realistic example of technology in teaching, then I cannot always tell them exactly what I am observing, because then the tendency is a dog and pony show rather than a typical day in their classroom.
-Jen
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