Best's Teacher Blog

Here is a link to my Voicethread. I hope you enjoy it!

voicethread.com/share/1025857/

With each passing course, I begin to put together the pieces for integrating technology into the classroom.  When I started this program I felt I was already implementing technology and helping to create a great learning environment for all my students.  However overtime, I have been opened up to a wide range of resources.  I have become in tuned with the internet and finally believe I can find multiple using for it.  The World Wide Web is not just a place to search for things but an additional source to many more sources.  For example, Ning was just another “social networking” site similar to facebook. I saw this as a useless website where I by pass using it.  However, I quickly learned the potential it has once it is used correctly. The information I gained from this site was amazing! I realized that using a differentiation station for a class increases one’s knowledge on a given topic.  I was able to build a huge list of resources that would benefit my classroom as well as my fellow teachers.  I also see the differentiation station as a quick way to communicate to colleagues about addition information or concerns.  As quick as it is to start up the Internet, you are able to have a handful of resources for your classroom. 

 In addition to the resources, I was able to build upon my understanding of UDL and DI.  I came into the course with a base knowledge of DI but once I began to collaborate with my group members I realized I only had a small understanding of DI.  I had the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with fellow teachers on how to implement UDL and DI into my classroom with a just a few conversations through the social network website.

As a result, I realize I have gained numerous resources which will benefit my classes. I have already added many of the resources to my favorites and look forward to implementing them in the future. I have also learned a great deal about other Web 2.0 which will be great for alternate assessments. I have already implemented the use of a survey into my classes this semester and plan on making an elaborate inventory sheet for the future which will assist me in understanding my students as individuals. Furthermore, I have come to understand voicethread in a whole new level which gives me confidences to assign a project where the students use this tool. I know I will be able to assist the students if they come across any difficulties. In all, I have learned an enormous about of information from my fellow group members and will take advantage of NING to review the resources in the future. I look forward to implement the wide range of differentiation instruction into my classroom because I am confident my students will conclude my class with a better understanding of themselves and historical events.

As noted in the previous week, I have made some small progress of my Game Plan. When we first started this game plan I was concerned that I would not have the time to complete the task.  As it turned out, I was able to work on my game plan without realizing it. I believe the purpose of this Game Plan was to educate me about what the NETS were and techniques to meet meeting these standards. As an end result, I have successful made myself aware of all the standards and am eager to integrate them in all my class.  

            When I think about the new learning that resulted from my Game Plan I look straight at standards.  When I first read through the standards at the beginning of this course I was puzzled on how I was going to develop a game plan to meet the requirements.  I felt my knowledge was lacking.  However, I took each week as a stepping stone which paved the way for an overall comprehension.  I not only learned the importance and purpose of the standards but I also learned quick ways to accomplish them.  These techniques will eventually lead to more developed and lasting lessons for all my students.  Overall, the understanding and importance of the standards has helped me recognize the need to incorporate different technology tools to further student education.

            Looking over these past eight weeks I have made some immediate adjustments which have affected my students’ learning in a positive way.  My first adjustment was the video clips I implement into my USII class.  These video clips provide a breakup of the lesson and gave the students a visual aid about the topic we are studying.  I have also allowed the students to write a reaction to the videos which provides the students with connects from the lesson and the video as well as relating it to present day events.  In addition, I have begun creating projects that are based on collaboration and technology tools such as podcasts.  I have found that the students learn more from their peers while learning important skills that will help in their future. Lastly, I have modified lessons that incorporate a technology program which have helped to develop digital age learning experiences.  As a result from this course, I have become aware of important aspects which should be immediately implemented within the classroom.  I have an overall understanding of podcast, digital stories, wikispace, and blogs. With these technology tools in mind I am eager to create projects that will help keep the students engaged and prepared for the future.

As I look back in past weeks’ posts I have realize that my Game Plan has found small ways to get accomplished.  My two goals throughout this course were “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity” and “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment” (ISTE, 1997-2009). The purpose of these goals was to make better use of the technology we have within our school as well as further the students’ creativity and dedication to the academic field.

With these goals in tacked and constantly on my mind, I have found little ways to take accomplish portions of them. For example, I have implemented essay questions that provide the students with historical information and it’s relation to present issues.  Students are now making a connection between our history and our current society.  In addition, the students are beginning to realize what they will need to do as citizen to make society more efficient. The students are successfully engaged in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using such tools as the World Wide Web (ISTE, 1997-2009). However, with this said, I have yet to accomplish the other aspects of this goals.  My students are only aware of collaboration to a small degree. My students were able to show how they collaborated with in a group. Yet, I want to take this to the next level and have student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify their conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes (ISTE, 1997-2009).  To do this, I will have to continue to carefully plan our my lesson and project that will focus no so much on the content but what the students will be doing with in their groups.

My second goal, “Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessment” has been a process which came to me unexpectedly. At my school, a select number of teachers were introduced to a program known as DyKnow.  This program provides the teacher with the right about of security when using a computer.  The teacher is provided with certain monitoring tools that helps keep the students on task.  I have successfully adapted relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity (ISTE, 1997-2009). Through this program, I am able to prepare the students with essential skills for the future.  My students have realized the importance of listening to the teacher and interpreting the information into a format they understand.  Furthermore, the Dyknow program has assisted me in customizing and personalizing learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources (ISTE, 1997-2009). I am able to find out if a student does not understand a certain topic right away and provide the addition tools to assist them.  I can also monitor the students work while they are working individual or in groups through this program.  Lastly, the students have also learned that Microsoft Word is not just a typing program but an advance way to create colorful charts to help explain the material. 

Despite the small success there is still room to grow and improve.  From this point, I would like to take the students knowledge of real-world issue and apply it to a blog where the students can post their comments to one another.  In addition, I want to utilize as much technology tools such a wikispaces, podcast, and voice-thread the help develop all the 21 century skills the students will need in the future.  With this game plan in action, I will continue to reflect back to my journal and add addition and modifications to my lesson to not only promote technology but make my class room a great place to learn and have fun.

Another week has gone by! It seems as if the hours are long but the days are short.  Within those hours at school I have been doing a lot of brainstorming.  My main focus this week is “Facilitating and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity” which applies to real- world issues (ISTE, 1997-2009).  Many of my students struggle with history because they do not know the purpose of studying the past events.  Each year, I find myself stating the same thing; “We study history to prevent us from making the same mistakes twice.” Furthermore, social studies is to help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decision for the public good as citizens and be aware of the society around them (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). With this in mind, I have targeted my USII class where I can incorporate many of today’s current events.  I have started to incorporate President Obama’s policy with those of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his policies within the New Deal.  As a result of these comparisons, the students have been more engaged then even! Students that normally go through the motions of the class are now asking question after question.  They want to know more about the real world and what policies will affect them once they venture out into the society as an independent individual. 

            These ideas have caused my brain to go into overload. I want to do so much, so quickly.  The first thing I have learned is that I must take one thing and apply it.  I also must provide my student with the essential resources to help answer their many questions. However, with all these ideas I am now on the right path to further engaging my students into history. I will begin to integrate blogs where students can discuss their views on today’s issue and relate them to historical events. Furthermore, I will begin to further my knowledge of podcast and wikispace in order to incorporate them in an effort to further develop my students’ collaboration skills. As of right now, I will be posting discussion questions my E-board which is a simple form of a blog.  Once the students have fully understood the full potential and purpose of collaboration I will bring in Web 2.0 technology tools.  I will take each area step by step and slowly integrate them so I ensure the students’ full comprehension.

            In conclusion, I am still working on integrating all aspects of my Game Plan.  I believe it may take me more then a semester to complete my Game Plan.  However, the same step that I have begun to take has made a lasting impression on my students and has helped me to develop my educational skills.  The Game Plan has put my ideas into perspective and allowed me to organize my thoughts into a stage by stage plan. As a result of my current actions, I have implemented a new technology tool which has given me a new form of assessment and lessons.  I have also broadened my knowledge of different ways to deliver my lesson to help enlighten my students on the world around them.

Despite the craziness in school when the holidays things start to fall into place when you least expect it.  After observing my steps to my Game Plan last week, I grew concerned that I would not make any progress in the following week.  However, I made a huge step in just one day! Earlier this week a selected number of teachers were introduced to a new program called DyKnow.  I learned that DyKnow is a software which allows teachers to view every student’s laptop screen on their very own screen by just logging into the program.  In addition to monitoring tool, the teacher can also block the students’ access to program and internet. Teachers can also project a power point that can be displayed on every student’s computer screen.  In the past, I had to connect my computer to a projector and then convert the image from my computer through the project to display it on the whiteboard.  I never had a major problem with this past method other then the visibility for all students.  The program has endless tools that helps keep students on task, engaged, and goal oriented.

With this program up and running, I am now able to enhance my simple technology lesson into an all around interactive lesson.  I can now add polls to my power points that not only give students the extra information they need to understand the topic but also a way to review their knowledge. The student can also save their own copy of the slides I go over with their notes added to them.  I can also record my voice to the power point where the students can listen to what I say later on for an extra review. In addition, I can add answer box where I ask a question from the slides and the students can write their answer in.  In doing so, I can assess what the students retained from the topic and add my notes to their answer.  One of the key aspects of this program is a status key that all the students have.  The students can be taking notes on their computer and if they don’t understand something they click on the red button that indicates “I don’t understand”.  This status is only viewable to the teacher and it provides the teacher the information they need to give further information.  I think it is a great way to assess the students before it’s too late. 

With all this said there is still room for learning.  I know in the coming weeks I will have to venture through this program to see what other tools I can utilize in my classroom.  I will also have to understand what website I want the students to have access to during class when we are working on projects or other research.  However, I know I can not overwhelm the students or myself.  I will take one thing at a time and make sure the students understand the purpose of each step.  I am eager to get started but I will have to pace myself.

As an educator it seems to me that setting a schedule is crucial.  However, being in a field that is every change makes it difficult to sticking to what you have planned.  With the holidays quickly approaching and a constant change in the schedule of the school has caused a delay in my the production of my game plan.  At this point in time, I have narrowed down to working only with my USII class of juniors.  In my view, I feel that it is essential to assist these students because they will be heading off to college soon and they need as much help in the area of technology and creativity compared to my freshmen.  I am currently focusing on the resources from Discovery streaming, National Geographics, and the History Channel to locate video clips.  The recent video clip I found was on the Dust Bowl in the 1930s.  The students watched the video and then answered a short answer question that incorporates the video as well as the material from the textbook.    However, this is the only step I have taken.  I will continue to locate more video clips and assessment questions to assist the student in their creativity and broaden their perspective of current issues in the world.  I have also started to accumulate the videos into a folder on my computer where I can go back and review the videos to develop questions or a “treasure hunt” for the video. 

Lastly, I started to venture through more technology tools such as Inspiration.  However, with a low budget, my school can not afford to open up this program to all the students.  I am planning to review wikispaces, webquests, voice threads, and podcast over Christmas vacation in an effort to incorporate it for the second semester.  Though the school is centered around technology, I am begin to question the schools ability to actually implement technology to its full potential.  I am concerned that the technology crew is all for technology but they do not want to make the effort to acquire all the necessary material.  I am beginning to learn that much of my game plan will have to come straight from me within my own classroom.  As a result, I will have to do a large amount of trial and error, which in turn will be a long process of completing the Game Plan.

I am open to any other suggestions.  I would love to know if there are quick tutorial about how to create webquest and wikispaces.  Also if there is anyway to use voicethread without paying money.

When I think of putting my goals in action I think of a saying. “Actions speak louder than words”.  This saying means a lot when it comes to this GAME plan because it is a plan that can be implemented immediately. Once of the first step I will take will be integrating videos.  At this current moment I have been using Discovery Streaming to access video clips on any given topic.  Using these video clips is great but I am still missing something to the lesson. I need more to the videos, I need the students to be accountable for the videos. I need to come up with questions that are realities to present events.  To do this, I will seek further information on the Discovery Streaming Website.  Within the site, there are writing prompts and lesson plans.  I will have to thoroughly read through the material to understand every aspect completely.  Furthermore, I will need to familiarize myself with addition websites that may contain similar and different perspectives.  When it comes to teaching history, it is essential to understand all the perspectives because it truly comes down to what the historian believes happened.  I know I will have to do extensive amount of research myself before I turn it over to the students.  It will be time consuming at first but in the long run the students will be able to learn more than just the general information.

Once I have acquired a large amount of resources via the Internet I will be able to broaden my students’ understand of many topics.  In doing so, I will begin to learn what my students find interesting.  Once my students have an interest in a topic I must provide the students with a certain incentive to go beyond what I provide.  To do this, I must learn about how to utilize as many as Web 2.0 tools as possible. For example, I am familiar with podcast, a wikispaces, and viocethread but I do not know every detail on how to use them.  I will need to read information online, seek addition help from colleagues, and/or seek a hand’s on workshop. This process can be time consuming due to conflict of scheduling so when in doubt I should use the devices on my own and literally play around to understand how they work. 

The step that I have been taking is venturing through the World Wide Web reading through lesson plans and reading the additional information in my teacher’s edition.  Unfortunately, I am extremely busy and sometimes I start looking at information and I get an idea to increase creativity or a collaboration project with my students but I always forget it.  I will be starting to keep a reflection journal where I will reflect on each lesson.  However, since I teach World History, USI, and USII, I will only select one class to concentrate on.  This task is extremely difficult for me because all my freshmen have their computers everyday and are eager to learn however they do not know the full extent of Internet usage.  With that in mind, my juniors’ computers never work properly due to virus and other problems and many of them are lazy.  Having juniors, it is difficult to break them from their traditional ways.

I am eager to hear what my fellow colleagues can offer to help further my GAME plan.

As an educator and continuous learner I must become a self-directed learner.  To do this, I must develop a GAME plan.  A GAME plan means setting goals, developing actions, monitoring the progress and evaluating the learning progress (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).  After examining the National Educational Technology Standards, there are two standards I believe I need to improve on in order to well around educator.  My goal is to strengthen my knowledge in “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity” and “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessment” (ISTE, 1997-2009).

Facilitating and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity applies to real- world issues, something is that is very well known in social studies classes (ISTE, 1997-2009).  I want my students to understand how they can change the future and prevent the reoccurs of past events.  Within my classroom, I want my students to have the ability to collaborate with their classmates using technology tools that will strengthen their comprehension.  Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessment applies to implementing authentic learning experiences which incorporates contemporary tools and resources that maximizes content learning (ISTE, 1997-2009).  In my classroom, I want my students to have the opportunity to create imovies, podcasts, and other Web 2.0 tools that will help strengthen their understanding of the material as well as develop key skills for their future. 

To achieve these goals I must take certain actions.  The first actions I will take will be changing my lesson plans by find technology that will enhance the lessons (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).  I will modify my lessons that will not just explain the information to the students but allow them to ask questions and have the opportunity to explore what actions could have been done to prevent them.  This technique will give the students a change to “think outside the box” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).  Furthermore, I will continue to explore the internet for different and more creativity activities the students can do within my class.  I will continue to learn about different Web 2.0 tools and how they can help enhance my classroom.

To monitor my action I will examine my students performance of the lesson (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).  I use the assessment or follow up activity that will determine what they student got out of the lesson.  Having the ability review the data can determine if the students are on track and meeting their learning goals as well as the teacher’s (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).  Lastly, I must evaluate my actions and determine if I have met my goals.  In order to do, I will continue with assessment of student learning but I must assess myself through the use of a notebook for reflection.  A reflection pad will not only help monitor how the class activity goes but allows me as an educator to evaluate what went well and what failed (Laureate, 2009).  Using a reflection pad will keep everything fresh in my memory rather than doing the same thing every year and have the same thing go wrong every year.

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009a). Program One. Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology, Part 1. [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Area. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009b). Program Two. Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology, Part 2 [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Area. Baltimore: Author.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf. onal Education Standards