Goals:
1b) Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
To carry out my plan and achieve this goal I will research websites that are age appropriate for primary students to use. I also will create a list of technology resources that could be used with lessons. I will talk to other teachers at the primary level to find out what technology resources they have used in their classrooms.
3c) Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
To carry out my plan and achieve this goal I need to create a class website for parents. The website will have updated class information and school events. I will send home a questionnaire asking parents if they would utilize an online newsletter and if they have Internet access. I also will talk with other teachers to share website ideas that are appropriate for the primary level.
16 March 2011
09 March 2011
It's GAME time....
My GAME Plan
The two NETS-T standards that I would like to build up and strengthen my confidence with are the following:
Goals:
1b) Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
3c) Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
Action Plan:
1b) I will incorporate technology into my lessons giving the students a chance to use digital tools collaboratively with guidance from the teacher because of the age level. I will show the students real-world situations and let them discover and start to become self-directed learners.
3c) I will create a class website for daily/weekly news. I will have a section on the class site for helpful websites that families can use at home. I will also create a class blog for news, as well as, current class experiences and projects. I will communicate with parents using more technology and hope they do the same. I also hope to show parents how they can help their child at home using technology.
Monitoring my Goals:
1b) I will have students draw and/or write their experiences using the digital tools in journals. For class projects, such as the life cycles of butterflies, we can collectively record our findings on our class blog.
3c) I will frequently update the class website so parents will be up to date on events. I will also frequently check the class blog for any feedback from parents.
Evaluating my Goals:
For both goals, I will keep up to date with current technology information and trainings to better integrate technology in the classroom. Also, I will have parent feedback by means of a survey. It will be in a similar manner to the “About Your Child” questionnaire I send home at the beginning of the year. I would like my kindergarten students to understand the benefits of having technology skills and create a foundation they will build upon.
Resources
Cennamo, K., Ross, J & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
The two NETS-T standards that I would like to build up and strengthen my confidence with are the following:
Goals:
1b) Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
3c) Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
Action Plan:
1b) I will incorporate technology into my lessons giving the students a chance to use digital tools collaboratively with guidance from the teacher because of the age level. I will show the students real-world situations and let them discover and start to become self-directed learners.
3c) I will create a class website for daily/weekly news. I will have a section on the class site for helpful websites that families can use at home. I will also create a class blog for news, as well as, current class experiences and projects. I will communicate with parents using more technology and hope they do the same. I also hope to show parents how they can help their child at home using technology.
Monitoring my Goals:
1b) I will have students draw and/or write their experiences using the digital tools in journals. For class projects, such as the life cycles of butterflies, we can collectively record our findings on our class blog.
3c) I will frequently update the class website so parents will be up to date on events. I will also frequently check the class blog for any feedback from parents.
Evaluating my Goals:
For both goals, I will keep up to date with current technology information and trainings to better integrate technology in the classroom. Also, I will have parent feedback by means of a survey. It will be in a similar manner to the “About Your Child” questionnaire I send home at the beginning of the year. I would like my kindergarten students to understand the benefits of having technology skills and create a foundation they will build upon.
Resources
Cennamo, K., Ross, J & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
29 October 2010
A Look Back
-Reflect on the “Personal Theory of Learning” you developed in Week 1. Summarize any modifications to your personal theory of learning you have made as a result of your learning in this course.
I always try to use personal connections and hands on experience with my kindergarten students. Kindergarten is the first year students have "real school" experience. They must rely on personal connections since school experience is limited. I use food with some of my math lessons so the children can use their senses to remember a concept. I also start the year with calendar and alphabet songs. I enjoy music so I tend to use it in my classroom more. A modification to my learning theory would be technology. Technology has come a long way in our classrooms. With the current use of Smart Boards, students are able to be more involved with lessons. Gone are the times of sitting in a desk and listening to lectures. Technology has made learning interactive and provided great resources to students.
-Describe any immediate adjustments you will make to your instructional practice regarding technology integration as a result of your learning in this course. Identify two technology tools you would like to use with your students and how the tools will support or enhance your students’ learning.
I recently got a document camera in my classroom. I am working on getting a laptop so I can show students more webquests, powerpoints, and websites. I would like to use, or at least introduce, students to the programs we used in this course. I usually gather the students around a computer screen to show them something. Once I can get the laptop, visuals and student involvement will be easier. It has been a different world having the document camera.
-List two long-term goal changes you would like to make to your instructional practice regarding technology integration and outline a strategy for achieving them.
I would like to incorporate more technology at the primary level. Before this course I never thought to use technology in the ways I’ve learned to in the past 8 weeks. I felt it was hard to incorporate the technology with 5 year olds.
A great way to incorporate technology would be virtual field trips. It would be a way students can be interactive in the learning process. The students are able to go places they would not normally be able to visit. I plan to use more virtual field trips to give greater experiences in the classroom. I would like to make available a class blog for students and parents. I want to do away with paper newsletters and have a place where parents can comment on class activities. If I had parents that were computer savvy, I would show them ways they could conduct a class blog or wiki. It would be my hopes that parents can work together to teach other how to use the class programs.
I always try to use personal connections and hands on experience with my kindergarten students. Kindergarten is the first year students have "real school" experience. They must rely on personal connections since school experience is limited. I use food with some of my math lessons so the children can use their senses to remember a concept. I also start the year with calendar and alphabet songs. I enjoy music so I tend to use it in my classroom more. A modification to my learning theory would be technology. Technology has come a long way in our classrooms. With the current use of Smart Boards, students are able to be more involved with lessons. Gone are the times of sitting in a desk and listening to lectures. Technology has made learning interactive and provided great resources to students.
-Describe any immediate adjustments you will make to your instructional practice regarding technology integration as a result of your learning in this course. Identify two technology tools you would like to use with your students and how the tools will support or enhance your students’ learning.
I recently got a document camera in my classroom. I am working on getting a laptop so I can show students more webquests, powerpoints, and websites. I would like to use, or at least introduce, students to the programs we used in this course. I usually gather the students around a computer screen to show them something. Once I can get the laptop, visuals and student involvement will be easier. It has been a different world having the document camera.
-List two long-term goal changes you would like to make to your instructional practice regarding technology integration and outline a strategy for achieving them.
I would like to incorporate more technology at the primary level. Before this course I never thought to use technology in the ways I’ve learned to in the past 8 weeks. I felt it was hard to incorporate the technology with 5 year olds.
A great way to incorporate technology would be virtual field trips. It would be a way students can be interactive in the learning process. The students are able to go places they would not normally be able to visit. I plan to use more virtual field trips to give greater experiences in the classroom. I would like to make available a class blog for students and parents. I want to do away with paper newsletters and have a place where parents can comment on class activities. If I had parents that were computer savvy, I would show them ways they could conduct a class blog or wiki. It would be my hopes that parents can work together to teach other how to use the class programs.
16 October 2010
Collaboration for the Future
Working in groups is what I use in my classroom. I have learning centers in my classroom and the students work together on various activities. Collaboration is a skill that students need to be successful in the 21st century. With the social learning theory, students are engaged in constructing and conversing with others. Students learn so much from each other. One example of working together I use in my classroom, is with behavior. Each table is a family team and they work together as one. The students remind each other that they need to work together to accomplish positive incentives.
I believe using technology in kindergarten will be a teacher guided approach. It is more of an introduction to technology rather than having the students use the programs without guidance. I would like to use more Webquests and blogs in my classroom. I also want to get the parents involved where they can use technology with their child. Something small as logging into a blog or using VoiceThreads with the students. I made a section on my letter for websites parents can use with their child. Starfall.com is a great one for students to learn letters/sounds and for beginner readers.
I believe using technology in kindergarten will be a teacher guided approach. It is more of an introduction to technology rather than having the students use the programs without guidance. I would like to use more Webquests and blogs in my classroom. I also want to get the parents involved where they can use technology with their child. Something small as logging into a blog or using VoiceThreads with the students. I made a section on my letter for websites parents can use with their child. Starfall.com is a great one for students to learn letters/sounds and for beginner readers.
07 October 2010
Voice Thread
This experience wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Here is my voicethread.
http://voicethread.com/share/1381680/
29 September 2010
What to construct?
The constructionism theory of learning states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others (Laureate, 2009). In this weeks resources, the savings, investments, and interest rate spreadsheet assignment is an example of this theory. The teacher wanted students to understand that compounding interest and saving money can lead to strong earnings. This lesson is something that students can relate to and learn the value of saving and investing money for the future.
I feel kindergarten is a year where constructionism is used throughout the year.
In kindergarten, we have learning centers where children problem solve through age appropriate play and manipulatives. They are encouraged to use their own thoughts and be creative in the centers. Students are building using blocks and collaborating in groups. Last spring I had a few students show me a beehive they built with math pattern blocks. They remembered what it looked like in a book and wanted to create a bee colony. Other shapes were the members of the colony. It was so cute.
I enjoy watching the 5 year olds take part in learning by doing and discovering. At that age their minds are full of questions and what the world has to offer. I am excited to introduce more technology in the students' education. Technology will be with the students for the rest of their lives.
DVD: Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). “Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology”
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
I feel kindergarten is a year where constructionism is used throughout the year.
In kindergarten, we have learning centers where children problem solve through age appropriate play and manipulatives. They are encouraged to use their own thoughts and be creative in the centers. Students are building using blocks and collaborating in groups. Last spring I had a few students show me a beehive they built with math pattern blocks. They remembered what it looked like in a book and wanted to create a bee colony. Other shapes were the members of the colony. It was so cute.
I enjoy watching the 5 year olds take part in learning by doing and discovering. At that age their minds are full of questions and what the world has to offer. I am excited to introduce more technology in the students' education. Technology will be with the students for the rest of their lives.
DVD: Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). “Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology”
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
15 September 2010
Over and Over
Learning about the behaviorist learning theory brought back many elementary thru college memories. I remember the days when I invested in 3x5 index cards and studied off of flashcards. There were many nights of drilling words and numbers into my head. I have a hard time using drill and practice all the time in my classroom. I am a big believer of making connections with the students. Making connections is one part of my teaching philosophy. I want the students to have an understanding of the material and show them how they can relate to the information.
Even though my teaching philosophy contains making connections, I teach kindergarten. With 5 year olds you need a lot of drill and practice. My class thrives on routine and consistency. The computer programs the students use have games that are based on repitition. Our small group reading program also contains repitition. We do the same routine just use different letters each week. I try to find a balance when using the different theories in the classroom. I know the students need the drill and practice but I also want them to know why and how to apply the information.
Even though my teaching philosophy contains making connections, I teach kindergarten. With 5 year olds you need a lot of drill and practice. My class thrives on routine and consistency. The computer programs the students use have games that are based on repitition. Our small group reading program also contains repitition. We do the same routine just use different letters each week. I try to find a balance when using the different theories in the classroom. I know the students need the drill and practice but I also want them to know why and how to apply the information.
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