EDUC 6715 Reflection

I can honestly say that I feel a little more prepared to uncover emerging technologies after this course. The biggest issue that I had was finding resources that were useful in locating the new ideas. It is important to filter the technologies that emerge however. During this course I had the chance to hone my stances on some key areas. I cannot say that my mind was changed throughout this course but the arguments are much more concise now. Some technologies like Second Life and others like it really don’t have a place in the classroom. This course has helped me refine my arguments against teachers that rush into technology adoption without pausing to understand the reasons behind the inclusion.
Moving forward my goal is to remain a consumer of new ideas. As each new technology emerges and applications become available I will be better equipped to analysis its use and critically support or refute its adoption. From a leadership point of view I do not feel that there will be much of a change. I still feel that one of the best ways of leading others is to demonstrate proper use and highlight the successes. Using positive peer pressure can then move people in the right direction.


PB

Impact of Online Learning

Online Learning Management Systems on Prezi

EDUC 6714 Reflection

I am always on the lookout for new technologies that beneift my students. Throughout this course and others resources like mywebspiration have been presented. It is my intent to spend more time looking at resources like this once the Master's program is finished this summer. I have already incorporated some technologies into the curriculum that have good results. For these resources I want to develop more interesting uses and generally work on the process of incorporating them. I have been looking at some new ideas that colleagues of mine have presented recently and I intend to develop their use more. The overall intent is to create projects that allow for student choice and free exploration. Once these projects have been developed I will focus on methods of day-to-day uses and applications.

On an immediate basis I am going to use my student's blog assignment to gauge interest in new topics. By having students express prior knowledge and inquiries about material before we begin the study I will be able to tailor the lessons to the students specific skills and desires. At the beginning of the next school year I will incorporate a student response system to ascertain prior knowledge in a more subjective manner. Overall these responses will lead me into creating lessons and projects that are aligned with specific students in mind.

Phil Bonus

6713 Reflection

The GAME Plan that was developed towards the beginning of this course shows promise. Unfortunately the bulk of the plan is to occur after this course ends. Therefore I have not had much progress or room for reflection during the course. As the majority of the steps commence I expect to have a decent level of growth in instructional ideas. I am not sure that the plan will revolutionize my teaching but any growth is beneficial. The process of the GAME Plan is not a new one. Even though there are fancy new names and terms it is still an action plan. Honestly I feel that I have an appropriate level of technology integration in my course. I have included many units that have webquests as major activities, a few wiki page creation projects, and consistent blog posts. There were not that many ideas that I have not come across before. The one that was new (digital storytelling) does not necessarily inspire me to immediately include it in the near future. I honestly am not sure that this method will lead to greater retention or mastery of concepts. I should correct that. I am not sure that this method is superior to more non-technological methods.

Students Making a GAME Plan?

The first thing that I though of when the GAME Plan was introduced at the beginning of the course was that it was a glorified goal setting approach. We were to develop a goal and the steps needed to fulfill this goal. The author just came up with a fancy way of saying what we already knew how to do. I can't say that I am surprised. Educational theorists have been regurgitating the same ideas under new names for years. Goal setting is not a new concept for our students. What might be new is having the students actively involved in the formation of the goal. This can pose a tremendous challenge. It is hard for high school students, let alone elementary students, to recognize weaknesses and needs to have to be developed. This is a challenge for items in which they are actually interested in. Attempting to have students create goals and action plans based on technological needs can be truly daunting. While students enjoy technology and use it more than any other generation learning about it and developing skills with it is a completely different task. It also requires that the teacher instills within their students that these technological standards are truly necessary for their success. This is were I struggle with. After reading the NETS-T and NETS-S standards I have to say that I don't completely agree that these concepts are truly needed to ensure success. Furthermore I don't completely agree that these skills need to be taught during a social studies class. Teaching these skills and concepts needs to happen in specific computer courses and solidified during content area classes. I can honestly say that I have struggled with the motivation to conitnue through the GAME Plan process. At this point I am skeptical that my students will remain focused and motivated through the process. Goal setting and action planning is not new to our students, no matter what name we give it. Trying to force one particular process I feel is inappropriate. One size does not fit all in education. Since the basis of establishing goals and completing steps to attain the goal are in place (and have been for years) all we really need to do is be more mindful of creating goals that may have a technological application. In the end, I honestly cannot see my students choosing a technology standard that they want to develop, establish a plan of action, carry that action plan out, and eventually reflect on their success. I have struggled with this, why would I expect my students to do so.

Honest Assessments

I've mentioned it before, there is nothing to add to the actual GAME plan that was proposed in previous weeks. I am still awaiting the next step to occur (something that is out of my control). For this specific plan there is nothing to add, I can't say that I have incorporated anything into my lessons, and I have not refined my plan because nothing has happened to spur the changes.

When looking at a broader plan of earning the Master's degree I can probably add a little more insight. I have added elements like wikis into instructor. I have attempted to bring online discussions and blog posts with mixed results. I am still striving to bring more manageable technology into my lessons. I have taken as a goal to remove assignments that are percieved as busy work and trying to replace them with assignements that utilize technology. Hopefully these assignments will expose students to new resources and techniques of information collection and dissemination. This is largely going to be completed as I regularly review lessons and seek to enhance my instruction.

Further Review, Already?

The evaluation process of the GAME plan established a few weeks ago is at standstill. It has been for a few weeks now. While some plans require constant action and revision others work at a more predictable, albeit a slower, pace. For the personal plan that I have created it is actually inappropriate to have weekly updates since I require collaboration with colleagues in a forum that is not scheduled to begin yet. I have created all necessary steps to ensure that the plan will commence without flaw once the professional development sessions commence.

Since the framework has been established and I am waiting the second portion of the plan to begin there is nothing more to change or add at this point. Constant updates and revisions are unnecessary for this reason.

PB

Monitoring the Action Plan

At this point in the action plan I believe that I have completed all of the necessary steps prior to the actual meeting times. Part of the plan was to create an internet based work space for the members of a webconferencing workshop to share strategies and resources. Currently it is developed and awaiting members to join. I have discussed the plan with a colleague who will be part of the workshop and we shared ideas about how to make the work space more efficient and user friendly. At this point there is very little to do until the workshops commence.

I understand that is assumed that we would be taking steps weekly to complete our plan. Unfortunately, this plan does not lend itself to that model. I feel that the plan I created is still appropriate and will yeild positive results.

Thinking of other plans that I can incorporate I stop at earning a Master's degree in technology. We were supposed to choose a plan that helped address a need we have in terms of incorporating technology for our students. Pursuing this degree is helping every area outlined in the NETS-T standards. Even though I did not previously outline this as a plan it can easily be done. Taking the pursuit of the degree and the eventual workshops into account I feel that I am taking appropriate steps to improve on the NETS-T standards.

PB

Resources for the GAME plan

In order to address the goal of building a network of teachers committed to developing technology inclusion in the classroom I have created a google site that can be utilized to make connections and share materials. On this site we will be able to provide each other with background and contact information and details of the courses we teach. Best practice ideas and lesson plans can also be included to further the understanding of all members. This site can also be used to address the webconferencing goal. Creating a google document is the easiest way for busy colleagues to communicate and share information.

Beyond developing the basic template of the site I have not been able to progress much in my goals. The courses outlined previously have not begun yet (they actually begin in March). Until these courses begin I will be taking what little free time I have to research possible incorporation of webconferencing into my course. Since this is a new technology for me the learning curve is expected to be high. I plan on learning about the equipment first, researching applications other teachers have used, and begin searching for the most appropriate units to incorporate these ideas.

PB

Enhancing Professinoalism Through a GAME Plan

Among the NETS - T standards two stand out as areas that need to be improved. This feeling comes after a period of careful reflection on my typical classroom performance. It is important to note that I do not consider myself in anyway a masterful teacher. These areas were selected as a starting point.

NETS - T mentions that teachers must continually grow in professional practice and leadership in terms of incorporating technology and encouraging colleagues to do the same. While I have done a fair job of incoporating technology in the classroom and have a seat on the technology committee for my school I have not truly worked with other teachers in an attempt to build technology use. My goal is to create a network of techers that have the desire to enhance instruction through technology and build basic skills and understanding of the resources that are available to all teachers within my school. I plan on meeting this goal by participating in a series of technology tutorials hosted by my local PBS station. These courses are held within my school and are open to any teacher in the viewing area. This is roughly 500 school districts and private schools. These courses range in topics from webconferencing to creating websites through Google. The monitoring portion of this plan is simple. I need to ensure that I am present at each of the meetings and creating a collection of contact information of the participates who wish to work together to enhance classroom instruction. Once these courses are completed and instructional methods have been employed I will be able to compare this years instruction with past years and judge if it has improved or not.

NETS - T also mentions that classroom instruction should relate to a work place that is technologically advanced. Without going into great detail I feel that one technology that is going to be consistent is webconferencing. My school recently purchased the equipment necessary. My goal is to collaborate with teachers who are comfortable creating lesson plans utilizing this resource. Since I have limited knowledge and experience it is my desire that I would be able to learn how to effectively use the equipment from my colleagues. My action plan for this goal relates to my previous goal. One of the courses offered by the local PBS station is on webconferencing. When that course is offered I plan on establishing a connection with a teacher that is willing to work with me. Monitoring the progress of this goal comes in establishing meeting times and collaborative lessons with this other teacher. As I become more comfortable with the resource I will be able to develop more of the lesson plans. In the end the evaluation comes in comparing student performance on assessments after this lesson from those students who completed similar assignments without the use of the webconferencing equipment.

PB