Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools

Week 8: Assessing for Learning - Reflection

One of the most important things that I have learned through this class is that our students are very different and have different needs when it comes to educating them. This course has shown me why it is important to differentiate, when, and how. At first glance it was intimidating thinking that I needed to create a lesson plan for every single student. As a teacher it worried me that I might not have the time to do it and also would be denying potential students from learning. That worried me. But as the course went on I discovered many of the activities and or lessons that I have used in my class were already reaching many diverse learners in a capacity that I had not known about. The course has given me power in this field where I can harness ideas I already had to help differentiate my instruction.

With the addition of technology to differentiate instruction, it has given me many options in my classroom, and also to my students. One of the greatest things I have learned is allowing my students to choose how they want to learn. Technology based resources like web-quests or online inquiries have given my students that ability. Technology can also give students the option on how they want to create. Giving students this type of freedom allows them to choose what tool or resource bests fits them, rather than me assigning everyone the same process to develop the same product. All our students are not the same, so having them all do the SAME thing is just not logical, but many times in the past, that’s what I have done.

Technology has influenced me to allow my students the freedom to choose how they learn. It has offered great flexibility and much more engaging learning experiences. When I think of differentiating instruction now, I welcome it, and welcome my students to learn amongst their own means with the use of technology, rather than the limits and boundaries I have set in the past.

Reflection

The GAME plan that I developed for each of my goals was well worth it. I was able to set goals, plan an action of attack, monitor my progress and evaluate what I did. The GAME plan kept me organized throughout my lesson. At the end of the lessons the evaluation portion of the plan is what I think helped me the most. I looked back at what I did and then tried to fix my lesson. The evaluation area has made me a better teacher and helps improve my lessons.

Through the GAME plan process I was able to learn how to incorporate technology more often in my lessons. With the GAME plan I was able to incorporate blogging and wikis for my students to collaborate with each other. I have also found a very effective use for digital storytelling and all the possible scenarios it could be used for. Digital storytelling is a great way for students to showcase narrations they have written, biographies, and other projects.

Some immediate adjustments I will take in my instructional practice regarding technology integration is to find more time for it. I will have to use the GAME plan which will really benefit me and the students. By using the GAME plan it can find me that time and keep me organized. If done correctly, the time spent will more than enhance my lesson and my students learning and understanding. Finding time for online collaboration and digital storytelling is what I will focus on. PBL in my opinion can be a part of both online collaboration and digital storytelling.

Week 7 Using the Game Plan with Students

The way I would use the GAME plan process with my students would be to use it as a graphic organizer for projects. I could make a poster of it and have it placed on in a wall in my room. When working on projects the students can always look at it and see what part of the plan they are on, still need to work on and perhaps what needs to be revised. The graphic organizer can also be made into a checklist for the students as well. Again I feel like this is a good way to keep them organized and focused on what needs to be accomplished. For students to be self directed I feel like giving them this organizer could support their efforts to being self directed learners. It will also give them free range with their creativity. They are coming up with their GAME plan and how they want to accomplish their goal. With the GAME plan it will also make them learn how to use technology effectively and productively in order to fulfill their goals.

Revising My GAME Plan

What I have learned so far that I can apply in my instructional practice is to be more flexible when it comes to incorporating technology with projects. I have to realize that yes it might be frustrating not having the tools and or time, but the end product is worth the effort. What the students get out of the learning experience is the most important part. With the use of the digital tools it enhances my students learning quite a bit. It makes learning meaningful and engages them. A goal that I want to still work towards is getting more collaboration amongst my students’ parents. I feel like this is the most frustrating goal to accomplish due to the fact I cannot control if homes have computers or internet at all. In the future perhaps with the help of the district and other corporations we could set up foundations or grants that will give unfortunate families the opportunity to have these services in their homes.

The NETS-T goal I would like to set for myself is to grow as a professional (5a). By taking my classes here at Walden University I feel like I have taken a small step in that direction. As my career continues I want to stay up to date with all that is happening in the world of educational technology. Our students live in a world of technology, so being able to harness it and use it in the classroom will be a great advantage. So I would say my goal here would to be more connected with the happenings in my field of technology.

I do not have new learning goals but the way I would extend what I have learned so far is to use it more and more. I feel as my level of confidence grows with something, the more eager I am to apply it to my practice.

Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

As I evaluate my GAME plan status, I have noticed something’s that I need to change. There has been progress within indicators, 2a and 3b; however there are things I need to adjust in order for me to be satisfied with the overall outcomes.

For indicator 3c I have created a classroom blog. On my blog I have listed daily homework assignments, upcoming events, and things we could use in the classroom. I have also registered my cell phone so I can post updates without logging onto my computer. My blog has become more like a one way communication. I am sending out the information, but am not getting any feedback or comments back. My students have been checking the blog for homework. It has become more of a resource for the students than for parents. Currently I have been also posting pictures from various events in school as well, students have been commenting on the pictures but not the parents. I have 10 followers of this blog, all are students. I guess I have to figure out a way to get it out there more where parents can find it useful for them. I have had some parents say they do check the blog from time to time but not on a consistent basis. I have to learn what will parents get out of my blog? I thought they would follow or contribute about happenings in the class. I think a lot of my parents are too busy with work and taking care of a household, and some parents don’t have internet or a computer at home. For my collaboration to occur among my parents I think my blog or technology might not be the answer here. Why, due to the fact that most of my student’s households do not have computers. I think for now I will have to focus my collaboration amongst the educational world; perhaps with other schools around the district or state.

Indicator 2a has been a work in progress. The biggest obstacle facing my progress here is time. I have been able to get a few digital cameras and computers in my classroom, so resources aren’t a problem right now, but the number of resources are. I have not been able to get much computer lab time at all. And with all of the current AIS Math and Reading push-ins, has lingered the progress I am seeking. With this practice I have learned that I need to be more patient with the tools and time I have available. I do not like to start something and have it put off to the side. I like to have my set time and say this project should be done within a week or 2 weeks etc. But with this type of practice that does not seem to be practical.

Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress

My progress for indicator 2a has been more of a success that my progress on indicator 3b.

My progress for indicator 2a has been moving in a positive direction as of late. I have been able to obtain computer lab time and more computers in my classroom. I use to have 2 desktop computers, but now I have 2 desktops plus 5 laptops. What I have been doing is scheduling time in my schools computer lab, but my time has been limited. The students who seem to need more assistance or time are allowed to use the PC’s in the classroom during our recess or down time (enrichment periods). I wish all the students could use the computers in the classrooms but I have to limit it to those who need more exposure to it. The availability of digital cameras is probably the biggest issue. Our school has perhaps 3 or 4 working digital cameras, and only 1 class at a time can borrow just 1 of them. And sometimes not a single camera is available, or in some cases even working. I’ve asked parents and students if they have a digital camera please bring it in for our projects. Our school does not permit the use of personal recording devices, but I have written my own permission slip or notification to the parents so they are aware that I or the school cannot take full responsibility for the cameras. Most parents and students who do have a digital camera were ok with the procedure. The only thing is, I haven’t told my principal yet, due to the fact she might turn down our ideas. Out of sight out of mind. (he he he). Same thing goes for the Wiki and Blog sites. I have just been using it without definite permission. I asked the computer teacher and she said she saw nothing wrong with it, so I went ahead and did one.

Even though indicator 2b sounds like it has hit some bumps in the road, indicator 3b has been more of a challenge.

I have created a classroom blog to collaborate with parents. What I have found is only a handful of parents actually visit the blog. My counter only changes about by 3 or 4 each night. I ask some of the students if their parents have been going on, some say they don’t know and others say not at all. Some of the students say that are the ones who have been visiting the blog and not their parents. So, I’m not sure how to get it out there or to persuade parents to visit the blog. I’ve been sending letters home about the blog and also letters about what’s happening in class. I really want to get away from that. So, what I think I need is a way to get the parents more involved in accessing the blog.