To become more confident with the standards and indicators for NETS-T, I plan to follow the GAME plan which stands for, (1) Set Goals, (2) Take Action to meet those goals, (3) Monitor Progress toward achieving goals and (4) Evaluate whether the goals were achieved and evaluate your learning (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 3).
One NETS-T indicator I would like to improve upon is “demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations” (ISTE). I tend to continue using the same assignments year after year. I think I do this because I teach so many different subject areas. Sometimes I have 5+ classes to prepare for. The thought of changing my lesson plans is daunting. The goal I would like to make is that I change and implement technology into at least two lessons in each class each semester. To achieve this goal I will make a timeline when I can alter lessons. We have early release Wednesdays. I will choose one Wednesday a month to spend altering a lesson and implementing technology. I will monitor my progress by keeping a journal of the work I have completed and the reaction of my students to the change in the lessons. I will evaluate whether the implementation added to the lesson or if I need to do more work to get the desired result for my students.
Another NETS-T indicator I think I can become more confident in is “collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation” (ISTE). I teach in an affluent community where we have many technologies available to students. Over the past year through my Master’s course I have begun asking questions of students to see what their experience level is with the new technologies and tools I have learned about. I was surprised at how much students are not using these new technologies that I believe will increase student achievement and engagement. I want to teach my peers about digital tools they can use in the classroom. I want to show my peers that it does not take much work to learn to use these tools and they enrich the learning experience for students. To achieve this goal I want to begin going through my textbooks and documents from my classes to begin compiling a list of resources for each content area. I also want to begin talking to my administrators about doing a professional development class. First I would send out a staff email asking what the main interest would be, for example, learning how to create wikis, blogs, VoiceThread, podcasting, etc. Once I compile the responses I would like to complete a training in my classroom on a Wednesday early release. I will monitor my progress by creating a timeline of when I want to achieve each step of this process. After the training I will ask my peers to evaluate my teaching and their learning of the new technology. A few months after the training I will ask my colleagues if they were able to implement the new technology in the classroom and if so, did it improve student learning.
References:
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.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008) NETS for Teachers 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2011 from: http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
I love the goals that you elaborated on! I also have been thinking about conducting a technology session. We have learned so much about different technology tools and sharing them with are colleagues are a great way for this to be done. One of my goals for my teacher profile inbludes incorporating more technology in my classroom. I teach at two different schools and about 15 different classes combined, and I also struggle with time management when it comes to incorporating technology. I work in an affluent district also, but they are behind when it comes to technology. Special area classes are not seen as important so I try hard to justify why and how technology can be used in my music classroom. I like your goal of incorporating technology into at least two lessons. I have been using an LCD projector for a rock and roll unit I am teaching my 6th grade. I use a blog with my high school choir students. During my spring break which is next week, I am going to figure out a way to incorporate technology with teaching guitar. Wish me luck! :)
ReplyDeleteCherese -
ReplyDeleteI teach Career and Tech Ed. so I understand your feelings of having to "prove" your subject has value! In our new building there is an academic wing, three stories high, beautiful...then you walk across the building past the cafeteria and we are tucked in a hallway. I don't even have a window in my classroom!
It sounds as though you are making a solid effort to incorporate technology into all of your classes. You sound as if you have as many preps as I do and it can be daunting to figure out ways to do things differently. I figured if I gave myself a goal of two lessons it was measurable and I could focus on that task! Good luck with your guitar class! Perhaps a wiki where students post their favorite guitar player and then students can add facts about that musician - say two a week? Just a thought!
I think that you choose two goals that definite seem very reasonable due to the hectic schedule that you already have. I can't believe that you have so many different subjects to teach. I think that the timeline that you have created will help you stay on track with implementing your plan. When I attend technology workshops, my problem is I try to incorporate too many strategies into my instructions. After reading your post, I think that if I focus on implementing just a few ideas weekly that I will become more knowledgeable of that technology which will help increase my confidence level to try more advance technology. I am going to create a Technology Journal where I can reflect on a weekly basis what kinds of new technology I incorporated into my instructions and record how effective it was with helping increase student achievement. The journal will me stay focus on how I am utilizing technology to improve my teaching practices.
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine having to plan for five different classes. I have three preps right now and I find myself struggling. My hat's off to you there. I have similar goals as far as implementing more technology into my current classes. I know that one of the reasons I took this course was to learn better strategies for doing just that. I constantly see the need to update my lesson plans but like you said, time is always a factor. Hopefully sticking to a time-line, like you mentioned, will be helpful in accomplishing that goal. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Cristina,
ReplyDeleteI agree--changing that many lessons would overwhelm most people. But a minor tweak may be possible---even adding a choice of synthesis activity that includes some technology may work well without your having to change much in the lesson.
That is wonderful that you will share your knowledge with your colleagues. That is a great way to assume a leadership role and foster confidence in technology integration at your school.
Susan