I believe that I am making good progress with my GAME plan. I have learned a lot as I have been working towards achieving my goals. There are many news tools that I have found that can make my lessons more engaging. The most recent tool that I have learned about is social networking within the classroom. I have never thought much using of social networking in the classroom. I have done a little of it in my classroom, but I have learned many other ways that I can use it. Having students collaborate in class has always been important for me, but with online collaboration, it can extend beyond the classroom. Although I have found more tools to use in my classroom, I would like to continue researching and finding even more resources to use and more ways to use them. I am currently working on a wiki with my colleagues. which is a great way to collaborate with other educators to gain insight from them.
One new learning goal that I would like to set for myself according to NETS-T is to do a better job of modeling digital age work and learning. I believe that if I took more time to create good examples of what I have done using the tools that I want students to use, then they would be even more engaged in the activities. I like to show them how to use the technology, but I would like to also show them what I did with it. I am finding that I learn a lot from other people. Even just listening to their suggestions and hearing about the tools that they use in the classroom gives me ideas of incorporating more technology into my classroom. I am excited about the progress that I have made with my GAME plan and I am excited to continue learning.
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteRole modeling for our students is a great way to convey message. I found that is the case personally. Whenever I like to introduce a new technological tool and that I want my students to create their artifact using it. Usually I'll give them a demonstration as warm-up task using that particular tool. Together with authentic purpose of the task and how a tool can be used to help, it sends out a strong message to our students. Of course through actually using it, teachers and students can explore more on the topic together.
One of the thing that my students are so obsessed is facebook (how about your students?) Every time they get their hands on a PC or their mobile device, they'll check their facebook. At first I was thinking how to stop it but then thought it's not practical. I might as well use facebook to my advantage. I role model how I approach facebook and how I use it to my advantage. For example, using it to collect survey data or doing interview. That way we successfully using something that interests them at the same time it's academic helpful.
I am happy that your GAME plan is going well, I have no doubt that it'll turn out brilliant. Keep the good work/faith up!
Sarah
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThis week I learned a great deal about social networking too! I think that it is great that you are finding tools to make your lessons suitable for our 21st century learners. Engaging our students utilizing technology enables them to process their learning before they demonstrate what they know. Creating for that authentic audience is a great motivator for students. They want to be using the technology, so teachers need to find ways to incorporate its use so that we can prepare them for the workplace. Furthermore, by using social-netowrking tools, students have access to seek the answers to their questions from professionals, their colleagues, and other teachers around the globe. What could be better? I am happy that you are achieving your goals of your GAME plan! Keep up the great work!
My students are also obsessed with Facebook Sarah. We have it blocked at our school, so it is really not an issue. They do however get on Skype quite often. This has been an issue in class when they are supposed to be working on something else and not talking on Skype. Social networking and online collaboration can be excellent in the classroom for many ways, but it is frustrating to me when they want to do that rather than work in class. I guess I have to embrace it, but I am just not sure how to do that with Skype when they want to talk to their friends on there. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteDanielle,
ReplyDeleteSociall networking is such a great way to utilize online collaboration. Too bad my school, like yours, blocks Facebook. I am attempting to make a case for its use in the classroom, but unfortunately, you always have some educators who sit their kids down in front of the computers and never monitor what they are doing. Facebook and other social networking sites can only work if students know the boundaries and its use is geared towards the standards they need to master.
It sounds like you are really doing a great job. Keep it up!!