Change is Good

I am definitely like most in that I benefit from stating my goal either out loud or in written form. Being able to remind myself of my goals or have conversations with others about my goal helps keep me focused and honest. My original course goal has remained consistent throughout this course; however, as I implement the programs into my classroom next year I may find changes that need to happen to accommodate the learners in my room. My goals for the upcoming year are to identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability and to use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community to nurture students learning. Most of my progress has been focused on my second goal of using technology to communicate and collaborate with the global community.

So far I have experimented more with class blogs and have signed up to take courses in powerpoint, moodle, digital storytelling, and other 21st century skills necessary in today’s classroom. My new learning will help me incorporate technology into everyday instruction and help me be more able to facilitate students in their learning. I hope to use technology to access enhanced components or lessons tied to our curriculum that were once not available.

My instructional practice will immediately change in that I will be communicating with students and their families through a class blog. I plan to use digital story telling and to communicate with another fourth grade classroom in the district. This will allow my students to present their work to a larger audience and to authentic feedback. These tools will enhance the content instruction dictated by the curriculum.

Thank you for keeping me focused and on track,
Courtney DeRosa

Playing the GAME

The student and teacher standards for technology both intertwine technology throughout all aspects of learning and everyday experiences. Both standards focus on creating digital citizens and using creativity to foster creativity. The standards require both students and teachers to be flexible and creative in using technology. They require persistence and patience with learning new things. Applying the standards often puts the teacher in the student’s shoes and vice versa.

Many students are familiar with making goals in sports, on New Years, and some even with school. One major benefit of teaching and implementing the G(goal) A (action) M (monitor) and P (plan) plan is to help students realize that it is okay to modify a goal, take small steps, or even change it all together. What is essential is to never lose sight of having a goal.

I plan to use the GAME plan when creating a classroom blog. For most students this will be their first experience with a class blog and also my first using one with students. We will both need to be creative; use critical thinking and problem solving, and we will all be digital citizens. We will use the class blog to collaborate and communication with another 4th grade classroom and each other. It should be a wonderful experience for all of us!

The X’s and O’s of the Game Field

Technology has been implemented into my everyday teaching. I permit students to choose how they wish to present their knowledge or final product and provide as much access to the classroom computers and lab as time allows. This is a change in my instructional practice as I have learned that choice and technology increase both student engagement and motivation.

The new learning goals I have set for myself include designing authentic lessons and that incorporate digital tools and promote self-directed learning. I am planning to set up global learning communities to provide access to a larger audience and the ability to express themselves in the method of student’s choice. With the diverse learning styles and abilities of my classroom I plan to address their needs by using learner-centered strategies and access digital resources.

The learning approaches I plan to try are digital storytelling, voice thread exchanges with another in district classroom, and setting up and maintaining a classroom blog site where students have access to a discussion board, class notes, and a class calendar with updated events. I am excited about the endless possibilities that technology provides and can only imagine its effect on the student’s motivation and engagement.

Courtney

GAME Progress

I recently received confirmation of my attendance to a summer institute on 21st century learners. My district is also offering a summer class on digital story telling in the classroom which I plan to attend in August. I am looking forward to continuing my progress on learning technologies place in my classroom.

I have learned that students need an audience to present their work and receive feedback. The internet and tools such as digital storytelling and voice threading are a great way for students to share their work without infringing on privacy policies. Also, this opens the door for collaboration amongst students and responding to feedback.

My plan has been adjusted due to privacy policies as well as school politics that I need to work around. The technology specialist has been little help and has turned to avoiding me to get out of answering my questions or helping with the progress. That has made me turn to outside resources. I am also currently in the process of applying for a grant to open a computer lab in my school that is not used for instruction so would be available for student use any time of day. I will keep you posted on the progress being made.