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

Online learning is provided through learning management systems. An overview of LMS with a highlight on Moodle.org through their presentation is linked below:

eLearning presentation

Assessing for Learning - Reflection

The Differentiated Station social network was all new to me. We set up a Google Group..or I should say Sam did. It was a unique way to post our presentations on UDL & DI. Not only this presentation, but our resources that we discovered throughout our journey in this class will be easily accessible to all of the group members. I will be able to refer to the different survey each of us designed, the presentation methods we used for our UDL & DI sharing resource assignment, and resources for differentiating instruction in the classroom. I learned about WIMBA as an online chat tool. Not only can it be used in text version, but vocally. Through this online chat prezi and glogster were two new resources that I learned about that I did know much or about or even heard of before.

During this class, I have changed districts. I am teaching a subject I have not taught before in my previous position. While I was very comfortable with teaching Algebra 2 and Statistics in Philly, I am feeling a little hesitant with teaching Geometry. I would have easily been able to integrate technology in my prior classes...and have done so with some success. I was able to vary my instruction, and differentiate assignments. I used the Promethean board on a daily basis. I began to know my students and what each one needed varied in order for them to be successful. Currently, I feel like I have started over....from the beginning. I have a Smartboard which uses a different platform than a Promethean board. I am teaching Geometry which I am not familiar with the technology that I can use with the students or have the students use to complete projects. I have used Notebook to use for instruction, but I still have to learn where I can find videos. I have to also learn about GeoGebra. I do not know these students which those surveys would be something that would help me get to know their interests. I am hoping to give a survey after this first quarter to see what the students needs are educationally...to make learning more interesting.

Final Blog Post

Creating a GAME Plan forced me to focus on the NETS, standards for technology education. I have learned the importance of responsibility in the use of information and technology. This will have an immediate impact on my teaching practices. I will model proper resource references in my lessons. Another immediate change I am making as a result of my GAME Plan is a Google site to be used as a means of communicating information to students and parents. This will enable students and parents to see what the class is doing, what absent students have missed, where sources for extra help can be centrally located and where students and parents can contact me.

As a result of learning ways to integrate technology in the content area, I would like to have my students use problem-based learning such as the matrix webquest. I would like to see my students use blogs as a way to reflect on their learning and as a way to use collaboration between classes. Using technology for some units may increase learning and retention. I know that this process will take time as I explore how and when technology should be integrated in the mathematics curriculum. Setting goals, assessing, monitoring and evaluating them will help me with this process.

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

The NETS-S "helps students prepare to work, live, and contribute to the social and civic fabric of their communities" (ISTE, 2007). The students standards align with the NETS-T. When looking directly at my GAME plan:

3c communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats, and
4a advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources

with the comparable student standards

2b communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats, and
5a advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology

It is my responsibility to model the practice and provide the opportunity through creative lessons. Creating a GAME plan can provide the direction.

After giving my students an overview of their class and the tools that I would like to implement, I would like my students to create a GAME plan for what the expect in their class. I expect my students to set a goal for the class (maybe each marking period), what actions they will take to complete their goals, how they will monitor their own progress, and evaluate and extend. I want my students to go beyond just getting a grade, but to reflect on their practices. The GAME plan could be used for individual projects.




National Education Standards for teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/Navigationmenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

National Education Standards for students (NETS-S) located at http://iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm

Revising Your GAME Plan

Creating NETS-T goals has focused my attention on technology and its integration into the educational environment. I have learned about the importance of digital citizenship. Not only do I need to teach the process, but model the behavior. I have not taken the time to modify my "notes", but I am being very conscientious about referencing current work. As far as teaching the process, I have sample lessons from Reading the Web. I also like the idea of showing students what the consequences are of copyright infringement.

Feedback from my classmates has introduced me to new technologies such as wix and Ning. I have been re-acquainted with Google and its many uses such as Sites and Docs. I am still in the process of creating a website from Google and wix for communication purposes to my students and parents. Technology is an on-going learning endeavor. It is impossible for me to learn every technology, or even know of every technology available.

While the two goals I have (Model Digital-Age Work and Learning and Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility) will be time consuming, I would like to also include facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity. Once the integration of the website is implemented I feel that including online collaboration will be the next step.


Reference:
ISTE NETS for Teachers 2008. (2008). Retrieved 4 August 2010, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm

Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

I am finding it difficult to focus my attention on my GAME plan during the summer months. I have created an unpublished wix.com site that originally wanted to use as a class site. I liked the comment page from the templates that would enable parents to contact me relatively easily. I have read Diane Young's Blog Week Four Game Plan Update and she mentioned Google sites. I completely forgot about this option. I have even used it to create a site for SPHS Class of 2010 to try help the seniors keep up-to-date about important information and events. I decided to create a Google site also. I am not sure which option I will implement between the wikispace, wix, and Google sites. When I review my plan, a goal of mine is to communicate with parents. I have to evaluate each of these to decide which will be the best method for communicating with parents...and the easiest.

Once we have access to our laptop carts, I can include the lessons about validating websites, search engines and citing sources. I can use a wiki, wix, or Google site for informing students and parents about our class. BUT...A question that has arisen now is how will I include these lessons while still covering content so I do not get behind in the curriculum before I even get started?

I am not going to adjust my plan...just need to figure out when and where to implement it?

Monitoring Your GAME Plan

Stage 3 of the Plan: MONITOR

One of my goals was to communicate with my students and parents by creating a website or re-creating my wikispace. I have looked at wix.com as suggested by Lyndsay Paisley. I just started to create a website that will enable my students to look for important class information. I would like to link the wikispace if possible so that students will have the resources for self-directed learning or assistance. The wix also enables a contact page where parents could send me a message. Again I am in the inital phase of creating this website and plan to reference Lyndsay's website for ideas and use the wix tutorials. I will also look at my wikispace and change a few things. I would like my students to be able to find altenate assignments when they miss class and access their grades.

The other goal I had set for myself was to model and teach ethical use of resources. I have several flipcharts that I utilized Discovery Education videos. I still have to cite the resources on my "pages". Also, I would like to use the lessons for the QUEST Model of inquiry referenced in "Reading the Web". These lessons would involve analyzing URLs, evaluating websites, and citing resources.

I have learned that I need to have a plan.....what do I want my students to learn and what will be the best way to get there. The latter thought...is there technology to support me to help my students get there in another way.

The question is always there....how do we find the time to get everything done? It almost seems overwhelming to think of all my prior "notes" that I need to go through to make sure references are cited...but can be done as I am ready to re-use this flipcharts.
The wix website is going to take time to create since I do not know much about wix. So, I question if I will be able to create the website I have pictured in my mind?