NETS-T help teachers look at what skills are currently
being demonstrated and what skills still need to be learned. Here is a link to
the National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for
Teachers: http://images.apple.com/education/docs/Apple-ISTE-NETS-Teachers.pdf
Facilitating and Inspiring Student Learning and Creativity
is a standard I feel proficient in. I work hard in engaging students using
digital tools I am familiar with. Implementing collaborative activities and tools is vital in the
makeup of my classroom. Learning through play is the backbone of
Pre-Kindergarten. Bringing out student’s creativity is simple if teachers look
at standards, real-world experiences, and digital tools.
A standard I feel could use some improvement in would
be: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. Although I incorporate many digital
tools in my day-to-day teaching, I would like to master the communication of
information and ideas to peers and the community using media tools. New
technologies are emerging daily, and student’s learning is rapidly changing.
Therefore, to be effective, teachers must use a wide-variety of resources to
accommodate to student learning styles.
Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and
Assessments is another standard in which I would like to develop more in. In
particular, the topic of addressing students’ diverse needs/learning styles is
a difficult one. Having students with special needs/learning styles in my room
this year has challenged me to carefully examine my goals, actions, and my
evaluation of lessons.
I have created a GAME plan in which I have set goals for
the development of these two standards.
§
Goals: I will learn and implement
digital-age technologies. I will develop and execute strategies that include the needs of
all learners with the use of technological tools.
§
Action: The iPad, Virtual Field
Trips, visualization tools, concept maps, blogs, electronic books, graphic
organizers, and digital presentation tools will be used to support and engage
all learners in the classroom. Strategies for authentic instruction will be used:
Inquiry/Discovery Method, Problem-Based Learning, Inductive Method, Role-Play,
and Simulation.
§
Monitoring: I will monitor progress
by considering behaviors of my students. Are students responding positively to the
new technologies? Are they confused? Reflections will be noted as progress is
made. Do I need to modify my game plan? Formative assessments will be
conducted to help answer these questions.
§
Evaluation and Extension: Did all
students meet the learning goals? If not, why? Is there a particular topic that
needs to be re-visited? What could I do differently to improve my instruction
in the future?
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your goals. I too find it difficult to find the time to share with peers, colleagues, and parents what types of media tools I am incorporating in the classroom. I am going to try using my blog and sending monthly e-mails about things that I have tried. I think it will be hard to find a balance though, because I do not want to overload or bother my colleagues either. I think you have some excellent ideas for meeting your goals. The questions that you plan to ask yourself as you work on your goals will be very useful. I like that you mentioned modifying your game plan, because that is definitely always a possibility.
Tori
Tori,
DeleteI have also thought about using my blog for sending newsletters and pictures of what we have done for the week. I want parents involved in our daily activities as much as possible. I'm glad we are thinking alike!
Whitney
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteYour goals were clearly identified and easy to understand! I liked how your action listed specific ideas such as using "iPads, Virtual Field Trips, visualization tools, concept maps, blogs, electronic books, graphic organizers, and digital presentation tools." By listing your ideas you have given yourself a variety of methods to use in case one does not work. As Tori already highlighted, teachers have to be flexible and modifying our game plans is often necessary. I give you credit for identifying a plan and looking for ways to implement it with such young pre-schoolers. That task must not always be easy! However, as an elementary school teacher I am very thankful! By the time your students reach my third grade classroom, they will be teaching me what they already know about technology! :)
Good luck!
Best,
Ariel
Ariel,
DeleteNo, it isn't always easy identifying plans to fit such young learners. Often times is can be frustrating. That is my goal, though is to have them ready for teachers in the coming grades--to prepare them for the material you will teach. I try and stretch them as much as I can. Thanks for your comments.
Whitney
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI really like the strategies you have laid out to increase your understanding and confidence in some of the NETS-Ts. I also believe that it is important to "learn and implement digital-age technologies". That is probably why we are enrolled in the program we are in, because we believe in the importance of technology integration. Communication through technology is amazing in the 21st century, and I believe that your strategies for including virtual field-trips, electronic books, the iPad and others will help you to accomplish the goals in your GAME plan. Good job!
Angel
This is a great GAME plan, Whitney. In particular, I was impressed by your goal of improving your ability to design and develop digital-age learning experiences for your pre-school students. And I agree that your focus of addressing students’ diverse needs/learning styles and special needs is a challenge regardless of the grade level. I have a student with vision issues and one with learning disabilities in my 4th grade class this year. I have been reading up on assistive technology devices to better prepare myself for meeting their needs. Great School.org (2014) says, “Over the past decade, a number of studies have demonstrated the efficacy of AT [assistive technology] for individuals with LD [learning disabilities]. AT doesn't cure or eliminate learning difficulties, but it can help your child reach her potential because it allows her to capitalize on her strengths and bypass areas of difficulty.” We are fortunate to have so much technology at our fingertips to offer to our students.
ReplyDeleteOn a second note, I see that you are also implementing virtual field trips. Great idea! Just think of all the possibilities! You can take your little ones around the world through virtual field trips. Last year, I took my students (virtually) to Catalina Island to explore the area where the Chumash Indian girl, Karana, (Island of the Blue Dolphins) lived and to a Gold Rush town near Shasta in northern California. You will make great memories for your preschoolers through these virtual field trips and ignite their passion for discovery and learning! Bravo!
Amy
Reference
Great Schools.org. (2014). Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. Retrieved from: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs
Amy,
DeleteVirtual Field Trips are so unique and interactive. We are lucky to go on many actual field trips by bus because we have the money in our budget. Virtual field trips offer an experience where students do not have to travel in order to learn about something. Your virtual field trip to Catalina Island sounds awesome. I know your students loved it.
Whitney
Whitney,
ReplyDeleteI see you mentioned digital age learning experiences as an area you have a hard time with. I too struggle with this in classrooms. I can only imagine that this must be an even greater struggle with Pre-K. Maybe that's because my brain can't even begin to wrap around teaching Pre-K classes! :) I find it hard to come up with a learning experience that will engage my students some times as well as allow them to develop new technology skills. I teach older students, so they have a vast experience with technology and how to run it! Most days, they can even show me what I am trying to do! I have a friend who teaches Pre-K and she loves using games on the computers with her kiddos. She especially likes "brain pop", I believe. She has also used voicethread to have students tell their own picture book story and posted the thread through youtube, so that both parents and family members could enjoy the story told by their child as well. :) You have some really good ideas, that I believe will work well in Pre-K, keep up the good work! Jennifer Moore