Reflection New and Emerging Technology

Change is not something that comes easily for me. I struggle with moving away from what feels comfortable to something that is initially awkward and difficult. However, increasing the use of technology in my classroom is a transition that I am eager to make. This change is energizing because I know that technology is something my students are comfortable with and excited to use. Technology has great potential to impact education and I am eager to take advantage of it. I believe firmly in the Lemke and Coughlin’s (2009) comment that “instead of requiring our students to check their Web 2.0 technologies at the schoolhouse door, we should teach them how to use these tools for learning” (p. 54). The learning that I have gained throughout EDUC 6715: New and Emerging Technologies, has exposed me to tools that could change the face of education. It has also taught me about the change process and the influence I could have in the adoption of new and emerging technologies in my school.

My learning in this course is best demonstrated through the work that I did in the creation of an online learning module that makes use of the Course Management System (CMS) Blackboard. This lesson on cells provides my students with many benefits over how it would traditionally be taught. Some of these benefits include: working at your own pace, accessing materials as needed, providing information digitally, and allowing students to collaborate and communicate in new ways. I then created a report to share with my colleagues about the implementation of such an activity. This could be shared with the entire staff or in my professional learning community to serve as a model of best practice, a critical component in teaching educators (Reeves, 2009). Like many teachers, I am highly motivated by hearing about innovative learning experiences other teachers are using in the classroom. Sharing my experience could motivate others to increase their use of technology with students. This activity also exposed me to sources of grants that could serve as funding for technology related projects. I took an initial step in the grant process by preparing a rationale statement that could be used for this project.

It is vital for educators to stay informed on emerging technologies with the potential to transform education and to promote their adoption in the classroom. One of the ways that I can do this is by developing my own Personal Learning Network. This could involve setting up an RSS Aggregator and subscribing to blogs, articles, or other digital information related to emerging technology and education. I appreciate hearing what other teachers are doing and value the advice they have to offer. The Horizon Report is another great tool to learn about emerging technology. In order to lead the adoption of technology at my school, I need to be willing to try new tools and share the results with other teachers. It will be important to carefully research the technology, identify the standards to be met with the lesson, and consider issues that could limit success so that my students will have a positive experience. Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVE’s), digital games, and online learning have great potential to impact teaching and learning in the 21^st century. It is important for me to remember that I don’t have to be an expert with the technology before I use it but I do need to be willing to try it out and seek support as needed.

Jenny

References

Lemke, C., & Coughlin, E. (2009). The change agents. Educational Leadership, 67(1), 54–59. Reproduced with permission of Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development in the format electronic usage via Copyright Clearance Center.

Reeves, D. (2009). Model teachers. Educational Leadership, 66(5), 85-86. Retrieved from the Academic Search Premier database.

Online Learning in K-12 Schools

The way students prefer to learn today has drastically changed from that of former years. This is due in part to their interest and use of technology. Teachers and students alike can reap the benefits of this interest when technology is incorporated into meaningful learning experiences. A Learning Management System or LMS, like Moodle or Rcampus, can even be used to offer classes entirely online or in the form of a hybrid. I have created a PowerPoint presentation that can be viewed in Google Documents. This presentation is meant to be shared with my staff so that they can learn about LMS and the potential they could have in our school. I have tried to address questions I forsee our faculty having. Please take a look at my presentation on Online Learning in K-12 Schools and share your comments, questions, or concerns.

Jenny

Reflection of UDL, DI, and Technology

Throughout a recent Master’s course, “Reaching and Engaging All Learners Through Technology,” I have been exposed to the concepts of Differentiated Instruction (DI) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Prior to this course, I would have described differentiated instruction as providing different lessons to some of the students. This is not the case at all. Differentiation is really a mindset an educator has about teaching and learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009c). For me it means providing each student with the best education that I can, a concept supported by Carol Tomlinson (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009c). A teacher who believes in DI and UDL values diversity and takes these differences into account so that each child can be successful. A great deal of flexibility has to be built into the curriculum so that every student’s educational needs are met (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009b). Technology can be the key to building in this flexibility.

I was fortunate to be a member of a social network, Engaging Students with Technology, where resources, strategies and tools were shared that would support or enhance differentiation in the classroom. Using multiple representations to present the course material is an important component of UDL and DI (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009a). The internet is extremely valuable in making this possible as it provides a variety of resources that enhance the standards I am striving for in my content area. Many of the websites that have been shared with me contain streamed videos, images, or audio clips that could reach more of my learners. The network also exposed me to a variety of tools that would support my diverse learners including online translators (Word2Word Language) and speech to text programs (ViaVoice and Read Please). These technologies will be implemented to support English Language Learners or students who have difficulty reading, writing or keyboarding. UDL and DI also propose that students should be allowed multiple means to express their learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009a). One member of my group shared a tic-tac-toe board which allows the students to choose how the form of expression. Other members shared ideas for expression including VoiceThread, Publisher, and Digital Storytelling. These tools allow the students demonstrate what they know and understand in a manner that is most comfortable to them.

The use of technology is embraced in my classroom. However, this course has exposed me to many other ways technology could be use. The first is in the use of surveys. In order to effectively differentiate my lessons, I need to really understand my students’ interests, readiness, and learning profiles. There are some great online surveys that would work well for my high school students. I will even use a survey I created with survey monkey to learn more about learning profiles and interest. Formative assessment needs to be enhanced in my classroom. One of the ways I can do this is to use my clickers, or student response system, to have students answer questions that gauge their understanding of the material. Blogs are another tool that I will use with my students so that they can be reflective of their learning. These are just a few of the immediate changes that I will implement with technology to support UDL and DI in my classroom.

Choosing not to implement technology in today’s classrooms is simply not an option. Not only will technology aid in the flexibility required to support UDL and DI but the skills students gain with it will better prepare them for the workplace of the 21st century. Flexibility is a key to effectively implementing technology, UDL, and DI. The role of both teacher and student will change with the teacher becoming more of a collaborator and the students becoming responsible for their own learning. Implementing DI, UDL, and technology can appear overwhelming. It becomes much more manageable as I remember that it is ok to smart small and continue to work for change. The impact on my students could be great.

Jenny

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Program thirteen. Brain Research and Universal Design for Learning [Motion picture]. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Program twelve. Universal Design for Learning [Motion picture]. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009c). Program twenty. Putting It All Together [Motion picture]. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.

Reflection of My Learning and What it Means for My Practice

Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer’s (2010) GAME plan is one that anyone can use when taking on a new challenge. This process works well for learning a new technology but could also be used to achieve any goal that individuals may set for themselves. Many teachers may be concerned that they cannot afford to spend class time teaching this process during an era when there is such an emphasis placed on high stakes testing. I would argue that a teacher cannot afford not to teach this process. Teaching students to set goals, take action, monitor their progress, and evaluate their success will have huge returns for them as they continue their education. This process really helps to promote lifelong learning. One of my goals for lifelong learning is to identify and integrate technology in a manner that increases student engagement and comprehension. My experience with the GAME plan process has taught me to focus on one technology at a time so that I do not become overwhelmed and want to give up. Learning a new technology is a bit intimidating as I fear I will not be able to use it successfully. Gaining experience with technology boosts my confidence so that I can introduce the tool to my students.

Technology can be a great tool to elevate student engagement and comprehension of the course material. It is important for me to remember that technology should be used to support student comprehension of the course material and not allow my students to get caught up in all of the bells and whistles that a technology may offer. I will continue to pursue technology integration that supports my content areas. My experience with the GAME plan process showed me that Flip video and website creation are tools that I can use with my students. Digital storytelling, wikis, and problem based learning are other strategies that I would like to incorporate. There are a multitude of resources that I can use to support these endeavors including: Google docs, Rubistar, and the “In Plain English” series of streamed videos. When incorporating technology it will be important for me to utilize the tool before using it with students so that I am able to answer questions, identify clear guidelines and expectations for its use, and ensure that the standards and objectives for the unit align with the technology use. I am looking forward to putting the things I have learned into practice in my classroom.

Jenny

Resources

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Using the Game Plan with Students

During the last several weeks, I have been developing my proficiency with the ISTE’s National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS –T). Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer’s (2010) Game Plan is an approach that worked well for me as I developed skills related to the creation of a website and use of flip video. This process allowed me to set personal goals related to technology, take action to achieve those goals, monitor my progress, and evaluate my progress and effectiveness with the technology. The Game Plan approach worked well because I was able to customize it to my own goals. It allowed me to make adjustments and take action as needed. The Game Plan process is one that may work well with my students.

The ISTE also has a set of National Education Standards for Students (NET-S). As I read through these standards, it quickly became clear that the NETS-T and NETS-S are inter-related. It appears as though the NETS-T were designed so that they would support the NETS-S. A teacher fluent with the NETS-T would also be enhancing skills related to the standards for students. I am working to build my fluency with the standards described in the NETS-T. The efforts I have made are setting me on a path to further develop or enhance the technology standards in my students. These activities have increased my awareness about the technology standards that both teachers and students should have.

The Game Plan is a process that I plan to teach my students. It will be introduced at the beginning of a new project and then used as we progress throughout the semester. I will provide my students with guidance throughout the process. Students will need to identify the aspects of the project and set goals that will allow them to be successful. Many of these goals will relate to the technology they are using for the project. I will help students in taking action, monitoring, and evaluating their plan. The more experienced students become with this process the less direct support they will need from me. Recording my thoughts about this process has been helpful in reflecting on what I have learned. Reflection is an important step in becoming a self directed learner. Therefore, my students will record their thoughts throughout the Game Plan process by keeping a journal or posting to a blog. Incorporating the Game Plan process can promote self directed learning in my students while seamlessly integrating technology.

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Revising My Game Plan: Class Website & Flip Video

Those of you following my blog will recall that I have been working on building my proficiency in two areas of the NETS-T. The initial goals I set were established in my blog post titled “GAME Plan.” The GAME Plan is an approach designed by Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2010) to promote self directed learning. This method has worked well for me as I develop proficiency related to my goals of: using Flip Video to record myself teaching for my professional portfolio and in the creation of a website to improve communication and collaboration among teachers, students, and parents.

I have spent quite a bit of time over the last several weeks working to accomplish these goals. The most important thing that I have learned is that developing my proficiency with technology is not something that can ever fully be achieved. This is due primarily to the rapid speed that technology changes or new technologies are introduced. I need to embrace technology and the fact that I will need to continue professional development with it if I am to provide the best education that I can to my students. The efforts that I have made in regards to my Game plan are a good indicator that I am up to the challenge.

The development of my website “Mrs. Nabb’s Classes” is off to a good start. I have the schedule of activities for the next week or so updated for each class. I actually had a parent request help with keeping track of their son’s progress. I was able to direct them to this site so that they can visit with the child about what assignments would be due. Creating helpful links for students to visit from my site is one goal that I am still working towards. I have had quite a bit of success also in using flip video. The greatest challenge that I have to overcome is finding the time to edit my clips. I will continue to record myself teaching because it does help me to identify areas that I could improve. I discovered that I do not provide enough wait time when asking students questions during class so that is something I am working on. A goal that I have in regards to Flip video is to capture myself teaching a variety of lessons. This goal will really allow me to see what class is like for my students so that I can identify areas to improve both in my teaching and in the lessons I create.

There are several learning goals that I would like to set for myself based on the NETS-T. Promoting student reflection using collaborative tools, standard 1c, is an area that I would like to further develop. I would accomplish this goal by developing a blog and creating guiding questions for my students to answer. I am also excited to get the flip videos into the hands of my students. Developing learning experiences that allow students to create videos would help build my proficiency in several of the areas of standard 2. Students are capable of amazing things when provided the opportunity. Enhancing my skills in regards to the NETS-T will encourage me to create more of these opportunities.

The GAME plan approach worked well for me as I developed my proficiency in these areas. When it comes to technology, I have found that I learn best by trying it out. I am often intimidated by a new technology when I first begin to use it. Gaining experience and confidence with the tool is essential for me if I am to incorporate it into my class. It is very helpful for me to have someone help me through a process one on one. However, this is not always practical due to the situation. Having a more knowledgeable person to go for assistance is very valuable to me.

Jenny

Resources
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T). (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Home. Retrieved November 10, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Evaluating My Progress with Flip Video and a Class Website

One of my goals as a teacher is to enhance my students’ ability to become self directed learners. A self directed learner can be described as someone who investigates a topic of interest or works towards learning a new skill (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010). It is essential for teachers to model the skills of self-directed learning if they are to enhance those skills in their students. I have identified two areas of the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T) to build my proficiency in. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer’s (2010) GAME Plan approach has been working well for me as I work towards these goals. So far I have established my goals and begun to take action. This week, I would like to evaluate my progress towards meeting my goals.

My first goal was originally to develop a blog in order to collaborate with students, peers, parents and community members. After considering the advice from other teachers and researching related information, I have decided that a website may work better for this purposed as opposed to a blog. Doing a simple Google search for “class websites” lead me to an abundance of programs that I could use. Weebly is the resource I chose to use for my site creation. From this site I can create pages for each of my classes. This approach appears as though it will work better for me as I felt that creating a blog for each of my classes would be more than I could easily manage. My site is called Mrs. Nabb’s Classes. I have written a short introduction and created pages for each of the courses I teach this semester. The IED page has the week activities listed and I plan on updating the other courses as well. One of the features that I liked about Weebly is that it will allow me to password protect some of the pages if I choose to purchase the pro version. This is an important option for me because one of my courses requires material on the internet to be password protected. At this point I am simply listing the activities we are doing so I do not have the need for it yet.

My second goal is to utilize the flip video to record clips of myself teaching to compile for my professional portfolio. I am currently in the process of editing the clips I have to create a short movie of one of my lessons. I am planning on sharing this video with my teacher quality committee. The Mimio board is used in this lesson and several of the teachers in my group would like help in how they can use it in their classroom. The editing has to be done on my home computer as the software is not yet loaded on my school laptop. I would be able to progress with this faster if I was able to do the editing at school without the many distractions I have at home.

The actions I have taken have been very effective at helping to meet my goals. I feel much more confident about both of these technologies and am excited to incorporate them into my lessons. Both of these tools could be very effective at engaging my students in the content material we are covering. The fact that a website can be viewed by anyone could really motivate my students to do their best work if they were to create their own for some type of project. In order for my students to use the flip videos for class projects, I need to talk with the IT department about having the software installed on computers throughout the school. In regards to the class website, I would love to see some examples of great sites that teachers have developed for their classes. I tried to research this but have found some pretty average sites. If anyone could direct me to some great websites that I could visit for inspiration, I would really appreciate it. One of my next steps is to add links from my site to the high school, internet grading, and the AEA online site which students can use for research. I also need to add information to the other courses I have so that all students can benefit. I am anxious to capture more video of my classes so that I can add it to my portfolio. In working towards these goals, I need to allow myself the time needed to do an effective job with them.

Jenny

Resources

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T). (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Home. Retrieved November 10, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf