Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Developing Goals in ISTE NETS-T

Technology is the key to the future. This is something I have realized for some time now. Prior to pursuing my Masters degree in technology integration I felt comfortable in my level of technological knowledge. Now I see that I was merely scraping the ice burg developing underneath us. As an educator it is important that I educate myself in order to ensure that my students are getting the best education possible while in my classroom. Once I saw how much information and various tools were available, I have pity on my previous classes.
 
Even though my skills and knowledge have multiplied over the past year, there are still areas I need to work on. In looking at the ISTE standards for teachers, I have chosen two to work on now to help enhance my instruction of technology to give my students a better chance of success in their future.



#1   ISTE NETS-T Standard 2: Indicator b: Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

G    -      Goal:

Currently I feel I need to keep my third graders close on task. I am afraid that if I allow them too much freedom to explore their curiosities then they will get off task and they will not learn the required content before the state test. I am afraid I will be spending too much instructional time redirecting.


A    -      Action:

* Letting go of the classroom; Plan lessons around content specific indicators and then allow students to explore feely the information available.

* Numerous resources; research reliable resources that are content based and have the list available for students. Our district recently adopted several new resources sites which can be used to generate resources lists for students.
 

M   -      Monitor: In order to ensure students are getting what they need to meet state standards I will:

* Consistently monitor students while on task using checklists. Students will have a checklist to help guide them as they explore independently.

* Administer weekly assessments to ensure they understand content standards.
 

E    -      Evaluate and Extend

* Administer weekly assessments to ensure they understand content standards.

* Work with colleagues to evaluate success and locate resources and procedures to build the students confidence as well as my own.


#2     ISTE NETS-T: Standard 3: Indicator a: Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.

 G    -      Goal:

I am acquainted with numerous new technologies which I integrate into my instruction when possible. I believe I need to become familiar with these systems in order to effectively implement them in the classroom.


A    -      Action:

* Practice and learn how to manipulate new programs to understand how they can be used in content instruction.

* Research programs, such as toolboxforteachers.com and Smart Exchange, to locate technology integrated lessons that can be used “as is” or modified to fit instruction.

* Collaborate with our media specialist and district technology specialist to help extend knowledge of new programs and how to implement them in the classroom.


M   -      Monitor:

* Journal experiences with various programs. Take notes about new information learned and brainstorm ways to integrate with lessons.

* Implement programs with small group of students to see what they know and what they can teach me!

* Make notes directly on lesson plans to remember the experience and what was successful and what did not work (Laureate Education Inc., 2009).


E    -      Evaluate and Extend:

* Implement lessons and observe student motivation and engagement.

* Survey students after lessons with specific programs to evaluate student views about them.

* Once familiar with programs, implement in classroom instruction and evaluate student success in understanding content.



As an educator it is important to develop self-directed learning skills. As our society becomes more and more dependent on technology, it is imperative that we, educators, prepare our students to be successful adults. Technology integration helps lessons become engaging for the student helping to motivate and stimulate the learning process (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).

Developing goals for ourselves requires us to reflect on our practice and observe areas that need improvement. Then we must develop goals that will help in this area and identify what we must do in order to achieve success. Teachers that consistently improve their personal knowledge and level of productivity will produce students willing to work to expand their knowledge as well. This is a twenty-first century skill necessary for success in today’s world.



Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Engage Learning.

Laureate Education Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009).Promoting Self-Directed Learning. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Dr. Katherine Cennamo.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Judy! I completely know what you mean about feeling like you are only scraping the tip of an ice burg. I feel this way too, especially since technology is constantly changing. I often feel I am several steps behind.

    I really like your GAME plans. In your first GAME plan you mentioned who you want to give students more creative control. I too struggle with giving them control and students taking advantage and not being very academic. This year I started an after school technology club. This has helped me give up some control. I often will send students links to cool sites and we explore them together. They also get to explore applications like Garage Band and Photo Booth, etc. Most teachers don't allow exploration time and this technology club gives students time to explore. At the end of each meeting, students share something they have created. They are so proud of their accomplishments and honestly they make some really cool things. It has encouraged me to give students more flexibility in the regular school day. This really is a great goal!

    As for your second GAME plan, I too need to explore what is available on sites like SMART exchange. Do you plan on starting with specific topics or just exploring your grade level and see what is available? I am amazed at the large number of resources available on SMART Exchange. Just yesterday I looked for circles and found some great lesson on finding the area and circumference of a circle. I would suggest to not to always limit it by grade level. I often find relevant lessons that may or may not need to be tweaked from other grade levels. I often get my best results looking for a specific subject.

    Good luck on your goals! You really have great GAME plans and I am sure you will be successful!

    -Jill Morris

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  2. Judy,

    I think that my thoughts on technology have been very similar to yours. Before pursuing my Masters in technology integration, I felt that I had a good handle on using and integrating technology. After learning more about what is out there, I am realizing that there is so much more that I could be doing and I have a lot to learn about how to use technology and how to integrate it into lessons effectively. Of course, I work with kindergarten so this becomes even more of a challenge because they are only just beginning to learn about technology themselves and they are limited in some ways as to what they can do in terms of typing, reading, and using the internet. Regardless, I know that there is a lot more that I could learn about and use with my students.

    Your GAME plans sound very good and attainable. They leave a lot of room for learning. Your second GAME plan I thought was particularly well thought out. It is very open-ended, but I think considering what it is that is good because it there are so many areas that you could find ways to integrate technology and then take off with it. I was wondering what grade you teach. I really like how you listed working with a small group of students as a monitor in order to help you. This could be very effective, especially if you feel that your students are old enough that they may have acquired some skills that you do not have! What a wonderful way to learn!

    I constantly look at other teachers that are posting so many interesting ways to integrate technology into the classroom. You are very correct when you talk about how important it is today in this digital age to move toward this because our students are living in a world where it is becoming expected.

    Nicole deMoll

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  3. Judy to Jill-

    I think it is great that your school values technology enough to allow a program after school. I feel so much pressure to cover content standards right now that I tend to limit exploration time in class. I currently feel alone at my school because so little is done in the areas of technology integration across the board. There are a few of us using technology regularly and I am hoping that once I get through with my program I can help my colleagues implement more technology into their lessons.

    When I look at Smart Exchange I look at lessons that are specific for my content standard. However, when I learn a new technology that I want to implement, such as wikis or podcasts, I look first at the technology and determine where it best fits into the curriculum. I like Smart Exchange because there is so much already there and I do not have to spend as much time creating content specific lessons.

    Judy to Nicole -

    I teach third grade and prefer working with small groups because themn I am able to keep up with what they are doing. When I take the entire class to the computer lab it is difficult to watch what all seventeen are doing at once. I like learning and the students love it when they get to be my teacher. Do not let your kindergarteners fool you. They probably know more than we give them credit for!

    Judy Spears

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