Using a Course Management System

I created a Prezi for this assignment. I was having trouble downloading the video, so I had to provide a link instead: My Prezi

Reflecting on DI and Technology

The course, Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology at Walden University, has given me the tools I need to successfully integrate technology in my classroom. From being aware of the different ways students learn to the various ways that learning can be demonstrated, technology plays a major role in classroom instruction. I did not realize until taking this course that differentiating instruction could be so easy. I always thought it was too difficult to try to individualize lessons for each student. Now I know that giving choices does not mean creating thirty-plus individualized lesson plans.

One immediate change that I will make is to get to know my student’s learning needs. Having them take the surveys that I found and developed at the beginning of this course will help me to create more meaningful learning experiences for them. Providing multiple modalities when presenting a lesson will help to appeal to different learning types. I already implemented a lesson that I created in the week six application. As my calculus students finished their test, they got a laptop and went to a site that gave tutorials on the next lesson. They were able to work at their own pace. Clear step by step examples were provided and videos were also available for those who cannot “read” math and understand it. The majority of the class loved it and found it very helpful. I had had three out the twelve students who did not care for learning off the website, however they did like the site as a supplement to my teaching. They still wanted my demonstrations on the board. Overall, it was quite successful.

Another change that I will make is to allow more choices in assignments. I realize that not all students have to do the same thing to get the same result. Allowing students to choose when it comes to assignments will not only help them to feel like they have ownership in their education but they will also see the relevance in the assignment. Choices make the curriculum more meaningful and give many alternatives to assessment (Smith, 2008). The use of technology will provide many opportunities to create these meaningful assessments.

I will also make sure that I allow my students time to learn the new technology. This is difficult when we have very little time to learn many different objectives. However, I do have “down time” in class. Those moments when students are waiting for the bell or the transition time between activities. With better planning, I can allow the time for them to learn new advancements. We could begin by creating a class project using a glog or prezi.

Integrating technology to provide choices makes differentiating instruction not as complicated as I thought it would be. Just a few changes and a few choices can lead to many new great ideas as student are totally engaged in learning.

Smith, Mark. (2008). Howard Gardner, Multiple Intelligences and Education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm.

Reflecting on My GAME Plan

I am making great strides with my GAME plan. I am very confident that I will be able to successfully use the ideas I have learned at Walden as long as I stick to my GAME plan. I also realize that my plan will constantly be changing as new ideas and technologies come about. Just because this course is ending, does not mean that my GAME plan is done. I will follow through with the timelines that I have set for myself. I will also review my plan weekly and make adjustments as necessary.

I have learned that following a structure like the GAME plan is very beneficial for my students. To say you are going to do something and actually making a plan to follow through are two different things. I realize the importance of a organized effort to create real learning experiences for my students using technology.

Immediately, I will make sure that technology is used on a weekly basis in my classroom. Daily, I already use an interactive whiteboard, graphing calculators and the internet. However, I am speaking of the new advances that I have recently learned while at Walden. Each week there will be at least one type of cooperative collaboration by means of technology in my classroom. I want my students to leave my classroom not only knowing their math but also feeling confident about their future in a technological world.

Students got GAME

I find that many students are not aware of how technology will impact their future. Right now, some students feel that they know more about technology than their teachers. Rightfully so, they are experts at texting and posting their status; while in most classes, they are pushing paper and pencil. They, not their teachers, are growing up in this technologically advanced world.

I think that once students acknowledge how much more they can learn, they will be excited about what they can do. After introducing them to the NETS-S standards, as a class, we can talk about how to set goals. Students can each develop their own goal and come up with the action needed to accomplish that goal. Once they begin moving towards the goal, I can help them monitor their advancement. Then, they can self-evaluate their progress. Each student can give a presentation to the class to show how they have met their goal.

Support from the school and district would be beneficial in meeting the NETS standards. Right now, I feel as though that support is far out of reach. Many sites are blocked at school and the use of social networking is highly discouraged. Sometimes, it is very discouraging. I wish the district would realize how many learning opportunities there are available if we had more freedom at school.
I will continue to strive towards creating GAME plans for myself and my students. I know that eventually, my school district will turn around. I am going to be right there, ready to lead the way.

Revisions to my GAME Plan

In pursuing my GAME plan I have learned several things. One is that there are many options when incorporating technology in the classroom. Sometimes I get very overwhelmed with ideas and it is hard for me to choose which one to go with. It is great to have choices though. This means that I can give my students more options to present projects. I have also learned that planning and implementing cannot happen overnight. However, as a teacher, I need to jump in and give it a try. Unless I get my feet wet, I will not get my goals accomplished.

I am still working on all my goals. I feel that to be an effective teacher, we are constantly working on goals. Some need to be continually worked on, while others are met, new ones are obtained. I have not had much progress lately while the craziness of this semester is winding down and me personally still dealing with sickness. I am very optimistic that I have wonderful ideas and opportunities to plan ahead for next semester.

My goals are staying the same with one addition. I am going to set a timeline for myself. Unless I create a deadline to meet for myself, procrastination or some other hindrance might set in. By giving myself an agenda with a time line, I feel as though I can get more accomplished.

I plan on practicing each new area of technology over Christmas break and develop lesson plans that incorporate these advances. As I investigate new programs and/or software, I will create detailed instructions for my students. I feel that once I am more comfortable in my own understanding of the resources, I can better facilitate the learning of not only the technology to my students but also the content area.

My GAME Plan

This week, I feel as though I have not gotten much accomplished in my GAME plan. I have been sick with a bad cold, and working on grades because they are due this week. Sadly to say, my planning had to take a back burner.

I wanted to incorporate technology in each unit, and to teach my students a new technology in each lesson. I am finding it difficult to implement at this time. I think that I can do a better job if I plan for next semester. I can begin the semester with specific goals in mind and can begin on the first day of class. As I develop my lessons for the Algebra 2 classes that I have next semester, I will be incorporating lessons on technology.

Monitor and Adjust!

As I try to meet my goals for my GAME plan, I am finding that time is the biggest resource that I need. It is rather difficult for me to keep up with the day to day activities as well as planning ahead. I realize that striving to meet the goals I have set is very important. Not only do I personally have a hard time finding extra time but time in class is also scarce. My Algebra class is fast approaching the end of course exam. With three weeks before Christmas break, we still have an enormous amount of material to cover. We will have one week after break and then the exam. With such limited time, the ideas that I incorporate have to be meaningful to my content.

Next week we will be studying systems of equations. The cell phone idea is a wonderful way to represent systems that would have real meaning to my students. I have 45 minutes of computer lab time reserved for next week and I am hoping to check out the laptop cart for another 90 minute class block.

Another obstacle that I have is learning the software. I played around with Excel a little bit. As a colleague suggested, I will be visiting the computer teachers at my school for help. I can also use the graphing calculators for students to investigate the graphs of the systems. They just would not be able to save the graph on a presentation tool. I do not have the technology to print or save the information on their calculators.

I have learned that taking action is not always easy. Sometimes we have to make changes along the way. Having more than one option is always good, just in case I have to make adjustments.