As I continue to move through the course, Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas, and monitor my GAME plan, I am focusing on collecting as many resources as possible. Through discussions and blogs, I have already had the opportunity to be introduced to several new websites and communication programs.
In attempting to meet my goal of developing and modeling cultural understanding and global awareness, I have researched ePals. According to other educators, ePals has been a huge success. Global awareness and collaborative communication opportunities have been enhanced through classroom emails and teacher guidance. While using a blog, students are able to communicate virtually, discuss specific topics, and share information and photos. The experiences would be beneficial to all students, as they would help to reinforce today’s digital literacy skills. I plan to contact my districts technology director to further discuss my options. I am curious to find out if I am able to monitor ePal messages sent between students. It will be important for me to assess literacy skills and monitor appropriate conversations.
My other goal which consists of customizing and personalizing learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources, will be an ongoing project. I already incorporate several different teaching strategies into my classroom on a daily basis, but I am constantly looking for unique ways to apply technology and actively involve ALL my students. As stated by Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, “There are lots of ways to spark student motivation for learning and fortunately, technology offers some of the most powerful tools available” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 29). While researching, I am currently constructing a list of various media tools and programs, while referring to Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, to make sure that I am discovering ways to meet ALL my students various learning needs. I think it will be helpful for me to have a resource list that I am able to use when matching activities to my students and vice versa. Once school begins and I have ample time to build relationships and collect data, I will be able to provide opportunities that will meet grade level content standards, encourage creativity, and promote the use of critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Ideas for incorporating technology into fifth grade Language Arts and Science are always welcome!:)
References
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, Cengage Learning.
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I agree that a huge part of my GAME Plan will reflect upon the start of the school year and what I find in my assigned class. I also recently found out that I am moving grade levels so I need to check out the standards and adapt the project to make it better suited to fit my new grade level.
ReplyDeleteSuzie,
ReplyDeleteI think using ePals is a great way to help you meet your goal. While you're working on meeting that technology goal, you can also focus on writing and even science, depending on your topic. I'm really interested in finding ways my students can collaborate globally, but I'm struggling with this. If you do go through with ePals, maybe we can get our buddies together so your students can show mine what they are working on. Just being exposed to that type of tool and form of communication would be very valuable to my kids.
Erin
Suzie,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like ePals is a great way to assess your students literacy skills. I would be curious as well to know if you can monitor the emails that your kids send. Do you think they are using broken text, or spelling as if they are texting? Somehow this cycle needs to be broken.
Erika
Ms. Byrne,
ReplyDeleteWhile it is time consuming and sometimes frustrating to move grade levels, look at it as a wonderful opportunity. Although you may be very familiar with the content standards and grade level you have been teaching, a good lesson plan will have variations for students who are not at grade level or need enrichment activities. Hopefully you have collected some wonderful new ideas for incorporating technology through Walden and will be able to use various teaching strategies, incorporating technology, from past lessons. Good luck!
Suzie
Erin,
ReplyDeleteOnce my students become familiar with ePals, I would be more than willing to show your students how we communicate with individuals from around the world. I couldn’t agree with you more. Being exposed to that type of tool and form of communication would be very valuable for ALL ages. Maybe there is even a way that we can include our “little” buddies in on a conversation:) I am looking forward to an exciting year of incorporating so many new types of technology.
Suzie
Erika,
ReplyDeleteAs I incorporated blogging into my fifth grade class last year, they definitely struggled with the idea of treating a blog as an intellectual conversation. Several students began by using text format or chit-chatting with one another. I quickly explained what I was looking for and showed examples of discussions that I had participated in through Walden. As stated by Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, “The use of grammar, spelling, and other writing tools are an important part of communicating effectively, when using information and communications in the 21st century” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 146). I often reminded my students that effective communication gives credibility to those speaking. I was amazed. After the first couple of weeks, students began to check spelling using Microsoft Word (copy and paste), ask questions, and their writing became paragraphs instead of a few sentences. With proper modeling and instruction students can succeed.
Suzie
Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI think Epals is a great way to work on literacy skills and collborate with other classrooms around the globe. We have been doing penpals for a couple years the old fashioned way, writing with paper and pencil to students in California, which I have really enjoyed watching my students do this. I am wondering if using epals is going to be more beneficial than actually doing penpals. You will have to let me know how easy epals is to use and if it is easy to monitor skills and conversations...that would be my biggest concern.
best of luck!