I have recently reviewed the NETS-T and feel that I am gradually making progress towards meeting my goals. I established a GAME plan and continue to educate myself on various technology tools, resources, and teaching strategies. I have obtained a greater understanding of how I can use problem-based lessons to incorporate technology and take a differentiated approach to instruction in order to meet the needs of ALL my students. “Taking a differentiated approach to instruction means accommodating these differences by tailoring teaching to students’ strengths and knowledge” (Wahl & Duffielld, 2005, p. 2). Problem-based lessons will allow for this to occur. Students collaborate with peers and solve problems using problem-solving and critical thinking skills in an authentic manner. As the teacher, I am able to provide my classroom with “different avenues for students to acquire content, process ideas, and demonstrate their understanding” (Wahl & Duffielld, 2005, p. 2). I believe that this approach to learning will assist me in meeting my goal of customizing and personalizing learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
A new goal of mine will be to work on developing questions for problem-based lessons. I want my students to become curious about the topic at hand and keep them engaged in the learning process. I also plan to extend my knowledge by further researching collaborative communication opportunities for my students to participate in and acquire global awareness. One idea that I plan to pursue, while collaborating with our Kindergarten Reading Buddies, is the “Flat Stanley Project”. I have shared some ideas, with my colleague (Erin Tregloan), on how we may be able to expose our entire elementary school to diversity, various cultures, and global issues. As a life long learner, I will continue to blog with other educators and collect additional resources that may be able to assist me with this project and others in the future.
I will keep working towards reaching my goals, but until I have a classroom of fifth grade students, in the fall, I feel that I am unable to fully put my GAME plan into action and observe its results. Counting down the days!
References
Wahl, L., & Duffield, J. (2005). Using flexible technology to meet the needs of diverse learners: What teachers can do. WestEd, pp. 1–11. Retrieved from http://www.wested.org/cs/we/view/rs/763.
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Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that you and Erin can collaborate together. Getting the fifth graders together with the kindergartners is a great idea, more than just reading buddies, what a concept. When you create your last part of your GAME plan, is there any way you can collaborate again with the young kids and have your older kids work with them on storytelling?
Erika
Suzie-
ReplyDeleteI just read Chris Wright's blog and had a small idea based on his plans for his students. His idea is to have all of his high school classes on one blog, rather than just class-based blogs to approach PBL's. With both you and Erin in the same school, maybe this is a concept you could pilot together and bring your school into the process.
Maybe it is more work than you need, but I thought I would throw it out there.
Erika,
ReplyDeleteIt is great to have colleagues who are willing to collaborate. I am extra lucky! I also have Megan, Michelle, and Shaina who are in this Walden class and excited about incorporating various forms of technology, such as social-networking. Erin and I are finding that there will be several opportunities this coming school year for my fifth grade students, acting as role models, to assist her Kindergartners.
It has been discussed in the past, but several educators of young children feel that technology does not have a place within their classroom(s). They state that Kindergartners, for example, are not capable of… (certain tasks). Erin feels just the opposite. We have come to the conclusion that the more her students are exposed to technology (even if it is with the assistance of my students) the more knowledgeable they will be in the future. I am looking forward to accomplishing GREAT things by the time they get to fifth grade. Buddies are a wonderful concept and yes, storytelling would definitely something we could try!
Margaret,
ReplyDeleteChris’s idea is something I have thought of and already incorporated. I have continued to use my classroom website discussion blog, but the other two fifth grade classrooms within my district occasionally join my blog and comment on specific topics dealing with Language Arts. We sometimes include it into our lesson plans, but the majority of the time discussion occurs when we give our students a free day to explore various sites (including our districts school-wide website).
Suzie-
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are way ahead of me. I am looking forward to implementing a lot of what we have learned in this class. I hope you have a great start to the year.