Swimming in the Sea of Technology

As I reflect upon the course I am completing, Integrating Technology in the Content Areas, I feel I have jumped in and learned how to do the ‘doggie paddle’. Prior to this course I had learned much about technology and teaching; but had not truly integrated it into my classroom. I have begun the integration, due in part to the GAME plan I followed.

In the past I had created goals and taken some action; but the GAME plan added the elements of monitoring and evaluating the process and progress. I found those pieces to be instrumental in motivating me. As a result of my GAME plan and the support of my colleagues in this course, I have been using discussion boards, collaborative learning and concept-mapping regularly in my classes. Later this spring my students will be using wikis. In addition, I have spoken at our latest teacher’s meeting; encouraging other staff members to try out concept mapping and wikis. In addition, I have spoken with my principal and hope to present a hands-on training session to staff on concept mapping and wikis before this school year is over.

As a result of my learning in this class, I find myself always considering how I can include technology and the NETS (National Educational Technology Standards) into my lessons. I will be using the unit lesson plans just created for my portfolio, with my students this spring.

Many years ago, at the age of 34, I spent several years turning my fear of water into a love for swimming. That was due in large part to consistent baby steps and the encouragement of a wonderful swim instructor. With this course I feel that I have jumped into the pool of technology and love it. With the help of my Walden colleagues and fellow teachers/students, I will continue to refine my skills until I am accomplished. Until that time, I will enjoy the learning experience, continue to try new things, and thrill at the excitement I find in my students’ eyes as I teach them how to incorporate technology as a life-long learning tool.

It's All in the NETS

The purpose of this blog is to reflect on the value of using the GAME plan process and how it can be used to help students achieve the National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S). In order for students to achieve the NETS-S, teachers need to achieve their corresponding NETS-T. Below is a list of the teacher’s standards and the corresponding student standard. It is apparent how one supports the other.

1.Teacher-Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Student- Demonstrates Creativity and Innovation

2. Teacher- Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Student-Use Digital Media and Environments for Communication and Collaboration

3. Teacher-. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Students- Demonstrate Research and Information Fluency, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

4.Teacher- Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Student- Practice Digital Citizenship

I have found the GAME plan to be very effective in having me accomplish my goals. I have, by taking small, consistent steps, accomplished much in these last seven weeks. I am much more comfortable with concept maps and wikis. I have incorporated both in my classroom. At our monthly teacher’s meeting tomorrow I will be encouraging other teachers to learn about them. I believe by teaching my students how to create their own GAME plan, I can help them learn how to achieve their NETS-S standards. In the process they will be developing life-long 21st Century skills.

Thanks for the Words of Encouragement and Advice

It is always nice to hear words of encouragement and support. Thanks to those that have commented on my blog. Matt's suggestion that I look to the blog and social networking sites for teacher support is something I have not done to date. Only recently have I come to understand that the social networking sites are being used by mature adults to support each others' learning. They say we are never too old to learn. Since new learning helps ward off Alzheimer's disease, I will consider learning social networking as a mental health activity. Since I am over 50 years old, anything I can do to keep my mind healthy is a good thing. Thanks for the help!

If at First You Don't Succeed . . .

This has been both a productive and frustrating week regarding my game plan. I am making progress in the classroom. In my accounting class, students are now posting to a discussion board for the first time. It was very helpful for me to see which concepts from the last few days are still confusing for them. It will definitely help me in terms of remediation. Likewise the students saw that what they are struggling to understand is the same as some fellow classmates. It is also improving the teamwork in class. We also continued with concept mapping today. All on their own they discovered how to work collaboratively on one, and how to invite other students to view theirs. They asked me to do another map in the future where they work collaboratively with someone on the other side of the classroom. The concept mapping has increased their motivation and understanding of the content. A number have said they plan to use it in other courses.

My frustration comes in trying to find other teachers to observe and model when it comes to teaching concept mapping and wikis. Since I have found none in my building, I decided to try and create my own teacher Web 2.0 support group. I asked the principal for time during the next staff meeting to show the concept maps my students created and our Walden wiki. I will be inviting staff to meet briefly with me after the meeting and then, one day a month after school to learn about these tools. After a few meetings I hope to get a teacher wiki up and running to help us learn from each other. Between now and then, I will continue to hone my Web 2.0 skills and introduce them to my students. Once I have accomplished that, I am on to learning I Google and all the tools available through Google. I am pleased with the progress I have made on my GAME plan so far. I am learning that by trying out the Web 2.0 tools myself and becoming comfortable with them, I am more confident teaching them to my students.

To Infinity and Beyond

This is the new buzz phrase in my classes this week-"To Infinity and Beyond". We are forging forward with 21st Century skills. The experience with Webspiration and my accounting students was invigorating. I did face one challenge. I had paired up the students and one was out absent. I filled in for that student and was concerned how the others would learn the new software. They stepped up to the plate and helped each other out. I think it was a better learning experience for them than if they had me at their beck and call.

Based on one of the comments I received here on my blog, I have an idea on how to encourage teachers at my school to embrace concept mapping and wikis. We have a teacher's meeting after school. I will go down a bit early and open up my wiki and the concept maps my students created. The meeting is in the library, so the teachers will need to walk past the computers to get to the tables. I will have the principal announce that I will be available after the meeting for all that want to see the wikis and maps and have any questions. Hopefully that will spark their interest.

The Sweet Taste of Success

This week has been very productive in terms of my GAME plan. I decided to take the plunge and introduce concept mapping to my accounting students. We began by watching several short videos that I found using the AltaVista search engine using the host:edu feature. The videos explained the purpose, value and main elements of a concept map.We went on to creating one on the white board, as a class using the main concept of ‘sports’. From there I had students create a paper and post-it-note concept map in teams of 4 on the topic of ‘food’. After viewing each other’s maps and discussing their similarities, differences, strengths and weaknesses; we went on to learning how to use concept mapping software at www.mywebspiration.com. The students are thrilled with the program.

Today students worked with a partner to create a concept map using Webspiration and their basic accounting concepts learned to-date. Every student was engaged in thoughtful learning as they planned, implemented and revised their maps. Tomorrow we will finish them and each student will go on to create a base map for the new unit on payroll we are about to begin. As we progress through the unit, I will have students add to their map. Their end product map will be part of their summative evaluation. The most important thing I learned is how easily my students learn technology and how engaged they are with concept mapping. I learned that I must throw away my fears and perfectionist tendencies and just dive in. This not only invigorated my students, it did the same for me.

I have made some progress on learning more about teaching students about wikis. Although none of the teachers in my school use them; there is a student group which does for an extracurricular club. Several students came to my room and shared their wiki experience with me. They likened a wiki to MySpace or Facebook without the pictures. They found the wiki easy to learn and use and very helpful. They have given me the courage to try one soon with my students. I plan on using a teaching approach similar to that used above for the concept map; to introduce wikis to my students. Luckily I will also be able to show them the two I will have created through this program at Walden U.

My biggest challenge now is finding the time to prepare my classroom wiki and corresponding lessons. We have an in-service day coming up. I plan on asking the principal if part of that time can be used for me to show other teachers how to set up a wiki. By teaching other teachers I will be learning how to teach others about wikis.

When we first began this GAME plan I was dubious as to how successful it would be. Now I see that even small steps can result in huge gains in the teaching arena. Now all I need to do is continue my baby steps and find some extra time somewhere. Does anyone out there have some extra time you can email me?

Thanks for the Helping Hand

All of the last 3 comments gave me some great food for thought. Today I did the concept map assignment with another student and now better understand the challenges a student would face. Yes, becoming the student and completing the assignment prior to giving it to my students is a great route to take.

I also like the idea of giving students a completed concept map and have them explain it via a blog. I will use that idea in the future.

This third idea is to have a group of teachers use a wiki. In the past the assistant principal and I tried to do that and got very little teacher 'buy-in'. I think we need to use some time during the next teacher's meeting to show the teachers how a wiki can benefit them. I have spoken with our technology support staff and given that suggestion. They are the ones given time during the teacher's meeting.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.