After much self-reflection, I have determined two areas in which I would like to improve when it comes to integrating technology into my teaching. I have decided that I will focus my time and energy on the following International Society for Technology in Education standards (ISTE, 2008):
2c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources
3a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations
In order to achieve these goals, I need to take several actions. To accomplish indicator 3a, my first step will be to stay abreast of new educational technology that I can use in my classroom. I plan to read educational blogs and access the expertise of the technology experts in my school system (King-Sears & Evmenova, 2007). This also means I must become familiar and comfortable with using these tools on my own, before even considering their use in my instruction. This leads to indicator 2c, applying technology to meet the diverse needs of my students. If I become an expert on certain tools, I will be able to integrate technology that is best suited to my students’ strengths and needs.
Once I conduct some research and become familiar with the technology, I will approach the educators I co-teach with and get their insights and suggestions into the integration of these tools. Working together, we can determine the best ways of supporting our students with educational technology.
To monitor my growth, I will check my progress weekly. I would like to start researching tools in the first week, and by the second, I should be discussing the options with classroom teachers. My goal is to incorporate new digital tools into one classroom setting per month.
International Society for Technology in Education (2008). National educational technology standards for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers.aspx
King-Sears, M., & Evmenova, A. S. (2007, Sep/Oct). Premises, principles, and processes for integrating TECHnology into instruction. Teaching Exceptional Children, 40(1), 6–14.
It looks like we chose the same personal goals to focus on in our GAME plan. I hope to find new way I can incorporate technology in my first grade classroom by conducting some research on my own time. I also plan to work with my collegues in order to get ideas and support on implementing new technology into lessons for my students. One woman I work with use various modes of technology, so I might look into observing her class one day during my planning time in order to see how the students interact with the technology. I am hoping this might help increase my confidence and possibly give me a few hints when it comes to using it with my class.
ReplyDeleteAs part of accomplishing your goal, I think it is great that you want to be discussing it with other classroom teachers. Having your colleagues on the same page when it comes to technology is excellent and it would certainly help in a brainstorming aspect. If multiple teachers are learning a technology at once, you can share little things you learned about it and that way you are not trying to learn everything yourself. You also might want to check with the students to see what they might already know how to do - it can be surprising. I know our computer teacher goes over Excel with the 8th graders but unless they have all had computers, some kids may have never opened it. Sometimes kids can teach other kids and you!
ReplyDeleteI find that the element of conducting research is always the most difficult, mainly because of time constraints. It is difficult to find time to learn new technologies in the midst of grading papers, tutoring students, lesson planning, and your own Walden studies. I really believe if you can get past this hurdle the rest will be easy for you! If you can find the time to conduct the research you open your teaching strategies up to improving and possibly saving you time in the long run. Good luck!
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