I look to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and more specifically, the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) as a way to gauge my efficacy when it comes to promoting technology in my classroom. Following the GAME plan formula will help me see my strengths and weakness and gives me a better outline of how to improve.
G - Goals:
After reviewing the NETS-T. I found two standards where I could definitely use some improvement. The first are in need of improvement is standard #2-"Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments". While I feel I am improving when it comes to developing worthwhile technology enhanced lessons, my assessments need some work. Part of this standard states "provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching." My current summative assessments need to be modified to work with the student-centered teaching.
The second area I could use some improvement is with standard #3- "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning". I do my best to use technology with my students but this standard also includes using technology to communicate effectively with my peers, parents, and community. Using the technology to improve my teaching doesn't stop in my classroom, it also extends to the individuals that effect my classroom.
A - Action:
The actions I plan on taking to improve on standard #2 is to research and develop alternate ways to assess my students with technology. Right now, I am also taking another Walden course- Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology. We have just began talking about the ways assessment can be improved with technology.
To meet standard #3 - I want to work on a small portion at a time. The first hurdle I want to jump is communicating effectively with parents through technology. Other than email, my parent-teacher communication consists of weekly newsletters and conferences/phone calls. I would like to set up a parent blog site where I can give up to date information about what is going on in the class, tips on how to better assist their children academically, and hold educational discussions where parents can give feedback. I want them to know how important their role is on the classroom and through this blog, they might feel more connected and involved.
M - Monitor:
To monitor my assessments, I plan on adding a new element to my lesson plans. I want to add a specific block each day where I can write in when and where I used technology. When I use technology as an assessment tool, I will include detailed notes to remind me of the assessment I used and its effectiveness. This will keep me on track as well as reflective when it comes to the role of technology in my classroom.
To monitor my parent/teacher blog, I will track the visits and the comments/discussions held on the blog. This will help me see if the blog is a success and beneficial for my parents.
E- Evaluate:
Self-reflection is key when it comes to self-improvement. I have to ask myself -"Did I accomplish my goals?" (Cennamo, et al., 2009) I also need to look at the effectiveness they had on my classroom and teaching. I think that is why the reflection part of my lesson plans will be so beneficial. Once I have met my goals, figuring out the next step will help me grow as an educator. I will have to look at all of the positives that happened while working on accomplishing my goal and expand on those and make them better.
I'm asking all my fellow classmates for any words of wisdom. What are some summative assessments you have tried with technology. Do any of you have a parent-teacher blog? Are there any recommendations/warnings you might have for me? I am eager to hear some responses.
Ashley
Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition).
Posts
Dear Ashley,
ReplyDeleteYour GAME plan for becoming more confident with these two indicators sounds very well thought out. I particularly like how you plan on monitoring your progress. Setting time aside to reflect upon our successes and failures is important for us as teachers. Even more important is recording your reflections so you can apply this knowledge year after year.
I keep files of all of my units organized by lesson. I keep my reflective notes with my lessons so that the next time I am preparing to teach it, my reflections jump out at me and guide my planning. This has been helpful for me so I don't make the same mistakes over and over again.
Using a blog with parents is another good goal to have. I tried this at the end of the school year last year and learned that I need to be much more prepared when I try it again. Many of my parents were unfamiliar with blogging and the purpose behind it. I think that if I provided some instruction or guidance for them it would have been utilized more. I had parents that would email me instead of posting to the blog, which defeated the purpose of communicating openly for the benefit of others. Creating some sort of instructional tool would be a possible solution to this problem.
Best of luck!
Kristin
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI like both of the standards/indicators you have chosen as your goals. I also like how you organized your post. I felt like my just rambled on, but I was at a loss as to how to make it better. Anyway, I am just starting to use the SMART Response software with my SMART Board to assess my students' understandings in music class. With so many students (685), the "clickers" really make giving an assessment much easier. Plus, my students love using them so they do not mind taking a quiz at all. If you have the SMART products or CPS (Classroom Performance System) available, you may wish to try it.
I do not yet have a parent/teacher blog. I do have a website with several pages (podcasts, choir information, great links to kid friendly music games, and a private music teacher listing). Even though our school website has a link to my website and I have sent the address out in a PTO email, parents would rather email me than check for the information they need on my website. I don't think my students' parents would visit my blog if I created one. I am interested in knowing how yours will develop. Good luck!
Gwen
Ashley -
ReplyDeleteI like your M in your GAME plan. What a great idea to incorporate some self-reflection time on your use of technology. That is a great way to see what is working and what is not working in the classroom. With the way technology changes so much, this is a great tool for you that will help in your teaching as well as your integreation of technology.
Brooke
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of a parent/teacher blog. My school system does not like students using a blog but I feel they would be open to the use of a blog for parent communication. I am like you, in that it scares me because I know it is something I will need to update and be organized for it to be a success. I like that you mentioned that you could give parents ways to help their child at home. I feel like my blog could be a place to share those ideas and possible websites my parents could use to help their students. I really enjoyed reading your post.
Amanda
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed tremendously reading your GAME plan. I think that the standard “Model Digital- Age working and Learning” is an area in which many of us have to improve including myself. Your idea of using blogs to communicate with peers, parents, and community is an excellent example of what we can do to model on technology usage. A teacher in my school is even having teleconferences with parents through Skype which seems to me also a good example of Digital- Age working. Great post!
Michel barrios hernandez
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your response. I appreciate your input. Thank you so much for sharing your suggestions about the parent/teacher blog. It is a big venture and one that I want to have very organized before it is launched. Your tips are very helpful.
Gwen,
The clickers are a fantastic way to use technology as a summative assessment tool. I recently found out we have them at my school and they are just sitting in our media center waiting for someone (like me) to check them out. I will definitely give them a try.
Brooke, Amanda, and Michel,
Thank you for your input. Your words are very encouraging as I begin to conquer my goals to meet these NETS-T standards. I really like the idea mentioned by Michel to use Skype as a tool for conferences. Thank you all for you input and comments. It is much appreciated.
Ashley Coughlin
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI believe you are on the right track of introducing summative assessments into your class by assessing yourself as well. Gwen's suggestion of the "clickers" is great. Many teachers in our builing use the clickers and truly enjoy them and their instant feedback. I am also lacking in this area and reading everyones' suggestions has helped pushed me to try some new tools. Sorry I was not able to give you any good suggestions, but hopefully you have gained from the others' post.
Good luck with your GAME plan,
Stephanie Coultrip
Ashley
ReplyDeleteYour game plan is great! I goal this year for school is parent communication. Although we aren't allowed to use technology for communication it would be such an easier way to keep up with parents. I also only have about five parents with email access so the technology world has not hit my area. I think a blog or even a wiki would be great. The only reason I suggest a wiki is so that you could get direct feedback from parents but still monitor before things were posted. Just and idea. Good luck!