To continue with my GAME plan, the first thing I need to do is figure out what activity fits with each unit. My plan is to incorporate an interactive activity for my students with each unit, so I need to decide what that activity will be. Since my goal is very broad, I will have to look at each unit individually to decide the best course of action. I think one tool that I will probably use frequently will be the use of wikis and blogs for my students to compile their information and then communicate with each other about their different projects. To use blogs and wikis, I will need to ensure that my students have consistent access to computers during the duration of their independent project. I will also need to take time to learn more of the features of wikis and blogs because if I do not know how to use the technology then it will be impossible for me to instruct my students how to effectively use it (Laureate Education Inc., 2010).
The additional information I will need to meet my goal is to determine exactly what options fit for each unit. I cannot determine the best course of action for my students until I begin the unit with them and determine what aspects they understand and what aspects they need more assistance with. Once I have some background information about my student’s performance, I then need to find out information about my student’s preferences so that I can offer them relevant choices.
The steps that I have taken already to begin meeting my goal are to implement a project-based assignment for the material we are currently covering. Since we are near the end of the year, I thought it might be interesting for the students to complete an assignment where they discover what types of jobs are available to them with a chemistry degree, or careers where chemistry is involved somehow. The students had the option to choose which career they want to research and also had the option of the way they would present the material. To give the students guidelines, I provided a rubric and will grade them accordingly. This is probably one of the easier units I will have as far as providing my students with choice, and freedom to discover the information they are interested in because the topic is so broad and requires very little background knowledge to be successful.
With more practice my students and I will become more comfortable with the freedom these projects will provide. Any new technique takes time to work out the kinks, so the sooner I get started the more I will learn.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Program six: Meeting students’ needs with technology, part 2 [Video webcast]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Ross, J.
Hi Rick,
ReplyDeleteYou describe a deep understanding of what the next steps are in achieving your goal. As described in the video segment Meeting Students Needs with Technology (2011), you should be planning your technology integration around your lessons, not vice versa. You indicate that as you look at each unit/lesson you will decide how to best integrate an interactive activity. This clearly reflects the same principle and demonstrates your understanding that technology supports instruction; it does not drive instruction.
You also mention the need for data collection in order to determine present levels of performance and student needs. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) describe the importance of collecting data to make decisions about classroom instruction. Once you understand what skills and knowledge your students already have and what they need, you will be able to plan effectively for their achievement.
Good luck as you move forward with your plan!
Ellen
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.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Meeting Student Needs with Technology Part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Hi Rick,
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of using Blogs and Wikis in the classroom. Not only will it strengthen your students' knowledge and understanding of Blogs, Wikis, and technology, but it will also promote and develop critical and creative thinking, which are very important skills to have as they are used for any and every job (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b).
I think you are very wise to start by implementing on activity per unit. I think it is important for teachers to remember not to fit a square technology took into a round content hole. If they work together great, if not it becomes a waste of time (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a).
I found a website that I hope will help you as you start to learn more about wikis and blogs in the classroom. http://www.edtechnetwork.com/wikis_blogs.html
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology Part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010b). Promoting Creative Thinking with Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Good Evening Rick,
ReplyDeleteI am always intrigued by the idea of blogs but really what caught my attention is the idea of working in Wikis. Wikis are an awesome tool but I often wonder how they can be worked into education, so I am curious how you do it. I look forward to seeing how you do it! Another thing I wish to praise is that you are using a source of technology that isn't used often. Part of individual learning with UDL is that you are "providing students with choices in the media, tools, and context in which the learning will take place." (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2008, p. 123). What other kind of odd technology that you can work into your units?
Courtney
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2008). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use [A Standards-Based Approach]. mASON, OH: Cengage Learning. (Original work published 2008)