Online Learning in K-12 Schools

I have created a glogster to explain the benefits of using online learning in K-12 schools.  I analyzed the free, web-based learning management system called RCampus.  The link to my glogster is http://asyoung.glogster.com/rcampus/.

Reflection

I have learned a lot through this course not only about integrating technology but also about meeting the needs of all of the students in my classroom through differentiation.  As this course ends there are several things that I plan to immediately change.

One thing I plan to do immediately is pay close attention to how each student learns.  I want to make sure that I am teaching to all students and that all of my students have an equal opportunity to succeed.  Just last week I taught a lesson where I grouped by students by how they learn best.  I had three groups: kinesthetic learners, visual learners, and auditory learners.  I was amazed that all of the students mastered my objective in a short 30 minute lesson.  I truly believe that they were all able to succeed because they were learning in a way that benefited them the most.  I plan to do this more often in my classroom.

Another thing I plan to do is implement technology more often.  I believe that through technology my students will be able to succeed on an even higher level.  Technology often helps keep my students engaged throughout the lesson.  I plan to begin to use technology as more of a tool for differentiation also.  I have realized that I spend a lot of time using the technology but I don't always let my students use it.  My goal is to allow my students to physically use the technology tools that I have available.

I am looking forward to the impact that these changes will have on my students and my classroom. 

Reflection

Creating my own personal GAME plan has really made me focus on the NETS-T and on my teaching.  I have also thought a lot about how I plan for my daily instruction.  I have implemented some of the same ideas in the GAME plan into my daily lesson plans.  For example, when I plan for a lesson or unit I have really started to think about my goals, actions, how I will monitor, and evaluate the lesson and my students.  I plan to carry the ideas of the GAME plan with me through my teaching career. 

I plan to immediately begin using technology 2-3 times a week in my classroom.  I feel like I use my SMART Board every day but I want to use it in more creative ways than to give notes or lecture.  I also plan to have my students create a wiki before the end of this school year.  As of right now, my plan is for them to create a wiki about World War II.  My students are always interested in learning about WWII and I think allowing them to do some of their own investigating.  I don't think my students will get bored learning about WWII and therefore creating a wiki would be a great way to extend their learning.

Using the GAME Plan with my Students

I believe it is important for my students to know and understand the GAME plan process and the NETS-S. I have spent several weeks analyzing and studying the NETS-T and I plan to share this experience with my students.

I plan to share my personal GAME plan with my students. I want them to know how I set my goals, planned my actions, monitored, and evaluated my progress towards understanding the NETS-T. I believe that by sharing my personal experience with my students that they will have a better understanding of the GAME plan itself.

Then I plan to show my students the NETS-S. As a class we will go through each standard on the Smart Board and have a discussion about what they mean. Next, my students will set goals for themselves. I teach 5th grade students and I plan for them to go through the GAME plan process. In the beginning we will work as a class to work through the process, but eventually the students will use the process independently.

I also plan to use a buddy system so the students can check up on each other and so the students will be held accountable for taking steps to achieve their goal.

GAME Plan and Professional Goal

I have learned a lot the past few weeks as I have analyzed the NETS-T.  I plan to continue to use the NETS-T when I plan for my instruction.  I believe it is important that I use these standards as part of my every day lesson plans in order to help prepare my students for the future. 

I do not have any specific learning goals using the NETS-T.  However, I do plan to continue to analyze each standard .  My goal is to use these standards as I plan for my instruction.  I also plan to continue to use a variety of resources as I learn more about every one of the NETS-T. 

I want to become comfortable with these standards and I want to share what I have learned with my colleagues.  Sharing my knowledge with other colleagues is one of the main reasons I wanted to get my masters in integrating technology into the classroom.  I have found that so many of my colleagues at school do not know how to properly use all of the technology that we have available to us.  I want to make sure that technology is used for a purpose and helps provide meaningful and engaging instruction. 

Evaluating My GAME Plan

I feel like I have been effective in reaching towards accomplishing my goals for my GAME plan.  However, I have made a few adjustments this week due to a state wide writing prompt centered around the topic of technology. 

Over the past several weeks, I have been taking a closer look at creativity and how to use technology to encourage this in my classroom.  Currently my students are working on a state wide writing prompt that is consuming most of my instructional time.  However, the prompt actually revolves around how communication technology has changed their lives.  They are currently in the researching phase and they have all chosen one type of technology that people use to communicate to focus on for their paper.  I plan to expand on this assignment and have the students use one of these technologies to create a final product.  In the final product the students will explain how the specific communication technology could be used in the elementary classroom.  So far, my students have been very interested in researching and have been able to find a lot of useful information. 

I have also researched digital citizenship and discussed this with my students.  In the next two weeks I plan to use some of the online resources on YouTube and TeacherTube to help my students understand this concept of being a respectful digital citizen.  My hope is that after Christmas break my students will create a VoiceThread about digital citizenship to share with other students.  Since my students are researching different types of technology that people use to communicate, I may change this and allow them to choose their own technology tool.

The research my students have been doing has exposed me to new technology tools that they use to communicate with their peers.  For example, several of my students use one of the PlayStation game systems to chat with their friends.  I had no idea that this could be done.  I have also learned that a lot of my 5th grade students are on facebook.  The class discussions I have had with my students this week has made me more aware of how much they truly know about technology.  I plan to continue to research any new technology tools that they share with me and find out of they can be implemented into my classroom instruction.

Slight Change in my GAME Plan

After reviewing my GAME plan and comments from my peers, I have decided to combine my two goals. I plan to have students create a VoiceThread about being a responsible digital citizen. I will be able to meet my goal in both standards. By having the students create a VoiceThread about digital citizenship; it will require my students to take a closer look into digital equity.


One thing I am wondering about is how to present the information I have found on digital responsibility. I think it would be more interesting if I used technology to teach my students. I think a VoiceThread would be a great way to teach my students, however I don’t think I should if I want them to create a VoiceThread on the topic. I could create a podcast to teach them about these policies. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.