Tara’s Blog

As my program draws to a close it is difficult for me to differentiate what I have learned in each class.  This entire program was so beneficial to me and my teaching.  Each course offered very valuable information with regards to incorporating technology into every aspect of teaching and learning.

Possibly the most important issue I will take away from this course is the need to stay current with new and emerging technologies.  I have started reading more professional material reguarding technology and subscribing to RSS feeds relating to educational technology.  I try not only to read about these “new” technologies but to also try them out.  Actually going to web sites and watching the tutorials or using the free trials.  This helps me explain and relate them to my coworkers.

The earning activity I created using Moodle really helped me understand the need for online learning.  It sounded like a great idea on paper, but after using Moodle and understanding how simple it really works made it all click for me.  This sample lesson will be a wonderful way for me to demonstrate this valuable tool to my coworkers.

The most immediate adjustment I can make to identify emerging technologies is to subscribe to and read online and print journals relating to the subject.  I am constantly searching the internet and comparing new technologies.  Another tactic I need to try is to read and ask questions on blogs and wikis.  I have found several worthwhile sites out there and have never participated.  With my course work about to lighten up considerably, I should have more time to stay abreast with such things.

http://prezi.com/x7-arlf8iggk/

As I reflect upon my learning throughout this course, it is difficult to differentiate what I have learned in this specific course and what I have learned in previous courses.  I believe this is a positive sign that what I am learning is meshing together neatly and in a way I will use throughout my many years of teaching.  I feel like a child who has just learned to read and am very eager to share my new found knowledge with anyone and everyone. 

Our differentiation station assignment was a more intimate way of sharing relevant information.  I felt after our live chat and many discussions I have more resources to add to my teaching repertoire.   It has also encouraged me to join a couple more professional (teacher/librarian) nings.

As far as immediate adjustments I will make to my teaching practices, I find that I am much more accomodating and understanding to all students.  I am going out of my way to find material in a variety of formats.  I have also started a list of ebooks that would benefit our library and make it easier for teachers in my building to incorporate the principles of ULD and DI into their classrooms as well.

Throughout this course my feelings about technology integration have been completely reinforced.  When I started on this educational journey I had no idea about the importance I played in these new standards expected of teachers and learners alike.  Since completing my GAME plan I have also realized the importance of setting personal goals often and following through with them.  When teachers take a class, attend a workshop, or read an article it is easy to get excited to try something new.  By using the GAME plan model it allows teacher to monitor themselves and adjust their plan for success and follow-through. 

I have made several adjustments to my instructional style in the past year.  I consider myself to be a technological leader in my school.  By taking these classes and keeping current on new and changing practices, I feel confident I can help teachers and students learn new ways of doing things.  I also feel as though if I don’t know how to do something, it will be easier to learn and find out.

As I reflect on my GAME plan over these past few weeks I realize how beneficial this process would be for many areas of life.  TheGAME plan outlines and organizes each question and element of your progress.  This process would be very beneficial for students to use for self-monitoring.  It would also allow students to work at different rates.  Rather than waiting for the teacher to check with the rest of the class before they are able to give further instruction, the student is self directed and able to modify his or her own learning.  When it comes to the area of technology, students are at such different places in their learning and in their needs.  By allowing students to develop their own personal GAME plan, they will find true meaning in their lessons.

When I analyze how the NET-S and NET-T are related I realize how critical it is for teachers to implement these standards into their lessons.  If the teachers don’t practice these standards and allow or encourage  their students to do the same their education will suffer extremely.  I’m not sure if many teacher understand how detrimental these standards are for our students’ future.  I had no idea how effective and essential the integration of technology could be until being exposed to the learning resources in my classes.

I have learned so much in my classes at Walden it is hard to list everything I am going to apply to my instructional practices.  Since starting this venture I have changed many of my views, beliefs, and styles as far as technology in the classroom goes.  I think the biggest idea I would like to apply to my teaching is the importance of real world issues.  Before being exposed to the resources in my studies I didn’t realize the importance of this concept.  The students of today have a bigger responsibility than I ever imagined, and I am responsible for preparing them.  This was a new idea to me a few short weeks ago.

I will continue working on modeling digital-age work and learning and digital citizenship and responsibility.  As the teacher-librarian in my building it kind of comes with the territory.  I am going to redo my beginning of the year orientation and focus a lot on our school’s acceptable use policy.  This is something I touch on in the beginning of the year and forget about.  I am going to really focus on the importance of  social issues that relate to technology.

Next year I would like to focus on communication and collaboration more.  I feel as though I do a good job at most the other areas of NETS-S.  However, I have yet to have my students collaborate with students outside of our school community.  I would also like to incorporate experts from our community and other areas into a lesson.  This is definitely a goal I will work on for future lessons.

I have made an effort to concentrate on the second part of my plan this week.  I am working on educating my school about digital citizenship and responsibility.  This week I discussed with the digital year book committee the importance of using copyright free music.  I showed them how to navigate the local AEA’s website and use Soundzabound.  This is a site the AEA subscribes to that offers copyright free music.  I also found a poster on the Iowa AEA Online website that I have made copies of and posted throughout the building.  I realize these are small steps but I still feel good about any progress I make in this area.

I am happy with the progress I have made with my GAME plan.  This week we installed the TEXTHELP software on all of the computers in our building.  I have tested and made sure it is up and working in my lab.  On Tuesday I will be demonstrating this software to our staff.  I will be showing the teachers some of the features I think they will use most and then showing them how to access the tutorials for each segment.  So far I am very happy with the support this program offers.  I am still practicing to accomplish my goal of mastering this program so I can model it for the teachers and students at my school.

My plan for modeling and mastering new software is in full swing and progressing better than I expected.  My plan for teaching accountability has been a lot slower than  expected.  I need to modify my plan somewhat to allow more time for teaching accountability and evaluation of materials.  I have not quite figured out how I am going to do this.  This too will be part of my new modified plan.

Last week I attended a teacher training for TEXTHELP Read & Write 9 Gold.  This training came to me at a perfect time.  This software I will assist me in continuing my GAME plan.  Unfortunately,  it does add to the resources I need to gain confidence and knowledge in.

The resources I will need to carry out my plan are the actual software my district has purchased, computers, and the cooperation of my colleagues.   Additional information that will be helpful to me is the teacher resources and tool kit that I have downloaded in PDF format.  So far I have been able to attend an all day teacher training.

This program has features called Fact Finder,  Fact Mapper, and Fact Folder.  These options will make it easier for me to teach the importance of accountability to my students.  Hopefully I can achieve my first goal in a timely manner and that will facilitate my second goal.

The two technology standards I would like to strengthen my confidence in are Modeling Digital-Age Work and Learning and Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility.  When it comes to modeling use of digital tools, I feel I am moderately comfortable.  I am working towards feeling confident and comfortable 100% of the time I am working with these tools.  I feel as though I tend to stumble around and experiment with what works.  I am striving to gain knowledge and skills in these processes.

The next standard I would like to work on is Promoting and Modeling Digital Citizenship and Responsibility.  Being a teacher librarian, I feel I do a good job educating teachers and students about these responsibilities and legalities surrounding the use of technology.  However, with the rapidly growing resourses available at our fingertips, I am going to have to step it up a notch.  This is an area that cannot be given enough attention and yet it probably gets the least.  Being in charge of the computer lab in my building, I need to take this seriously and educate my entire school about this important issue.