My GAME plan actions have helped me to reach a comfort level with my goals and recognize that it will be an unending process as technology and technology resources continue to change. Through the varied resources and collaboration channels in this course, my exposure has been significant; and I feel ready to incorporate them more into my instruction. Learning to offer choices in order to reach all learners, to make activities authentic to my students, and to use the tool of reflection as a means and measurement of understanding have supported my instructional practices the most.
An area that still needs concentration is to include more problem-based learning activities that will help my students utilize and develop their creative-thinking skills. This week we developed a lesson plan that uses this type of activity and helps students to use technology as "mindtools" (Cennamo, et al., 2009, p. 56). Solving problems and delving deeper through technology is my goal for my students. Rethinking my existing activities with this thought in mind will help me to extend my lessons and enrich the learning experience. According to Dr. Peggy Ertmer, problem-based learning has "multiple benefits" (Laureate Education, Inc. 2009). A new goal is to now direct my focus on providing those benefits through the use of more problem-based learning.
As teachers, a big portion of our jobs is to evaluate and assess our students. It is equally important to examine our own practices for areas of strength or weakness. Making note or reflecting on our own effectiveness as well as that of our lessons and chosen technology will help to guide us. One personal component to continue my growth process and reach my goals will be to address them with colleagues. It is in this networking process that we are able to solve problems together, contribute, create, share, and learn more effectively.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program eight. Spotlight on Technology: Problem-Based Learning, Part 1 [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Posts
Wanda,
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about as teachers "a big portion of our jobs is to evaluate and assess our students. It is equally important to examine our own practices for areas of strength or weakness". I think this is so true because if we do not evaluate and assess we will not know and understand what we are doing right or wrong for that matter. Also, we always need to "network" with our colleagues to further learn about ourselves and each other.
Wanda,
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you comfort level is increasing in terms of technology and giving up some control to your student to be responsible for their own learning. I too struggled with this right off the bat but over time the better I felt about it and the more fun I am having. Also, Colleagues can be a great way to help you reflect on your growth and lessons if they are open to change and trying new things like you seem to be. Many of my colleagues at my high school are older and more stuck in their ways and when presented with new information or ways of implementing technology they grumble and ignore the changes taking place very quickly in our education system.
Good luck,
Eric
Amy
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughts. Yes, support from colleagues is invaluable to me. Having time to connect with other teachers is always an issue, but I have found it to be a very necessary component in my classroom effectiveness. This course and program through Walden has certainly helped me to interact with other teachers, and I have gained so much from this process. Also, twice a month I meet with another teacher at my school for a "best practices" session. We both come to school a little early and share ideas, concerns, and suggestions. Through this exchange, we have been able to learn new strategies as well as feel a sense of cohesion.
Eric
ReplyDeleteAs always, I value your insights and comments! Your thoughts always help to bring clarity to my own.
I agree that pushing for change in any way can be difficult--especially in education. It seems that some teachers do equate change with more work, and in some respects they may be right--at least initially. Keeping my vision on my students helps me to realize that some change is both necessary and needed.
Also, my classes are still a work in progress when it comes to shifting and equaling the balance of responsibility; but we are making progress. The problem-based lessons that we are planning for this course, as well as other group work, are helping me to continue with this transfer. Best of luck to you as you continue to do the same.
Hi Wanda,
ReplyDeleteYour comments about networking, especially in regard to problem based learning, are important, as educators adjusting to this type of unscripted environment, as described by Ertmer and Simons (2006) will benefit from the input of colleagues as they share management methodologies.
Monica
Reference
Ertmer, P., & Simons, K. (Spring 2006). Jumping the PBL implementation hurdle: Supporting the efforts of K-12 teachers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1(1), 40-54. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=ijpbl.
Hello Wanda,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are well on your way to reaching your goals. I like you find my colleagues great resources. Collaborating can be a lot of fun in many aspects. I also am trying to incorporate more project-based instruction when teaching content. We just need to take one step at a time. Great job as usual on your Game Plan post. Good Luck!
Kristin
Monica
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your thoughtful response. I really count on the colleagues from my school as well as the cohorts from this course for support, professional exchanges, and a rich learning community. Sonya Nieto (2003) offers: "If teachers are to improve what they do and gain more satisfaction from their work, building critical and long-standing relationships with their colleagues is essential" (p. 78). It is through this dialog—like these blog posts—that I am able to grow and envision new possibilities.
Nieto, S. (2003). What keeps teachers going? New York: Teachers College Press.
Kristin
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your thoughts, as always. This week has helped me to see the importance of problem-based learning activities and how I can use them to increase learning. As you suggested, our objective is to make progress with our GAME plan, and gradually adding these activities is helping me to create the collaborative classroom environment that I desire for my students. Ertmer & Simons (Spring 2006) add: "Collaboration is a key component…it allows students to draw on each other's perspectives and talents in order to more effectively devise solutions for the problem(s) at hand" (p. 43). Hopefully, my GAME plan will help me to reach this goal.
Reference
Ertmer, P., & Simons, K (Spring 2006). Jumping the PBL implementation hurdle: Supporting the efforts of K-12 teachers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1(1), 40-54. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=ijpbl
Hi Wanda,
ReplyDeleteGreat job, as usual. Your plan, and its evaluation seem solid and well thought out. My school is in the process of becoming an IB school and at the core is problem-based learning. Although I see the value, time is a consideration. Like you, I need to constantly and consistantly think and rethink my lessons in order to find ways to best meet the needs of my students. Not an easy task, but certainly an invaluable one.
Networking with my colleagues has been a great asset for me and I wish you the same experience.
Best of luck, and keep up the great job.
Laurn
Lauren
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your response. I agree that time is definitely an issue. In my classes, we change or update our books and software very often, so planning problem-based activities that correspond with my current content will be a continual process. Perhaps I will be able to keep the basic ideas and just tweak them a little. I suppose all teachers will need to make frequent changes, too, as their mix of students and technology resources change. As you suggested, with the multiple benefits that are gained from problem-based activities, it is worth the extra effort to plan and use them.
I think you are right that we must reflect over our lessons each day and use that reflection in future practice. I think that it is great that you are becoming more comfortable with technology. Your students will benefit from your comfort level.
ReplyDeleteMarkeeta
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your response. Our courses through Walden have certainly helped to show me the significance and benefits of reflection. Without this step that helps me to scrutinize my work, my effectiveness would be diminished. My goal is to continue to grow through reflection and to help my students to participate in reflective activities as well.