This week’s resources
introduces the way the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides classrooms
with a flexible way to integrate technology into teacher instruction, student
learning, and communicating what is learned (Wahl & Duffield, 2005). In my
GAME plan previously discussed, I mentioned in my goals, I would create a more
technology-enriched learning environment, as well as utilize digital tools and
resources to reflect the improvement of confidence in addressing the various
needs of students. In addition, I would like to integrate various types of
technology tools into one aspect of my daily lessons, in order to enhance my
lesson and reach different learners. It is evident these goals directly reflect
the UDL strategy.
Of course, I will need certain
resources and information to carry out this plan. The technology teachers in my
school were able to inform me about the various technology tools available for
the students and I to use. They also brought light to some technology software
that would be helpful to integrate into math vocabulary, such as Kidspiration 2
and Wordle. Kidspiration 2 was mentioned in the article “Using Flexible
Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: What Teachers Can Do” (Wahl
& Duffield, 2005, pp. 6-7) as “a tool to gather knowledge on a topic” and
“allows you to build charts, tables, and graphs”. On our iPads, there are an
abundance of Apps I could utilize for one-on-one instruction, small group
instruction, or whole class instruction if I display my screen through a
projector on to my Polyvision board (which I needed to put a work order in for,
already). The tools mentioned here give students an opportunity to display
their learning in different ways and provides them with choices in how they
communicate their understanding of the material (Laureate Education, Inc.,
2011). Another tool I will need is a digital journal/diary to organize my
thoughts, experiences, and any feedback I gain from colleagues or students.
This master’s course provides
me with a different type of tool for my plan to be successful, learning
resources. I will continue to add to my knowledge about GAME planning,
integrating technology into lessons in order to reach various types of learners
and enrich my lessons, monitoring students progress, as well as my own, and
evaluating my progress during and after my GAME plan is complete. These tools
are also build my confidence and skills in the standards set by NETS-T.
This week, I have already begun
to implement some tools, and I have taken steps towards strengthening my
confidence and proficiency in these standards set by the NETS-T (NETS-T, 2008).
After speaking with the technology teachers I discovered a class set of
headphones, which could be utilized to listen to tutorials/podcasts on certain
lessons in mathematics and other auditory usages. Moreover, I was able to sign
my students into a functional computer lab for the students to practice their
current math skills on two different interactive websites: www.IXL.com and
www.studyisland.com. My students
and I will be use an online record book, provided by each website, to monitor
individual progress and ensure their learning. This will also add to my own
monitoring tools, so that I can work towards my own goals set. These actions
are further recorded in my daily lesson plans.
Some steps I wish to take in
the next week is to check up on a work order placed to fix the Polyvision board
located my classroom. As soon as this advanced technology tool is up and
running, my lessons will be more engaging and differentiated to meet the needs
of all learners (CAST, 2012). Additional information I need in order for my
GAME plan to be successful include a list of workshops, which would entail the
use of technology tools to enhance lesson and differentiate instruction.
John Ross, PhD. (Laureate
Education, Inc., 2011) suggests that UDL offers the idea that you can
differentiate different technology resources to reach the different needs and
skills of learners in the classroom. It is evident that the Universal Design for
Learning is being implemented in the GAME plan.
Jacquelyn Caliente
References
CAST (2012). Learn about universal design
for learning (UDL). In CAST UDL Lesson
Builder.
Retrieved from http://lessonbuilder.cast.org/learn.php
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive
Producer). (2011) Meeting students’ needs with
technology,
part 1. [Video webcast]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset
NETS•T (2012). Retrieved from: http//www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t
Wahl, L., & Duffield, J.
(2005). Using flexible technology to meet the needs of diverse
learners:
What teachers can do. Retrieved from the WestEd website:
Hi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned two things I wish I had- iPads and tech teachers!! Both are wonderful resources. We have one tech person for the entire district so I am particularly grateful to be learning so much here at Walden about all the incredible resources to enhance student learning. Have you found any sites in particular that offer interesting lessons using the iPad? I bring mine in because I like to share technology with my students but few of them have their own.
I really appreciate the strong framework you have created for your GAME plan- addressing some areas where adding technology can really impact the way your students will experience lessons. Even after all these years I continue to learn new things my Smartboard can do and I often come across postings online where teachers shared innovative ways of teaching with it.
I use IXL.com too and have found it to be an tremendous resource. Over the years I kept a print journal and was just mentioning to a colleague that I now use Dragon Naturally Speaking to record thoughts. Very easy to use and allows me to save, change and archive easily.
I look forward to reading more about your progress- thank you so much for sharing about it. Have a great Friday! Petra
Petra,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you taking the time to respond to my post. The iPads supplied to us are for teachers only, for now. The students will be getting them in the upcoming September 2013 school year. I am extremely greatful to have this iPad. I am still getting acquainted with how to use the iPad for instructional purposes. Currently, I use the iPad to email parents and colleagues, sign onto the attendance and grading system, and post homeworks on the homework hotmail website. There was one instance when a student came to extra practice just to keep her friend company, so I lent her my iPad to play an app named "Monkey". She recently told me that she enjoyed the app so much, she downloaded it to her iPad at home and beat the game!! I guess this is proof that technology motivated students in the classroom, as well as outside of the classroom.
At times I feel overwhelmed because teachers have more responsibilities and expectations each day. Everytime I turn around and think I am all caught up or I finally am keeping up with everything I need to be an effective teacher, there is something else to pile on. Like a GAME plan, I always set a goal to accomplish, make a list of how to make its possible, "take action", and cross my fingers that I achieve another milestone, until something else comes along. If you think about it, we always create a GAME plan for ourselves or for the students. It is sticking to the GAME plan that is difficult and sometimes lost.
Dragon Naturally Speaking is a great suggestion. Thank you for the help! There is a microphone button to press on my iPhone and Apple computer. I talk into either device and it writes out my words, exactly. I psyched my phone to the computer to make it easy to drag around my phone, but still have the computer when editing or filing is needed.
Again, thank you so much for your response! Have a wonderful weekend.
Jackie Caliente
Hi Jackie,
DeleteI hear you- the responsibilities and expectations can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to keeping up with technology which just keeps moving faster. Much of what I have been trying out in the classroom throughout this program has been recommended and/or posted online, then I can reflect and makes changes. I can't imagine trying to do this all alone- the help of online collaboration has given me so much support and ideas.
I look forward to hearing more about what you learn about iPads. My students show me so many interesting apps- once a week each class has a tech showcase where students introduce new apps to the class. I keep it to educational purposes but before class we share new games. I love games as much as my students!
The microphone on the iPad is wonderful- I have done interviews with students on it then download it to Dropbox and use it in applications for school. Dropbox is a great free app to store reflections as it is accessible from any device.
Have a great day! Petra
Thanks for the idea, Petra. I shall add this Dropbox to my technology "toolbox". I have so many to get go through and get my hands into.
DeleteInterestingly enough, my students constantly ask about apps to download onto their own iPads or iPhones. What are the names of some your students/you use?
Hi Jackie,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like you have really taken off to a great start with your Game Plan. I can already see that you will be successful in accomplishing your goals. Your knowledge of effectively differentiating instruction and passion for providing students with engaging and meaningful learning experiences are evident in your efforts mentioned in your post. With all these great new ideas and actions taken place towards your goal, I could not agree more that an electronic journal will be necessary. As Petra, suggested the Dragon Naturally Speaking, sounds like it would be highly beneficial to you throughout your Game Plan. Are you also requiring the students to reflect on the different activities that you are introducing? It might be beneficial to keep a reflective journal of the students thoughts and feedback on the various lessons with technology. You can do this by creating a blog where students can post their thoughts to as a homework assignment. This way you monitor and make adjustments to the lessons according to your reflection, as well as, theirs.
I am very intrigued by your efforts and successes in integrating more technology into your lessons. You truly have a strong grasp UDL and how technology can be used to supplement and enhance learning for all students. I look forward to learning more from your future discoveries! Thank you for sharing!
Have a great weekend! Good luck with your Game Plan!
Daniela Petruzzella
Daniela,
DeleteIt is so much work keeping up with all that goes on within the classroom setting. I try my best to integrate all of the necessary tools and lessons needed to enrich my students and assist them in their learning. At times, I get myself so wrapped up in activities, technology, and different ways to present material that I fall way too behind on paperwork, such as grading homework, do nows, tests, quizzes, and the various activities assigned. This is not great, because immediate feedback is essential in the students' understanding of the material. I feel myself creating endless checklists of "things to do", in order to remember and to organize my time wisely. Because these checklists are endless, I never feel acoomplished.
By the way.. I create these checklists on my iPhone, so that it is easily synced to my laptop (and vise-versa) for easy access :) Oh technology....
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI also use IXL.com in my classroom. The students love working with this program because it gives them practice in a fun way. I like it because it gives them immediate feedback for what they are doing. I have found that my students get more into it when I put it as a competition. I involve other math teachers in my building and we have competitions to see which class can complete more problems correctly in a week. I have not tried studyisland.com, I will have to look into that website and give it a try with my students. If you are looking for practice in a game format I also like arcademicskillbuilders.com and sumdog.com. Great post this week!
Eric
Eric,
DeleteThe idea to compete with other classes is an awesome one! You are going to love studyisland in this case. Your get to compete with other students around the town, state, and whole nation! I will have to try slumdog.com. I have never heard of it!! Yay! I love new and fun websites! Keeps my students on their toes.
Thank you for the complement on the post, as well.
Enjoy the rest of what is left of your Sunday :)
Jackie
Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteI just posted on another classmates two supplemental techniques that I have utilized in my classroom that I think can also benefit you in achieving your GAME plan standard goals.
The first is an app called ShowMe. I enjoy using this app to supplement my notes. It provides me with another avenue to reach my students with notes outside the classroom. It allows the creator to upload images and write notes while recording your voice. I utilize this app for my own class and then upload the video to my classroom Twitter account as a review of the days lesson.
The second suggestion is Khanacademy.org. I use this resource to provide my students another voice listen to in my classroom to write notes from. I teach Algebra I and love to implement this website for reviewing example problems. The website does an excellent job solving each example problem in an easy to understand step by step process using the proper terminology.
What I would like to do is be able to utilize the ShowMe app in my classroom and have my students create khanacademy type video's of their understanding.
Let me know if you find these suggestions helpful or if you and any questions about these two suggestions. Use them if you like and good luck,
Todd
Todd,
DeleteYou suggestions were very helpful. You caught the most of my attention when you mentioned you upload videos to your twitter account! What a great idea. Do all of your students have twitter accounts so this can benefit them? I usually will through links to videos, games, and tutorials on the homework hotline, which is displayed through a website created by Central Administration. Twitter and Edmodo seem to be more interesting for the students.
Thank you so much, Todd, for your helpful suggestions.
Jackie
Hi,
ReplyDeleteIt is great that you have Ipads for your students. I work with middle school students, and I have to sign out laptop carts for student use. This can be very problematic at times. I cannot count on securing their use unless I plan months in advance in many cases. That makes the integration of technology more reliant on my tools, for example the interactive white board, document camera, audio system, etc. I am trying to learn to use my white board and pen. As I delve into my GAME plan, I am realizing that a workshop here and a meeting there will not be enough to support real integration of technology. I think we need to regularly set aside time to create new habits and skills. This has become a sub-goal for me: finding time!
Good luck,
Cheri Sing