Monitoring my technology game plan:
So for my technology goals include: developing a classroom website, modeling and requiring digital citizenship, create lessons using a student-centered Universal Design for Learning model, and becoming proficient at utilizing Smart Response remote controls in my classroom.
I have yet to develop a classroom website. I have not quite found the developmental tool that best suits my needs, I have tried Google Sites and Shutterfly, but I am not sure if either are exactly what I am looking for. Other teachers have shown me what they are doing on Eboard and Blackboard, which look intriguing, but I do not want to have to use my own money to pay for the service. I am have just begun exploring WikiSpaces as a classroom website. I typically tinker around with the webpage and see if it easy and effective for me to use. I want the website to be a tool that I can use to make my classroom go beyond the walls of the school. I like the idea of using a wiki because then the class website becomes just that a class website…a collaborative work in progress, but I am hesitant to put too much work into it if some students will not take it seriously and delete content or make inappropriate remarks. But I suppose students will have to claim what they do on the wiki because every change can be monitored by me. This would be a great way for me to improve on my second goal, modeling and requiring digital citizenship.
I found on the wiki that it would be very easy for me to upload classroom documents. I also like the idea of a Wiki because it is a work in progress.
I am really seeing the validity of the Universal Design for Learning model. It really coincides beautifully with the GANAG lesson plan model that our district recommends and which I have been trying to implement over the last school year. I have tried to teach in this way in the past, I just never realized how much research and resources are available on this teaching method.
I recently found out that there will be a training in our district for the use of the Smart Response systems. I plan on attending this training and gaining proficiency in the use of this valuable technological tool that could really become a staple in my classroom.
Through all of this I am learning that I am on the right track in integrating technology in the classroom, but I am just scratching the surface of what I can and should be doing in the classroom.
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Paul,
ReplyDeleteI think that you are doing everything that you need to be doing in order to begin integrating technology into your classroom. However, I also think that administration has underestimated the amount of time and support teachers will need to do all this. Your plan is quite hefty and I hope that you are able to accomplish everything, but make sure to give yourself a break now and then if it takes longer than you hoped. I too am working on a classroom website, but think I will end up paying out of pocket to get everything I want. I went through similar training on the Promethean Board and its Student Response Systems last summer and found that one training was simply not enough. I am hoping your district realized this and understands that sometimes these trainings can raise more questions than they answer. Good Luck!
Paul,
ReplyDeleteI strongly endorse the use of wikispaces as your class website. I have been researching the use of wikis in class as well and have found that site very user friendly. It allows you total control of the page at a level that is comfortable for you and your students. Also, as you mentioned it allows you the teachable moment to help your students understand digital citizenship. I plan on involving one of my students in my plan to teach students what it is like to have your hard work ruined. I will ask my saboteur to go into each of their classmates pages and delete major parts of their pages. Then I will have a group demonstration of the site’s ability to track changes and revert to prior versions that were saved. Ideally this will teach students about digital citizenship as well as show them they are always being watched!! Good luck with your webpage.
Carla