Reflecting on Integrating Technology

Reflecting on Integrating Technology

As my class on Integrating Technology comes to close, and the school year is at its genesis; it is appropriate to take stock on the change that has taken place in my approach to learning. The main goals I had in my GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2010) utilizing the ISTE NETS-T Standards (2008) were to develop a classroom website, model digital learning and citizenship, and become more proficient at the latest technological teaching tools.

I originally started a classroom website on Wikispaces (McVey, 2010a), but when I could not edit on the school computers I realized that I probably should switch websites, so I created another classroom website on Google Sites (McVey, 2010b). I have used this webpage everyday of the school year for the following operations: posting class agendas and goals, links to lesson resources, and attaching presentation and homework files used in the classroom. The webpage is really easy to create and modify, especially with all of the work that I have done with wikis and blogs because of my master’s degree program. I am sure that the website will be more useful for my students as the year goes on, but right now it is invaluable to me in conducting the day to day operations of my classroom.

By conducting class in person and online, I am sharpening my digital learning and teaching skills. I have found that posting what I do in my classroom on the internet makes it public and provides a real-world audience that holds me accountable for my work. Whenever I do something online, I try to show and model for my students how and why I am doing what I am doing. This way my class becomes even more driven on student 21st Century skill development (Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2010). I am really stressing in my classes that success in life is a work in progress. The skeleton of a website I have now will transform into a beautiful, useful virtual gathering place with both style and substance.

This journey into integrating technology into my lessons also includes adopting the latest in technology. I received training in Smart Response systems, and now I am very comfortable with using this interactive assessment tool on any given day in the class. My students seemed to enjoy taking formative quizzes with these remotes and did not object to potentially using it as a summative assessment tool. Another tool that I just learned how to use and even demonstrated to social studies department is Prezi (2010). Prezi gives teachers and students the opportunity to create a presentations in an interactive virtual blank space that uses panning, and zooming to make presentations. I have received excellent feedback from my students and colleagues about this tool, and I plan to use it on a regular basis for presenting information in an engaging way.

By developing a unit plan on integrating technology into my teaching of the Great Depression, I am very confident that I can maximize the technology available to me to create dynamic learning experiences suited for all learners. It is exciting to empower people to skillfully produce and consume information in this changing world.

Paul
High School Social Studies

References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS•T). Retrieved August 14, 2010 from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

McVey, P. (2010a). Paul McVey’s class website. Retrieved August 8, 2010 from http://mcveysclass.wikispaces.com/.

McVey, P. (2010b). Paul McVey’s Lessons website. Retrieved August 22, 2010 from https://sites.google.com/site/mcveyslessons/

Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (2010). Partnership for 21st Century Skills homepage. Retrieved August 22, 2010 from http://p21.org/

Prezi Inc. (2010). Prezi home page. Retrieved August 14, 2010 from http://prezi.com/your/