Reflecting back on the progress I have made in my personal GAME plan, I feel that I have gained much more knowledge about how I can integrate technology into all content areas of my classroom. I have read articles to learn about new technologies that have been effective in other classrooms.
Since my students are currently only four years old and cannot read, they obviously cannot do project-based learning independently. Yet, I have started making large group problem-based learning activities for us to solve as a class using our SMARTboard. I am sure that introducing higher grade level students to technology will be a learning experience in its own. My future steps are to set up a timeline to progressively introduce technology skills to the students. When I am able to put this plan into action with a group of students, I will be able to adjust how much I can teach them based on how quickly they learn and understand how to use the technology effectively. I have also been looking into setting up a class blog and using ePals or another social network for my students to be able to communicate what they are learning with students around the world.
I still have two and a half courses left to finish my Master’s program at Walden University. That means nineteen more weeks of learning how I can integrate technology into my classroom. By the end of May, I will be able to make a final decision about continuing my education to get a Specialist’s degree. In the mean time, I am working on developing professionally by working one-on-one with my colleagues to suggest ideas for technology use in their classrooms. I am also still learning new strategies that I can share with them. I have received a lot of positive feedback about the new strategies that I have suggested to teachers. Overall, I feel that the actions I took to carry out my GAME plan were effective in gaining personal knowledge and helping to develop the knowledge and learning capabilities of my students.
It sounds like your plan was a positive experience. Do you think that you'll continue to make new GAME plans once this course is finished? Your timeline would work well for a long-range plan. Are you able to collaborate with others in your district who teach at the same grade level? If so, maybe you could work on something collaboratively that would benefit all the classrooms and get more students exposed to 21st century learning tools.
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you are working to integrate technology into your classroom full of four year olds. I can imagine that can be quite challenging at times. I am learning that there is always a way to modify lessons regardless of the age of students. I teach second grade and sometimes feel overwhelmed with teaching this new technology to seven and eight year olds. You definitely have given me encouragement to hear you doing this with your pre-K class. With the way education is changing and all of the new technology that is being integrated into schools, your students will have a head start because they are learning it at such a young age. Keep it up and best of luck!
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you are sharing your newfound knowledge with other teachers. There are so many teachers that either don't understand the benefits of using technology or that lack the skills to use it in the classroom. Your knowledge and experience can help those that are struggling in this area to take steps to incorporating technology into their lessons.
I'm glad to see that you are teaching your 4 year olds how to use technology. I have a 4 year old and each morning before school starts, he is eager to use the computer. He is gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge just from the twenty minutes he spends each morning on www.starfall.com. He is using computer terminology and even helping other students in his class when they are in centers. Unfortunately, his teacher doesn't integrate technology into her lessons so he isn't exposed to new tools on a frequent basis. Your students, on the other hand, will be very exposed and experienced before reaching Kindergarten.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteYour four year olds are so lucky to have you as a teacher. Their parents will be requesting teachers that are integrating technology in the classroom, every year after having you. They will be so far above all the other students their age. They will be teaching their kindergarten teacher next year--or bored out of their mind. Keep up the great work! I also think you should go for the specialist's degree--we need to set our sights high and go for it! You are in the routine of classes, so keep on going.
Creating a blog is a great idea. In my school we have a school wide Edublogs account. I am the admin and give teachers and students access to sign up and create their own blogs. Once the teachers started running their own blogs and the students started writing in them, the whole school community became a part of them. Is there an ICT faciitator in your school that you can get help on setting up a school Edublogs account?
ReplyDelete