Last week I established two standards I hope to achieve in my classroom. Those two standards are promoting student reflection using collaborative tools and the second being to design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools (ISTE, 2008). I am planning on using a wiki and podcasts both are not areas of expertise for me. I have had a some experience with creating podcast and have used wikispace.com for discussions. To achieve these two standards I will have to take what I know of podcasts and wikis to a much greater level.
To teach these standards in my classroom Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009) have created a GAME plan to help us learn these technologies. Having already established my “G”oal, it is now time to move on to “A”ction. My first step to learning wikis and podcast is Google. For me, I have to either see someone else doing it well or need to be hands on when learning a new technology. I find goggle is typically the best starting point for building a base. I feel as though if you do not search what is out there before you start doing podcasts and wikis, I would have nothing to compare my work too or to aim for.
A second resource I plan on using would be my technology director. He and I have spent many hours teaching one another how to use all manner of technologies. I would also attempt to find a seminar or private tutor. My school has great support for teachers when it comes to technology in the classroom. Summiting an email to BOCES will ensure that I will have a seminar, class or tutor to teach me exactly what I want to learn. Another resource I would use to learn podcasting and wikis are my colleagues on the technology committee with me. After school a group of us show off what we know or have found on technology in the classroom. We will typically explore and share but with a goal in mind this group has taught me a great deal and I would turn to them again as a resource. Finally, I would use students, as educated as all of the people around us are, I still feel students are some of the best sources when it comes to learning things like wikis and podcasts. It is amazing to find out how many of our students actually participate in blogging and podcasting. It also makes students feel good when they are the ones teaching you! This is my plan of Action to achieve my goal of promoting student reflection using collaborative tools and the second being to design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools (ISTE, 2008).
Kevin Kleespies
ISTE, Initials. (2008). The Iste national educational technology standards (nets•t) and performance indicators for teachers. Retrieved from iste@iste.org, www.iste.org.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
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Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI know that there are free webinars for learning new technologies. All you have to do is search for them through professional journal websites on technology. There are also ones that you must pay for, but it might be worth it for you.
This is where I go to learn some new stuff--Slide Share. Here is the link for one of the videos.
http://www.slideshare.net/kbrooks/an-introduction-to-blogging-and-podcasting-webinar
I like your idea of using the students as learning "tools" also. This is a great way for the students to be a big part of the learning process. You are then working with students who might just catch the concepts better by having another student reflect and share their own experiences. A good start to developing a classroom to meet diverse students' needs (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). As educators we all need to see the possibilities in learning that our students can provide for others in the classroom.
Marilyn Goodrich
K-12 Ed. Con.
Reference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
I kept thinking of your post and I thought of something that might spur an idea or two from you. I know that you are a social studies teacher, but his ideas might work for you.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link that might be of interest to you. Alan Sitomer is a fabulous teacher and works to get kids interested in school, reading, writing, and learning.
http://thebookjam.ning.com/profile/AlanSitomer
http://www.thebookjam.com/main/
Marilyn Goodrich
K-12 Ed. Con.
Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links. I checked out Alan's book jam sites and found them interesting. When I have some more time I will be going back and exploring with much more depth. I sent the first link that you shared with my to my colleague that has created a teacher wiki for a district, the slide show is something that I would like to share. Thank you Marilyn!
Kevin Kleespies