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I have just reviewed the National Educational Technology Standards from the International Society for Technology in Education. and I am thinking about which of these standards I will be focusing on strengthening first. I really think my areas of weakness are "Digital Citizenship" and "Communication and Collaboration". I find them to be important but I have not dedicated as much time to them as I should have been doing. I think that having more digital interaction is critical for both of these areas.
Goals: I hope to increase the students' basic toolbox of basic skills in technology while also inspiring a sense of creativity and exploration in problem solving.
Action: I am going to make sure that my students have regular access to the computer labs and centers, as well as encourage home use of the computer through posted entries on my blog and eventually my students' glogs. Glogs.com/edu is like a private social networking system for students.
Monitering: I can monitor the students' understanding of the processes of digital literacy through my interactions with them on the Glog.
Evaluate: My students are keeping a notebook including a KWHL chart which outlines the research process for them and requires them to record references, processes, and thinking.
My main course of action for improving my students' proficiency in thinking critically and processing information in a complete and creative manner- is to "just do it". Get them started in the basics of technology with a sense of urgency while expanding their ability to analyze information. I am devoting time weekly for computer use, taking advantage of my computer lab access to the fullest.
Laureate Education Inc. (2009). “Enriching Learning Experiences with Technology.” Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education Inc.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
Seven Mind Mapping Tools to Try This Year
1 year ago
I would also like to increase the students’ basic toolbox of basic skills in technology. The nice thing about the school that I teach in we have a very nice computer lab that I can use when I need to. I like your idea of using a glog. I had never heard of that before I read through your post. It sounds like a really good idea and I think that it would really get the students engaged in the technology process. I liked your ideas of getting the students to think critically about a topic and trying to get them to think more creatively. It is sometimes hard to get the students to think at higher levels, because a lot of there thinking has been done for them in the past. I feel that students at times feel that they need to be told what to do and they cannot think for themselves. I hope to be able to change their thought process.
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate to have so much access to your computer lab! We are lucky to get a couple of days each month. Our school did acquire a laptop cart this year, but they also added keyboarding classes all day long...every day...so that took away any additional access.
ReplyDeleteVery cool idea to use glogs in your classes! How are you planning to have the students use the interactive online posters in your course projects?
ReplyDeleteDesiree, here is a pretty good tutorial on glogster.com/edu. Be careful because Glogster education is student appropriate but regular glogster is not. All glogs made with students are private. Susanna, I am so sorry that you have a shortage of computer time. I fear that I will be more in the same boat after Christmas because some of my schools have told the computer lab teachers to plug in Compass Learning for all the available times. Steve, I want the students to practice adding images, uploading their own sounds, and practice saving a poster. Once they have those basics down, I would start out with a poster for a book review on a book club book that includes a visual, at least two links, and an oral presentation in a fun, creative way.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteI consider the idea of using glogs really great and in spite ofg the fact that there are some negatives about this device, I still think that students are likely to profit form integration of tghis tool into the classroom. I have not known this tool so far, that is why I am glad that you mention it.
It is a pity that you lack access to a lab with technology. In spite of that I think that you manage well (judging from the fact that you are able to keep your students alert by presenting them with glogs...)