The first NETS performance indicator that I choose is Standard 1- D Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: Model collaborative knowledge construction engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments (ISTE, 2008). To integrate communicative multimedia tools and make sure that they are applied accordingly, I have to research the tools that I would like to use. I decided to start with Skype and VoiceThread. I have background knowledge about both programs. I can use my background knowledge to expand my understanding and skills especially on how to use it for educational purposes since so far I have used them for my personal issues only. Therefore, I have to learn more about these tools and how they can be employed in the classroom. I will also have to get the school internet protocol and discuss with the administrators about any inputs they may have for integrating these tools and sharing with parents. I am sure to get the understanding and materials necessary to carry out my plan. To start using communicative multimedia tools, I have to research and collaborate with my colleague, to plan an activity that integrates these tools. Next, I must contact other professional to analyze which tools are best to do my goal. I will also need to share with other educators in my district to find out who has been using communicative tools, what protocols they have in place, and how they use them. I must also write a reflective journal of my reflections throughout my research, collaboration, and implementation process. To date I have already begun collaborating with the other teachers about using these collaborative tools such as Skype in our classes. I have also got the school safe internet usage policy and found out that it integrate the application of blogs, wikis, and other web 2.0 tools. I have also started discussions with the other teachers and other peers about what tools have been used in the district and how.
The second NETS performance indicator that I choose is Standard 2-D Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experience and Assessments: Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching (ISTE, 2008). Materials for figuring out more knowledge about assessment will probably be any information, articles, or reviews I can find online, my colleagues and classmates, and software programs. A friend suggested me a few inputs for the assessment using technology, Examview and aplia.com. I will also want to search on what types of online assessment different schools are employing. To do this, I will need to contact different school and note down the assessment methods that appeal to me.
Technology grants educators the flexibility to empower a wide variety of students regardless of their diverse needs. All students have their opportunities to study and express themselves, in a way that is meaningful to them (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Technology gives the chances for students to be creative and express their personal relations to real experiences and situations. I am eagerly looking forward to getting the understanding and confidence to start employing these tools with my students so that I can further help their learning experience. All children can learn and have their own unique gifts, and it is up to the teacher to analyze those gifts and give options and chances that grant them to grow those gifts (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Any inputs and suggestions that you can give to me regarding my goals will be appreciated.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011) Meeting students’ needs with technology, part 2. [Video webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers
Tjandra,
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that you are going to start by using technology that you already have some background knowledge about. Using Skype and VoiceThread will help you to feel comfortable in strengthening Standard 1- D Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity: Model collaborative knowledge construction engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments (ISTE, 2008). It sounds as though you are taking all the right steps to make sure you are utilizing these programs in a safe way that is acceptable to your school district. It is important to be in compliance with the safety policies within your school. I would love to hear more about how you are using Skype with your students and how you find the people you are going to Skype. What content area are you planning on using Skype? How will you locate people to Skype that will meet the needs for your lesson? I would love to use Skype in my classroom, but I often struggle to find the appropriate people to Skype. We do a unit on the Arctic, and I would love to find students living in the Arctic that we could interview via Skype.
~Heather Johnson
Resources
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T).
Hi Heather,
DeleteVoiceThread is something new for me.I believe that this tool is a great tool for collaboration. For Skype, I have contacted my previous colleague at Indonesia who is willing to have a collaboration work with us. We are sharing the same curriculum framework (www.ibo.org) so that's the content area that we are going to work with.
Regards,
Tjandra Purnama
Tjandra,
ReplyDeleteTaking the steps to research technology tools before you use them is important. In order to learn all of the functionalities of the devices and software you are using takes you putting in extra time. I love your choice of using Voice Thread. I have found it to be a very fun and useful tool. The possibilities are endless. Your students will have the opportunity to add text from Microsoft Word, presentations from Power Point, and receive comments from other peers within their classroom and possibly around the world. There is a need for me to do more research on Skype myself. This is something I would like to use in my own classroom. Other devices I want to learn about are Instagram and Oovoo. I have accounts, but definitely have to do more work with them before trying them out. Some things may be allowed within my district and some may not. I recently learned about Tango. It allows me to do a video chat by phone. Having background knowledge is significant. It helps gives you something to build on without having to start from scratch. Expanding your skill and knowledge is wise. Exploring tools in and for classroom use can be fun. Doing the leg work on school protocol for internet usage is just a good teaching practice. Parental involvement and collaboration is important as well. Additional ideas, experience, and inclusion of others that know your students can bring about a win-win situation for everyone. Thanks for your thoughts.
Daphne Crenshaw
Tjandra,
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel that you are on the right track with researching the technology tools before you using them in your classroom. Many teachers implement technology without really understanding how to use it effectively. The purpose of implementing technology is to enhance the learning experience, not to shift the main focus to the application of technology. I also think that you are making the right move in collaborating with your colleagues. Sometimes the best way to find the answers is to just ask!
I have a recommendation on a technology assessment tool to implement into your classroom. Previously, I have used the CPS Clicker Software in my classroom as an assessment tool. Each student has a number that correlates with a specific clicker. The multiple choice assessment is presented in a form similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. The student chooses an answer by clicking on the button that corresponds to their answer. This assessment is anonymous, so students cannot see their classmates responses. After the assessment, you can print off individual reports or class reports. It is an excellent assessment software tool. I hope this helps!
Sara
Tajandra,
ReplyDeleteThere are some great ideas in the comments above that you can use for collaboration with both students and teachers. One service I love to use for collaboration is Google Docs. I love the ability to create, share and being able to collaborate in an online environment. The ability to create, and collect information and then store in on-line is awesome and very useful in today's digital world.
As for the collaboration portion, especially with students it takes a great deal of planning and work to make it happen and run smoothly. I spend the first month of school really setting this up in my room and although t seems slow going in the beginning it is worth it in the long run. I use Kagan Collaborative Structures in my classroom. They also have structures and activities for class building and team building. I love them and it helps so much to have a solid structure to build off of if you are interested you can check them out at www.kaganonline.com I was introduced to them about 2 years ago and it makes collaboration and cooperation much simpler.
Hope some of the ideas help!
Kathlyn
Tjandra,
ReplyDeleteYou have some great resources to help you meet your goals. This last year I have implemented telepresence at every one of the grade levels I work with. One of the resources I used was Skype and their website Skype in the Classroom. I brought in some fantastic virtual speakers with this tool and had some amazing interactive lessons. The take away from these experiences with the students was fantastic.
Some lessons I learned, test ahead of time, make sure the speaker has had experience teaching or talking through this type of venue and that their presentation is geared towards your grade level, and that they allow for interaction. the interaction between the speaker and the students really started to make this even more engaging for the kids.
After becoming very comfortable with Skype in the Classroom, I branched out to other forms of telepresence and was able to continue to bring in amazing virtual speakers and I did them all for free. It's amazing how the web and our new technological tools can bring relevance to our students lessons and give them real world experience without ever leaving the classroom.
Thanks for sharing,
Nicole