Two areas that I have selected from the International
Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) National Education Standards for
Teachers (NETS_T) to develop a GAME plan to improve my confidence and
proficiency in integrating technology into my classroom are:
Standard 2, Indicator A: Design or adapt relevant learning
experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student
learning and creativity.
Standard 5, Indicator A: Participate in local and global
learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve
student learning (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008).
The goals that I established to meet these
standards were to incorporate one learning activity using digital tools for
each grade level during the last quarter of the school year, and to attend a
workshop or webinar each quarter to continue to develop my understanding and
ability to integrate the use of technology in my classroom.
I have continued to research, review and
practice using music apps for the iPad, but am still looking for a good quality
music composition app. I have found some quality apps that will work well with
multiple grade levels, helping me to meet my goal of incorporating a digital
activity for each grade level. Finding
seminars, workshops or webinars to participate in has not been a problem. Many organizations are posting their
summer sessions, so now it appears to just be a matter of narrowing down the
options and making a selection. I
am leaning towards a course in Excel. That is a program that I enjoy using and
know some basics, but would like to expand my knowledge and ability to use the
program.
In reflecting as to any modifications that need
be made to my original plans and goals, I would like to focus my efforts of
technology integration with grade levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. The 5th graders
are working on preparing their spring musical during our musical time for the
next six weeks, then they head to camp for a week, and upon returning I will
only see them for one more week.
This schedule limits my ability to truly integrate a quality technology
tool. The kindergarten classes
will also be spending a large majority of their time in music class over the
next five weeks preparing songs and poems for their Kindergarten Tea Programs,
which they perform for their families during the school day. I intend to supplement our Tea
preparations with an app for the iPad called Letter songs A-Z, projecting the
songs on the Promethean Board. For
the remaining grade levels, I have selected the following technology tools for
integration: Grade One, activities with the Promethean Board in flipcharts
identifying notes that step and skip; Grade Two students will practice naming
notes using either BlueNote or Piano apps on the iPad; Grade Three students
will create graphic organizers on instrument traits; Grade Four students will
compose a four measure song using Musescore in the computer labs.
Although not a new thought to any teacher,
quality preparation is very time consuming, and every lesson must be properly
prepared to be successful and beneficial to the students, which is what
education is all about. To present
these projects well to my students I must be thoroughly prepared and well
versed with the digital tools. I
am learning I need more hours in my days!
I attended the Innovate, Create Conference hosted
by The Ohio State University yesterday and today. I was lucky to be on Spring Break so that I could attend the
conference this week. I attended
six sessions and came away with some great information. It was assuring to hear similar thoughts
and ideas expressed by many of the presenters that I have encountered in my
Walden classes, that is, the need to transform education through the use of
technology into active learning scenarios that develop critical thinking and
problem solving skills in students.
I came away with some new information and ideas along with a better understanding
of some tools, such as digital storytelling. A highlight of the conference was
the keynote speaker, Dr. Cable Green of Creative Commons. After learning about Creative Commons
in my last class at Walden, I welcomed the opportunity to further my
understanding of OER.
It has been a quality week as I have made
progress on my GAME plan. I have selected the digital tools that I will use
with grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 over the next eight weeks. My next step will be to further refine the learning
objectives and design the lessons to meet the goals.
References
International
Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for
teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx
musescore.org