Since beginning with my GAME plan, I have been brainstorming ideas that I could use, and places I could look for ideas. I have also “surfed” the internet in attempts to find good lesson plans that incorporate technology AND meet the needs of diverse learners in the classroom.
•What resources will you need to carry out your plan?
In order to carry out my GAME plan I will definitely need a computer and internet access. I can use the internet to search for lessons that incorporate technology into the classroom. I will also need access to e-mail and/or other communication methods (like chat rooms/IM/phone) in order to communicate with fellow educators who do not live in/work in close proximity to me. I will also need to use my colleagues as resources. Also, the technology classes begin offered through my district would be good resources. Finally, the Walden courses have given a lot of information on different technologies that can be used in the classroom; and, I believe that this and future courses will give me many more ideas and methods of implementing the technology into the classroom.
•What additional information do you need?
I need to know when and what technology courses the district is offering during the next few months (I may have to wait until the beginning of the new school year). I would also like to know if any of the people in this wonderful course have any ideas of sites that would be beneficial for high school geometry (in addition to the ones given in our learning resources)
•What steps have you been able to take so far?
So far I have not done much other than brain-storm about good lessons to use in my classroom. I have looked through various math websites looking for applicable lessons that incorporate technology – including some of the ones listed by Walden. I have also decided to send an e-mail to my school librarian asking her for ideas about promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility. Hopefully I will have a response from her before my next blog post.
One idea for collecting more resources might be to start a delicious page if you have not already started one. I just recently started my own. It is truly a shame when I think about how many websites I have looked through and forgotten over the years because I never bookmarked them. I am now realizing the power of saving anything that might be remotely useful to me. If you want to follow my book marks my user name is nicktoombs. Let me know if you have or are thinking about creating an account I would love to share bookmarks.
ReplyDeleteTonya,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting started on your GAME plan. It sounds like your school’s librarian is a great place to start when it comes to digital citizenship and responsibility. Hopefully you get a response soon!
Are there PLCs in your district that specialize in technology integration? While you are seeking out classes within your district, a PLC might offer additional support that you do not receive in a short class. Also, a PLC would serve as a resource for ideas when it comes to lesson plans that implement technology.
Good luck,
Amanda
Nick.
ReplyDeleteI just recently started a Delicious page; and, I agree, that is a good idea. I understand what you mean about forgetting websites because you have accessed so many but never bookmarked them. I also like the fact that Delicious allows you to see who else booked marked the same page; and, that you can view other sites they book marked.
Amanda.
A PLC group is a great idea. While there are not any PLC’s I know of that focus primarily on technology, I have recently joined the “technology committee” at my school; which, as of right now, focuses primarily on allocating funds to buy new technologies. Since we implement PLCs in my school already, perhaps it would be a good idea for me to mention the idea of creating a “technology centered” PLC. Thanks for the idea!
Thank you both for your comments and suggestions!
Tonya
Nick,
ReplyDeleteSince you are already searching the web for information my suggestion for getting started would be to search for a content area specific blog where you could share your ideas and also get ideas from other teachers as well.
I have done this for my content area (Spanish/World Language) and there is an enormous amount of information and resources on this blog. It's wonderful yet overwhelmed all at once!
Good Luck,
Tania
Tonya
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tania that there are a number of excellent blogs that you can follow. They don’t have to be specific to your content area in order to help you learn about new technology and ideas for applying them to your instruction. Here are a few that I follow: Free Technology for Teachers, The Edublogger, The WikiSpaces Blog, and The Tempered Radical. I also follow the classroom blogs/wikis of a couple of classrooms at my grade level. These websites are from various places around the country, and give me great ideas for ways that teachers are including technology in their everyday instruction. I’m sure there are many other good blogs about technology that others can share with us. Good luck with your plan.