I created my Professional Learning Plan as a brochure. It was created in pages under a brochure template.
Professional Learning Plan
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
This I Believe...
Click Here to listen to Podcast
I believe that technology is the norm in today's 21st century society. Technology is also an essential part of an effective learning environment in today's classroom. School districts are setting up classrooms with highly equipped state of the art resources such as smartboards, document cameras, wireless internet, distant learning capabilities, laptop computers for teachers and laptop computers for students. Learners of today come to schools with abundant prior experiences using technology such as cells phones, television, mobile devices and at home computers. Educators need to incorporate the use of technology not only to teach content subjects but to expose the learner to the necessary technology skills they will need for future success in the workforce. That is why creative lessons using technology that relate to concepts taught in class is crucial. I believe its important for all teachers new or experienced to use technology in their classrooms as this is the fundamental aspect of 21st century learning taking place.
Since I believe that technology is a fundamental aspect of learning, it is my personal goal to learn as many technological tools, skills and resources I can that will help make me a better teacher in the classroom. By expanding my Personal Learning Network (PLN) I will continue to learn and find new ways to bring great ideas using technology into my own classroom. In the classroom teachers need to be creative with their lessons making sure the technology is being used appropriately based on the content students need to learn. The TPACK model is a good guide when it comes to teachers putting together lessons using technology. The interactions of technology, pedagogy and content (TPACK) forms the core of the TPACK model (Koehler & Mishra, 2008). By using these three components technology is the tool teachers can use to differentiate instruction to meet students various learning needs (Koehler & Mishra, 2008). When creating a lesson, first, teachers need to think about the content we need to teach our students. Then we strategize ways to incorporate technology into our lessons that are purposeful and coincide with our pedological philosophies. These thorough thought out lessons using the TPACK model will be most meaningful to the students as they are learning content using 21st century skills. I believe when you have the resources to expand your lesson and have students gain concepts they need to know through technology it makes it an effective and stimulating learning environment.
I believe I was making good attempts to integrate technology into my math and science lessons over the past two years. I was fortunate enough to work in classrooms that had smartboards, document camera, and student computers, I used those technology tools daily. I used these technology tools more for instruction and presentation. I was always frustrated that students were not using their computers more frequently as a way of engaging them in the content being taught. Having completed the first three Master's classes at Michigan State University in technology I feel I have been exposed to more ideas that I can bring back to my classroom to engage students in their learning. Some of the programs I would like to use this year include Glogster, Blogs, Wikis, Classroom Polls, and iMovies. These classes also made me investigate websites that I can use that have appropriate content for my subject area. The knowledge I have gained using technology to teach content will not be as challenging as it has been in the past. Since students have their own laptop computers provided by the school I am excited to have students use the above tools regularly.
All in all I believe technology is alway changing and it is the teachers role to use technology as a tool to present lesson that meet the content requirements. Technology allows teachers and students to collaborate content with creativity and latest technological advances to keep our students competitive for the future.
I believe that technology is the norm in today's 21st century society. Technology is also an essential part of an effective learning environment in today's classroom. School districts are setting up classrooms with highly equipped state of the art resources such as smartboards, document cameras, wireless internet, distant learning capabilities, laptop computers for teachers and laptop computers for students. Learners of today come to schools with abundant prior experiences using technology such as cells phones, television, mobile devices and at home computers. Educators need to incorporate the use of technology not only to teach content subjects but to expose the learner to the necessary technology skills they will need for future success in the workforce. That is why creative lessons using technology that relate to concepts taught in class is crucial. I believe its important for all teachers new or experienced to use technology in their classrooms as this is the fundamental aspect of 21st century learning taking place.
Since I believe that technology is a fundamental aspect of learning, it is my personal goal to learn as many technological tools, skills and resources I can that will help make me a better teacher in the classroom. By expanding my Personal Learning Network (PLN) I will continue to learn and find new ways to bring great ideas using technology into my own classroom. In the classroom teachers need to be creative with their lessons making sure the technology is being used appropriately based on the content students need to learn. The TPACK model is a good guide when it comes to teachers putting together lessons using technology. The interactions of technology, pedagogy and content (TPACK) forms the core of the TPACK model (Koehler & Mishra, 2008). By using these three components technology is the tool teachers can use to differentiate instruction to meet students various learning needs (Koehler & Mishra, 2008). When creating a lesson, first, teachers need to think about the content we need to teach our students. Then we strategize ways to incorporate technology into our lessons that are purposeful and coincide with our pedological philosophies. These thorough thought out lessons using the TPACK model will be most meaningful to the students as they are learning content using 21st century skills. I believe when you have the resources to expand your lesson and have students gain concepts they need to know through technology it makes it an effective and stimulating learning environment.
I believe I was making good attempts to integrate technology into my math and science lessons over the past two years. I was fortunate enough to work in classrooms that had smartboards, document camera, and student computers, I used those technology tools daily. I used these technology tools more for instruction and presentation. I was always frustrated that students were not using their computers more frequently as a way of engaging them in the content being taught. Having completed the first three Master's classes at Michigan State University in technology I feel I have been exposed to more ideas that I can bring back to my classroom to engage students in their learning. Some of the programs I would like to use this year include Glogster, Blogs, Wikis, Classroom Polls, and iMovies. These classes also made me investigate websites that I can use that have appropriate content for my subject area. The knowledge I have gained using technology to teach content will not be as challenging as it has been in the past. Since students have their own laptop computers provided by the school I am excited to have students use the above tools regularly.
All in all I believe technology is alway changing and it is the teachers role to use technology as a tool to present lesson that meet the content requirements. Technology allows teachers and students to collaborate content with creativity and latest technological advances to keep our students competitive for the future.
Growing Up Online / Digital Nation
Growing Up Online:
Growing Up Online is a video about adolescents growing up having easily available access to the internet. Adolescents talked about their actions online and their parents not knowing about it. The video discusses how interacting with others on the internet is so different than interacting with people in real life. The video discusses important topics about how adolescents are using the internet, their phones and digital devices to communicate with friends, online interactions and social networks and how parents are unaware of their child's actions online through the internet. When watching this video it was a little disturbing in the fact that these kids were doing inappropriate things online or looking at inappropriate things and their parents had not idea what they were doing. With a lot of the situations that took place in the video adolescents had their own computers in their own bedroom so parents could not see what their child was doing. I think it's very important especially at the adolescent years for parents to only allow their child to use the computers in the family room or kitchen where a lot of interactions take place and not allow your child to have their own computer in their room. As adults and teachers I think it's important to inform our children and students about their actions online and how their actions can affect someone else or themselves. When it comes to the internet if you wouldn't say it to their face, do not post it on the internet because you can't take back what was said. Kids need to realize when pictures that are posted online that are not appropriate or sayings things that could offend others have consequences. People get in trouble and these actions could affect kids later on in life, for instance trying to get a job. We as adults need to teach kids about appropriate internet edict and need to show students how to be responsible on the internet.
Digital Nation:
After watching the Digital Nation video it really opened my eyes to the virtual interactions that take place. I never realized that businesses today are having office meetings virtually online and people don't even have to go into work to hold a meeting with all your co-workers. They can just sit at home and hold the meeting virtually online. I also learned about the army using the virtual world to face battle fields and using virtual technology to bomb areas where we are at war in other countries thousands of miles away. Technology is being used in army recruiting and showing 14 and 15 year old boys what it could be like for them if they were to go into the army when they are older. The army is using technology to spark interest in future army soldiers. Watching this video it really opened my eyes to how important and crucial it is to use technology in our classrooms. I already use technology in my own classroom with the smartboard, document camera, and students having their own individual laptops but this video makes me want to do so much more with my students.
I found It very true in the fact when the video talks about students using computers, iPods, iPhones to multi-task in everyday life and how it is distracting to students. In today's society kids and students are so wired in with technology and all these technology devices that its making us not focus on one thing at a time. In a way multi-tasking can be good but it also makes it hard to focus on just one thing and do that one thing very good. As teachers I think its important to help students balance all these technology devices. We need to show students the importance of using specific technology devices at certain times and when students are working on certain tasks they need to do those specific tasks very well without getting distracted. I think its important for us as educators to show students appropriate edict for using technology in today's day in age.
Its important that we as educators are using technology in our classroom for a specific purpose. Students should be using technology to enhance learning on concepts covered in class. Teachers need to research and find good resources that students can use with their computers that will further engage learning on a specific topic students are learning. We need to make sure that technology is not just used in the classroom to help spare the last 5 minutes of class.
Growing Up Online is a video about adolescents growing up having easily available access to the internet. Adolescents talked about their actions online and their parents not knowing about it. The video discusses how interacting with others on the internet is so different than interacting with people in real life. The video discusses important topics about how adolescents are using the internet, their phones and digital devices to communicate with friends, online interactions and social networks and how parents are unaware of their child's actions online through the internet. When watching this video it was a little disturbing in the fact that these kids were doing inappropriate things online or looking at inappropriate things and their parents had not idea what they were doing. With a lot of the situations that took place in the video adolescents had their own computers in their own bedroom so parents could not see what their child was doing. I think it's very important especially at the adolescent years for parents to only allow their child to use the computers in the family room or kitchen where a lot of interactions take place and not allow your child to have their own computer in their room. As adults and teachers I think it's important to inform our children and students about their actions online and how their actions can affect someone else or themselves. When it comes to the internet if you wouldn't say it to their face, do not post it on the internet because you can't take back what was said. Kids need to realize when pictures that are posted online that are not appropriate or sayings things that could offend others have consequences. People get in trouble and these actions could affect kids later on in life, for instance trying to get a job. We as adults need to teach kids about appropriate internet edict and need to show students how to be responsible on the internet.
Digital Nation:
After watching the Digital Nation video it really opened my eyes to the virtual interactions that take place. I never realized that businesses today are having office meetings virtually online and people don't even have to go into work to hold a meeting with all your co-workers. They can just sit at home and hold the meeting virtually online. I also learned about the army using the virtual world to face battle fields and using virtual technology to bomb areas where we are at war in other countries thousands of miles away. Technology is being used in army recruiting and showing 14 and 15 year old boys what it could be like for them if they were to go into the army when they are older. The army is using technology to spark interest in future army soldiers. Watching this video it really opened my eyes to how important and crucial it is to use technology in our classrooms. I already use technology in my own classroom with the smartboard, document camera, and students having their own individual laptops but this video makes me want to do so much more with my students.
I found It very true in the fact when the video talks about students using computers, iPods, iPhones to multi-task in everyday life and how it is distracting to students. In today's society kids and students are so wired in with technology and all these technology devices that its making us not focus on one thing at a time. In a way multi-tasking can be good but it also makes it hard to focus on just one thing and do that one thing very good. As teachers I think its important to help students balance all these technology devices. We need to show students the importance of using specific technology devices at certain times and when students are working on certain tasks they need to do those specific tasks very well without getting distracted. I think its important for us as educators to show students appropriate edict for using technology in today's day in age.
Its important that we as educators are using technology in our classroom for a specific purpose. Students should be using technology to enhance learning on concepts covered in class. Teachers need to research and find good resources that students can use with their computers that will further engage learning on a specific topic students are learning. We need to make sure that technology is not just used in the classroom to help spare the last 5 minutes of class.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Group Leadership Project
This is the Group Leadership Project that Allison and I have created. The tutorial is a screencast for other teachers to view and find out about the appropriate way to use cite pictures from Creative Commons. The tutorial also has a slideshare that describes copyright and fair use.
Group Leadership Project
Group Leadership Project Screencast LinkGroup Leadership Project
To deliver the Professional Development tutorial on Copyright, Fair Use, and Creative Commons my group used PowerPoint and Quicktime to present a Screencast. We used these tools for our presentation to easily show our audience a clear visual on how to copyright work using fair use and properly cite a picture from Creative Commons.
During the development process of the presentation I learned how to create a screencast on Quicktime. I have never done a screencast on Quicktime before and this was a very easy tool to use and learn. We also learned that sometimes when you want to use a picture from Creative Commons you can't just copy the link for the picture to put on a document, you have to save the picture on your computer and upload the picture from the document you saved it under. We also learned that its difficult to upload a Screencast from Quicktime onto YouTube. The auditory did not upload onto YouTube and instead we put our Screencast on Screencast.com.
If I had to develop a similar product again I might include a website for my viewers to look at. I really liked our Screencast though. It was easy to follow and shows the viewer exactly what we wanted them to look at and learn from our presentation. I think its important to make a presentation that shows the viewer exactly what they are looking for when it comes to copyright, fair use and Creative Commons as there is a lot involved and it can become overwhelming.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Wicked Problem Project
Audience:
My audience is 7th grade middle school math students. Students will be provided with instruction, lessons, and practice activities for mastery of the slope-intercept form. My second audience is other middle school math teachers. This project is to help other middle school math teacher who need additional resources relating to the slope-intercept form. I would also present this project to fellow teachers at a professional development meeting that our school has for the math department. This project is beneficial to all 7th grade middle school math students and middle school math teachers, as it deals with a concept that students struggle with. It provides additional resources for the targeted audience.
Problem:
7th Grade math students struggling with slope-intercept form.
Solution:
Students will have a better understanding of the content standards using technology (TPACK). Various technology resources will be used such as the Smartboard, students will also be accessing a webquest and online interactives using their individual laptop computers to help them better understand the slope-intercept form.
Blog Post Part A (Description of Need or Opportunity): Click Here
Blog Post Part B (Application of TPACK): Click Here
The "Wicked Problem" that I am addressing is a concept my 7th grade math students struggle with, the slope-intercept form. When teaching this concept to students they struggled with the y-intercept and how to graph the slope of the line from the y-intercept. Students also have a difficult time with the linear equation of the slope-intercept form y = mx + b. By realizing what students are struggling with it is my job to fix and tweak my lesson so students have a better understanding of the concept. What makes this a "Wicked Problem" is that most students come into 7th grade not having any background knowledge on slope-intercept form so it is my job as their 7th grade math teacher to do a thorough job teaching this concept. By using traditional instruction and incorporating the use of technology this "Wicked Problem" provides visual representation, verbal explanation and actively involving the students in the lesson.
A Research study done at the University of Western Sydney by Catherine Attard finds that "the use of computer technology in the mathematics classroom has the potential to enhance students' learning and have a positive impact on their engagement when used appropriately." Her study reveals that math lessons need to continue to "emphasize math ideas and concepts rather than on teaching the processes of using the technology." My lesson will include direct teacher instruction on the concept of slope-intercept form but will engage the students and require them to interact with technology to practice the concepts and achieve mastery. This lesson which I planned this summer will be taught in the winter of next year. At the end of the unit a student assessment will be administered to indicate the success of this project.
The solution to this "Wicked Problem" with slope-intercept form is finding great resources using technology to help teach this concept. This lesson using technology, content and pedagogy (TPACK) will help students have a better understanding of the slope intercept form. Students will get a good grasp of the content standards they need to know through the smartboard lesson, webquest and online interactives. This lesson is based on using many technology devices such as the smartboard, students individual laptops, wireless internet in the classroom and resources on the internet. This lesson supports the UDL Framework as it meets individual students needs. Every student is provided with the technology they need through the school. The specific resources online show visual representation where students will be listening and interacting with the computer. The first solution to help students better understand this "Wicked Problem" is the introduction of the concept by the teacher using the smartboard and a lesson from SMART Exchange on slope-intercept form. This lesson has detailed visual examples and will allow me to give a good in-depth instruction and clarify any questions students might have. Students will take notes on the lesson presented in class from the smartboard. Next, students will be using their own laptop computers to access this webquest. Students will be exploring and get a deeper understanding of the slope-intercept form. When students are done with their task on the webquest they will create their own example of a linear function from what they learned in class and on the webquest. The final solution to this "Wicked Problem" will require students to use their own laptop computer to do online interactives relating to slope intercept form. When students get to this part in the lesson they should fully understand the concepts learned in class and on the computers. This overall "Wicked Problem" using technology will engage students learning on slope-intercept form.
Resources
My audience is 7th grade middle school math students. Students will be provided with instruction, lessons, and practice activities for mastery of the slope-intercept form. My second audience is other middle school math teachers. This project is to help other middle school math teacher who need additional resources relating to the slope-intercept form. I would also present this project to fellow teachers at a professional development meeting that our school has for the math department. This project is beneficial to all 7th grade middle school math students and middle school math teachers, as it deals with a concept that students struggle with. It provides additional resources for the targeted audience.
Problem:
7th Grade math students struggling with slope-intercept form.
Solution:
Students will have a better understanding of the content standards using technology (TPACK). Various technology resources will be used such as the Smartboard, students will also be accessing a webquest and online interactives using their individual laptop computers to help them better understand the slope-intercept form.
Blog Post Part A (Description of Need or Opportunity): Click Here
Blog Post Part B (Application of TPACK): Click Here
The "Wicked Problem" that I am addressing is a concept my 7th grade math students struggle with, the slope-intercept form. When teaching this concept to students they struggled with the y-intercept and how to graph the slope of the line from the y-intercept. Students also have a difficult time with the linear equation of the slope-intercept form y = mx + b. By realizing what students are struggling with it is my job to fix and tweak my lesson so students have a better understanding of the concept. What makes this a "Wicked Problem" is that most students come into 7th grade not having any background knowledge on slope-intercept form so it is my job as their 7th grade math teacher to do a thorough job teaching this concept. By using traditional instruction and incorporating the use of technology this "Wicked Problem" provides visual representation, verbal explanation and actively involving the students in the lesson.
A Research study done at the University of Western Sydney by Catherine Attard finds that "the use of computer technology in the mathematics classroom has the potential to enhance students' learning and have a positive impact on their engagement when used appropriately." Her study reveals that math lessons need to continue to "emphasize math ideas and concepts rather than on teaching the processes of using the technology." My lesson will include direct teacher instruction on the concept of slope-intercept form but will engage the students and require them to interact with technology to practice the concepts and achieve mastery. This lesson which I planned this summer will be taught in the winter of next year. At the end of the unit a student assessment will be administered to indicate the success of this project.
The solution to this "Wicked Problem" with slope-intercept form is finding great resources using technology to help teach this concept. This lesson using technology, content and pedagogy (TPACK) will help students have a better understanding of the slope intercept form. Students will get a good grasp of the content standards they need to know through the smartboard lesson, webquest and online interactives. This lesson is based on using many technology devices such as the smartboard, students individual laptops, wireless internet in the classroom and resources on the internet. This lesson supports the UDL Framework as it meets individual students needs. Every student is provided with the technology they need through the school. The specific resources online show visual representation where students will be listening and interacting with the computer. The first solution to help students better understand this "Wicked Problem" is the introduction of the concept by the teacher using the smartboard and a lesson from SMART Exchange on slope-intercept form. This lesson has detailed visual examples and will allow me to give a good in-depth instruction and clarify any questions students might have. Students will take notes on the lesson presented in class from the smartboard. Next, students will be using their own laptop computers to access this webquest. Students will be exploring and get a deeper understanding of the slope-intercept form. When students are done with their task on the webquest they will create their own example of a linear function from what they learned in class and on the webquest. The final solution to this "Wicked Problem" will require students to use their own laptop computer to do online interactives relating to slope intercept form. When students get to this part in the lesson they should fully understand the concepts learned in class and on the computers. This overall "Wicked Problem" using technology will engage students learning on slope-intercept form.
Resources
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tech Leader
Since starting my Master's classes at Michigan State University in Educational Technology I have learned so many great tools to take back and use in my own classroom as well as share with my teammates, colleagues and the principal. My goal with technology this next school year is to create a more informed teacher website, maybe start a blog for students to comment on, stay up to date with technology being using in education and attending the MACUL conference. With my students in the classroom I would like to have them use their computers more. I want to find more helpful resources that students can use when learning a specific topic taught in class and also have students do more project-based collaborative assignments with their classmates using technology. With my grade level and content area teammates I plan on sharing new ways to integrate technology into the lessons we create. My goal is to do research on specific topics students are learning in class and bring those ideas to to my teammates for all classes to use and have the same experience. Having a bigger PLN due to my Master's classes at Michigan State hopefully it will be easier to find great resources to use in the classroom. That is one thing I struggled with last year is not having the resources and information on technology tools to use in the classroom.
Going into my third year teaching and my second year in Pinckney I would like to show people what I have learned but I also feel like I still have a lot of learning myself to do. I feel by starting my Master's in Educational Technology this is a great way to learn more great things to take back to the classroom and share with others. I think the important thing about being a tech leader is by learning from others and sharing what you've learned with the school community. I am excited to continue my Master's of Educational Technology at Michigan State University and with this experience I hope it opens new doors for me as a teacher in Pinckney Community Schools.
Going into my third year teaching and my second year in Pinckney I would like to show people what I have learned but I also feel like I still have a lot of learning myself to do. I feel by starting my Master's in Educational Technology this is a great way to learn more great things to take back to the classroom and share with others. I think the important thing about being a tech leader is by learning from others and sharing what you've learned with the school community. I am excited to continue my Master's of Educational Technology at Michigan State University and with this experience I hope it opens new doors for me as a teacher in Pinckney Community Schools.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
WPP Blog Post Part B: Application of TPACK
The technology I haven chosen to support my "Wicked Problem" Project includes students using their own laptop computer provided by the school, the internet, searching through a webquest and looking at online interactives supporting the slope-intercept form. These technology tools will further guide and help students understand the slope-intercept form. With the technology students will be able to learn at their own pace and will be able to go back and look at ideas again if they don't understand what is shown the first time with the webquest or concepts taught by the teacher. The technology sources will help meet all the different types of learning needs in the classroom. The online activities that I will have students do, involves them visually looking and reading about the slope-intercept form, listening and interacting with the computer and responding to show what they are understanding.
The content students have to know and understand about slope-intercept form includes...
A.PA.07.06 - Students will calculate the slope from the graph of a linear function as the ratio of rise/run for a pair of points on the graph, and express the answer as a fraction and a decimal; understand that linear functions have slope that is a constant rate of change.
A.PA.07.07 - Students need to represent linear functions in the form y = x + b, y = mx, and y = mx + b and graph, interpreting slope and y-intercept.
A.FO.07.08 - Students will find and interpret the x and/or y intercept of a linear equation or function. Know that the solution to a linear equation of the form ax+b=0 corresponds to the point at which the graph of y=ax+b crosses the x axis.
The webquest students will be looking at introduces linear equations (slope-intercept form) and has examples and questions that go along with the examples for students to answer based on the content students need to know. Students will be shown many different examples and representations of slope-intercept form from the webquest as well as the online interactive they will be doing after the webquest.
This information is easily accessible to student when they come to class prepared with their computers. Every classroom is highly equipped with wireless internet access and extention cords if students come to class with their computer not charged. When students come to class they will need to access the internet and pull up the webquest with the links that the teacher provides for them.
The content students have to know and understand about slope-intercept form includes...
A.PA.07.06 - Students will calculate the slope from the graph of a linear function as the ratio of rise/run for a pair of points on the graph, and express the answer as a fraction and a decimal; understand that linear functions have slope that is a constant rate of change.
A.PA.07.07 - Students need to represent linear functions in the form y = x + b, y = mx, and y = mx + b and graph, interpreting slope and y-intercept.
A.FO.07.08 - Students will find and interpret the x and/or y intercept of a linear equation or function. Know that the solution to a linear equation of the form ax+b=0 corresponds to the point at which the graph of y=ax+b crosses the x axis.
The webquest students will be looking at introduces linear equations (slope-intercept form) and has examples and questions that go along with the examples for students to answer based on the content students need to know. Students will be shown many different examples and representations of slope-intercept form from the webquest as well as the online interactive they will be doing after the webquest.
This information is easily accessible to student when they come to class prepared with their computers. Every classroom is highly equipped with wireless internet access and extention cords if students come to class with their computer not charged. When students come to class they will need to access the internet and pull up the webquest with the links that the teacher provides for them.
Monday, July 18, 2011
WPP Blog Post Part A
This past year after teaching 7th grade math for the first time in Pinckney, Michigan a concept that I saw students struggle with was the slope-intercept form. The slope-intercept form was a completely new concept that students learn in 7th grade that they have never seen before. Every student was issued their very own laptop computer. This was the result of a bond our district passed and we are very fortunate to have this equipment that allows us to integrate technology in our lessons. This being the case and being a new teacher in the district this past year, I wanted to develop lessons that required students use their computers. After seeing students struggle with the slope-intercept form I would now like to extend this lesson using technology and helpful resources online. With my "Wicked Problem" Project students will be looking at a webquest that has a good explanation and available resources on slope-intercept form. Students will also be looking at math interactives that make them have a better understanding of slope-intercept form if they still are struggling with concepts. This computer component will be used after I instruct and teach students the concepts as a tutorial for further reinforcement.
The Way I will go about using technology to address this educational struggle is first to use the smartboard to introduce and teach the concept of slope-intercept form showing examples from SMART Exhange. I will also have students take notes on concepts I show under the document camera. After I introduce, instruct and explain slope-intercept form student will use their own laptops to explore more about this topic by going through a webquest that explains more about the concept. Once students finish the webquest they will do some online interactives that furthers their understanding through practice. Hopefully when they get to the online interactives students are becoming masters of the concept covered in class. The great thing about all these technology pieces I am going to be using is they are all easily available and accessable for every student in the classroom. The only downfall would be if a student comes to class with their computer not charged or if a student forgets their computer at home.
Students will be doing this online activity in the classrooom and the computer part will take students about 2 days to complete. Every student will be using their own computers to go through the webquest and do the online interactive that helps with their understanding of slope-intercept form. By using technology, this "Wicked Problem" will help students find success with this concept. Technology provides various resources to help students better understand the slope-intercept form concept.
Student Web Resources:
Research that supports using technology to teach math.
The Way I will go about using technology to address this educational struggle is first to use the smartboard to introduce and teach the concept of slope-intercept form showing examples from SMART Exhange. I will also have students take notes on concepts I show under the document camera. After I introduce, instruct and explain slope-intercept form student will use their own laptops to explore more about this topic by going through a webquest that explains more about the concept. Once students finish the webquest they will do some online interactives that furthers their understanding through practice. Hopefully when they get to the online interactives students are becoming masters of the concept covered in class. The great thing about all these technology pieces I am going to be using is they are all easily available and accessable for every student in the classroom. The only downfall would be if a student comes to class with their computer not charged or if a student forgets their computer at home.
Students will be doing this online activity in the classrooom and the computer part will take students about 2 days to complete. Every student will be using their own computers to go through the webquest and do the online interactive that helps with their understanding of slope-intercept form. By using technology, this "Wicked Problem" will help students find success with this concept. Technology provides various resources to help students better understand the slope-intercept form concept.
Student Web Resources:
- SMART Exchange-
- Linear Functions Webquest
- Slope-Intercept Online Interactive
- Graphing Using Slope Intercept Form Interactive
Research that supports using technology to teach math.
- Technology in the middle years Mathematics Classroom by Catherine Attard. http://learning21c.wordpress.com/2011/07/10/technology-in-the-middle-years-mathematics-classroom-technology-driving-pedagogy-or-pedagogy-driving-technology/
Pictures of Slope-Intercept form graph on Presentation
Friday, July 15, 2011
3 Words of Education
The three words of education video was created in iMovie. This is a very short clip and will be added with other classmates short clips to make a larger presentation.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Making Online Learning more Meaningful
Online learning is the new way for students to learn in the 21st century. Online learning has been in the college setting already for years but now high schools are starting to integrate online learning in their classrooms. I think this is a great resource for teachers to start using as its another way for students to access information they need for class. The great thing about online learning is if students are not understanding concepts the first time explained everything is online and they can go back and access the information again. In todays world there is many online resources for teachers to use to provide online learning such as "Angel," "Blackboard" and many more.
The downside about online learning is students have to discipline themselves and be serious about the learning taking place online. I think some students will struggle since I know for me this is a challenge to motivate students to learn and live up to their responsibilities. I think when there is not a teacher in the classroom pushing students it will be easy for students to fall behind "out of sight, out of mind." I think the best way to help students with this is for the teacher to set great expectations, set deadlines for assignments that are due.
For my classroom I have a teacher website that the school has set up for me and I use it all the time. After starting my Masters in Educational Technology at MSU and having more experience with using technology in the classroom I want to make my website more meaningful to students to access information they need for class online. I now have the knowledge and resources to enhance my online connections and take advantage of the technology out there. I think it would be great to start a blog or "Blackboard" for students to post comments and questions they might have. I want to make available accessible links and tools about topics covered in class.
The downside about online learning is students have to discipline themselves and be serious about the learning taking place online. I think some students will struggle since I know for me this is a challenge to motivate students to learn and live up to their responsibilities. I think when there is not a teacher in the classroom pushing students it will be easy for students to fall behind "out of sight, out of mind." I think the best way to help students with this is for the teacher to set great expectations, set deadlines for assignments that are due.
For my classroom I have a teacher website that the school has set up for me and I use it all the time. After starting my Masters in Educational Technology at MSU and having more experience with using technology in the classroom I want to make my website more meaningful to students to access information they need for class online. I now have the knowledge and resources to enhance my online connections and take advantage of the technology out there. I think it would be great to start a blog or "Blackboard" for students to post comments and questions they might have. I want to make available accessible links and tools about topics covered in class.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
UDL Checklist
UDL Checklist">
The checklist was a good way to ensure a quality lesson for students. It made me step back and evaluate the lesson I developed and its effectiveness for all learners. This checklist took me out of my comfort level of teaching and made me as a teacher look at my lesson from a different viewpoint which will improve my teaching.
The checklist was a good way to ensure a quality lesson for students. It made me step back and evaluate the lesson I developed and its effectiveness for all learners. This checklist took me out of my comfort level of teaching and made me as a teacher look at my lesson from a different viewpoint which will improve my teaching.
Monday, July 11, 2011
"The Scholarship of Teaching"
I really enjoyed reading "The Scholarship of Teaching." It was a good article to look back and reflect on of all the things I am doing in my classroom as well as things I might need to think about a little more and maybe change. I know for myself as a teacher I sometimes get caught up in my day to day routine and sometimes don't take the time to read articles about my teaching practices. I know for myself I reflect daily on how lessons go in my classroom and if something did not go as well as I had though ways to change it for next time.
I enjoy collaborating with my co-workers weekly and we all share great ideas that we can bring back to the classroom. As a new teacher this is very helpful as I am learning from experienced teachers and sharing some of my own ideas with them. The more ideas teachers collaborate together the greater learning I think takes place in the classroom.
I like the saying from the article "Teaching, by its very nature is exploratory." I find this statement very true in the fact that we are all exploring new ways to address topics in the classroom. We as teacher are finding new ways to explore learning taking place and students are exploring with each other and also exploring with the teacher. In my classroom students explore ideas with each other by working on projects or finding problems to solutions I give them. I think the best way to learn is by exploring with others and helping each other out.
I found "The Scholarship of Teaching" very intriguing. I find it helpful that the article discusses how teachers should think hard about constructing their framework of teaching. We also need change things as we go by what the students are learning during our lessons.
I enjoy collaborating with my co-workers weekly and we all share great ideas that we can bring back to the classroom. As a new teacher this is very helpful as I am learning from experienced teachers and sharing some of my own ideas with them. The more ideas teachers collaborate together the greater learning I think takes place in the classroom.
I like the saying from the article "Teaching, by its very nature is exploratory." I find this statement very true in the fact that we are all exploring new ways to address topics in the classroom. We as teacher are finding new ways to explore learning taking place and students are exploring with each other and also exploring with the teacher. In my classroom students explore ideas with each other by working on projects or finding problems to solutions I give them. I think the best way to learn is by exploring with others and helping each other out.
I found "The Scholarship of Teaching" very intriguing. I find it helpful that the article discusses how teachers should think hard about constructing their framework of teaching. We also need change things as we go by what the students are learning during our lessons.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Personal Growth Plan
Personal Growth Plan
My name is Melissa Thompson and I am a 7th grade math and science teacher in Pinckney, Michigan. My whole life growing up I have known that I wanted to be a teacher. I was a student who always had to work a little harder when it came to understanding concepts covered in class. I never shied away from asking for extra help and learned through perseverance and hard work I could master concepts. Through my school years I had math tutors that helped me when I struggled. When I got to middle school I had a great teacher who made math seem so much easier. From that point forward math started clicking for me and I loved working with numbers and decided that being a middle school math teacher would be right for me. I received my undergraduate degree from Oakland University and got my degree in Elementary Education with a major in math and minor in integrated science. I learned a lot of tips and techniques to become a great teacher in the classroom.
A class that I really enjoyed in the education program at Oakland University was my technology course (IST). The class was an introduction to technology and taught me how to design websites, create web quests and iMovies along with more ways to integrate technology in the classroom. Going through the class at Oakland I learned so much about technology that I never knew before and in my mind I thought it would be really great and beneficial for me to get my masters degree in this area. Technology is the new innovation being taught in classes today and I want to be using all the new tricks of the trade in my very own classroom. I am going into my third year teaching. Since I have graduated, I’ve been fortunate both here in Michigan and in North Carolina, to have taught in highly equipped classrooms with state of the art technology. Having enjoyed the technology classes in my undergrad program, I was extremely excited about using all the technology in my own classroom. I was nervous about using it though as each technology device works a little differently whether it be a SMARTBOARD, Projection screen that is hooked up to a computer and can be projected onto the board, the Elmo , document cameras, slates that are hooked up to the SMARTBOARD or projection screen. I felt like I knew these technology devices at the introductory level, but did not feel confident and by no means did I feel like an expert when it came to using them. I have been learning a lot by working with this technology in my classroom but I still feel like I don’t have it mastered quite yet.
Getting my Master’s at Michigan State University in technology will help me become more of a well rounded teacher. I love technology and it can be challenging at times but when you problem solve and find things that works its really exciting. Its even more exciting to show the kids and teach lessons with the great ideas you come up with in technology. I use technology daily in my classroom but I want to become a master at it. There are endless possibilities in the classroom when it comes to using technology if you are assisted with the right equipment.
After the first week of attending the Educational Technology program at Michigan State University I have learned so much already. Learning everything this week has been a little overwhelming, challenging yet extremely informative. I have gained so much these past 4 days and am so excited to learn more in the weeks and months to come. This first week I have learned how to create and set up a blog which I have never done before. I now have a Twitter account and have been tweeting which I have never done before. I have learned how to create movies with voice and sound on a program called “Animoto,” become more familiar with programs in Google docs and have been introduced to programs I have never heard of before. Coming into the program I didn’t really know what to expect and after being in class these past four days I am really excited to see what more I am going to learn. I feel like I am at the point right now where I am still trying to understand some of the basic concepts with uploading images and links to my blog. I am thrilled about gaining all this knowledge and wealth of information and bringing these technological resources back into my own classroom.
My personal growth plan for the remaining portion of the 2011 summer classes is to continue understanding the concepts presented and putting them to use for the upcoming school year. I know it is going to require time, patience and perseverance. I’m very willing and motivated to conquer the skills for the practical implementation it will provide for both my students and I. The contacts I’m making in class will be good resources for problem solving this term and future professional growth.
For the next 2 to 3 years in the program my goal is to become very knowledgeable of teaching technology in the 21st century classroom. I would also like to become confident in using the different technology devices such as the flip camera, iPod, iPad and others. I have always thought I would be great to become the technology tech in the district. I also like the idea of being someone who trains teachers and districts on various technology resources coming out by companies.
With my personal technology plan “I believe” that it is important to have good communication with my students and parents. Since being in this class I have learned so many great tools and techniques to create a blog that I never knew about before and I am excited to create and start a blog for my own classroom. With the blog that I create I would like for it to have helpful links on concepts covered in class that students and parents can go to. I also think it would be great to create Podcasts with my lessons and post them on my blog for students to go back and listen to or for students to use when they are absent. On my blog I would also like to post news and information for students to know for example certain supplies students need to bring to class on certain days. When I myself start to feel more confident with blogs I would like for my students to create their own blog and use the blogs as helpful resources for themselves and others in the class.
My name is Melissa Thompson and I am a 7th grade math and science teacher in Pinckney, Michigan. My whole life growing up I have known that I wanted to be a teacher. I was a student who always had to work a little harder when it came to understanding concepts covered in class. I never shied away from asking for extra help and learned through perseverance and hard work I could master concepts. Through my school years I had math tutors that helped me when I struggled. When I got to middle school I had a great teacher who made math seem so much easier. From that point forward math started clicking for me and I loved working with numbers and decided that being a middle school math teacher would be right for me. I received my undergraduate degree from Oakland University and got my degree in Elementary Education with a major in math and minor in integrated science. I learned a lot of tips and techniques to become a great teacher in the classroom.
A class that I really enjoyed in the education program at Oakland University was my technology course (IST). The class was an introduction to technology and taught me how to design websites, create web quests and iMovies along with more ways to integrate technology in the classroom. Going through the class at Oakland I learned so much about technology that I never knew before and in my mind I thought it would be really great and beneficial for me to get my masters degree in this area. Technology is the new innovation being taught in classes today and I want to be using all the new tricks of the trade in my very own classroom. I am going into my third year teaching. Since I have graduated, I’ve been fortunate both here in Michigan and in North Carolina, to have taught in highly equipped classrooms with state of the art technology. Having enjoyed the technology classes in my undergrad program, I was extremely excited about using all the technology in my own classroom. I was nervous about using it though as each technology device works a little differently whether it be a SMARTBOARD, Projection screen that is hooked up to a computer and can be projected onto the board, the Elmo , document cameras, slates that are hooked up to the SMARTBOARD or projection screen. I felt like I knew these technology devices at the introductory level, but did not feel confident and by no means did I feel like an expert when it came to using them. I have been learning a lot by working with this technology in my classroom but I still feel like I don’t have it mastered quite yet.
Getting my Master’s at Michigan State University in technology will help me become more of a well rounded teacher. I love technology and it can be challenging at times but when you problem solve and find things that works its really exciting. Its even more exciting to show the kids and teach lessons with the great ideas you come up with in technology. I use technology daily in my classroom but I want to become a master at it. There are endless possibilities in the classroom when it comes to using technology if you are assisted with the right equipment.
After the first week of attending the Educational Technology program at Michigan State University I have learned so much already. Learning everything this week has been a little overwhelming, challenging yet extremely informative. I have gained so much these past 4 days and am so excited to learn more in the weeks and months to come. This first week I have learned how to create and set up a blog which I have never done before. I now have a Twitter account and have been tweeting which I have never done before. I have learned how to create movies with voice and sound on a program called “Animoto,” become more familiar with programs in Google docs and have been introduced to programs I have never heard of before. Coming into the program I didn’t really know what to expect and after being in class these past four days I am really excited to see what more I am going to learn. I feel like I am at the point right now where I am still trying to understand some of the basic concepts with uploading images and links to my blog. I am thrilled about gaining all this knowledge and wealth of information and bringing these technological resources back into my own classroom.
My personal growth plan for the remaining portion of the 2011 summer classes is to continue understanding the concepts presented and putting them to use for the upcoming school year. I know it is going to require time, patience and perseverance. I’m very willing and motivated to conquer the skills for the practical implementation it will provide for both my students and I. The contacts I’m making in class will be good resources for problem solving this term and future professional growth.
For the next 2 to 3 years in the program my goal is to become very knowledgeable of teaching technology in the 21st century classroom. I would also like to become confident in using the different technology devices such as the flip camera, iPod, iPad and others. I have always thought I would be great to become the technology tech in the district. I also like the idea of being someone who trains teachers and districts on various technology resources coming out by companies.
With my personal technology plan “I believe” that it is important to have good communication with my students and parents. Since being in this class I have learned so many great tools and techniques to create a blog that I never knew about before and I am excited to create and start a blog for my own classroom. With the blog that I create I would like for it to have helpful links on concepts covered in class that students and parents can go to. I also think it would be great to create Podcasts with my lessons and post them on my blog for students to go back and listen to or for students to use when they are absent. On my blog I would also like to post news and information for students to know for example certain supplies students need to bring to class on certain days. When I myself start to feel more confident with blogs I would like for my students to create their own blog and use the blogs as helpful resources for themselves and others in the class.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Looking Back, Looking Forward
My personal learning network has expanded tremendously since starting the Masters of Arts in Education Technology classes at Michigan State University. I have become a part of such a bigger network of communicating with people and learning how to blog, joining Twitter and how to add comments to Wiki's. I plan to continue my learning network by continuing taking Masters of Arts in Educational Technology classes at MSU. I hope to continue the professional learning of my administrative colleagues by showing them what I've learned this summer with using technology in the classroom and being confident in answering questions that they have about technology.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
What Kind of Tech User Are You?
After taking the survey on what kind of tech user I am it stated I was a Digital Collaborator. I completely agree with this survey in the fact that I am a "Digital Collaborator." I enjoy working with others and find it helpful and a great learning experience when you collaborate ideas with other people. A good way to collaborate all your ideas is to use your Personal Learning Network.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
TPACK Mash-Up
After watching the video produced by Leigh, Punya and Mike it helped put in perspective how teachers can integrate learning and technology in the classroom using TPACK. In the video it defines what TPACK is and shows an alternative way of teaching concepts using the computer instead of students sitting in a classroom listening to a teacher or professor lecture. The video shows how students can start to access lessons and lectures on their computers and watch the lectures on their couch at home instead of actually going to class. I think this idea has both a positive and negative side when it comes to students listening to lectures on their computers at home instead of actually going to class and listening to a professor discuss a topic. The positive side of this is it would help save money for the school or University and if students are not able to make it to class they have a way to access the information that they need on their own computer. Some negative aspects of this is students who cannot afford computers and cannot buy one could have a disadvantage. Students also would not get the true school experience interacting face to face with classmates as well as teachers and professors. I thought the video was very encouraging and an eye opener to what education can look like in the 21st century.
Dinglehopper Quickfire
Watch the first 46 seconds of this video to have a better understanding of what a Dinglehopper is.
A Dinglehopper is a tool that can be used for many different things. With the Dinglehopper Quickfire we chose to use a pen and with the pictures it represents that a pen can be used for a gardening tool and a lock pick. Write your own comment in the comment section as another way to use a pen.
Quickfire lesson:
First we would show our students the dinglehopper lab we created on our blog. In a group of 2 or 3 people students will find an ordinary object and will have to think of at least 3 different ways the object can be used for. Students will need a camera to complete this quickfire.
A Dinglehopper is a tool that can be used for many different things. With the Dinglehopper Quickfire we chose to use a pen and with the pictures it represents that a pen can be used for a gardening tool and a lock pick. Write your own comment in the comment section as another way to use a pen.
Quickfire lesson:
First we would show our students the dinglehopper lab we created on our blog. In a group of 2 or 3 people students will find an ordinary object and will have to think of at least 3 different ways the object can be used for. Students will need a camera to complete this quickfire.
Monday, June 27, 2011
21st Century - Self Assessment
After taking the 21st century self assessment evaluation from my answers it shows my school as a Policy Making School. This means that my school supports both core subject mastery along with critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration. I agree with these results, our school has state of the art technology and teachers are learning ways to integrate technology with daily lessons.
Quickfire - What Is... Mobile Devices
This picture represents Mobile Devices. The figure on top of the blue block is a bird that represents Twitter. The car right next to the bird is going to bring the bird to the end result the bridge. To get to the end result the car will follow the road but run into roadblocks. This represents how mobile devices such as Twitter, Blogs, iPods, iPad, and iTouch are used in the classroom but sometime there are roadblocks to get us to the end result.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Creative Commons Lab
Original Image: "Pi"
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/4295166359_d5aae037f0_m.jpg
By: NicoCanali
Released under an Attribution 2.0 Generic:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en
This image will be used in the classroom when we celebrate "Pi day." "Pi day" is March 14th and on "Pi Day" my students do various activities involving the number Pi. Students design a Pi postcard and send it to a teacher, they also bring in a round circle object to eat and share with students in class, and we also sing Pi songs.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64525344@N04/5873580190/
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wordle
This wordle represents everything I learned the first week in MAET year 1. The first week was overwhelming and intense but after I look back at everything I learned its exciting to think about. I learned how to create, post reflections and upload pictures on a blog. I created a Twitter account and have started using Twitter. I am starting to become more confident using Google Docs and many tools in google. I learned how to post on a wiki and worked with a program called "Animoto" to create a video on what I believe about technology. In class we have done a lot of fun activities such as going around the MSU campus and taking pictures, technology speed dating, daily quickfires and discussed creativity.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
QR
My QR design I created on JumpScan. One great way to use QR's in my classroom is to have students create a QR about themselves as a getting to know you activity at the beginning of the year.
Creativity Activity
A lot of great activities were facilitated involving creativity that can be used in the classroom. I really enjoyed picking an object out of a bag and students had to think of as many ways that the object can be used for. The object that I pulled out of the bag was electrical tape and I listed all the various ways electrical tape could be used for in a creative way. This activity made me think outside the box and I enjoyed this because we get stuck in your day to day routines and sometime I don't think of ideas and concepts in different ways sometimes. Another fun activity we did was we partnered up with classmates and used the objects we picked out of the bag and the object our partner picked out of the bag and we had to think of creative ways to make the two objects work together. I am very excited to use these creative activities in my own classroom this next coming school year.
Technology Speed Dating
The learning tool that I looked into is "Mindomo" this is a brainstorming and graphic organizing program that teachers and students can use in the classroom. This program seems similar to bubble.us but there are more tools to use in the program. The set-up of the program is very similar to Microsoft word and has lots of options to choose from when creating a mind map. When using "Mindomo" students or teachers create mind maps that they can share with others and make it public or they can create a map and make it private.
this is a free program and has many level of upgrades. The downfall about this program is if you want an upgrade you have to pay for the program.
Mindomo
http://www.mindomo.com/
this is a free program and has many level of upgrades. The downfall about this program is if you want an upgrade you have to pay for the program.
Mindomo
http://www.mindomo.com/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
MAET Cohort 1 Questions
1. In my classroom I have integrated technology in many ways. Every teacher is equipped with a smartboard and elmo for their own classroom and I use these technology devices everyday. I show daily warm-ups on the smartboard as well as presentations that I put together in PowerPoint or lessons I find on Smart Exchange. I also use the elmo daily for showing students answers from previous nights homework or pointing out important concepts that students need to pay attention to when given an assignment. Students in our district have their very own MacBook computer that they bring to class everyday and assignments are also given to students where they have to use their computer to find answers for various assignments. Using technology in the classroom is very beneficial to students as this is the new way of teaching and students learning in the 21st century.
2. Some helpful educational resources that I find helpful include... SMART Exchange, Watercycle , Cool Math games
2. Some helpful educational resources that I find helpful include... SMART Exchange, Watercycle , Cool Math games
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)