Reflection EDU 6713I-1

It is amazing how much one's outlook can vary when given the tools and correct path to follow.  My opinion of technology in the classroom has changed in the time I've been taking classes at Walden.  Initially, I began taking these courses to gain an understanding of technology in the classroom; the main reason being my district is extremely behind in using technology and I am interested in learning more about it.  From day one I wanted to spear head, or at least help lead the way in the push forward in bring more technology into the district.  This class alone has taken me up another step and helped gain more knowledge to back up my ideas and guide/instruct others forward.

A main goal I have in the upcoming years for my classroom is simply this: bring more technology in and make the environment a more successful one for a more diverse learning culture.  The course has provided so many different avenues to go about using technology and given a firm foundation to build off of.  I have a much better understanding of these methods and after our weekly discussion boards, have so many new ideas to implement.

Something I find amazing is how beneficial our weekly discussion boards really are...not too mention we are utilizing the exact basic structure of technology (online technology and communication/collaboration).  I think it is safe to say that many of us gain just as much if not more from the discussion boards than from anything else.  Is there another place, outside of a conference, where so many educators are together and sharing strategy, techniques, giving and receiving ideas, providing help and support and being another set of experienced eyes to bounce ideas off of?

I am very excited about implementing more social networking in the form of assignments in my Health classroom.  The thought of having the students do homework and other class assignments on a forum that is meant for fun (and hopefully, in my mind, associating "fun" with work will help...) is something I think may be very successful.  I am also interested in incorporating Voice Thread into some assignments along with a technology we have just recently learned more about, digital storytelling.  Any of these forms of technology will indefinitely allow and enable students to be more engaged class and be creative in today's world.

I think all good educators have a common goal: create a successful learning environment and give all students an opportunity to a quality education.  With the ever changing, fast paced world we live, technology is only growing.  The students of today will need to be able to use and understand this technology to have a positive impact on workforce.  Allowing an 8th grade student to use technology in the classroom is giving that student the much needed practice to master, or at the very least, be exposed to the essential 2.0 web tools needed for the future.  This class has just given me the tools paired with the ideas and built a foundation for me to pass along information for students in the years to come.

Ken Hartling

Carrying out my GAME Plan!

The single biggest part of my GAME plan being a success is speaking and collaborating with other educators.  As stated in my goals, I would like to be a leader in bringing more technology to my school district.  A problem I've had right off the bat was the negative vibes towards the use of technology by some of the more experienced educators.  I have continued to speak with them and also made it possible, by providing material and references, for them to look at using more technology in the classroom.  I have sent them each a website of a Voice Thread I produced for a previous Walden Class as an example of how the new technology may be used!  I do think I am slowly winning them over and hopefully changing their distaste towards technology!

I, like most of the other educators in this class, are trying to incorporate as much technology as possible in the classroom.  Something I am trying to avoid (and after speaking with another educator, the point makes a lot of sense) is just using technology for the sake of using technology.  If the lesson is not better with technology being used, I will not use it.  I have been in contact with the district technology coordinator and my department chair in hopes of  having a smart board installed in my room and to provide, at the very least, a short workshop regarding the use of smart boards!

I am currently in the process of trying to get clearance to attend a day long workshop in Albany, NY regarding the use of technology in the classroom.  The newsletter I received directly coincides with what we are learning in this class: how to bring more technology into today's classroom and enable our students to use and learn the technology.  I am hoping that the district will grant permission to attend so I can add this as a resource to my learning experience regarding the use of technology.   

All in all, my end goal, above all other goals I may have or generate over time, is to ensure the students that I have are given every and all opportunity to successfully learn the material I am teaching; if technology will help in this pursuit, I welcome any and all to add into my educator's tool belt.

Why the negative feelings towards technology...?

5B. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others

In sharing some of my technology thoughts with other educators, I was totally taken back by the negative comments and feelings towards using technology in the classroom.  I addressed a few fellow educators in the Health/P.E. department along with other teachers on the floor I teach on and the amount of people that felt technology and education are not meant to be mixed together was not what I was prepared for.

I simply brought up the ideas of introducing technology on a larger spectrum and made a point that if we all were on the same page and using similar technology along with pushing the importance of it for their futures, it would make the learning experience that much better for the students.  To be truly accurate, it seemed to me that some of the older, more experienced educators are against technology while the younger teachers welcome this shift in the classroom.  I think the teacher that has been around for 15-20 years is set in their ways and potentially afraid to learn new technology (outside of a projector and DVD player).   Younger educators that I work with seem to already implement the technology they have access to.

This was something I was not really expecting to encounter and at this point am somewhat unsure of how to go about encouraging technology use and trying to show other educators how powerful and important it is to our students' future.  I requested a quick meeting with the principal to discuss this issue.  I have no problem taking the lead in technology and attempting to show others some of the new applications out there for educators (for example, only a few teachers I work with have even heard of "voice thread"...).

Has anyone experienced this?  If so, how have you handled it? What steps did you take in trying to explain to other educators the importance of technology in the classroom?

-Ken

Ken's Health Class GAME Plan

NETS-T Goals:

2A. design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

5B. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others

As educators, our job is to give students the best opportunity to learn and have a positive, influential learning experience.  The modern day student, whether it is a 2^nd grader or junior in High School, should be exposed to today’s technology.  Technology is the future and for our students entering the workforce, an essential skill to proficient at for success.  Using 2.0 web tools for today’s student is much like previous generations labor workers being able to use their hands; without the basic knowledge and skills, one can not take the next step in the learning process.  It is imperative that we as educators expose students to the technology at our disposal.  This will give students the necessary practice to master these technological skills and create a better learning experience for each individual. 

I have chosen the NET-S areas 2A and 5B, listed above, to further develop classroom education and student technology use.

The goals I have for my classroom is to help students further understand the negative effects that using and abusing tobacco have on the lungs and body.  In doing so, technology in the form of a computer program, will enable the students to take a “3D virtual fieldtrip” inside of the lungs and other parts of the body to further develop their understanding.  In allowing the students to examine and choose their own paths of discovery, this will create a better learning environment and allow each specific student to create a unique experience at their own pace and discretion.

The action is a simple, yet effective strategy to allow students this experience.  To begin with, the program “Take a Trip into the Body: Exploring Tobacco Abuse” must be obtained and loaded on the computers.  It is also imperative to book the computer lab for two to three days during the Tobacco Unit.  After the students have acquired a basic understanding of tobacco products, an introduction to the program will be performed using the classroom Smart Board.  Students already have usernames and passwords for the school system, eliminating one of the steps needed to ensure students can access each computer.  The classes will go down to the lab at their respective period and begin exploring the interactive, 3D program and navigate through the menus however he or she wishes to do so. 

I will monitor the activity simply by making my way around the room and observing the students and taking notes on each class and how they used the program.  A nice addition to the computer program is after each student has concluded his or her exploration; a small quiz/review will be generated by the program depending on what each student did that day.  The quiz/review is saved to the master computer used by the teacher where I can see how each student has progressed.  This will be very interesting and will directly allow the educator to see the students progress class by class. 

For myself, I will collaborate with other educators that I know use this program.  It was recommended to me by a fellow Health teacher in a local district that has had great success using it.  I am unsure whether or not other programs are available (example, alcohol and body, pregnancy and the body, etc.) and depending how this program goes, if more are available, I will utilize them and make any adjustments from the notes I will take and the students recorded progression.

Resources:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for
teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved on January 12, 2012 from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx