To strengthen my proficiency in providing meaningful and applicable education to all my students with diverse learning abilities, I am gradually adding to my “technology toolbox.” Discussions with my colleagues in school and through the discussion board in this course have proven somewhat beneficial, though very few teachers in my school use technology in a regular basis, so new ideas are hard to come by.
I don’t think I need to modify my action plan at this time, though I do think I need to find the time to focus myself on finding new tools that I have yet to try. Time has been my major concern.
I have learned that the time spent in planning to incorporate technology in a lesson increases the level of students’ engagement in class and it raises the level of excitement especially if they are learning something new. I have learned also that presenting a topic in relation to real life situations increases the value of what they are learning.
I don’t have new questions, but I do think that there need to be some kind of relation or a connection between computer classes and other subject areas teachers so they can discuss the available options for teaching our students the skills needed for a program or software that will be used in other class. The amount of time it takes to teach basic computer skills means a waste of instructional time which can be used in more productive ways if the students already have those skills.
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Joe:
ReplyDeleteLearning new technology tools to engage your students and working in consort with your school’s computer teacher sounds like a great plan. Is there a specific technology tool that you’re currently working with? I’ve found Voice Threads and screen captures are easy to learn and very flexible, easily adapted to different age groups and lesson activities. As I learn about the different technology tools that are available, I’ve found that in many cases, I also must teach needed computer skills to the students. I usually train a core of student “experts” to assist the other students in class and both parties eagerly collaborate to develop a plan to complete the assigned task.
Good Luck!
Karla
Joseph,
ReplyDeleteYou might want to try grouping students when they are working a project with computer skills. There should be someone in the group who has strong computer skills. This should take away a significant part of the "wasted" time you need to teach the computer skills.
The collaboration between subject teachers sounds like a great way to address these issues as well. Are you allowed to use inservice time or collaboration time to work in groups like this?
Karla,
ReplyDeleteCurrently, I am learning how to use Geometry SketchPad and GeoGebra software in classroom. I have known Geometry SketchPad for many years but I never taught Geometry class for at least six years until I had one class this semester and I am rushing myself to be comfortable using this program to be able to present it to my students ASAP.
Joe
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are some students with strong computer skills who can help with other students. This will create a challenge for the teacher in grouping the students.
The answer to your question is no, we are just getting some of those boring workshops for our professional development.
Joe