In this stage of my career, having not yet obtained a full-time position, The NETS-T indicators I would most like to strengthen are; 2 a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity, and 2 b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
G: my Goal. What I would like most for my own classroom is to break away from the textbook and photocopied worksheets and develop an entirely student-centered and technology rich curriculum, paperless even? I would like to walk into my first teaching position with the confidence of having outlined a curriculum map and organized all the unit plans necessary to complete the course in a logical sequence that allows students to continually build upon previous units in order to create more complex projects and products.
A: Action. In order to accomplish this goal I will pull form my student-teaching experience the practices of my mentor teacher whom I would most like to imitate and use this as my starting point. I will then examine the State curriculum, specifically the fifteen topics, and brainstorm new or use internet resources to locate ideas for project-based, technology-enriched learning activities which will address the content at a comprehension level appropriate for my students, as well as prepare them for their regional exams. Finally I will arrange the material in a logical manner and organize both unit and curriculum outlines.
M: Monitor. In order to accomplish this goal, I will need to set deadlines for completing portions of the task. An achievable work schedule might be to brainstorm one learning activity per week, and organize one unit every two or three weeks. Unless of course I actually get hired for a position; then I would need to accelerate the project.
E: Evaluate. I will need to set up a system to organize my ideas and materials. I prefer digital archives as they are easiest to modify and duplicate when necessary, and conserve space. I will also keep a journal to record personal thoughts on the progress toward my goal. I should set a date each month to reflect back on my journal and assess my progress. I can extend my learning by sharing my completed curriculum map with colleagues through a blog or web site where others are free to borrow or make suggestions to improve my work.
7 comments:
Hi Tracy,
Sorry I'm not in your group again! :(
Good luck implementing your GAME plan. How is your research thing coming along? I need some motivation to write up what I have done so far!
Regards,
Lisa
Hi Tracy,
I think that your goal of creating a paperless, technology rich curriculum is fantastic! Ultimately, I think that it should be everyone's goal to do the same. I, however, have one concern for you: What if you don't have a classroom where there is technology available? In the future, I hope that it will not be a problem, but in both schools I have taught in, each classroom had a single computer for the teacher. The computer labs always seem to be in high demand, so computers are not always available and flexibility is always needed.
According to Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009, p. 88) "a single computer as a learning station can support the differentiation of instruction and flexible grouping strategies." You may want to plan for this as your "worst-case scenario." At least then you will be fine until you are able to write a grant to get some more technology into your room. Of course you'll probably have an existing textbook set when you find a job, and you could copy worksheets if you needed to. Hopefully that won't be necessary!
Best of luck on your job search!
Jeremy
Hey Tracy,
It is so good to see we have another class together!
Your game plan sounds phenomenal. I love your idea, and if I had children of my own I would want you to be there their teacher.
Your idea of a paperless classroom is great, I think that is where the world is headed, both in the classroom and the business world. Have you ever heard of Moodle? It is like an online classroom where teachers can post assignments and students can turn in assignments, allowing it to be completely paperless. Check out more information on Moodle at this link, https://moodle.org/login/.
Digital archives, in my opinion, are the best thing ever for teachers. In stead of tearing apart filing cabinets wondering where that great lesson from last year went, it can be pulled up with the click of a button.
Hi Lisa, I do miss working with you! Since I have no class of my own, I am implementing my research through another teacher. We are making some great progress, but I fear that I may have more anecdotal data (teacher reflections) than quantitative (strict numerical). I'm going to write it up anyway as I feel that as a team we have made some progress toward creating a better classroom environment. And I already have a head start on sharing with colleagues!
Hello Jeremy, Your point about technology availability is a good one. However, with some careful planning I feel that it would be easily overcome, at least in this district. It is a very small school but we have two computer labs, two additional rooms with laptop carts, a couple more portable laptop carts and an ipad cart. In addition, each classroom has three laptops that are always available for student use. I also wonder about bending the rules a bit and allowing students to use their own devices. A large number of them have phones capable of recording video, some even have smart phones and can access the internet. And yes, the textbook would be an "if all else fails" alternative.
Hi Stacy, I have heard of Moodle, but have yet to go check it out. Thanks for reminding me to do that!
Hey Tracy!
I really like your goal. I think many teachers still fall back on worksheets way too much. I feel that most of them are just time fillers. Have you looked at the website edmodo? Its like a classroom Facebook that students can sign into. You can leave messages and links, as well as homework and notes. It might be a good alternative to homework journals and diaries.
Josh
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