Reflection on EDUC 6715

As this class crosses the finish line, I think back on some very interesting technology topics that will enhance learning in the classroom. Looking back on my application assignment for week 6 and 7, I developed a lesson that used an online game for weather forecasting. Also included in the assignment was a plan for influencing adoption. As a Science "Specials" teacher, I have seen many fourth grade students struggle with the topic of weather and forecasting. I felt that something was missing in the curriculum to help these students. The idea of an on-line "game" would not convince people at my school that this was a step in the right direction. I felt that the word "simulation" had a more convincing sound to it. Students could interact with these simulations and make predictions with immediate response. Plus, it was a lot of fun. The final part of the assignment was to create a grant proposal. This was slightly challenging because I have had no prior experience with this process. Basically, with so few options in using the computer labs and no mobile units available, I would focus the grant process on obtaining a mobile laptop unit for the classroom. From what I have heard from our technology specialists, the funding would be around $18,000. If this grant became available, students would have their own classroom laptop for interaction with science simulations.

One area of technology that I am watching closely is the advancement of mobile devices. As stated in the Horizon Report by Johnson, Levine, Smith and Smyth (2009), "Over the past few years, mobiles have undergone a continual transformation becoming more capable and flexible with each new release". I was fortunate to be with my nephew when he purchased a mobile device that had everything but the cellular phone. I was amazed at its size and capabilities. After reading the report on these devices, it became clear of what the future will be in the classrooms.
These devices, in time, will be able to assist a student in the classroom with scientific research and recording. They will be able to graph information and display it in ways that the ordinary calculator can not. The possibilities could continue into other subjects for students. Perhaps one day students will no longer carry textbooks back and forth to class. I hope that teachers and the education systems are aware of this and will take advantage of the possibilities. To keep up with the demands of the 21st Century, teachers will need to prepare students with more basic skills that involve technologies. As for myself, I am preparing to take charge to lead students and teachers in the right direction so that we can compete in the global job market of the future.

Reference

Johnson, L., Levine, A., Smith, R., & Smythe, T. (2009). The 2009 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.

Spotlight on Emerging Technology: Online Learning in K-12 Schools

In this week's application assignment we were asked to create a presentation on online learning for K-12 schools for our colleagues. We were also asked to illustrate how this application could help support student learning. Even though I have had only a few experiences with presentations, I think I am getting better and more creative. My presentation can be found at:
http://www.voicethread.com/share/1026251/

Reflection on Reaching and Engaging all Learners Through Technology

As I finish out the final week of the course, I look back at the path of some very interesting concepts. Concepts such as UDL, Universal Design for Learning and DI, Differentiated Instruction brought a new perspective to how my classroom could reach all learners. Communicating with my classmates on a weekly basis through our Differentiation Station Network helped tremendously with those new concepts. As I explored the websites that we shared, large amounts of information were gathered. As a Science "Specials" Teacher, I found an interesting article from The Access Center called Differentiated Instruction for Science, that can be found at http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/sciencedifferentation.asp. The article basically gave me a clear picture of how DI could work in my Science classroom.

Some immediate adjustments that I am making toward my instruction are what I refer to as the beginning phases of DI in my classroom. With the knowledge gained from the course and some assistance from a colleague next door, I am giving students more options to succeed in Science. I am starting with a 4th Grade class by creating groups based on their academic strength. The advanced students will have a choice board of activities to choose from. The middle range students will have their assignments and will work independently with some assistance. My lower students will have constant assistance to guide them along.

The integration of technology into the class has been a slow process. I do use my laptop computer to bring up various educational websites plus, powerpoint presentations. I was promised an interactive white board, which has not been delivered yet. Having one desktop computer for thirty students to use will be quite a challenge. I may be able to use other computers in neighboring classrooms and those in the media center. At least, we are heading in the right direction even though we are moving at a slower pace.

References
The Access Center. Differentiated Instruction for Science. Retrieved February 6, 2010 from http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/sciencedifferentation.asp

Reflection

As the course draws to a close, there are a few things that I will definitely reflect on. The first is the development of my GAME plan. Originally, I had great visions of my students working creatively with technology and being able to reflect on their experiences with technology. The plan was to bring the mobile laptop cart into my science classroom to accomplish these goals. As I made these plans, administration had decided to create a third computer lab in an empty classroom with that cart. The room was available to anyone, and I soon learned that finding a time slot was not going to be as easy as I thought. When I did get the chance, many technical issues popped up with the laptops. I have now learned that this process of integrating technology into my science instruction will not happen overnight. I will not give up, but I have to be patient. Our technology team at school, has been my closest allies on this long road. Now I share my ideas with them to assure success. I look forward to the new year and to start over with a new improved GAME plan.

The second item of reflection is directly related to my instructional practice as a science teacher. Working on the wiki page with my fellow classmates was an exciting and rewarding experience. The fact that we were working together from different parts of the globe, still amazes me. It also made me think of our local stream down the road from the school, and all the possibilities of connecting technology with science. Over time, a new GAME plan began to develop, but in a different way. I always felt the best ideas were the ones that grew slowly. I look forward to spring and a class visit to the stream, and hopefully some new technology tools for science. Another idea that will enhance my science instruction, will be digital story telling. I find this concept to be a powerful way of getting the message out to the audience. Over time, this will become a regular part of teaching science to the many grade levels I see each day.

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

First, I have to apologize for being a day late with my Wednesday blog. I was unable to get an Internet connection on my computer. Hopefully, there will not be anymore problems.

Throughout this course, we were asked to make goals, set a course direction, correct what was not working, and learn from it. I have certainly had my ups and downs with the implementation of my technology goals within my classroom. We were able to take some small steps with the mobile laptop cart to help with science research. I plan to work closely with my technology team to speed up the process. I am a big fan of innovation and creativity in my science class. I am very excited about the idea of using digital storytelling with the student's science activities to enrich their learning.

Revising my GAME Plan

Being able to collaborate with my classmates on a project such as a wiki has been a great learning experience. Many of my coworkers at school find it amazing that a group of people from all parts of the globe can work together on a single project.

A goal that I am still working on is for my students to do a reflective blog on what they have learned in science. The mobile laptop cart has been placed in an empty classroom to become a third computer lab for our school, which has become very popular with all grade levels.

My new learning goal is to do something creative with movie making software and hand drawn pictures to make short science movies. I think that this idea would really get the attention of my students and help them understand various science concepts.

To improve my learning, I really want to set up time with our technology team and discuss ideas and goals that I have for my students and how to get started.

Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

I am happy to say that the new carpet that was put in during the break, looks and smells great. With the help of a few students, the classroom looks much better.

My first goal of having students learn about their world with the use of digital tools is still on hold. We have heard nothing from the company that wants to help our school. Maybe Santa will bring some new science equipment to my classroom. Goal #2 of students using technology to reflect on lessons, can happen with new scheduling procedures for the laptop cart.

What I have learned so far, is that some things require a lot of patience, especially new technology. Right now, I do have three digital devices for science but not enough probes for other experiments. Perhaps this is the time to become experts at what we have already. I will continue to research equipment that could be used to help in our lessons.