Today was one of two consecutive professional development days on integrating a technology grant into the Social Studies curriculum in my district. I learned a lot and look forward to applying it. Here is how my GAME stands.
My goal on designing and implementing lessons for the interactive whiteboard has progressed. I was able to see a demonstration on the notebook feature of the software and will be able to install it on my home computer tomorrow. This will allow me to transfer the “Do Now” activities onto the templates for the software including forced-choice assessments. This will be a great step in preparing to use the clicker response system along with the interactive white board. I am anxious about actually using the board since I have only been instructed on it and have never touched one. I was promised I can have “alone time tomorrow afternoon. My classroom unit will be installed in two weeks. I will have to arrange time to use and set up my system well before the first day of school. The time to learn all of the nuances of this technology has me thinking to modify my expectations on the use of the whiteboard. I do not want to use it for a novelty and will need to take my time to add to my repertoire of lessons for this. I have found more simulations and animations that will fit in nicely,
I spent the other half of my professional development day navigating my moodle account. I look forward to using the forum discussions to re-format my ongoing current events assignment that I mentioned in my week 3 discussion. The biggest need to integrate this program is time. I have to upload files, post links and activities as well as spend time exploring all the features of this product. Their are so many tools and functions that I must learn by doing, not watching somebody run through a presentation. I also need to scale back my original vision of using moodle until I have mastery of the program. I will post two projects for the first half of the year and the current events assignment which will recur every two weeks. The moodle will not allow me the parent access to information that I originally thought it would.
Tomorrow's professional development day will be applying the knowledge of today’s presentations.
Jim
8th SS
Jim,
ReplyDeleteHello, that's wonderful you are getting the opportunity to use an interactive white board. There are so many ways to have students participate in lessons through that tool. I had a smart board in one of my classrooms last year and I had 8th grade students arguing over who was going to write on the board. Also, your moodle ideas is great to have students interact on-line to events. I plan on using your idea in my Science class.
Good luck using your technology!
Alison Pietrzak
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, Good for you that you already have the advantage of learning technology tools to incorporate in your class. You can supplement this with self-directed learning practicing with so many free applications that are available online. I believe incorporating technology is a self-directed lifelong learning (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009).
ReplyDeleteReference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
H. S. Science
Florence
Thanks Alison and Florence,
ReplyDeleteI was really excited when I got the software for the interactive whiteboard installed on my home computer. I can now explore and set up assignments. Like Florence mentioned their are so many free templates and lessons I feel there is less pressure to design and create. I am very excited to start the new school year... Just not yet.
Jim
8th SS
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to what you are doing. Next week I am going to a training on Smart Response remotes so that hopefully I will be proficient at using them in the school year. I am excited about the possibilities of this formative assessment tool.
The ideas you have for your current events assignment also got me thinking about how I can integrate current events in a more structured way next year. I wrote a lesson plan for our last application. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the blog and in our class discussions. You have great ideas!
Paul McVey