As I reflect upon this course and the knowledge I have gained I cannot help but say wow! The new and emerging technologies that are currently before us and the ones just past the horizon are truly going to take us into a new era in education. Technology is an ongoing process and the new technologies described by Dr. David Thornburg as disruptive are causing everyone to learn new and more efficient ways of getting our jobs done. These new and emerging technologies are going to assist education because they will not only supplies endless amounts of undated information and sources but do it in a more efficient way (Laureate Inc., 2009). This course has been an opportunity to see how technologies are changing in not only a more functional way but at a lower cost (Laureate Inc., 2009).
My using a classroom blog has provided for me an example to share not only with my colleagues but my supervisors as well, concerning the opportunities that are there through the use of social networking. My blog from www.classpress.com gives my students a forum from which they can grow together with these new and emerging technoloies and allows others at my school to see the functionality of such a program. The ability to monitor this program with limited filtering has proven to my supervisors that programs such as this will be valuable learning experiences for not only my students but for adults as well.
The problems we face in the twenty first century are going to be a challenge, but no different from other centuries before us, the difference is in the the technology and where it will take us. These challenges in this century will be solved by the putting together of tremendous resources, the resources will be combined by technology. In the school business we are now charged with not only teaching the content that makes a student well rounded but now also delivering the strategies that would assist students in learning these valuable cooperative skills needed to succeed in the twenty first century.
My plans for the future are to take my classroom blog further and try and incorporate more of my local school classes and before year's end publish the blog to the internet with designs toward communicating with classes in other areas and maybe even outside the U.S. If we are able to accomplish these goals I feel we will truly see how powerful these tools will be and how fuctional they will be in preparing students for future challenges they will face in their adult lives.
John Poitevint
References:
Laureate Education, Inc., (Executive Producer). (2009). New and Emerging Technologies. Baltimore: Author.
Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Christensen, C., & Horn, M. (2008). How do we transform our schools? Education Next, 8(3), 12-19.
Johnson, L., Levine, A., Smith, R., & Smythe, T. (2009). The 2009 Horizon Report: K-12 Edition. Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Course Management Systems
Th ability of a teacher to help students is what teaching is all about.
Classpress
View more presentations from johnpoitevint.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Relection on class 6714I-3
Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Learning with Technology.
DI and UDL are techniques I believe all good teachers use from time to time. They use these because they care about their students learning and they want to see their students succeed. Dr. Stephanie Throne (Laureate Education,Inc. 2009), says it starts with a mindset. I agree, as a teacher I have gained from my coaching career because in coaching planning is essential for success, the classroom is no different.
As teachers, we will have many challenges to face in teaching a group of students. We know through multiple research that all students do not learn the same way. The one size fits all mentality is not a successful way to teach and it does not meet all the needs of our students. The need to find a plan, a format such as UDL and DI is essential to planning, designing, and instructing if those diverse needs are to be meet while working toward the same academic goals (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008).
Technology to me is then the key that opens the door to meet these multiple needs we now all see in our classrooms. Digital technologies are flexible, in a printed book the content, information, and displays are all fused together permanent and while that may open the door to learning for many, it may not for all. In digital technology content is stored but can be displayed in a multitude of ways and places, monitors, hand-held devices, screens, printed, and etc. You can change the format, the colors, the font, letters, almost anything in the display, all with the idea of letting students figure out ways to learn. So, technology can change how students view content, product, how it will most affect them and in essence change the learning environment for each student (Laureate Education, Inc. 2009).
The real challenge for teachers, at least in my way of seeing it is how. How to get all of this done in a time frame that does not confuse both teacher and student? Obviously planning ahead is the only way to make it work successfully. As a coach, I realize that if my players are not prepared for the situations that come up in the game they will not be successful, as a teacher I feel the same way about my students. Planning is the only way I can have them ready, the use of technology as both a planning tool and a tool to get the task done will help insure success. Standards for teachers will not go away. Students are expected to meet certain federal, state and local standards and as teachers our job is to see that it happens.
As teachers these mandates come first and teachers are obligated to use their skills, intellect, and ability to adapt is such a way as to create success for all students they teach. Through the use of such technologies as, going online, blogging, wikis, web 2.0 tools, and social networking where allowed, can open up a whole new way of understanding for all students as they prepare for twenty first century challenges they will all face. Everything we as teachers used to do was so limited, paper, pencil, textbook, chalkboard,and etc. Now there are endless ways to get information that is more current,more direct, and more effective. Technology offers a broad range of options but as Dr. Grace Smith indicates, it boils down to two things,"...it depends on the resources we have and the time we have to use them and the way we use that time". (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009). Understanding that today as teachers, our job is quickly evolving into a teacher/manager. Manager of materials (resources), and opportunities (time) and we are not the only knowledgeable person in the classroom and we are going to have to be more and more flexible if the job of outfitting our students with the knowledge they will need is to get done.
My plans after this course is to try and be a better manager and planner of time and resources for my kids. To try and find better ways to utilize technology to meet the individual needs of all my students. I have started a class blog. It does not publish to the web as of yet. My students have their own personal web page and it is really growing. We are using a similar format for discussions that we do in this class. I monitor the site at www.classpress.com. Parents are peeking in using their students password and are seeing the advantages this type of technology can bring. Two years ago if someone had suggested I would do something like this I would have though they were crazy...today I see the potential. This course has given me better insight into how to meet the individual needs of all my kids, I know it will not be easy, it will be a challenge, but the rewards are what I have my sights set on.
John Poitevint
Health Education
References:
Tomlinson, C. (2009). Learning profiles and achievement. School Administrator. 66(2), 28–33. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008) Universal design for learning. Laureate Education, Inc.
Smith, G., & Throne, S. (2007). Differentiating instruction with technology in K-5 classrooms. Belmont, CA: International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from Education Research Complete
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Smith G. & Throne, S
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Putting It All Together”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).). Reaching and
DI and UDL are techniques I believe all good teachers use from time to time. They use these because they care about their students learning and they want to see their students succeed. Dr. Stephanie Throne (Laureate Education,Inc. 2009), says it starts with a mindset. I agree, as a teacher I have gained from my coaching career because in coaching planning is essential for success, the classroom is no different.
As teachers, we will have many challenges to face in teaching a group of students. We know through multiple research that all students do not learn the same way. The one size fits all mentality is not a successful way to teach and it does not meet all the needs of our students. The need to find a plan, a format such as UDL and DI is essential to planning, designing, and instructing if those diverse needs are to be meet while working toward the same academic goals (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008).
Technology to me is then the key that opens the door to meet these multiple needs we now all see in our classrooms. Digital technologies are flexible, in a printed book the content, information, and displays are all fused together permanent and while that may open the door to learning for many, it may not for all. In digital technology content is stored but can be displayed in a multitude of ways and places, monitors, hand-held devices, screens, printed, and etc. You can change the format, the colors, the font, letters, almost anything in the display, all with the idea of letting students figure out ways to learn. So, technology can change how students view content, product, how it will most affect them and in essence change the learning environment for each student (Laureate Education, Inc. 2009).
The real challenge for teachers, at least in my way of seeing it is how. How to get all of this done in a time frame that does not confuse both teacher and student? Obviously planning ahead is the only way to make it work successfully. As a coach, I realize that if my players are not prepared for the situations that come up in the game they will not be successful, as a teacher I feel the same way about my students. Planning is the only way I can have them ready, the use of technology as both a planning tool and a tool to get the task done will help insure success. Standards for teachers will not go away. Students are expected to meet certain federal, state and local standards and as teachers our job is to see that it happens.
As teachers these mandates come first and teachers are obligated to use their skills, intellect, and ability to adapt is such a way as to create success for all students they teach. Through the use of such technologies as, going online, blogging, wikis, web 2.0 tools, and social networking where allowed, can open up a whole new way of understanding for all students as they prepare for twenty first century challenges they will all face. Everything we as teachers used to do was so limited, paper, pencil, textbook, chalkboard,and etc. Now there are endless ways to get information that is more current,more direct, and more effective. Technology offers a broad range of options but as Dr. Grace Smith indicates, it boils down to two things,"...it depends on the resources we have and the time we have to use them and the way we use that time". (Laureate Education, Inc, 2009). Understanding that today as teachers, our job is quickly evolving into a teacher/manager. Manager of materials (resources), and opportunities (time) and we are not the only knowledgeable person in the classroom and we are going to have to be more and more flexible if the job of outfitting our students with the knowledge they will need is to get done.
My plans after this course is to try and be a better manager and planner of time and resources for my kids. To try and find better ways to utilize technology to meet the individual needs of all my students. I have started a class blog. It does not publish to the web as of yet. My students have their own personal web page and it is really growing. We are using a similar format for discussions that we do in this class. I monitor the site at www.classpress.com. Parents are peeking in using their students password and are seeing the advantages this type of technology can bring. Two years ago if someone had suggested I would do something like this I would have though they were crazy...today I see the potential. This course has given me better insight into how to meet the individual needs of all my kids, I know it will not be easy, it will be a challenge, but the rewards are what I have my sights set on.
John Poitevint
Health Education
References:
Tomlinson, C. (2009). Learning profiles and achievement. School Administrator. 66(2), 28–33. Retrieved from Education Research Complete database
Laureate Education, Inc. (2008) Universal design for learning. Laureate Education, Inc.
Smith, G., & Throne, S. (2007). Differentiating instruction with technology in K-5 classrooms. Belmont, CA: International Society for Technology in Education. Retrieved from Education Research Complete
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Smith G. & Throne, S
Smith, G., & Thorne, S., (2009, November Engaging All Learners Through Technology. “Putting It All Together”. (Laureate, CD-ROM, 2009 release).). Reaching and
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
New Class, New Blog
Starting a new class, Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology (EDUC 6714I-3) creates new opportunity to understand better ways to reach students of the twenty first century. In order to engage those students needs and how to reach those students, teachers need information. Surveys can supply that information. I created a Student Interest Survey, on surveymonkey.com that can supply that need information, http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RHCV5FY . This information can set the tone for the semester by giving me as their instructor and better idea of what interest they have and how I can better meet their needs and stay true to my curriculum.
In addition, the use of a survey that gages the Multiple Intelligences will benefit my instruction by allowing me to see where I can fit into their abilities, new strategies. Using the site Multiple Intelligences that is based upon Dr. Howard Gardner's work, http://ttc.coeuga.edu/surveys/MultInt.html I can get a real sense of what make my kids tick. This will allow me to better understand where my kids are and how I can get them to success.
Learning styles and Profiles are another challenge that faces teachers today. In this age of diversity in America kids all learn differently. Having your finger on the pulse of how a student learns in the first step according to Dr. Caroll Ann Tomlinson (Tomlinson, 2009). Surveys can help in this area as well. Using a survey found at, http://learning-styles-online.com/ proved to be a good tool to study my students and the ways they learn and grow indivdually.
As a classroom teacher, and having filled the role of an assistant principal ,I have seen the difference it makes when students know that teachers care enough to look for answers to help their kids. The use of tools to help us know is the first step to helping them(students) learn. Bray, M., Brown, A. & Green, T., (2004), tell us that students all have different skills and abilities and it is our job to find ways to reach those students and bring about learning. Tools such as surveys, questionaires, and opinion poles can assist us at least in knowing where students are and why they are there.
John
HS Health
References
Tomlinson, C. (2009). Learning Profiles and Achievement. School Administrator. 66(2), 28-33. Retrieved from Educational Complete database.
Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Technology and the Diverse Leaner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
In addition, the use of a survey that gages the Multiple Intelligences will benefit my instruction by allowing me to see where I can fit into their abilities, new strategies. Using the site Multiple Intelligences that is based upon Dr. Howard Gardner's work, http://ttc.coeuga.edu/surveys/MultInt.html I can get a real sense of what make my kids tick. This will allow me to better understand where my kids are and how I can get them to success.
Learning styles and Profiles are another challenge that faces teachers today. In this age of diversity in America kids all learn differently. Having your finger on the pulse of how a student learns in the first step according to Dr. Caroll Ann Tomlinson (Tomlinson, 2009). Surveys can help in this area as well. Using a survey found at, http://learning-styles-online.com/ proved to be a good tool to study my students and the ways they learn and grow indivdually.
As a classroom teacher, and having filled the role of an assistant principal ,I have seen the difference it makes when students know that teachers care enough to look for answers to help their kids. The use of tools to help us know is the first step to helping them(students) learn. Bray, M., Brown, A. & Green, T., (2004), tell us that students all have different skills and abilities and it is our job to find ways to reach those students and bring about learning. Tools such as surveys, questionaires, and opinion poles can assist us at least in knowing where students are and why they are there.
John
HS Health
References
Tomlinson, C. (2009). Learning Profiles and Achievement. School Administrator. 66(2), 28-33. Retrieved from Educational Complete database.
Bray, M., Brown, A., & Green, T. (2004). Technology and the Diverse Leaner. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
John's Final blog post for 6713D-1
As this course comes to a close I would like to thank all my classmaes for all your support, suggestions, and keen insights, you have helped me learn. For Dr. Wolsey, our instructor in this virtual classroom, thanks for your patience and understanding, while I have not always agreed with your scoring, I recognize you have a job to do as my teacher. This course as been far and away my most challenging course at Walden University, and having said all of that, I feel I have grown in my understanding of blogging and wikis. I am hopeful the workload for my last two classes does not match this.
My GAME plan was two fold. First I wanted to grow and become more proficient in my ability to use digital technologies, and secondly, I want to be a better facilitator to my students in this new age of digital technologies. Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer (2009) point out that in order to be that good facilitator teachers need knowledge and skills of technology. The GAME plan is the vehicle that has helped me understand and apply those skills and knowledge by, setting goals, taking actions to reach those goals, constantly monitoring and improving, and evaluation.
Using standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (2008) (ISTE) web site and the National Education Standards for Teachers (NET-T), I chose standard 3.b to start my GAME plan. The goal of creating a personal classroom blog through http://www.classpress.com/ with the idea of creating a community of learners in my classroom with the goal of branching out into our school, community, and world. The idea of a personal class blog not published to the web that could be controlled and help my students understand the potential of social networking educationally that Vicki Davis calles "educational networking" (Laureate 2009), was my motivation. Final approval finally came on January 25th and we began this quest to learn more by pooling all our resources as a class together. With the normal start up issues and changes we have progress for the past five weeks. We now go to the computer lab every Wednesday and students can access the in class desk top to make their weekly discussions boards and comments, or can contribute from home. Success was immediate, my students loved the idea, it was a natural fit, with all the social networking they do through texting, facebook, and twitter, they set the tone. I hade to pull the reins in at times to keep them on the topic or subject. I am constantly following the GAME plan and monitoring, evaluating, and facilitating. The newness is wearing off so I am having to come up with inventive ways, and probling questions to keep them engaged. Overall the experience has been very good. We are setting weekly goals for the blog to get out parents more involved and that too is slowly taking place.
The immediate adjustments this course has provided for me is seen in my allowing students to have more control when we use digital technologies. We are currently starting a PBL in class and I give guidelines to facilitate choices of topics and technologies but the students are choosing the technology. I am seeing the creativity and determination to produce excellent projects. Trying to prevent the competition that Dr. Abrams spoke of is difficult (Laureate Education, 2009). My plan is to continue to use the resources learned in 6713 and become better in my understanding and application of these valuable digital tools to the point that my students have a proficiency that allows them to communicate and apply this effectively. Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer tell me my job is to "...teach thinking" (p. 23).
Thanks for all the support and good luck with your future endeavors at Walden.
John
HS Health
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standard-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). elmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009) Davis, V. Program: 10 Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas [Educational Video]. Los Angeles: Solution.
Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Abrams, A. Program: 12 Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas [Eduational Video]. Los Angeles: Solution.
My GAME plan was two fold. First I wanted to grow and become more proficient in my ability to use digital technologies, and secondly, I want to be a better facilitator to my students in this new age of digital technologies. Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer (2009) point out that in order to be that good facilitator teachers need knowledge and skills of technology. The GAME plan is the vehicle that has helped me understand and apply those skills and knowledge by, setting goals, taking actions to reach those goals, constantly monitoring and improving, and evaluation.
Using standards from the International Society for Technology in Education (2008) (ISTE) web site and the National Education Standards for Teachers (NET-T), I chose standard 3.b to start my GAME plan. The goal of creating a personal classroom blog through http://www.classpress.com/ with the idea of creating a community of learners in my classroom with the goal of branching out into our school, community, and world. The idea of a personal class blog not published to the web that could be controlled and help my students understand the potential of social networking educationally that Vicki Davis calles "educational networking" (Laureate 2009), was my motivation. Final approval finally came on January 25th and we began this quest to learn more by pooling all our resources as a class together. With the normal start up issues and changes we have progress for the past five weeks. We now go to the computer lab every Wednesday and students can access the in class desk top to make their weekly discussions boards and comments, or can contribute from home. Success was immediate, my students loved the idea, it was a natural fit, with all the social networking they do through texting, facebook, and twitter, they set the tone. I hade to pull the reins in at times to keep them on the topic or subject. I am constantly following the GAME plan and monitoring, evaluating, and facilitating. The newness is wearing off so I am having to come up with inventive ways, and probling questions to keep them engaged. Overall the experience has been very good. We are setting weekly goals for the blog to get out parents more involved and that too is slowly taking place.
The immediate adjustments this course has provided for me is seen in my allowing students to have more control when we use digital technologies. We are currently starting a PBL in class and I give guidelines to facilitate choices of topics and technologies but the students are choosing the technology. I am seeing the creativity and determination to produce excellent projects. Trying to prevent the competition that Dr. Abrams spoke of is difficult (Laureate Education, 2009). My plan is to continue to use the resources learned in 6713 and become better in my understanding and application of these valuable digital tools to the point that my students have a proficiency that allows them to communicate and apply this effectively. Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer tell me my job is to "...teach thinking" (p. 23).
Thanks for all the support and good luck with your future endeavors at Walden.
John
HS Health
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standard-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). elmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009) Davis, V. Program: 10 Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas [Educational Video]. Los Angeles: Solution.
Laureate Education Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Abrams, A. Program: 12 Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas [Eduational Video]. Los Angeles: Solution.
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