As I looked through the ISTE NETS Performance Indicators for teachers from, http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx
I realized that though I could use some improvement in each indicator because of its specific components, I would like to focus on indicator 2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and on indicator 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning. Both of these indicators seem like a great start for what I would like to accomplish next year, which is to use some of the technology tools that I already have in a better capacity than I have used them in the past.
For both of these indicators, I not only need to incorporate technology use to help students to understand and achieve, but I also need be modeling their specific uses during classroom time within my own lessons. Students need to see the critical and creative thinking behind technology use so that they can become comfortable themselves. Going back to the "GAME" plan introduced by Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer(2009) in thier text, I think that the following plan will work well to put in to place during the beginning of the next school year and even during the summer months that I will have off. In order to take the advice of our video resources this week, I would like to start off with one specific goal and then move on as I feel that I am progressing. I would like to focus on the use of my document camera in the classroom, as it is an amazing tool. I feel that this goal will help me with indicator number two by integrating the document camera in to lessons and units. I can then move to how to assess students as they begin using more technologies in the classroom. By specifically modeling these processes on a regular basis, I will become more comfortable with indicator three, as I will be sharing information more effectively and using technology to help support thinking in the classroom.
Goal- I will learn to more effectively use the document camera and its software in order to bring new ways of viewing documents,assignments, and using live tools such as cameras and video to the classroom first hand.
Action- I will ask my principal to move forward with the idea of having a specific professional learning class in the use of document cameras for teachers either during the summer months or at the beginning of the school year. I will also ask for the help of colleagues whom I know use this tool regularly in thier classrooms.
Monitor- I can monitor my own progress by taking a self inventory each quarter of the school year to ask myself how often I have used the document camera and its features in the classroom, how successful my experiences were, how the technology helped my lesson planning, and then move to other technology that I might explore.
Evaluate- I will ask myself what other technology goals can I make once I feel like I am comfortable with document camera use. I can also poll students on how they felt the use of the technology helped them to better understand the content.
I will be curious to read about other teachers' goals as far as technology and what steps you might be taking also :)
Christina:
ReplyDeleteYou are very fortunate to have such a great tool in your classroom. I have used a similar tool called an ELMO in my social studies classroom to share images with my students.
A document camera can be an excellent tool to share photos, objects, primary documents, and any resource to large groups of students without walking around showing individual students or groups of students. The neighboring art teacher to me uses it to show demonstrations. Instead of having 25 students cram around one table, she hooks up her document camera to the SmartBoard and her presentation (with her own hands) is projected on to the screen. She says it has been one of the best investments in technology she has made.
As part of your Goal in the GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009) you may want to consider now or in the near future, incorporating and monitoring student use of the document camera. How many times have you wanted your students to share something they have created? This would be an excellent way for students to share their own work with their peers. With this technology not only do the students in the front row see the work, but the students five rows back do too!
Good luck with integrating your document camera into your lessons!
~Jess
Jsne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your suggestion on monitoring student use of the document camera. I had actually not thought of student use as much as I had my own use to become comfortable. This is definitely something to think about!
Christina
Excellent idea Christina.
ReplyDeleteWe have these cameras in our school too. However, I have never felt comfortable using them in a lesson, and I use digital cameras all the time for my yearbook class!
Two teachers in the English department used them with the persuasion unit. One had his students create advertisements for a product of their choice and another teacher had her students create a PSA (public service announcement); both turned out very well.
You have inspired me to try this technology tool myself. (I will have to take the owner's manual home for the summer!) I am excited to see this process develop.
Georgana