It is important that as teachers we become the best practioner that we can when it comes to education and technology. In speaking about technology, The International Society for Tecnology in Education has five standards that addressed areas of application that teachers must learn proficiency. There are several areas or indicators I feel good about. Facilitating and inspiring students' learning and creativity by promoting, modeling, and supporting students development is one of my strong suits but success has varied depending on the level of the student's capability.
Two standards I truthfully need help in is # 2. Design and Digital Age Learning and Assessments and #5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. The indicator for that #2 standard is
(A) Design or adapt relevant learning experience that incorporate digitals tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. Although, I have the ability myself to utilize many software programs and tools; getting my students and my classroom set up for these activities have been difficult and creating proper assessment for these activities and tools have been very difficult. Also, my school has limited access to technology and tools due to financial restriction.
The next indicator which is under standard #5 that I also need to strengthen is (A) Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative application of technology to improve student learning. Again, for me, making time and having time to connect with fellow teachers and educators a teacher organization that could provide further knowlege and resources that I can use in the classroom and share with my fellow teachers.
My "GAME" plan is to seek resources like the school's IT director, new technology software and tool, and fellow teachers to build my knowledge and application of using these technology tools. Sitting down with the IT director would definitely help me in creating proper assessments for my students. Also, by networking with fellow teachers in my school, district, and state and maybe even joing teaching organizations can allow me to grow more professionally and develop the leadership in me to further assist my colleagues as well as my students.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers
Hi Curtis,
ReplyDeleteYou have identified a number of appropriate actions to help you become more adept at designing proper assessments for your students. This is an area that can be a challenge. One action that you can consider is collaborating with your students on the design of assessments. You can seek their input with respect to the type of assessment that they feel is suitable. You can also allow them to help you develop the rubrics that you will use for your assessments. Education today should be about engaging students and including them as full partners in the teaching learning process. Of course this means that we teachers have to give up some of our power. The benefits however outweigh the negatives. Once you allow your students to become actively involved in the process at the level of lesson planning they will be more motivated as well as more interested in what transpires in the classroom.
Andrew Haynes
Hi Andrew,
DeleteThanks for the advice. I think that is a wonderful idea for students to help create the assessments. I also think the use of rubrics are beneficial because it sets the guidelines and expectations for students created by students. You are right, I think the more students are involved in the process of the learning they become stronger students and develop accountability.
Hi Curtis,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have a solid plan to becoming more fluent with technology. You mentioned that your school's lack of funds makes technology's accessibly an issue. I have often wondered about districts in this situation and how we can level the playing field for all students. It seems so unjust to have a students' readiness level partially determined by their schools financials. We are working so hard as teachers to make sure we teach student 21st century skills, but I can imagine this would be challenging with a lack of technology and or access to it. I would suggest looking into writing grants and seeing if tech companies would make donations. I think there is more money and people willing to give if they are just sought out. Best of luck to you!
-Lara Bushon
Hi Laura,
DeleteThank you for your wonderful advice. My students definitely need more access to computers and educational software. I will check into grants specific to classroom needs such as educational software, tools, and computers. Hopefully, there is something out there for us.