Looking at the NETS-S I find that my current strengths include professional development (as shown through the pursuit of this degree), modeling digital-age work and learning (represented by my class website with frequent added elements/tools), and designing/developing digital-age learning experiences/assessments (shown through my differentiation and modified lessons based on prior knowledge, learning style and rate of learning).
The two standards I struggle with include promoting/modeling digital citizenship/responsibility, and facilitating/inspiring student learning/creativity. When showing a power point presentation, I usually do not provide the students with the exact location or reference information for the pictures, videos, sound clips, et cetera that I have inserted. Through my discussion of the slide I might mention the search engine or way that I located this piece, but I do not do a good job of modeling digital citizenship and responsibility. Another unfortunate truth is that I provide much additional information/resources on the website I maintain for my class, but with such a low income area very few homes have internet access and therefore are not as able to utilize the tools I have worked hard to provide. I do, however, have two classroom computers that I allow students to use during homeroom for this reason, but this is still not as equitable as it would be in an ideal situation.
My goals for improving the promotion and modeling of digital citizenship and responsibility include a stronger focus on interacting (professionally) with others via the web, as well as being sure to include the proper citations for every tool not originally created by me. My goals for better facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity include utilizing student blogs to discuss the learning process, as well as provide students opportunities to experience more real world applications through virtual field trips, discussions with professioanls in the field, et cetera.
Since school is not in session currently, I will plan to review the power points I have used in the past and attempt to relocate files and insert proper documentation; if the file's origin cannot be found, then I will replace the file with a new one including documentation. I would like to set up a video conferencing opportunity between my class and several professional contacts I have in the field of study that I will be teaching. I will have to check on the technological logistics of this when the technology director returns from vacation. As for student blogs, I would like to find a free or cheap host site where students must log in to post their ideas anonymously, but to where I can see who is posting them. Teaching middle school students, I worry about inappropriate comments and/or teasing occurring due to posts made. Do you know of such a thing?
I plan on evaluating my progress made in these standards at the beginning and end of each unit so that I can compare and calculate my growth.
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Sarah,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though you have a great GAME plan in place. I too have not inserted proper citations for images and information that I have included in some of my instructional presentations. Like you, I plan on revisiting these presentations to include citations in order to model the skills that I would like for my students to learn.
Last year was the first year that I maintained an instructional website for my students and their families to utilize as a resource. What type of materials do you place on your website?
Heather Streb
Heather,
ReplyDeleteOn my class website I have review sheets for each unit we cover, videos showing the science concepts discussed in class (great for visual learners and absent students), links for remediation as well as enrichment for each unit discussed, the standards covered, materials for parents and a blog for the students to post questions. You can visit my website at scmsearthscience.weebly.com
Thank you,
Sarah Jordan