Course Reflection: New and Emerging Technologies

The learning activity that I developed in Weeks 6 and 7 involves the use of the educational video game Immune Attack, which can be found and downloaded from the website for the Federation of American Scientists (http://www.fas.org/programs/ltp/games/index.html). It is an interactive, multi-level video game where students maneuver through various components of the immune system and make decisions based upon what they encounter. In a strange turn of events, I actually met the creator of the game this past weekend! I attended the USA Science and Engineering Festival on the National Mall, where hundreds of organizations presented over 1500 interactive science exhibits. Ironically, one of the exhibits that I visited had Immune Attack on display! It turns out the woman who designed the game, and is designing the new version of the game, was there and I was able to talk to her about it. I was also able to see kids playing (and enjoying!) the game.
Prior to this class, I would have put myself into the group of people who are skeptical about educational video games, both in their ability to teach and the practicality of using them in the classroom. Now, as a result of this class, I have completely changed my position. I am looking forward to finding more educational video games and I hope that many new ones are produced in the near future. I see now that good educational games provide authentic learning experiences, and that students become highly engaged in the games. While I have learned about many emerging technologies during this course, I know that I will focus on identifying emerging educational video games for use in my classroom. I am now also more prepared for effecting change in my school by encouraging other educators to adopt this type of technology, as well.

APP4: Online Learning with Course Management Systems

Please view my Voice Thread presentation about web-based course management systems.

Reaching and Engaging All Learners through Technology - Final Reflection

Throughout this course, I have learned about the principles of Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction, as well as how to use technology as I implement those principles. In the Differentiation Station social network, my group compiled many resources that provide tools and ideas for using technology to help make content accessible to all students. Of the resources we gathered, I plan to make immediate use of the resource which introduce technologies that correspond to various learning styles and multiple intelligences. In my own classroom, this is an area where I have room for improvement. While I do use a variety of technology tools, all students have been required to use the same tools at the same time. As a result of what I have learned in this class, I plan to immediately adjust my instruction so that not all students are using the same technology at the same time. I will use the resources from my Differentiation Station network to find technology tools that customize learning based upon learning style.

In addition to resources, my group also posted information about research that supports UDL and DI. I plan to use these research findings to support a presentation that I will make to my department about incorporating these principles into our instructional practices.

Final Reflection

The GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009) that I developed and followed involved learning about wiki programs and networking with others to discuss the inclusion of wikis in instruction. I wanted to hear how other teachers had used them and whether or not they were effective. I do not want to use technology for the sake of using technology in my classroom – I want to use it in a way that results in increased student learning. As a result of my GAME plan, I learned a lot about how others use wikis and I feel confident about incorporating them into my classroom. I also became more familiar with the wiki program provided by my school so that I can use it effectively next year.

The immediate adjustments that I will make to my instructional practice will not take effect until next school year, as I am finishing the 09-10 school year as I write this blog entry (students are taking their FINAL final!). I plan to incorporate wikis in addition to other technology tools as much as possible next year. I want to find a way to incorporate at least one new technology aspect in each unit in both of my prep areas, which are Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology. Since HA&P is a new class for me, I would like to incorporate even more technology tools. Ideally, I would like to center the curriculum around 21st century skills. Since I have no strict curriculum guidelines for HA&P, I have free reign to experiment with problem-based lessons and technology. I see this class as a learning opportunity for both me and my students, and a place where I can really hone my skills with many technology tools. As I do, I will also incorporate more problem-based learning and technology into my Biology classes. The Biology classes have a very extensive curriculum, so I sometimes fear trying something new and failing, therefore wasting valuable time.

As a result of this course, I have learned many new ways to effectively integrate technology into my curriculum, as well as some new technology tools that I have never used. I still feel like I have a lot to learn, though. I will continue to use the GAME plan approach to setting and achieving my goals when it comes to technology integration.


References

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.

Introducing the GAME Plan to Students: Week 7

The GAME plan process is versatile and can be used any time I want my students to be self-directed learners. I can use the GAME plan process with my students to help them meet the NETS-S standard of “Communication and Collaboration.” According to the indicators for this standard, students should be able to communicate and collaborate with other in a digital environment. While I know that my students use social networking sites, micro-blogging sites, and blogs in a social manner, I do not think that they use them for informational or educational purposes. I would like my students to set goals for themselves to regularly visit and participate in a blog, micro-blog, or other social network site for informational or educational purposes. I plan to have them research various sites for this purpose, then write a GAME plan for participating in two of the networks. They may also choose to create an aggregator account to keep track of the sites they choose.

Another way to incorporate the GAME plan process with students is to have them identify one technology tool that they would like to know more about, then create a GAME plan for learning how to use that tool, as well as why it is useful. Part of their plan would need to include creating a presentation for the class, so that all students benefit and learn the about the tool.

Week 6 GAME plan progress

What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
What goals are you still working toward?

So far, execution of my GAME plan has resulted in new ideas for incorporating wikis in my classroom. I also feel more confident with the program provided by my school, and I am aware of some other teachers in my building who can help me in this process.

Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?


I would like to set new learning goals for becoming familiar with and incorporating even more technology tools into my classroom. As I continue through my coursework, I am constantly learning about more and more ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. In addition, I need to use technology to enhance my own knowledge base. For example, I could create a twitter account to network with other educators.

What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?

To improve my learning, I need to spend more time investigating the uses of technology in the classroom. Educational newsletters and blogs contain current information about new technologies and how other teachers are using them. Keeping up with current educational news about technology will help me to achieve my goals of incorporating more technology into my classroom.

GAME Plan Update 6-2-10

At this point in my GAME plan, my actions have effectively helped me to meet my stated goals. In talking to colleagues, I learned important information about the wiki program provided by the school. I have also learned about new ways to incorporate wikis into my instruction from both colleagues and Internet resources. I have not had the opportunity to discuss the use of wikis with other teachers in my district. I will be able to address that part of my plan in the fall during professional development days.

I think I have learned a great deal about the uses for wikis in the classroom. I think the next step is to adjust my plan to include the development of lesson plans using wikis. I have set a goal for next year to assign at least one wiki project per quarter to my students. This new goal will ensure that I put what I have learned to good use in the classroom.