In evaluating my GAME plan this week, reaching my goals that I have set are within reach. Within my professional learning meetings, some of the teachers discuss some different types of technology or ways they integrated technology within their lessons. My actions for this week was to discover new types of technology and how to use them effectively. Some of the new technology tools was Moodle, using video streaming within lessons to paint the picture, and teaching how to use search engines to complete research projects. Meeting with other faculty member helps gain knowledge of what other types of technology other teachers are using for their student.
I have learned that I need to incorporate more little types of technology or media to help student relate to the idea I want my students to learn. One teacher that I work with tries to relate music and music videos to learn different literary terms and/or vocabulary. It is a great way to bring in something interested that students can relate to. They are becoming active learners when students can relate to and see a video or movie clip to further enrich the topic.
Some of the questions that I have develop is how to incorporate the different types of technology in all my lesson plans. In conducting research I believe that I will be able to find any type of technology that I would need. Collaborating with my co-workers to see what different types of technology or software that helps their student become successful. Some of my new questions are what type of technology would work best for my subject like US History or British Literature. I have found that not all types of technology may not help students relate to the material and may becoming a barrier for learning.
I do not need to make many adjustments but the ones I need have be able to link back to my goal of using technology with my classroom. Some of my adjustments is try to understand what type of technology will work and some that do not. I need to be comfortable with creating blogs or webpage before I give the assignment to my students. For the media to work, I would have to make sure that all the students know the background behind the usage of technology. I am excited that I have all new views and suggestions on what type of technology will work within my US History class and my British Literature class.
Michael Thomas
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Michael,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are really progressing on your plan--keep up the good work! You mention in your post that one of the new tools you were going to research this week was Moodle. I've read a bit about it, and I have friends in Arizona whose children use it, and it sounds like a great tool. Does anyone at your school currently use it? If so, how is it being utilized? It looks as though it could be used in a number of ways. I'd welcome your opinions/recommendations.
Thanks!
Regina
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI really love the idea of using music and music videos to illustrate terms or concepts in English. I remember as a kid when my English teacher was trying to teach us about symbolism and how it can be interpreted. He used the example "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2. It always stayed with me because I had never really thought about the words to that song before and what the deeper meanings were (I was 14), and now whenever I hear it, I am reminded of that lesson! Shows what an impression can be made by using media that the students are interested in.
I'd like to adapt that idea to Art and see if students can find music videos that relate to particular artist or art movements.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Meg Boyd
Thank you both for responding to my post. I am not sure to answer your question about if any one in my school using Moodle. I am sure that they are but no one has really said. Our principal just forward an email sent from one of teacher mentor. I will have to do my own research to see what impact it could have on my students.
ReplyDeleteI love to add music or music video clips into my lesson plans. The co-teacher and I try to add things like that into our lessons to catch the attention of our students All students like some kind of music so any thing to grab their attention to learn is very important.
Michael Thomas
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI read through your post and agree with you on wanting to add more music and/or video clips to lessons to make content more meaningful. I teach Language Arts and many concepts are rather abstract and intangible to most students, but especially in teaching English Language Learners. I also need to practice with integrating technology more and seeing what will work and what won't with the content objectives and with the students.
For me personally, I have always been a visual and auditory learner so it only makes sense to me that audio and visual media would be a positive addition to any classroom.
Jennifer C.