Monitoring my GAME Plan
GREAT NEWS!!! This came at the perfect time, especially since I have created a GAME plan for learning about technology and technology resources. I just found out from my administrator that I will be getting a whiteboard this year. She is hoping that it will be installed in August. I will be attending 6 hours of whiteboard instruction which will hopefully assist me in achieving part of my game plan. Since I have found this new information out, I have been spending some time researching websites that might be useful for implementing the whiteboard in my classroom. I have found the following websites that some of you might be interested in as well. This will obvious be a focus of my new GAME plan. I would appreciate any other resources or advice that any of you have to offer on using the whiteboards. Feel free to share your experiences and your students’ attitudes towards this application. What works well, what does not?
Whiteboards:
http://www.globalclassroom.org/ecell00/javamath.html - tons of interactive whiteboard resources and lessons
http://www.waukeshaschools.com/WIT/smartboard/specificapps.htm - whiteboard ideas, lesson plans, and websites
http://www.ehow.com/list_5939630_smart-board-activities-4th-grade.html - developed around 4th grade
http://www.learningtoday.com/corporate/interactive-whiteboard-lessons.asp - lessons K - 5
http://teacher.scholastic.com/whiteboards/languagearts.htm?lnkid=TNav:TR:Interactive%20Whiteboard&ESP=TR/ib//acq/interactive_WB_tnav_TR///nav/txtl////
My previous GAME plan was to learn and implement about 5 different learning tools within this next school year. After some feedback from my colleagues, I have decided to revise my GAME plan. By using the multiple intelligence test given to my students, I will determine what web tools will meet their needs as well as enrich my lessons. “Technology itself does not become the focal point of instruction. Technology is integrated when it is used in a seamless manner to support and extend curriculum objectives and to engage students in meaningful learning” (King-Sears & Evmenova, 2007, p. 7-8). Therefore, it is crucial that I choose technology that clearly aligns with the curriculum outcomes so that I am using the technology as a compliment.
In my last post, I wanted to determine what technology tools are permissible for school and student use. I have sent an email to the technology specialists and I am waiting to hear back from them. When I find the result, this will allow me to narrow my GAME plan focus even more.
Lastly, in addition to learning about whiteboards, I have also been inquiring about lessons that involve other applications. I have found the following websites to be intriguing. Once I learn about the various tools that are acceptable in my county, I plan on making my own wiki resource page for 3, 4, and 5 grades that will consolidate all of the lessons and activities that would be suitable for our classes and grade levels. This wiki will be shared with all of my 3, 4, and 5 grade colleagues from my school as well as all the other schools in my county so that they may add to it as well. This will help me establish my Personal Learning Network. I have decided to start small so that it is manageable and then build on to it with other grades once I see that it is becoming beneficial.
Technology Wesites:
http://www.bethknittle.net/WP_Blog/ - she has a wiki resource page that has various information about Web tools.
http://ilearntechnology.com/ - provides some great websites to use for various topics
http://blog.classroomteacher.ca/ - ideas for incorporating various web tools
The more knowledgeable I am about these tools and how I can use them effectively in my classroom, the greater my students will benefit from a deeper learning experience.
Reference:
King-Sears, M., & Evmenova, A. S. (2007, Sep/Oct). Premises, principles, and processes for integrating TECHnology into instruction. Teaching Exceptional Children, 40(1), 6–14.
Posts
Meghen,
ReplyDeleteSome educators consider using word and power-point as using technology, so I would not necessarily limit yourself. I do agree with your statement that the focal point of instruction should not be based on entirely on technology.
I like your top 5 idea. I plan on using and teaching the skills for excel, paint, movie maker, wikispaces, and either scratch or voicethread next year. As a 9th grade science teacher, most of my students have had good teachers, like yourself, that have taught them basic keyboarding and word processing skills before they enter my class. 4th graders may need help with these skills and should therefore be limited to less applications, but you would know better than me as I am afraid of 4th graders.
I think getting kids interested in the interactive board will be a big help. I know that many schools are making the transition if they haven't already, so when they get into higher grades it is nice when they have a decent amount of experience with the boards. Also, make sure you learn just about everything that the board can do. I say this because a lot of people use it just as a whiteboard to draw and write on. The kids (of all ages) get really into it when you do different things with the boards. I love using it for jeopardy like games because the kids can enjoy the animation or the different videos that I put into it. As for your game plan, I think it was a good idea to focus your tech research toward the sources that will be focused on your students needs. I would also learn one that you think will be helpful in the future regardless of your students' immediate needs. It's nice to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting an interactive whiteboard!! That is wonderful news! I really want one of those! In my previous school district I used activ votes (I had an activ board) but I believe Smartboard has their own version too, so you can do assessment using those or do some game type activities and they are connected to the board somehow. Those activities using the remotes are really engaging and students learn a lot too. Just an idea!
ReplyDeleteMarie Gauthier
Interactive whiteboards are awesome! I agree that you should make sure you and your students take full advantage of all it has to offer because it does have a lot of interesting tools and many more that I am sure I don't even know about. I really like your idea of creating a wikispace of resources for 3, 4, and 5 grade teachers. As a new teacher, I am always searching for sites like that to get great resources and ideas from, especially if they are technology related. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAmber Barrett
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news! I am shocked that every classroom in America still does not have an interactive whiteboard (our school still lacks an interactive board in every room). In today's society, children need visual stimulation, and they LOVE lessons that are on an interactive board. I can teach the same exact lesson on a regular whiteboard and on an interactive whiteboard, and the students absolutely perform better when teaching the lessons from my interactive board. It really is amazing what a big difference such a small thing (such as a wireless marker) can do!
I have found the Smart Exhange community website to be an amazing asset. Teachers make ready-made lessons and then upload them for you to use directly on your interactive board! It really cuts down on planning time and you don't have to recreate the wheel! Here's the website - http://exchange.smarttech.com/#tab=0
Good luck and enjoy!
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYour funny! No need to be afraid of 4th graders. Most of them do not have bad attitudes yet. They are still pre-adolescent. I had the opportunity to teach all grades K-5 during my students teaching experience. At first, I wanted to find a job teaching the primary grades, but now I cannot imagine myself going backwards. My 4th graders have so much independence.
Meghan
Erus,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your advice. I am at a great advantage already because there are about 10 teachers in my school (2 in my grade) that had whiteboards installed in their classroom last year. They have had the training the opportunity to create lessons, games, and activities already. Therefore, I will be able to learn alot from them and borrow their lessons as well.
Meghan
Marie,
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. However, you have to have specific equipment to do the active votes. Unfortunately I know already that my school will not be purchasing this equipment for us at this time. Otherwise, this was a great suggestion and I will keep it in mind for the future.
Meghan
Amber,
ReplyDeleteWhen I set up the wiki resource page, I will send you an invite so that you can have access to all of our resources. Feel free to add your own as well.
Meghan
Jenn,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the website. I truly appreciate it. I am all about saving time.
Meghan