As is usually the case, finding the information and resources that I need to achieve my goal is not the problem. It is narrowing them down and choosing the ones that are going to best suit my need. My goal is to equip myself with the tools that I need to move my students into the digital-age. In order to do that, I must find tools that are readily accessible to them at school, as many of them do not have computers at home. In my search, and through my colleagues, I have been introduced to freeware, portable versions of software, and Web 2.0 applications. Freeware, of course, is always good. Being on a limited budget, free and open-source software affords me the ability to provide my students with exposure to powerful programs that enhance their communication abilities. Audacity has been a great program for creating audio files for podcasts. Portable applications, such as the portable version of Audacity, allow me to use the programs without installing them on the school’s computer. Through this course, I have been introduced to voice threads, a further extension of what can be done with sound files with the added bonus of graphics. I have also found a free add-on to PowerPoint that turns my presentations into Flash files for posting on the web from iSpring.
My original goal, as stated in the NETS-T Goal of Engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership, said thatI need to participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. Having dabbled with Audacity for just a short while, I don’t feel the need to continue with my action plan of visiting the forums. I am comfortable enough with the program at this stage to be using it with my students already. My plan should instead move deeper into how I can get my students to develop ideas for projects using this technology. The combination of voice threads and podcasts is a new and exciting approach for my students to consider. I am now ready to move toward finding global learning communities that will allow my students to connect and share their learning through technology with others.
I have learned that there are a great number of ways for me to present my material. The thing that I am questioning now is how to best aggregate the myriad of ways into a single cohesive unit. Do I want to create a web page that links to each of these various sites, or do I find a way to keep all of these things together on a single page. A colleague of mine has a blog, with a podcast page, with an application that allows visitors to record a response from the page and send it to him as an MP3 file. The visitors never leave the site and all of the materials they need are there. I am thinking that something along that line would help the students stay focused and not so fragmented. And so, the next questions that come to mind are all based on what do I do once I have my finished product. I need to explore the options that are out there for websites. What can they contain? Is there an extra charge if you have a lot of sound files and video files? My colleague uses a program called WordPress to create his site and I would like to know if Blogger has the same capabilities.
Resources
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final k
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Hello Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI also have the same issues with my Game Plan regarding student access to computers at home. I have to find the time during class to provide them access to the tools required to complete a project or activity when utilizing technology. It would be nice for them to be able to communicate with each other on homework, study sessions, or brainstorming ideas as part of the learning process at home.
I also admired how you mentioned that you would like your students to start coming up with their own ideas for class projects. What a great way for them to have choices and opt to learn in a way that is best for them. This certainly is a great way to meet the needs of diverse learners. Keep up the great work on your Game Plan. It sounds like you are well on your way to achieving your goals.
Kristin
Lauren
ReplyDeleteI really like your suggestion to create/present an organized and consistent location (blog) for your students to become comfortable with. Using the many facets that one tool offers can help students to see multiple uses for it in their futures.
It sounds as though you are very open to new ideas from colleagues and students, and that will help you to broaden your options and direct your focus to areas that might not have been considered.
Also, like you, I have found the free software great to experiment with. My classes have used iSpring and Slideboom with much success. There is so much technology to be tried, and free is the most logical choice when we are exploring and deciding how best to use it.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about, "narrowing them down." I am finding my self flooded with new, interesting ideas and new things I want to try. I am finding myself with that all too familiar feeling of, "the more I know, the less I understand." What I thought at first was a simple lesson ahs presented so many new challenges. With all these challenges are great ideas to use in the classroom, but each present a variety of hurdles to leap in implementing them.
It does look, however, that you have been successful in finding solutions to your problems and that you are willing to go the extra distance for your students. Online forums and searches are a great starting off point and colleagues are usually available to answer some questions as well. You should never forget that there are a lot of colleagues taking this course that are willing to help as well.
When I am faced with the "narrowing it down" dilemma, I usually try to chose the best one or two, and go from there.
Nice post here, keep up the great work.
Hi Lauren,
ReplyDeleteYou seem to have garnered some helpful input from your colleague, so perhaps other co-workers could be of assistance in answering your questions. As you discussed seeking to narrow down your choices, Engstrom's (2005) point about maintaining a balance of assessment avenues came to mind, as you mgiht want to choose an approach that enables you to readily incorporate different types of tasks that are easily accessed, by yourself and the students, and assessed, perhaps using some form of recordkeeping technology, making things easier and more organized for you. Best wishes.
Monica
Reference
Engstrom, D. E. (2005, Dec/Jan). Assessing for technological literacy. Technology Teacher, 64(4), 30–32.