Application 4

For my presentation I used an audio recorder. I am not able to upload a sound clip so I included the script in the blog and will send the clip through the drop box. 

Rcampus is a great tool that teachers can use to create and implement learning modules with their students. This site offers many resources such as portfolios in which students can upload and submit their work, rubrics created by the teacher designed for specific projects that the students can obtain to ensure quality work, a way to look for and post your application as a tutor, and sell and exchange text books. Rcampus is also a great way to closely work with your students and to use as a platform for students to work together with each other.

Rcampus can help solve two problems that occur in my school. First of all, teachers present assignments, discuss expectations using rubrics handed out, and provide all information needed. Two days later the students come in forgetting all that they were told and losing rubrics and guidelines. With the paper-crunch that we usually have, it is hard to constantly give handouts and re-explain the assignment to each student. When they forget it is not just a detail or two… they come in saying “I don’t know what your talking about” when you ask how their assignment is coming. The second problem that this will solve is parental involvement. I have found that parents are rarely involved in their childs education. This would provide them with a way to be involved as the assignment is listed for them to see as well. Now, when a parent comes in for conferences and does not know why their child has a poor grade they can be held accountable as well because they were able to view the assignment and are expected to make sure their child is on task. (I fully believe that the parents of my fifth graders should be involved at least in making sure they are doing their work.) These modules can support meaningful, authentic learning because they provide a way for assignments and projects to be student-driven.

Like any new technology it takes time. If a few teachers were willing to try this out and figure out the ins and outs of the program then it would be easy, after time, to implement this buildingwide.

Thank you.

Week 8: Reflection

Game Plan 1: Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments.

I was very pleased with my progress towards this goal. I find myself using the internet as a tool on a daily basis. Not only did I grow as a teacher but my students grew as well. I have incorporated virtual fieldtrips and lessons into all aspects and content and even as a free time activity. The one adjustment that I would like to make is to learn about collaborating with other virtual classrooms.

Old Game Plan 2: Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

I did not find myself successful with this goal on any level. It was difficult to find any parents willing to cooperate using digital-age media and I even had a difficult time with administration and fellow staff members. I do not believe that at this time my school is ready for technology to be used in this way.

New Game Plan 2: Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

This goal has really helped me grow in using data taken from assessments. I have been using our Activ Expression voting systems and get immediate feedback. I have been horrible at grading papers in a timely fashion and now I can use this data to determine if I should move on or reteach a lesson. One adjustment that I would make would be to show the students how to use this data also. Every result is given in the form of a graph with percent of mastery. I would like for my students to be able to determine where they are as well as where the class is.

Week 7

Goal #1: I am very confident in my completion of this goal. I recently put up a list of virtual websites on my computer center bulletin board. I watched all week as my students began exploring on their own. I kept hearing things like 'look at this, its really cool' and 'whoa'. The kids are really enjoying this.

Goal #2: Things were very hectic at school this week (a teacher on our team was out the entire week, and once again, we are on a new schedule). This made any type of assessment very difficult. I gave the students a summative assessment but after looking at just some of the scores I am considering giving it again on Tuesday. I think that the changes made many of the students lose focus... that and the fact that we had an assembly and a long weekend coming up.

I would also like to develop a GAME plan that my students can begin following. I show objectives on the board daily, but I would like to take it a step further and show them the process in which they will meet the objective or goal in this case. I would like to slowly introduce this to the class and then turn it over so that they can help me create the plan then eventually begin planning their own goals.

Celebrating Valentine's Day Everyday...

Happy Valentine's Day! Mark really did a good job in making tonight a special night. He knows that my favorite memory is when I drove to Kentucky last Valentine's Day so he recreated it for me. We had the best time and grew so close as it was only our second date. I remember walking to B-Dubs on Saturday night and all the lights stringing across the street. The sidewalks were covered in snow but that was okay because he kept me warm. I remember waking up on Sunday, Valentine's Day, and going to church then Arby's for our Valentine's Day dinner. Which was fine because that gave us more time to cuddle up and watch movies. He actually sent me my Valentine's day present because we weren't supposed to be together. So, I packed it up and brought it along. He bought me Serendipity, a favorite of ours. So tonight, we watched it and ate Arbys.

Week 6

I am going to be completely honest and say that about right now I am actually exhausted from teaching and technology. I have had one of the worst weeks of my career and have come home in tears more than I would like. And as for technology, last week two of my students have sent me emails stating that 'u r ugly' and something more inappropriate to type. With that being said (and thank you for letting me vent for a minute) I am ready for my course work...

Goal #1: Both my class and myself are having so much fun with this goal. We just started a unit on the United States and we were in the middle of discussion when I mentioned Mount Rushmore and one of my students asked what that was. I pulled up this link: http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourFames.cgi?tour_id=8052 and right in the middle of class we discovered many of our national symbols and significant places. During dismissal we usually have homework help time or silent reading but my students beg me to take them somewhere. I am still in the process of trying to connect with another classroom for a virtual experience.

Goal #2: This week I gave two assessments using technology as the administrator. According to previous data, my students were struggling with Main Idea and Supporting Detail so I read passages and they had to text in what the main idea was. After each passage I pulled up the results they answered with and we discussed each answer and why it either worked or didn't work. Once they were at the level of mastery I administered a test. The students read a passage on their own then answered multiple choice questions using the same voters. Because of a few absent students I have not looked over this data but am confident that this skill has been mastered.

Week 5

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that my second goal will not be possible with conditions at my school. After looking through the new technology standards I would like to make a new goal.

Goal #2: Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Action: I will use assessments using ActivExpression voters (both multiple choice and extended response), graphic organizers on flipcharts, Exit Slips and 3-2-1 charts done with ActivExpressions. I will then take the data from and Excel spreadsheet and use it to gear my lessons.

Model: Correct extended response form and voting, complete a graphic organizer for demonstration

Evaluate: I will use the data to determine where in the lesson I need to either review, reteach, or move onto.

Week 4

This week I was able to make some progress towards Goal #1. I am finding difficulties with Goal #2 because it is not just a goal for myself but one that involves others as well.

The one thing that I have learned about Goal #1 is that the students love virtual field trips and the experience that they can bring. At the end of the day we have an extra 30 mintues with some students because of busing. I have been allowing those students to go on some of the posted websites and just 'play around'. Afterwards I have been asking them what they think and many of the responses are how cool it is and how it feels like you are really there. I am currently trying to find one to tie in with our unit now on the Iditarod Race and am looking for others on exploring the 50 states.

As I said above, Goal #2 is not easy. One reason is because right now our school does not have video capabilities on the computers. Also, it has been difficult to find parents who are willing to experiment. A modification of this goal will probably be necessary.