• How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
My actions so far are just getting back to basics. My position was restored. I am not sure how yet. I will find out some time here in the near future. Starting with designing a framework of material to be learned by students at various grade levels, I will have to come down and write up lessons. Then lessons will have to be linked to grade level curriculum. The priority has to pivot from administration to education.
• What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I need to organize my lessons into a problem or project based design. Students come to me for an exploratory (optional) class so I need to make the class even more fun and yet educational. At the same time, students still need to know that they are learning material that they can use as they head into high school and further on.
• What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
One question that will always be there is what else is out there? I will never know all that is available for use. I know that. It is an important part of being successful to know when you may need to contact outside sources. Another question would be how many free things can I find that benefit my students? In the same breath, when does it become overwhelming? I do not want to confuse them with over-exposure.
• How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
My current needs are somewhat simple. I need to get that lesson framework designed. From there then, I will work towards incorporating regular grade-level curriculum like the state names and capitals for 4th graders.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Game Plan Update
Well here we are again. After another week, I have been considering what to do and have come up short. Many things I have done include a grant request on Donors Choose. I was just funded in another so hopefully, there will be a chance at getting the projector I need for implementation of my plan.
In another move, I have asked for a large screen TV to be used in either form, as a monitor or TV. They seemed open to the idea up to a nineteen inch model. The delay started when I mentioned possibly needing a larger one for my students to also be able to see from a further distance.
So far, I have not come up with any new questions. I am sure in time to come I will though. One that still concerns me is how do I reach the masses of students? It seems from recent study that working toward the perimeter students allows for me to catch the mass of the students in the middle.
All this would be a lot simpler if I could only know what subject or grade level I was teaching this coming year. It is only two weeks away and I still do not know.
Well, I welcome your suggestions and critiques. Please let me know if I am forgetting or missing something. Perhaps it is so simple that i would never see it when it is going to otherwise slap me in the face.
Another thing I am working on is my aquisition of a Classroom Response System (CRS). With these tools, I would be able to keep accurate and current data on what students know and what they do not. The system I am looking at is not one of the most advanced ones in the market, but it will allow me to track who is answering, what they are saying and respond to any needs that come up from this data. Price may be a factor as well. I am looking into outside funding to purchase such a system. Most CRS systems are a bit pricey for outright purchase, but perhaps I can receive either a matching or grant to further the exposure of my students to technology.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Mr. O's Game Plan Equipment
My resources are not of large quantity. With the Gaggle accounts, I will only need time to get the student e-mails and blogs setup for student management. It will require a few computers in the classroom to allow for student updating and activity. Starting a new Blog or perhaps Wiki will simply require the time necessary for proper site development. As I am getting better at this, it is becoming simpler and quicker for me to take care of this issue.
As an over-arching need for me and students, time management will make a huge difference between the success and failure of almost all my other plan changes. As long as I can keep my online information updated and available to students, I will know that student learning will be able to continue at any point. I know my middle schoolers are receiving daily planners, but I am not sure what the elementary school students are receiving if anything. Perhaps, it would be best if I stocked up on hundreds of two pocket folders that can be easily replaced throughout the school year for each student.
With my virtual field trips, I will be in need of some equipment. I can come in a couple forms. Either a twenty-five or larger inch monitor/TV or a projector that can be hooked my classroom teacher’s computer. Either way, I will set it up so that I can play cable TV in the classroom and movies or videos from various sources like Netflix or TecherTube to the students at any notice. As a further extension, I will need, but also have a webcam that will allow for conferencing with schools and students across the city, state and country.
Money needed is minimal. A few hundres would do it.
As an over-arching need for me and students, time management will make a huge difference between the success and failure of almost all my other plan changes. As long as I can keep my online information updated and available to students, I will know that student learning will be able to continue at any point. I know my middle schoolers are receiving daily planners, but I am not sure what the elementary school students are receiving if anything. Perhaps, it would be best if I stocked up on hundreds of two pocket folders that can be easily replaced throughout the school year for each student.
With my virtual field trips, I will be in need of some equipment. I can come in a couple forms. Either a twenty-five or larger inch monitor/TV or a projector that can be hooked my classroom teacher’s computer. Either way, I will set it up so that I can play cable TV in the classroom and movies or videos from various sources like Netflix or TecherTube to the students at any notice. As a further extension, I will need, but also have a webcam that will allow for conferencing with schools and students across the city, state and country.
Money needed is minimal. A few hundres would do it.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Mr. O's Game Plan
Mr. O’s Game Plan
As I Am Now
Let’s start by looking at each of the NETS-T standards for any possible weaknesses that could be addressed here. Under standard one, sub-standard “d” dealing with collaborative knowledge and structure is a place where I could use some skill development. It is not a matter of I cannot do it, it is simply a matter of knowing or learning what to use in the new age we are in now. There are so many options ranging from email to video conference to voice threads that it is sometimes hard to know where to begin. Another one that I can use some updated help with is not so much a weakness as it is a search for ideas. This is standard two, sub-standard “b” where teachers are to allow and encourage students to take control of their own time management and skill development. Here is another area for improvement, standard four, sub-standard “d.” In this area, I need to expand outside my lonely little school. I need to learn to collaborate with teachers and other classes around the country and globe. I would be remiss if I ignored any part of standard five. All of these sections are open to improvement. As a teacher, it is incumbent upon me to keep growing and changing as the technology and learning styles change.
Moving Forward
One way to improve my collaborative skills would be to pick a method or two and run with them. Once they have been mastered, then perhaps add another one. For example, I am considering the use of Gaggle email for my class and a blog for my students. Are there any other ideas? In my next search for improvement, I will be providing students with digital time management option, but my resources are limited. Ideas here would be greatly appreciated. Something that will help students learn to understand how to make the best of their time throughout the school day and at night doing homework. A planner would work, but I am not sure how you would link that to any sort of technology standard. How do I work on this one? In this new age, teachers must be the access point for many students who cannot see outside a twenty square block area that is the home of almost all our students. In this effort, I will be showing them and taking them on virtual field trips as often as possible. I am sure that sites like Time For Kids, Discovery and National Geographic will be a good start, but I am looking for more. Where can I go today? With learning standard five, I am looking for ideas, groups to join, sites to visit and so on. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
How Will I Evaluate
My evaluation of growth will be an ongoing thing. On a daily, weekly and monthly basis, I will do self-checks and ask for input from colleagues at school to see what they may have noticed concerning changes in my technical teaching abilities and that of the students they may also have. Because evaluation is a key to improvement at any level from students to doctors, it is important to remember that input can come from anywhere. So be open to receiving comments, they can serve as a spectacular guide.
How Will I Extend
In simplest terms, my game plan will never end. Yes, there will be breaks, with successes and failures, but learning and living will be continuous with me. Hopefully, I wil be able to encourage others around me to do the same. If I can do that to just one other teacher or even current student who becomes a teacher then my work was a success.
My Initial Recommendation
If you have not seen or checked out my school site, it is at: http://libby.cps.k12.il.us Under that is a section on “Talking Technology” where there are numerous web sites on subject matter, professional development and so on. Please feel free to check it out. I look forward to hearing back from any and all of you.
As I Am Now
Let’s start by looking at each of the NETS-T standards for any possible weaknesses that could be addressed here. Under standard one, sub-standard “d” dealing with collaborative knowledge and structure is a place where I could use some skill development. It is not a matter of I cannot do it, it is simply a matter of knowing or learning what to use in the new age we are in now. There are so many options ranging from email to video conference to voice threads that it is sometimes hard to know where to begin. Another one that I can use some updated help with is not so much a weakness as it is a search for ideas. This is standard two, sub-standard “b” where teachers are to allow and encourage students to take control of their own time management and skill development. Here is another area for improvement, standard four, sub-standard “d.” In this area, I need to expand outside my lonely little school. I need to learn to collaborate with teachers and other classes around the country and globe. I would be remiss if I ignored any part of standard five. All of these sections are open to improvement. As a teacher, it is incumbent upon me to keep growing and changing as the technology and learning styles change.
Moving Forward
One way to improve my collaborative skills would be to pick a method or two and run with them. Once they have been mastered, then perhaps add another one. For example, I am considering the use of Gaggle email for my class and a blog for my students. Are there any other ideas? In my next search for improvement, I will be providing students with digital time management option, but my resources are limited. Ideas here would be greatly appreciated. Something that will help students learn to understand how to make the best of their time throughout the school day and at night doing homework. A planner would work, but I am not sure how you would link that to any sort of technology standard. How do I work on this one? In this new age, teachers must be the access point for many students who cannot see outside a twenty square block area that is the home of almost all our students. In this effort, I will be showing them and taking them on virtual field trips as often as possible. I am sure that sites like Time For Kids, Discovery and National Geographic will be a good start, but I am looking for more. Where can I go today? With learning standard five, I am looking for ideas, groups to join, sites to visit and so on. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
How Will I Evaluate
My evaluation of growth will be an ongoing thing. On a daily, weekly and monthly basis, I will do self-checks and ask for input from colleagues at school to see what they may have noticed concerning changes in my technical teaching abilities and that of the students they may also have. Because evaluation is a key to improvement at any level from students to doctors, it is important to remember that input can come from anywhere. So be open to receiving comments, they can serve as a spectacular guide.
How Will I Extend
In simplest terms, my game plan will never end. Yes, there will be breaks, with successes and failures, but learning and living will be continuous with me. Hopefully, I wil be able to encourage others around me to do the same. If I can do that to just one other teacher or even current student who becomes a teacher then my work was a success.
My Initial Recommendation
If you have not seen or checked out my school site, it is at: http://libby.cps.k12.il.us Under that is a section on “Talking Technology” where there are numerous web sites on subject matter, professional development and so on. Please feel free to check it out. I look forward to hearing back from any and all of you.
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