Technology Integration

The world is different, Kids are different...  learning is different....  and teaching must be different too.  Today’s classroom teachers must be prepared to provide technology-supported learning opportunities for their students (Laureate, 2009)."  These components may include audio, visual, and multi-media technologies that are a crucial part of success in the 21st century.  Still our learners, though "digital natives" of this era with the mental capacity of grasping these component skills must be correctly guided through development.  Subsequently, it has become an expectation of the educator to acquire the skill set and knowledge for technological competencies.   

After re-examining the NETS-T, as an educator I am comfortable with "Model Digital Age Work and Learning", and "Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership."  Preparing students for success in the 21st century involves innovative teaching techniques that are beyond traditional ways of teaching.  A solid communication barrier must be established with parents and administration alike for ensuring success, though this seems to be a major problem for educators today (getting parents involved) where our students can be held accountable for their progress.  Incorporating technology based components for students and parents such as Edmodo (www.Edmodo.com) for my classrooms, and a schools based website called Grade Speed where parents can receive updates on their child's academic progress and attendance have shown promising though the battle remains up hill.  

Teaching math to junior high and high school students takes patience and the presence of knowing when something is just not working out.  One strategy I have had the opportunity to use is a series of "Mind tool" computer applications that enable learners to represent, manipulate, or reflect on what they know, rather than to reproduce what someone else knows (Jonassen, 2006).  Cennamo et al. (2009) states "By requiring students to think about what they know in different meaningful ways, mind tools engage students in critical thinking about the content they are studying.  

The two main areas I am least proficient are Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility and Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, and I will therefore create a game plan focusing on strengthening my abilities in assisting my learners for success as listed below:

Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

• Set Goals__ Have a printed article twice weekly during the 1st two weeks of each class on the importance of integrity when using information from the Internet.  As a sign of compliance to rules, leaner’s are responsible for finding their own article from a list of resources provided from the instructor during the 2nd week. 
• Take Action__ Since computer resources are limited in classroom, the media center will be booked for 20 days which is the max for a teacher at a given time.  This will allow information obtained through visual experience and personal creativity to create a foundation to build from learning and personal growth.
•  Monitor__ Learners will be monitored through their e-portfolios or their own "KWHL's", but the choice will be voted and chosen from a majority of votes from the class.  As the instructor, it is my responsibility to track the learner’s progress at the end of each week, therefore discussing on the following Monday any re-direction or guidance needed for successfully completing the task. 
• Evaluate and Extend_ The week prior to the end date as an evaluation method, students will be allowed to discuss the information obtained form the Internet through interaction in groups or pairs.  This is a math class and information has to be direct and precise.  A major concern of mine would be the accuracy of the resources and the integrity of the student in locating the site.  With this assignment, I provide a list of websites they cannot use, while as a bonus I will provide at least three that are valid.  If the information cannot be obtained from any of these websites, then they are challenged to search the net for a website of their own choosing; as long as it is not one that has been marked in valid.   

Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and    Assessments

• Set Goals__ Students will be responsible for keeping a digital spending ledger for the 1st three weeks of class, documenting all spending and currency earned from allowances, jobs, etc.  This is an action that can be downloaded on a phone app., (https://play.google.com/store/apps/), but for those students lacking access to a cell phone or computer at home, they can keep a log.  During class and throughout the duration of this assignment however, they are responsible for inputting all information weekly and submitting a printout in the beginning of each class.
• Take Action__ Computer access will be needed along with USB drives that are usually accompanied along with the phone during purchase.  Our schools media center will be used for the duration of this assignment since computers are limited in classrooms.
• Monitor__ Monitoring will consist of uploaded information or ledgers from the student’s personal phone to the computer application (smallbusiness.chron.com), than submitting to their personal e-portfolio.  Information will then be graded on the bases of consistency, spending and budgeting ability.  When the student has exhausted his/her funds, they are to write a report explaining what happened and possible outcomes to achieve a saving goal for the future.
• Evaluate and Extend_ During the duration of this assignment, students are encouraged to discuss and strategize better spending habits.  At the end of three weeks, the person with the most money saved will receive a free lunch, gift certificate, and/or gift card to start their own bank account from a bank of choice.  To maintain a real world type affect, I will be cooperating with local banks in the areas to give a period of instruction on spending and saving.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer).  (2009a). Enriching content area learning:  Theoretical Foundations