Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Continuing the GAME


This week, I am focusing on how to carry out my GAME plan.  The first goal I chose to work on was to engage my students.  This goal comes from standard 1b of the International Society of Technology Education (ISTE, 2012), which states that teachers should “engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.”  To carry out this goal, I know that I need to create more “real-world” applicable lessons.  Luckily, with technology, this goal should be easier to reach.  I can use the Internet to collaborate with other professionals.  I am interested to hear what technologies you use that engage your students.  I can also find engaging lessons that use digital tools and resources using sites such as studyisland.com.  I believe students are more engaged when they use such technologies. 

The other indicator I am working to improve upon is 2a, “designing or adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2012).  While this is very similar to my first indicator, this one is a little more difficult for me. This requires me to “design” lessons that incorporate technology.  I have a hard time doing this in math.  This is simple during our geometry units but our algebra units seem to be more of a problem for me.  Some steps I can take would be to design lessons using ActivInspire that allow my students to use the interactive white board or classroom response systems.  Again, I feel that collaboration and talking to other professionals would also be advantageous.  What other technologies can math teachers incorporate into our lessons? I would love to hear your suggestions.

References:

ISTE, I.S. (2012). Nets for Teachers. Retrieved September 15, 2012 from:
       http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2

2 comments:

  1. Todd,

    Problem-based learning sounds like the direction you are wanting to go, you just need adequate resources. As Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009) discuss students are exposed to authentic assessments, real-world context and higher order thinking skills. I can definitely understand the constraints having to plan the projects. However, with your idea of collaborating online with professionals I bet you will receive lots of feedback and ideas and even people who will be willing to share already created materials.

    My school corporation works closely with BIE and their website has several projects already created. I am not sure what standards you are trying to reach (or grade level). I have went ahead and placed a few examples and the website you can go to in order to glance through things that are already done for you!

    Let me know if I can help in any other way!

    Jeannie

    Website and Projects:
    www.bie.org

    http://wveis.k12.wv.us/teach21/public/project/Guide.cfm?upid=3329&tsele1=2&tsele2=116

    http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/mathandscience/exploringspace/Prob_WeightlessWonder_detail.html

    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.

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  2. Thank you for your response. I would like to try and connect my standards to more real world situations. The standards that I have the most trouble with are similar to Algebra II and Algebra III standards. I also teach trig and geometry topics but those seem to be easier to apply. I will definitely check out the websites. Now if you can find me some more time that would be great also.

    Todd

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