As teachers, it is not only our duty to teach content knowledge but also to incorporate technology that will solidify the content we are presenting to our students. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has a list of standards that teachers should integrate in their classroom. Although I teach a technology class, I find that even I am not meeting every National Education Technology Standard (NETS).
I wish to focus more on the first NETS standard "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" (ISTE, n.d.). Within that standard, there are two indicators in which I would like to strength my confidence and proficiency in by using the GAME model (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).
Goal: (1) Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
(2) Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
Action: (1) Come up with "real-world issues" that students or professionals may encounter and have students brainstorm ideas to solve these issues.
(2) When I give an assignment, demonstrate the thinking process I would go through to complete the project. Encourage students to come up with other ways to complete the assignment.
Monitor: (1) View students solutions to problems
(2) Discuss the numerous ways students wish to complete an assignment.
Evaluate/Extend: (1) have students apply these solutions to see if they work. Also have students reflect
on their solution. Were there better ways to go about solving the problem?
(2) Allow students to use their actions in their assignment and then reflect on the
outcome. Are there other ways the assignment could be completed?
Resources:
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.
ISTE NETS for Teachers 2008. (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Home. Retrieved March 9, 2011, from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
*** This Email was sent by an educator at Riverside High School in Western Line School District.
5 comments:
I think that you have some great objectives here. Any time we, as teachers, can incorporate real-world situations, it's a plus. If students can see the relevance of what you're going over in class, it gives a motivation for learning. I also liked what you posted about demonstration. Sometimes I assume my students know more about something than they actually do. By demonstrating what you'd like them to produce, you're not only showing them how to do something but also a standard of what you expect from them!
I like when we can incorporate real-world situations that are going on around us. When we are able to discuss things that are going on around us that the students want to learn more about, we are able to engage them more. This allows them to gain knowledge about the subject and the ability to form their own opinion about it rather than the opinion that they have heard from someone else. Many times you will see that students think they know what they are talking about but then when they are given the opportunity to research it, they find out more information that helps them better understand the situations.
Hi Kimberly,
You have some nice plans in place for targeting these NETS. The focus on real world issues is engaging--it also helps students prepare for their responsibilities as adult 21st century thinkers and problem solvers.
Problem solving skills (those general heuristics) transfer from one content area and life situation to another--having problem solving skills is one of the most valuable skills they will take away from their classroom experience.
Thanks for posting.
Susan
Kimberly,
It is important for students to see how what they do relates to the world they live in. A great resource I bring into the classroom is USA Today. The children enjoy helping me look for a daily article to read about. The quality of discussion always increases from the beginning to the end of the year. The students make so many connections from what they have heard (this is great for sorting fact from opinion) and so many other strides in learning are made from this one simple tool.
I like the idea of using a news site. As a technology teacher, this would be a good use of integrating other curriculum. The technology aspect is using a website and then I could have them read through articles on just about any topic. Perhaps I could even find a site that caters the news towards Junior High Students. Thanks for the idea!!
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