Week 5

•How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?


In obtaining my goal in utilizing and creating web quests in my classroom, I am finding seveal webquests that I will be able to use in my classroom. This week we are tasked with creating a problem based lesson plan using technology. I have found a great webquest concerning my topic. By using the webquest I am able to present the students with a problem before they are given the tools and background knowledge. Students have to figure out what they need to know in order to move forward in their own self-directed learning (Laureate Education, Inc.).
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?

I have learned that putting together the resources for problem based learning takes a lot of time, however, when put together, students benefit greatly. Some of the beneifts are covering many standards across the curriculum, and students are given a meaningful learning environment. This will increase learner motivation, and students will retain the information instead of memorizing it and forgetting it(Laureate Education, Inc.).


What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?

Some new questions have arisen. These questions do not necessiarily deal with learning webquests, but how to group my students. I always believed that they should be grouped high ablility/ low ability. However, after this week's presentations, a case for heterogenus grouping made me think about my grouping in the past. I think I will have to experiement with each class in order to determine the best course of action for each project.

•How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?

So far I feel that I am on track with my plan in utilzing webquests in my lessons, and do not feel the need to make any adjustments to my plan at this time.

References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

Continuing With My GAME Plan

Take a moment to consider the steps you have taken toward meeting the goals you established for learning about technology and technology resources.

Are you finding the information and resources you need?
In obtaining my goal in utilizing and creating web quests in my classroom, I am finding several resources on the internet. Education World is an amazing resource for creating my own web quest.

Do you need to modify your action plan?
A modification I would make to my action plan is to incorporate self-reflection into my assessment of utilizing web quests. I would also like to include parents in the evaluation process of using the web quest. I would do this by posting this on our class blog, asking parents to post feedback. I think by doing this, I can monitor the success or failure of my goal and adjust accordingly. This would be an excellent way to involve pareents, and also aid in reporting assessment results to stakeholders such as parents and administrators (Cennamo, Ertmer, & Ross, 2009). Parent and student feedback would help me determine if I am on the right track.

What have you learned so far?
I am finding that the process of creating a web quest is daunting, and a lot of work. I may talk to another teacher about collaborating on this project.

What new questions have arisen?
I need to vary assessment based on student learning sytles. I want to make this as authentic as possible, and develop assessment to measure student learning (Cennamo, Ertmer, & Ross, 2009).



Cennamo, K., Ertmer, P., & Ross, J. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.

Reviewing the GAME Plan

My goal offacilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity especially in the area of exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
In order to utilize WebQuests I need to explore other WebQuests to determine how I want to utilize this type of activity in my classroom. I also need to talk to other educators who have created WebQuests. So far I have determined the topic of a Webquest I would like to create, and studied other sites in order to determine what activities I would like to include.

For my goal of participating in my school’s technology committee I need to talk to my principal in order to be placed on this committee. I have not been able to take any steps towards this goal since I found out that we are getting a new principal this year. My principal got a promotion last week.

EDUC 6713 Week 2 NETS-T Standards

The NETS-T standards I would like to strengthen are Standard 1 – Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity and Standard 5 – Engage in professional growth and leadership.

My goal is to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity especially in the area of exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
My action plan would be to utilize Web Quests. A Web Quest is an organized format for presenting lessons that utilize web resources (Cennamo, Ertmer, & Ross, 2009, p. 55). As a teacher I can create my own Web Quest that will be relevant to the lives of the students.
In order to monitor the success of this activity, I will observe the students as they explore the Web Quest.
The evaluation would come from the students. I would discuss this activity with my students to determine the effectiveness of using this type of technology in the classroom. Another way to evaluate is to read the students’ reflections at the conclusion of the activity. As the students use the Web Quests, I will continually redesign the lessons in order to make each Web Quest more meaningful, and relevant.

The second NETS-T standards I would like to strengthen is to engage in professional growth and leadership.
My goal is to participate in my school’s technology committee in order to participate in the purchasing of the technology resources for our school.
My action plan is to attend the annual Louisiana Computer Using Educators in order to keep abreast of the current educational technology available.
In order to monitor the success of engaging in professional growth, I will transfer the information I have learned to my students.
Evaluation will occur when I observe my students to determine, if their learning needs being met, if they using digital tools effectively, and if other teachers are excited and using new technology. As more teachers and students use the technology, I will have to continue to learn in order to help others learn.

Cennamo, K., Ertmer, P., & Ross, J. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.