Digital Storybook About the Benefits of Online Learning Modules--enter full screen mode to view--top right

Week 8 Course Reflection

During this course I have been highly in engaged with my instructor and classmates using several new technology tools to enrich my lesson plans. The tools employed have allowed me to increase student’s active participation level, differentiate my instruction, and provide alternative assessment methods. As I was able to immediately put these tools to use in my classroom, I was able to have a clear impact on my instruction. I used VoiceThread to develop collaborative discussion groups, and incorporate problem based learning at the same time. I have also used digital storybooks to work on teaching story sequencing, fluency instruction, and collaborative skills.
With these new teaching and learning methods, I was challenged to create new and effective assessments methods. With student involvement we developed rubrics together that we used as a guide to monitor success in collaborative work and developing digital storybooks. We reviewed these rubrics together at the start of each project, and self-reflected on our progress along the way. This was an effect way to keep everyone in the group actively involved in the project.
As our class developed these new an exciting projects, they have gone to other classrooms and shared them. This has sparked interest from other teachers in using the tool, and my school district administration has agreed to paying for the fees involved. I look forward to future collaborative projects involving other classes and connecting our students globally.

Week 7 Application

I have been continuing to use ZooBurst this week in our literacy lessons. Our class has started a project to build a book about animals that we can take to other classrooms and share. The ideas is to work with the younger grades to chorus read to develop reading fluency. We also will have a science connection was we study animals and their habitat. Students are working in pairs, finding resources, and putting together interesting facts about an animal they have chosen. Each group will be responsiable for creating a page of the book sharing their learning.

Week 6 Application

I was able to attend a conference of fellow teachers in my county this week with the topic being that of technology in literacy. I learned how to use some great tools such as Moddle, Zooburst, and Smart board ideas. I used Zooburst today in class with a small group of students. For those who haven't seen this website you should take the opportunity. Zooburts is a very easy to use digital storybook that is some simple to use a primary student could be going on it in no time.

Week 5 Application--progress made

I made so progress this in my stated goal of, “provide with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology.”
We had presentations from our students to summarize the learning objectives of our social studies unit on Early European Colonies. Each student had a choice of presentation format that could include flip camera, Power Point, written essay, or poster board. I was very happy to see the varied and knowledge presentations, my students did a great job.

Progress so Far-Week 4 Application

Our new district website is up and running, and I my 5th grade colleague have added content to the 5th grade page. We included several ELA, history, and math links for students to support our classroom core content. I have more technology experience, but she has more experience teaching the content, so I am excited about present and future results of working on this as a grade level project. We began making Flip Videos of student presentations this week of the social studies project. I look forward to seeing the rest of the student presentations after Thanksgiving break.

Resources Needed to Reach My Goals

Goal 1: I plan to use technology tools to create scaffolds for my students as they explore their questions in inquiry based learning projects.
Hardware and software needs: Flip video camera, computers in computer lab, digital storybook programs.
Additional needs: Input from my technology and literacy committees on the integration of technology into our ELA curriculum. This group will also be a big help in designing assessment recommendations.
Additional steps: I have begun a project based social studies that connects with ELA goals. Students will have a choice in demonstrating learning by creating a Power Point, Flip video of a reader’s theater, written essay, or digital storybook.
Goal 2: To share student products with my grade level team as to tap into to their experience in the evaluation process.
This goal is aligned with district and building goals in an effort to create strong grade level teams that share ideas. We are focusing on creating a strong vertical and horizontal alignment in our curriculum, grading policies, and goal setting.
As my classmates are experiencing many of the same challenges as we implement technology lessons and share ideas with colleagues. I would like to hear some best practices in implementing and sharing these classroom experiences.