The progress I have made is little, but I am working on it. One piece of information that I did manage to find was that my school has a program already that will allow me to create a blog, post homework on a calendar, and link any information that would help my students. Once I have the site constructed to the way I would like, it will be liked to my name on the school website. First thing that I need to work on is navigating around the page. I have made some changes to the generic page that everyone has but I am still working on it. I have also started to write down how much I am using a computer in my different classes and how much the students are using the computer.
The biggest thing that I have learned so far and something that I will need to modify is that it takes time to be able to set up and establish new lessons that include technology. I find myself deciding to go with more conventional methods because they are already made, even though I am trying to make changes. I need to approach this process as I do other things in my life, I need to set time aside to research, develop, and work on new approaches for my class like I do for my extracurricular activities.
The biggest question I have is, do I want to start implementing these new ideas now or wait and take in as much as I can and then start working on the integration? I am leaning on still looking for new ideas, trying small things in my class but waiting till I have a better understanding to put it all together. Many of the things that I have learned have been over the last year as I am taking class, so it has dawned on me that I have confidence in knowing the material that I am teaching but lack in creative methods to portray information to the students.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
Rick,
ReplyDeleteI noted in my blog that the thing I am learning is that this process is really time consuming, so I echo your feelings there. For me, I am trying to stay to one major project at a time. I think you should set aside a couple hours more than you thought to work on it, because it is amazing how fast the time goes. But once we have created these lessons, we have them permanently for the future. I would just suggest that you take baby steps, and feel comfortable knowing that others are having trouble finding the time as well.
When I read your post, Rick, it was as if I was looking into a mirror. I, too, have a district website that allows us to create blogs and wikis; however, I have not had time to dabble with it too much yet. In addition, I only used basic computer software for teaching in the past, but since enrolling in this masters program, I have slowly started incorporating new technologies into my lessons. I understand your dilemma, do you wait and absorb now or do you start plunging forward. This is my second year as a grad student. I absorbed last year and started plunging this year. There are so many options and tools out there that it seems a bit overwhelming, but I am taking it slow and introducing a couple of new digital tools each class each semester. So far it has been working well. Good luck with the direction you take...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to wait to start something new. I was very eager to get the ball rolling on having my kids create blog sites. I can understand the flip side. I feel that I may have rushed into things a bit, but feel that my students can help as I go along - kind of a learning experience for everyone - including myself. When the kids see that, they may see the project as being more meaningful because they might have the opportunity to teach you something new.
ReplyDeleteRick,
ReplyDeleteI am noticing a common theme among my classmates that technology lessons and research are time consuming. I wholeheartedly agree with the idea. I enjoy the curriculum and feel much more productive during the summer months when I have more time to spend researching and exploring technology for the classroom. Hopefully we will be able to rely on each other to ease some of the strain of time falling on many of our shoulders. Good luck!
Rick,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are off to a great start. I know it might seem like you are moving slow, but really you have just told me that you discovered a great deal of information. In our grading system we are able to attach files to each assignment, however, the resources I am working with are in PDF files with the second page being the answer key... therefore I can't attach it. Do you have any suggestions?