Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

As a Career and Technical Education (CTE) drafting teacher, I am fortunate to work in a school district that provides the newest 21st Century Technology.  The ability to provide students a high quality education using software and tools used currently in industry is priceless.  Technology offers a powerful resource for engaging students in authentic experiences (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer.  2010). The advancements made in technology opens the doors for a variety of new engaging real world activities. Unfortunately, with those advances comes the burden of trying to become proficient and utilizing the technology to the fullest. Over the years, I have spent countless hours teaching myself how to use drafting software and other products that my students are exposed too.  On more occasions than I would like to admit, I became the student and learned from my students. It is amazing what some of these digital natives know.
Looking at the International Society for Technology (ISTE), formally know as NETS-S, I feel the most comfortable with the following: 

  • Standard 1:  Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
  • Standard 2:  Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
As a very hands on and creative person, I blend my personality into my classroom and assignments. Thinking outside of the box, designing and problem solving is cornerstone in my courses. Standard 1 allows me to continue to grow on a personal and professional level, which is later passed onto my students. I am constantly searching or developing new projects that excite me and the student’s interest. I believe if an individual enjoys the project, they will put in the extra effort to make it a great experience. 
My proficiency with Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) software, PhotoShop and other technologies has allowed me to be comfortable with Standard 2. In my drafting classes, students learn how to drafting using CAD software that ranges from simple line drawings to complex 3D models. Over the past four years, I have turned my drafting courses into a paperless classroom.  Assignments are turned in, shared and presented digitally.
As a professional and life long learner, my goal is to stay current and efficient in the technology that my students and I have access too.  Stand1 has two indicators that I need to continue to incorporate into my classroom.

  • Indicator A:  Promote, support, model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
  • Indicator B:  Engaging students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
The two indicators listed are part of a never ending finish line that I will never cross. I have to remain flexible in my lessons and current with the trends in industry. To keep up to date, I meet annually with industry professional and discuss current trends, skill-set needed and projects.  This information provides insight in the direction of my classroom and future lessons. I must continue to evaluate my lessons to determine if they are preparing my students for the 21st Century workforce.  Design the future, not the past. 

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P.  (2010). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use:  A Standards-based Approach. Belmont, CA; Wadsworth, Cengage Learning


International Soceity for Technolgoy in Education. (2008).  National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T).  Retrieved on January 15, 2014 from www.iste.org/standards/net-for-teachers

4 comments:

  1. Hi Jarv,
    I like that you included how you are proficient in standards 1 and 2 and that your classroom and that your school is up to par on the technology advancements. I really like that you have created you classroom to be paperless and even present digitally. I think that math is a little more challenging for students to ever email or type mathematic symbols (even a struggle for us to create our own diagrams and type equations). However, I have students taking photos of their work and emailing me that way so I can follow where their mistake is or the trouble they are having. I am waiting for the day my school will be 1 to 1 for computers and then I will feel in heaven. Is there any ideas that you have about incorporating real world problems using technology currently? I find too that I am strong in incorporating real world problems but not necessarily in technology. I also agree that using technology advancements is a moving finish line that I will never reach but it is an ongoing battle but one I find rewarding to continue. Thank you for sharing and good luck in your endeavors.

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    Replies
    1. Nicole,
      I teach math also and it is hard to go paperless. I think it is great that you are having your students utilize email to show you their work. Last semester I used a wiki for students to share questions and work with each other. The wiki really worked out well with some of my classes and totally failed in other of my classes.
      Brandon F.

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  2. Jeremy,
    I really enjoyed reading your blog. With technology there is room to grow daily. I feel the future will always need a new design. Current trends and 21st Century skills seems to be part of authentic experience. Technology for my students seems to be a motivator students are wired for digital learning. Like you said, “there is no finish line.” Your classes seem inviting and learning made fun. Meeting standards and performance indicators setting those goals for strengthening confidence is definitely done I feel by communication among teachers and students. Prensky, (2008) stated, “understand where our youth are going, that is into the future and help them get there.”

    Reference
    Prensky, M. (2008). Turning on the lights. Educational Leadership, 65(6), 40–45.
    Retrieved from the Academic Search Complete database.
    Rameria Clark

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  3. Jeremy,
    First things first, I really like the look of your blog page. It is a very catchy look. I agree with you that technology is a very important aspect of teaching and that in order to really use technology in the classroom effectively, we, as teachers must constantly be learning the new ways to use technology and the new technology that is coming out to be used in the classroom. It is a constant learning process. I love that your classroom is digital.. I think with teaching math my classroom will always have paper pencil time, because math needs that time, but even in teaching math I am using less and less paper and more and more technology every year.

    Brandon F

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