Well, I've done some homework on my game plan in the past week. What I have discovered is that I am not far off in my technology experience as far as physical educators are concerned. No, I still do not know how to use a Smart board, but after my last post I started to think about when it would ever be useful for me to do so. Because of this, I have decided to simply concentrate on the technology that I feel will benefit the content area of physical education. On the website, http://www.eschoolsnews.com/, I found an article that mentioned the three top technologies that are creating a "new p.e." are heart rate monitors, pedometers, and video games. These video games are not the same thing that I grew up with in the 80's. Dance Dance Revolution is a craze that is getting the students moving that might otherwise not be. It sounds a bit strange, but I was convinced of the power of DDR this past summer when the entire elementary school that I taught at played this game for two hours, and had a blast. Classroom teachers of all ages participated and seemed to have as much fun as the students(K-6). The game was used as an end of the year incentive that all students who met the criteria could participate in. There are also games out there, like Wii Fit, that help students with stretching and fitness skills.
Heart rate monitors are also a favorite among p.e. teachers. Not only do they give students an opportunity to personally track fitness levels, but they also can be used as a gauge as to how physically active students are during class time. Teachers are no longer left wondering if students are giving a full effort or not, thanks to the information given by heart rate monitors.
Pedometers are a part of technology that I am embarrassed to have forgotten. These devices count the amount of steps a person takes while wearing them. They are very small and relatively accurate. What a great tool for goal setting! Students can wear the tiny step counter and try to improve from previous days.
When talking with fellow p.e. teachers around my district I was informed that heart rate monitors and pedometers are used frequently. Pedometers more so at the elementary level, and heart rate monitors at the secondary level. All ages of students, however, use all three technologies.
As far as my quest to become more knowledgeable about etiquette in technology, I did have some success. In browsing the web to learn more about what is acceptable, I found that most of the etiquette that relates to education revolves around referencing and plagiarism. I did broaden my vocabulary by learning the term Netiquette (Internet etiquette). The main thing that I noticed about this topic was that individuals have taken it upon themselves to make grammatical corrections to blogs, Internet sites, and web sites that they come across. I guess that much of what is being said is not exactly constructive but very critical. What I have taken from this is that not everyone is perfect, and that it is not our job to correct small mistakes, but to be grateful for the information that is provided for us. This is much of the same type of good manners that we try to teach our elementary students. For the record, my feelings will not be hurt if someone finds some sort of typo in my blogs.
References:
Carter, D. (2008). Technology Brings "New P.E." to Schools. eSchool News. Retreived September 29, 2010, from www.eschoolsnews.com/2008/06/10/technology-brings-new-p-e-to-schools/
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Continued Game Plan
In my previous post I stated that I needed to focus on modeling digital age work and learning (www.iste.org). I also said that I needs to develop my understanding of digital citizenship and responsibility. These two goals seem to go hand in hand, in that, if and when I begin to integrate more technology into the classes that I teach I will also educate students about the responsibilities that go along with using available technology. If I can meet these goals and get to a point that I am completely comfortable with all available technologies, then I will have the tools to reach all types of learning styles while promoting technology in a time that is often referred to as the "digital age".
The very first thing that I need to do to meet my first goal is to become completely familiar with all of the technology that is available to me in my district. The Internet, Smart Boards, ipads, ipods, spread sheet programs, and digital heart rate monitors are a few that I know about, however, I have not used them all. Smart boards are things that I have no experience with. They sound like one of the greatest additions to the classroom, but I simply have not been exposed to them, as I am in a swimming pool environment all day. This summer I taught elementary physical education and had the opportunity to see a smart board in action for the first time and loved it. Some of the classroom teachers were kind enough to let me play with the boards a bit, and they helped me understand quite a bit. Since the Aquatic Center that I work in is separate from any schools I do not have many opportunities to learn from teachers who use the technology each day. My second step in meeting the first goal will be to communicate with educators in my district about what they use and what is successful for them. Coworkers who have been through the struggles of learning new strategies can ease the growing pains for new teachers who need a bit of guidance. One more thing that I want to do is research via the Internet what other districts throughout the country use as teaching aids. Fortunately, I am in a program that has several of these teachers who have been very helpful thus far in providing guidance and feedback.
To meet my second goal of modeling digital citizenship and responsibility, I will rely on web research and coworkers as well. The thing about this goal that is a bit different from the previous is that I will be expected to use more of my own knowledge and common sense. I will take on the task of developing a list of web sites that discuss etiquette in technology and inform students of expectations as I develop a better understanding. With each new bit of technology that I introduce I will have researched etiquette prior in order to set a standard from day one.
The very first thing that I need to do to meet my first goal is to become completely familiar with all of the technology that is available to me in my district. The Internet, Smart Boards, ipads, ipods, spread sheet programs, and digital heart rate monitors are a few that I know about, however, I have not used them all. Smart boards are things that I have no experience with. They sound like one of the greatest additions to the classroom, but I simply have not been exposed to them, as I am in a swimming pool environment all day. This summer I taught elementary physical education and had the opportunity to see a smart board in action for the first time and loved it. Some of the classroom teachers were kind enough to let me play with the boards a bit, and they helped me understand quite a bit. Since the Aquatic Center that I work in is separate from any schools I do not have many opportunities to learn from teachers who use the technology each day. My second step in meeting the first goal will be to communicate with educators in my district about what they use and what is successful for them. Coworkers who have been through the struggles of learning new strategies can ease the growing pains for new teachers who need a bit of guidance. One more thing that I want to do is research via the Internet what other districts throughout the country use as teaching aids. Fortunately, I am in a program that has several of these teachers who have been very helpful thus far in providing guidance and feedback.
To meet my second goal of modeling digital citizenship and responsibility, I will rely on web research and coworkers as well. The thing about this goal that is a bit different from the previous is that I will be expected to use more of my own knowledge and common sense. I will take on the task of developing a list of web sites that discuss etiquette in technology and inform students of expectations as I develop a better understanding. With each new bit of technology that I introduce I will have researched etiquette prior in order to set a standard from day one.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Personal Game Plan
This week I have been asked to begin developing a personal game plan. After visiting the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) web site (http://www.iste.org/) I have become familiar with the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T), and found that there are two that I feel very comfortable with. The first standard that I like is number one: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. This standard states that teachers use knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face to face and virtual environments. I think that any teacher who has chosen this profession should have the ability and accept the responsibility to promote student learning through inspiration and creativity. In a time of evolving technology it is the responsibility of all educators to prepare students for the future.
The second that I feel good about is the fifth: Engage in Professional Growth and Development. Considering that I am in my second year of graduate studies, I am a strong believer in the lifelong process of learning. There is no way to ever be completely competent in education because the world is ever changing.
The standard that is a bit questionable to me is: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. This one is scary to me simply because I tend to be weary of the unknown. If I have plenty of time to learn something, there is a good chance that I will implement it. However, I have the narrow minded philosophy that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". The only way for me to open my mind is to force myself to try new things, and experience different types of technology in education. In a way, I am doing that now through graduate studies, but it has been tough at times. That is not to say that I haven't learned many valuable new strategies and skills related to technology. The next step I have to take is to actually implement the ideas that I have learned, and document the pros and cons of what I implement until I have the perfect concoction of educational tools.
The other standard that raised my eye brows was number four: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. This one somewhat goes along with the previous standard that I had mentioned. Yes, I do enjoy having knowledge of technology, but I have not been in the world of technology long enough to know all of the etiquette that goes along with it. Obviously, there are common sense issues that anyone could understand, but there is so much more that could be learned on my end. Through professional growth and experience I will learn what is and is not acceptable in the world of technology.
Resources:
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at www.iste.org
The second that I feel good about is the fifth: Engage in Professional Growth and Development. Considering that I am in my second year of graduate studies, I am a strong believer in the lifelong process of learning. There is no way to ever be completely competent in education because the world is ever changing.
The standard that is a bit questionable to me is: Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. This one is scary to me simply because I tend to be weary of the unknown. If I have plenty of time to learn something, there is a good chance that I will implement it. However, I have the narrow minded philosophy that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". The only way for me to open my mind is to force myself to try new things, and experience different types of technology in education. In a way, I am doing that now through graduate studies, but it has been tough at times. That is not to say that I haven't learned many valuable new strategies and skills related to technology. The next step I have to take is to actually implement the ideas that I have learned, and document the pros and cons of what I implement until I have the perfect concoction of educational tools.
The other standard that raised my eye brows was number four: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. This one somewhat goes along with the previous standard that I had mentioned. Yes, I do enjoy having knowledge of technology, but I have not been in the world of technology long enough to know all of the etiquette that goes along with it. Obviously, there are common sense issues that anyone could understand, but there is so much more that could be learned on my end. Through professional growth and experience I will learn what is and is not acceptable in the world of technology.
Resources:
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at www.iste.org
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