Reflection of Course 8

I am proud to say that I not only survived another first day of school, but my coteacher and I utilized technology on the first day of school as well. We showed a math video about how easily math mistakes can be made, and had parents and students sign up for Remind 101 at open house and on the first day of school. Remind 101 will allow teachers to send messages to students and parents cell phones or email, so this is yet another way to communicate with families to make them aware of their students’ needs.

As an update on my first goal of integrating at least one type of technology into my life each semester:

·         I have successfully converted my school email from Outlook to Google.

·         I have a working cell phone again and have set up my calendar with reminders on the phone. I also have an application that allows me to “write” myself to do lists. I do not have my school email linked to my phone yet, but still intend to do so.

·         Our Analytic Geometry team is creating a Google drive so that each member can access each other’s data from any location.

·         Our Analytic Geometry team has piloted its first year using Remind 101.

My second goal is to have students using technology in the classroom weekly. Our first full week of school begins on Monday, and we have planned for students to use the SmartBoard to label the sides of triangles as opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse from various angles within the triangle.  Our team has been working together very well; we are busy laying the groundwork for a great year. In addition to my personal goal we have been training to utilize various grouping strategies within the classroom; I feel like that has been more of a focus so far this year but I do not want to let the technology goal fall by the wayside.

                The GAME plan is very focused on goal setting, and I think this skill applies to many areas in the classroom. Each week we plan lessons that include objectives or goals for the students. We frequently refer to these goals, so the students are aware of them.  Additionally, when I write IEPs they are also very goal focused. I will remind my students the steps of the GAME plan throughout the year as they are struggling with or taking the next step of their goals.

                Through this course I discovered a great resource, ePals, which allows me to find teachers all over the world who are seeking communication with other classes. This is a great way to integrate technology into the classroom, increase global awareness, learn about diversity, and create an audience for my students to work for. I can send survey questions that my students have written to students in other countries who are learning to speak English. Both sides benefit from this, other students get to practice their English skills (or simply communicate with another class), and my students gain authentic data to create graphs with.