Now that I've got a G.A.M.E. plan set up to help design quality digital-age learning experiences, I need to get my ducks in a row before I jump into it half-cocked. In order to carry out my G.A.M.E. plan explained in my previous blog post, I will need to organzie some resources. Firstly, to achieve my goal of using technology to teach authentic learning experiences I will need some free time to spend working with the various Microsoft programs that would so greatly aid my students in their learning. I think that I am strong in PowerPoint and Publisher, so my time would be best spent working with MovieMaker and Excel. It would be a great help to have the computers teacher here at the school, my friend Tom De Bra give me a basic tutorial of these programs so I have a foundation to work from. I would also need to book time for my students in the computer lab here at school, so they could do self-directed research and build their products. To help the students understand how to efficiently use the 'net in searches, I would need a list of reliable student websites and the video "Web Search Strategies in Plain English" (http://www.commoncraft.com/search) to give students a better approach to searching the internet. Lastly I need to take the time to review social studies curricula for earlier grades in order to have an idea of what the students should already know.
To this point, I have been able to get a foundational lesson on MovieMaker and have set up a time to learn more about Excel.
"Web Strategies in Plain English" retrieved from http://www.commoncraft.com/search on 19 May 2010.
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Craig
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great!!
I have to warn you- there are MANY teachers who in the past two years have decided to start using movie maker. This has created a big problem in our school because too many teachers are using it. The students have created at least three movies each this year, but they have only created one power point and one research paper. I am afraid that this movie making phenomenon is going to take away from the more basic word processing programs like word and power point. Maybe ask around to the teachers before you decide to give an assignment?
Best of luck w your endeavor.
Christine
Craig,
ReplyDeleteIn regards to Christine's comment, not only would it take away from the basic word processing skills, in my district items created and saved using Movie Maker have taken up alot of space on our network. Be sure to check with the technology crew to make sure there is sufficient space for students to save their projects. Movie Maker is a great resource, the website https://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/create/1stmovie.mspx
provides information and a video that shows you how to make use of the program. The students love making movies and should enjoy doing this project. Best of luck!
Craig, do you find that students know what they should in social studies? This is my first year teaching it and I have been astounded as to their lacking skills and knowledge. When I asked around, I found that social studies has become the last priority for most teachers as the subject is not tested by the state. I encourage you to continue with your plan of seeing what students should have covered in earlier years, but don't take that as confirmation that they know it or even covered it in previous classes.
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