Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Although I am still in limbo waiting for my MOODLE mentor, I continue to grow in meeting my goals in regards to NETS-T indicators: 2.a- design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity and 2.b- customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. Just this week in fact, I am in the process of learning how to use social networking and online collaboration not only to differentiate and customize learning experiences, but also to challenge students to perform at higher levels, both in terms of thinking critically and creatively (Laureate Education Inc., 2010, part 2). Thus, I intend to continue working toward the goal of developing proficiency with creating a virtual learning environment, and I also intend to set a new goal of learning how to expand student horizons beyond the classroom through social networking and online communication. Consequently, I will revise my GAME plan by adding action steps that include learning how to create and manage a social learning site like NING and include locating social networking/collaborative project examples and ideas that I might be able to replicate during the next school year (Laureate Education Inc., 2010, part 1). Mary References: Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Spotlight on technology: social networking and online collaboration part 1 [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content area. Baltimore, MD: Author. Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Spotlight on technology: social networking and online collaboration part 2[Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content area. Baltimore, MD: Author.

4 comments:

  1. Mary,

    It is great to see you are still trying to push forward in spite of your lack of support from the tech guys. Your plan to assign ownership of the network sites is also a great idea. This way the students can learn to monitor their own actions and run a website. Would your GAME Plan easily accommodate such an addition or will you need to make a major revision?

    Good luck,

    Shawn

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  2. Hi Mary,

    I’ve been looking at your blogs about Moodle and I’m wondering if there is an online Moodle “mentor”. Perhaps some tutorials, etc. In the last few weeks, I keep hearing about Moodle from you and others at Walden but I’ve been oddly skeptical and dismissive about it. Then, recently, some of my former students, who are now in college, have mentioned using it. I guess I’m going to have to learn about it now! So my suggestion about an online learning source is partly based in getting you to do the leg work for me since I know there is no chance of anyone in my building using it. If you look into it, let me know what you find. I’ll be doing the same search soon.

    Lindsay

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  3. Shawn,

    Thank you for the encouraging words. In answer to your question, I believe I can make the mentioned accomodations without having to revise my GAME plan.

    Thanks for asking,
    Mary

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  4. Lindsay,

    Although I have visited the MOODLE site in search of tutorials, I found myself a bit overwhelmed and confused with how to navigate and make sense of the demo site. Even though I have made leaps and bounds as a digital immigrant, this time I think I need a human being to walk me through so that I can make sense of all the site can do. Consequently, I patiently await my district's MOODLE guru to return to work.

    You comment about me doing the legwork made me chuckle. The minute I learn something worthwhile, I'll be happy to share. By the way, don't be discouraged by my ineptitude as you may visit the site and find it user-friendly. If you do, let me know.

    Mary

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