Foundations

Where would you rate yourself in each area?
Where do you think you could reasonably be at the end of the next grading period?
What steps will you need to take in order to make the growth happen?

After this weeks lesson, combined with my first lesson for My Big Campus class, and the awesome help from Alicia Clark on Symbaloo, I feel renewed and ready to tackle anything.  Of course no one knows how long that feeling may last, but it sure feels good right now. 

Sadly i must admit that I believe i fit into the Entry and Adoption categories at this point, but, mostly into the Entry category.   I want to push myself and my students into the Adaptation category and I believe this will be a tremendous challenge.

Teaching in a moderate special needs classroom presents its own set of problems.  My students enjoy using the computer, but the biggest problem I have is keeping them on the directed site.  They all know how to surf and I don't mean in the water!  

When they are given assignments behaviors often occur because they are redirected back to the original site time and time again.  If it happens today it will happen again tomorrow.  Most of my students do not have access to the internet at home and feel like it should be a toy when they are allowed to use it.   I don't see this as being any different than regular education students, the problem is my students may be a bit more stubborn (to borrow Mrs. Brewster's word) about follow directions.  Their desire to do something for the good of learning, or earning a grade is just not there.  By the way, I do remove students from the computers after they are redirected two times.  It is not a pretty site to see their fits.  i also have tried letting students use the computers before school and during break times.  This activity has shown very poor results and has caused many extreme behaviors. 

I feel with the empowerment I am getting from this class I will be able to present more meaningful lessons that include the use of technology.  Currently I use a Smart Board in my classroom and I am proficient in doing so.  However, the whole group instruction is usually not ideal because students choose not to pay attention, stare off into space or bug each other.  Typically I will have one and maybe two students who really enjoy the Smart Board presentations and are able to answer questions about materials covered.

I have also used the Smart Board in small group settings letting the students do learning activities.  This has worked better, but often times leads to someone getting upset and having a meltdown.

I feel that the main thing I can do to engage my student with technology is to prepare more lessons that meet their personal interests.  With my new Symballo site and quizlet, along with some "read to me" sites I am armed with much more appropriate options to present.  i am excited to see just how far i can push myself and my students.  

if you hear someone screaming in room 207 don;t assume it is the students!  :)