Before writing my 2-way multimedia technology lesson plan, I was quite frustrated and nervous about what I was going to teach students while integrating multimedia technology. It actually was not so much the fact of integrating multimedia technology, but how to have my students meet my objectives using the technology. I am still pondering as to why I chose the first grade level, because I found it a little difficult. I had to really reflect the process in how I was going to step by step incorporate the different multimedia into the lesson, without having them miss the meaning and significance technology has on academic work. I chose to have my students create a “Fun Digital Sentences!” project that over all was a type of curriculum assessment; to see how well my first grade students were able to construct complete sentences. The lesson plan was also geared to identify whether students were able to successfully pronounce the words they chose in their sentence, and also express sentences effectively according to their punctuation marks. The multimedia of choice was to have my students use a digital camera and an online slide show/voice recording website called “Voice Thread” that would have them motivated about the assignment (Voice Thread). I believe from observation of young children experiencing technology is that they will be completely engaged in multimedia lessons. Although, I found this assignment neck breaking (challenging), I feel confident in teaching this lesson plan if I ever decided along the road to teach first grade.
In writing this lesson plan, there were a set of standards that I was required to refer to in the case of integrating technology: NETS*T standards (National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers). I utilized these standards to make sure I was following the proper guidelines of utilizing technology in the classroom.The first NETS*T standards I applied was 2A “design developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that apply technology-enhanced instructional strategies to support the diverse needs of learners”. In my lesson plan I indicated that I had a student who had a disability that fell under “Orthopedic Impairment-amputation of arms”. I decided that since the student had no arms, and by using the “Voice Thread” website it made the main multimedia technology part of the assignment completely functional for him as well as the other students. The second NETS*T standards that I used was 3D, “manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment”. As stated in my lesson I was in full assistance with helping my students use the digital camera and website. I wanted the students to experience the technology at hand but at the same time because of their age level I had to strictly monitor and assist them in working the technology.
I learned a lot in planning out the activities in this lesson plan. I learned that when teaching first graders you have to completely simplify a lot of aspects of the curriculum you plan to teach. I wanted to teach “writing” complete sentences so I had to refer to the GDOE standards and make sure my objectives and plan were meeting the requirements of the school system. I also learned that you have to go into every minute detail in your lesson plan, especially when it comes to the types of technology students have not been familiar with. In my case, my students were not familiar with the “Voice Thread” website so I had to make sure their experience with using this medium was positive and conducive to learning. I believe that if you leave any steps out in this lesson plan, the delivery would most likely fail. The teacher must know 100% all the multimedia materials he or she is teaching, using and allowing the students to use.
What I liked least about the assignment was the ultimate challenge to stretch myself. I found it quite hard because my life ultimately revolves around technology. I felt like I was stretched to my maximum potential with the internet, blogger, camtasia, imovie etc. But of course, with the simple, yet wise piece of advice from my professor, Dr. Jacqui Cyrus , “EXPLORE!!!!”. As painful as I thought it would be to do so, I had a lot of fun! I helped myself by finding an awesome website on her delicious list called “Cool Tools for Schools”, and I was flooded with opportunities to stretch myself. I felt so tiny and compact just looking at the incredible amount of websites to use and integrate into my lesson. I realized as a teacher who felt I knew a great amount about integrating technology; I surely over-estimated myself. The best thing about this assignment was simply that I “I learned”. And I LEARNED A LOT! I realized that even such a simple lesson plan such as “Writing complete sentences” that may come off as boring to students can be shaped and transformed into a totally enjoyable learning experience with the help of multimedia technology. I overall, stressed and panicked about this lesson but it gradually shifted into a wonderful and fun assignment. I am definitely going to create more 2 way multimedia lesson plans in the future….
References
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). NETS for Teacher 2008. Standard 1A. Retrieved February 18, 2010. From International Society for Technology in Education. Website:http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/ 2008Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2008.htm
Websites:
Voice Thread- http://www.voicethread.com
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