After carefully reviewing both sets of standards, the NETS-S and NETS-T, it is apparent that these two sets of standards mirror each other. Each one of the student standard is promoted by a teacher standard. What I mean by that is this, look at standard 1 for both:
NETS – S #1
Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology
NETS – T #1
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
As you can see the students need to learn how to be critical thinkers and construct knowledge on their own. Now as a teacher, we need to figure out ways to get the students to be creative thinkers on their own by using the internet. The standards align with each other.
Now the hard part is creating that meaningful learning experience for the students. I firmly believe that these standards will be addressed if you are implementing the 21st Century Learning Standards. By using elements in your teaching such as effective use of the internet and creating digital story maps / boards, you are hitting all the NETS-S standards.
There are some however, that might have to address in another way, in a mini unit lesson plan format, such as digital citizenship. The students need to know the ‘Do’s and Don’t’s’ of using the world wide web. They need to be aware of what is right and wrong and know they there are boundaries that can get them in trouble if crossed. It is our job as an educator to make sure that all the students in our classroom know of the rules and abide by them especially when they are in our watch.
The GAME plan process will be followed when you use and implement your lessons as long as you create a plan of how you will hit each one of the standards. Lessons can be created to make sure and hit the key points of the standards.
By using the internet and other various technology based tools inside of our classroom, we are not only making our students become 21st century ready, we are hopefully preparing them to become life long learners.
It is again a step, by step process. We must first understand the standard and then educate our students about the standard and why and how they may meet it. So many standards are met in the day to day transaction of teaching and learning the subject aren't they?
ReplyDeleteMr. Henry, I enjoyed reading your point about implementing 21st Century Learning Standards into the classroom and the environment that it will create. I am excited to use the new tools that this program has provided me with. Sometimes it can get overwhelming when you look at these standards, but as you asserted these tools and approaches will lend themselves to hitting all the NETS-S standards.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
ReplyDeleteNice job recognizing how close both sets of the NETS are for both teachers and students. I was actually jotting down notes to myself about the similarities as I was reading them and have drawn some of the same conclusions.
Teaching students to be critical thinkers is something I feel is very important not just in school, but for life after the classroom. By engaging them with new and innovative ideas getting them to think outside the box is a challenge. But, by leading them with open-ended questions and project based learning ideas and projects we are paving the road for them to do this.
I have already thought about your mini “Do’s and Don’ts” of using the World Wide Web. I actually have this tentatively planned for some during the first moth of school as a simple one-day lesson. I then plan to refer back to it before heading to the lab for various projects more or less as a friendly reminder. I am thinking I will give them a short list/ recap of the lesson for them to put into their folders that way they always have it. I will probably post it on a blog, wiki, or Blackboard list too, that way it is always around. Maybe that is a little bit of overkill, but better safe then sorry.
Finally, I am actually going to have my students create their own GAME plans for the beginning of the year to help and give them some direction as well as use it as a checklist for all the things they have learned/completed. This in turn will give them some sense of ownership and completion/ achievement and pride.
Keep up the great work and good luck!
Standards are met when all the time when we do things in our classroom. I think that planning on hitting the standards is when and where it hurts a lot of teachers. There are a lot of teachable moments that the standards are hit all the time.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that you said that you are going to have your students plan their own personal GAME plans. I am going to be doing that with my students as well. Do you think that they would really like doing an activity like this? I always try this at the start of each year but only call it their GOALS. I hope that calling it their GAME plan and revising it often will help them out.
ReplyDelete