Tech Ed. Reflection

When I first realized the objective of this course, I was feeling quite dull and didn't think my content would have much to do with technology integration.  Typically, especially with the older generation PE teachers, technology is not used at all (maybe some HR monitors or a projector to show videos).  I have felt a big change towards technology being integrated in PE.  I still find it more difficult than the other core subjects because were restricted with it based on environment, but I have definitely learned a lot of new methods and ideas that I can use involving technology in PE.  Through all the units and assignments we were required to do allowed me to gain a larger understanding of what I can use in terms of technology in a classroom.  There are so many valuable resources out there that I never knew about until the course.

There are 2 technologies/tools that stuck out to me.  One is the screencast, and the second is all of the collaboration websites.  The screencast was a great tool to learn about because it is just another way to teach a lesson or concept to the students in a different way.  Some student might learn better based on the idea of a screencast.  I also like all the websites and sources out there that I can use to have students collaborate content together.  I honestly think during my ST time, I will try to integrate as much technology as I can to get experience before I start looking for a job.  One of them I would like to try is the screencast method during an exploratory lesson.  The students can listen and use my screencast during the lesson while I am observing and giving corrective feedback when needed.

I have suggested all the technology strategies and tools we have used in class to my CT.  He is not very open to the idea of it, and personally I think he just doesn't want to try it (laziness).  I have been telling him about the technology ideas we come up with and he basically shoots it down every time.  Because of this and only 2 weeks left of school I don't think I will probably not find a chance to try one of these tools or technologies.  I plan to use my lesson plan I have made for this class in one of my lessons (if they have HR monitors) at my new school next semester.  Hoping my CT will be open to the ideas I will bring involving technology integration.

Gifted Students

This is a late post, but I have still given much thought to the videos about gifted students.  Ever since Dr. Senkowski introduced her knowledge and experience about gifted students I have gained an interest to learn more about the specific community.  I have had a couple classes at GVSU related to children/students with disabilities.  Not once did I hear about gifted students.  To bring out a stereotype, which I'm sure many people have when they hear "gifted students," is the fact that students with disabilities is the same thing as gifted students.  I've learned that there is indeed a difference between the two, but a student with a disability can still be considered a gifted student.  Like some others said in their posts, a big myth was the idea of having a lot of friends versus a perfect couple of friends.  I thought it was better to have more friends growing up, but now from a teaching perspective when I see students who have 2-3 close friends, I know they are doing just fine.

I can bring a lot of this new knowledge to my classroom and future classroom.  Luckily, in a gymnasium we tend to have more room than most classrooms.  Some students engage themselves better when they can be more spread out and have personal space.  I will make sure to be aware of certain needs like personal space by modifying certain activities to the students needs that may require more space to be used individually.  In terms of technology, the biggest idea that came to mind was the idea of self-reflection by using a journal online that they can share to me.  It will give the students a sense of privacy in which they might be able to complete their reflection more
thoroughly instead of doing it in class or having a class discussion about it.

TILP Plan

My lesson plan is starting to come together pretty well at this point.  I will be a in a 5^th grade class setting that takes place during their Physical Education/Health Education class.  The topic will be about reading their own heart rate (HR), how to properly read their heart rate through the use of a HR monitor, and gain understanding of the importance of why we read/watch our HR during physical activity.  I chose this activity because I haven't actually had much work with HR monitors in a class and I thought it would be fun creating a lesson that is based of the integration of these monitors and other technology.

Through designed movement activities, HR monitors will be incorporated into each activity, students HR will be logged by their iPads to the smartboard, and then final discussions will take place based off the results of the lesson. After warm-ups and an implemented activity, students will log their heart rate by reading the HR monitor or manually (if I didn't’t have enough monitors) into their iPad which will be transmitted to the Smartboard.  By using the iPad to smartboard method, I will be able to see what results the students are getting, what HR changes are happening, and many other options related to assessing the lesson.

I would love to hear some different ideas to how I could integrate technology into this lesson while still using HR monitors?