After looking at my game plan I have begun to consider the steps I will take to reach my goals. One of the first things that I must do is compile resources that I will use to guide me through my game plan. The biggest resource that I will need is a few teachers who are willing to assess my lessons and activities. To find these teachers I can ask around my school or perhaps I could ask a cooperating college professor. To me the second option seems to be the most likely. My school is constantly being visited by students from University of Georgia as well as others in the area. I am planning on asking the students who are coming for observations and practicums if they know any professors that might be interested in helping me. Another resource that I could use to find not only mentor teachers, but professional development activities as well, is as an educational forum where teachers post ideas that they are using in their classes.
I am finding that I will need more than just these resources to accomplish my goal. I will also be needing more information concerning problem based inquiry projects and effective technology integration into general music classrooms. Much of this information will be gathered through web searches and educational books on the matter. I also suspect that the teachers who would be willing to take me under their wings would also know a thing or two about these areas. Still another strategy for learning all of this information is to check the internet for educational media like podcasts or videos.
So far I have only been able to have a few discussions with visiting college students and teachers at my school. I have not yet found more experienced teachers who are not to busy to assist me with this educational endeavor but I will not give up my search.
I really think your idea of finding a college professor to assess your lessons and activities is a great idea. Although your colleagues would be very helpful, a college professor might add some outside insight into your lessons that a colleague would possibly be more reluctant to do.
ReplyDeleteIn order to find more information on Problem-based learning activities to use in your own classroom, I am sure that just by talking to other teachers in your building you would be able to find people who are already implementing these kinds of activities into their classrooms who would be willing to give you some advice, suggestions and ideas. Another place to look is on IMSA PBL Network online, which has activity ideas, as well as a forum to discuss with other teachers what they are using in their own classrooms and how to start creating these activities in your own classroom (http://pbln.imsa.edu/model/intro/).
That is nice that you could work with university students. College students are always wanting as much experience as they can get. Not only would it be helping you, it would alway help them. It is difficult to work with other teachers, with time. I would ask the principal too. They should want to help you improve yourself, and it would be good to see what you are doing to better yourself.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your idea of using professors from the nearby college to view and respond to your ideas for lessons. I think that not only will they presummably be more experienced teachers but they also serve the potential of introducing your ideas to their own studnets if they like them. This will introduce a whole new group of potential teachers to the benefits of technology and continue to expand the number of teachers who work with technology in a progressive way.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI have similar problem with talking to other teachers. Is there any conferences that you can attend to get more contacts and resources? I attend one in Indy every year for art education and I have developed a great group of teachers that I can ask many questions to and if they do not have an answer, they know how and where to get it.
Resources for the arts is tough to do for free unless you have access to a college level library or online library resources. Some state and government sites have archives that educators should have access to. Never know until you ask, I found that out the hard way.
James,
ReplyDeleteRather than waiting for outside help, you might want to consider the help your own students could give you. Let them research ideas and topics and become "experts" as you soak up more behind them. Let them make suggestions and describe how they think they can integrate technology.
This empowers students to be self-directed and participate actively in their own education. easier said than done, but there is a lot to gain from it!
Good idea about the professors James. I don't know what your relationship is with your BA school, but you may also try calling up your major department head and asking them if they have any suggestions. I also expect that your very own Walden University may have some professors on staff who would be willing to provide you some insight.
ReplyDelete