Up's and Down's

The ASSURE lesson planning process is a fairly new process to me. I was introduced to this type of lesson plan last semester, Fall of 2009. I was introduced to the basics and was required to turn in one example of a “made-up” lesson plan. The requirements and process for this class have been a bit different. I have been challenged; seeking ways to introduce and incorporate technology into a lesson is not easy. Although this process has been challenging; it has also been fun and a bit frustrating.

The first part of the lesson plan seemed to be easy. I remembered the lecture that was given about creating this model and spent some time filling out the different sections. I had never seen the NETS*T standards before, so I had to spend a little time researching them online. I decided to use the NETS*T standard III A (NETS for Teachers 2000,2000). I chose this standard because it uses technology to enhance learning. When I began writing the section about Learner Participation, I began to realize that this lesson was going to be a bit more challenging that I had thought. The visual bar graph was going to give the students a visual representation to enhance their learning, but I didn’t want it to be too challenging for them. I decided that fourth grade students should have no problem filling out a chart, but would need specific directions for filling in a spreadsheet. I had created bar graphs many times and although it seemed easy to me, I decided that I would have to give them step by step instructions. My students are in 4th grade, so they should be able to read and follow these instructions with minimal assistance.

When I was finished, I inserted some example bar graphs into my paper and added some graphics. I spent some time adding some flourishes. I knew that this lesson was going to go on a blog and I wanted it to look great. I have never blogged before. I enjoyed adding the graphics and making it “appealing” to the eye. I visited a USDA website and discovered an online game for kids that could have fit into my lesson plan if I had chosen a younger age group (USDA, 2009). At this point, I decided that lesson planning could actually be fun and not such a headache, like it has been many times before. I started to think about the different ways of incorporating technology into my classroom and had fun thinking about the things that I could do in the future.

The next step of this process was very challenging to me. I spent a lot of time creating this document in Microsoft word and was very proud of the product. I knew I needed to copy and paste it into my blog and it sounded easy when it was described in class. I opened my blog and this is where the frustrations began. I copied my entire paper, went to the blog, clicked on the text section, and then clicked paste. Nothing happened. I did this multiple times. Nothing happened. After several attempts, I called my fellow classmates and asked if they were having this trouble and they were not. How frustrating! I ended up driving to UOG where a fellow classmate assisted me in the copy and paste process. It turned out that my computer was the problem and I was doing exactly what I was supposed to. When I followed the same exact process on her computer, it pasted. We then spent time saving some of my graphics and graphs to pictures and importing them into my blog. I spent a significant amount of time editing the document after this endeavor. After copying the document, it did not transfer over using the same font. Although it was frustrating, I ended up with a finished product that showed up online. Wow, I’m now a blogger! This introduction of technology will be something that I will change after this class is finished, to update family and friends back in the states.

This process was challenging, fun, and frustrating all at the same time. I now feel that I am better prepared for future lesson plans incorporating technology. I was challenged to think outside of the box and utilize standards that I was not familiar with. I had fun surfing the USDA website and finding other ideas for technology in the classroom. I discovered that blogging can be frustrating and is also going to take a bit of practice. This experience was definitely a learning one.

Resources

NETS for Teachers 2000. (2000). Retrieved February 19, 2010, from ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) website:
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2000Standards/NETS_for_Teachers_2000.htm

United States Department of Agriculture. (2008). Retrieved February 19, 2010, from (MyPyramid) website:
http://www.mypyramid.gov/Kids/kids_game.html