The second NET for students is communication and collaboration. I use a program in math class called Power Math. Basically this program focuses on cooperative learning within teams. The students have 5 cooperation goals that they work on throughout the year. The students could create a different GAME plan every couple of weeks for each goal. For example, the first goal is everyone participates. As a team, the students could set a goal that ensures each member of the group participates every day, monitor their participation, and evaluate whether they need to continue to work on this goal or if they fully met the goal. Once the team has successfully met a goal, they will move on to creating a game plan for the next cooperation goal. The teams would work at their own pace to accomplish the goals which is realistic because no two teams will be the same.
The fourth NET standard for students focuses on problem solving and critical thinking. In math, the students are constantly explaining how they got their answer. When my students answer word problems, they follow a 5-step plan to solve the problem. This strategy can serve as a GAME plan. The steps include: find the facts, restate the question, eliminate any extra information, choose a strategy, and ask if the answer makes sense. The goal of the GAME plan would be to solve the problem. The students then take action to find the answer and monitor their progress by crossing off the steps as they complete them. Finally, the students ask if their answer makes sense, which allows them to evaluate if they answered the question successfully or not.
When the students take part in the thought process of starting with a goal and being the one to evaluate whether or not that goal was met, they are learning a 21st century skill. Self-directed learners become creative learners. Creative learners are confident, motivated, persistent, open-minded, and flexible (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). All of these characteristics lead to success in school and life.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program two. Promoting Creative Thinking with Technology [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Allison,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the importance you give to the evaluation process for students. It is a valuable skill for students to learn, and one that is not focused on often. The evaluation and reflection process is the determining factor in the students ability to continue growing!
Allison,
ReplyDeleteWow! Love your thought process and ideas on bringing the GAME plan to your students. Where did Power Math come from? Is this a certain curriculum or is there a website with more information? I wanted to look at it.
Allison,
ReplyDeleteCould you explain the program that you mentioned called Power Math? I am a math teacher and it sounded very interesting. Also, I liked your five step process for solving word problems. I use one very similar in my classroom. I was also wondering how you might incorporate technology in these goals?
Jenna Enevoldsen
Power Teaching is a program offered by success for all. Our school sent a teacher from each grade to a 5 day conference for Power Math.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.successforall.net/Programs/ptmath.html
Jenna,
There are many ways I incorporate technology into the goals. The cooperative learning goals can be met by allowing the students to communicate through blogs and email or simply by working together to research information on the internet. Same idea for the critical thinking goal. When the students are researching and pulling together information from different sources on the web, they are using problem solving and critical thinking skills.