TIM

As I started the Pivot Points class through my school I felt very unsatisfied with the amount of technology that I was using in my classroom. However, after diving into the TIM (Technology Integration Matrix) I feel as though I was being hard on myself. I realize that many of the examples that were given are things that I do in my classroom. Many of these activities are not quite as advanced since I am working with first grade.  We are currently in the Adoption level of integration and are in a Active learning environment.

Collaboration with other students will be the next characteristic that we tackle.  I would like to think that we can achieve the Adaptation level and the Collaboration characteristic by the end of the next grading period.

Achieving that goal will take some research on my part and I will probably have my daughter be my guinea pig. Having the time to get everything put together for my students is the biggest problem that I have right now. When I do find new things for my class or come across a great site to use I like to have my 6 year old try them out for me . This is an advantage that I have right now. If she isn't able to figure it out then some of my kids won't either.

The TIM has given me a basis to work for the next school year. It is really helpful to see where we could be. It is very exciting to see such great technology working in classrooms. The students love it!  

Moving Mindset

How could you adapt or change one of your current class/course policies to reflect a moving mindset? Is this a change you are willing to make? Why or Why not?

I don't currently have a policy in place for missed assignments but I do reward students for completed homework. I don't assign much homework in first grade. I would love to be able to provide my students with a homework assignment that they would actually enjoy. They love to use our computers for anything. I feel like the ones that don't like the "boring" homework would truly enjoy an online assignment. However, this would mean that I would have to allow some students to complete the assignment at school considering that some may not have Internet access at their home. 

I would like to try assigning homework online for the students to do. I honestly don't know what I would assign yet or where I would get the "work" from but I know that it would have to be something that I could get a result from their work. I recently sat in a technology meeting to learn about Google classroom. At the time I was thinking that I would never use it. However, that could be the way I get the assignments to them and how I get results. This could be a great opportunity for me to provide instant rewards for the completion of work. Linking a related game or activity to the assignment for the students to play when they are finished with the assignment would really motivate them to complete the assignment. 

I realize that I am the one who has to change the way that I am presenting information and the way that I receive it from the students. They are growing up in a digital world and that is how they learn. This could also be a way that I challenge my higher students. Allowing them to move at their own pace through online assignments and classwork. I am not sure if all of this will work or not but I believe it is worth a try.