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ELLs Plug In Gallagher Home Learn More Inspiration About the Author |
About the Author
Bonjour! Ola! Hallo! Hello!
My name is Jane Adams Gallagher and I am an elementary ELD teacher at a Title 1 school in Solano County, California. I work with students in small, designated ELD groups for thirty minutes a day. In addition to teaching, I am a mom, wife, animal lover and gardener.
How best to engage my students and empower them to be proficient in English is the question that brought me to action research and my Master of Ed program. Motivated to discover appropriate tools and strategies to provide my students an innovative, educational experience I asked myself, "How can I partner digital technology and English language curriculum to better address the various needs and learning styles of my end users?" My goal is to create a learning environment for my English Language (EL) students that is not only engaging and creative, but improves their English proficiency. I am continually driven to discover authentic opportunities to improve my students' EL experience.
My name is Jane Adams Gallagher and I am an elementary ELD teacher at a Title 1 school in Solano County, California. I work with students in small, designated ELD groups for thirty minutes a day. In addition to teaching, I am a mom, wife, animal lover and gardener.
How best to engage my students and empower them to be proficient in English is the question that brought me to action research and my Master of Ed program. Motivated to discover appropriate tools and strategies to provide my students an innovative, educational experience I asked myself, "How can I partner digital technology and English language curriculum to better address the various needs and learning styles of my end users?" My goal is to create a learning environment for my English Language (EL) students that is not only engaging and creative, but improves their English proficiency. I am continually driven to discover authentic opportunities to improve my students' EL experience.
Reflections on My TPACK Journey
TPACK Reflection
For the past year, I have been on a journey discovering how best I can purposefully integrate technology into my pedagogy for the benefit of student engagement and achievement. How could I improve content instruction and student access using 21st century technology? My learning curve was high, but my take aways are many.
I initiated my journey to motivate my students and improve their academic achievement. I wanted my students to be truly engaged and not simply compliant. I strived for lessons that would produce high attention and high committment, (Schlechty's Levels of Classroom Engagement), while being mindful to address state standards.
This school year I made it my goal to purposefully weave digital technology into the curriculum when students were working on a retell of content they had learned. I determined that I would exchange the traditional retelling cards for a digital retell to improve student development. Standards of oral production would continue to be met and students would be able to practice their digital skills. This meant I had to learn the technology I was going to ask my students to use. After researching possible retell options, the digital retelling tool I ultimately decided to use with my students was Google slides. Fortunately, my district employed a tech assistant that was very happy to help me along the way. Not only did he tutor me, he provided my students with a whole class tutoring session as well.
My goals were lofty, and there were many hiccups along the way, but my students were able to successfully use Google slides as a form of retell. Students engagement improved, and though slight, my initial round of inquiry revealed growth in students' English proficiency. I am confident that with more digital retell practice, proficiency will continue to improve. Furthermore, using Google slides provided my students the opportunity to really practice the 4Cs: collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking. I observed my students smiling, laughing and exchanging ideas. One student informed me, "I worked on it at home." It was clear to me that my students were engaged.
Following the introduction of Google slides I was able to digitally survey my students for their opinion regarding the activity. I felt that I was empowering them in the decision making process and that their opinion was of great value. It was interesting to learn what students felt worked and didn't and I considered their opinions when creating future lessons. I was pleased to read that overall, students felt positive about completing a digitil retell. Integrating 21st technology has been a worthy journey that positively impacted the education of my students and myself.
Lasting Learning from the Innovative Learning program
PERSEVERE! This is my number one take away from my Master's journery. Throughout my exploration to improve, I continually questioned my abilities and determination. However, when I did, I remembered this initial word of advice given to me by a co-worker, "PERSERVERE." Keep going not only to complete an endeavor, but to keep learning by asking questions, trying new approaches and to keep advocating for the success of my students. I am reminded of the saying," It's the journey, not the destination."
Through this journey I have also discovered the various ways I can grow in my profession and connect with peers far and near. I feel that I have not only embarked on a journey that took me to the end of this Master of Ed program, but will take me through my career.
Through this journey I have also discovered the various ways I can grow in my profession and connect with peers far and near. I feel that I have not only embarked on a journey that took me to the end of this Master of Ed program, but will take me through my career.
Link to My Blog
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