So here I am blogging and I have never even followed a blog, only read bits and pieces of blogs that people post on Facebook or Twitter. I have no idea what I am doing or if I am doing any of this correctly so far. I have no idea how to see anyone else's blogs or who will be able to read my blog so please bear with me. Boy, if this hasn't convinced you that this is going to be the best blog ever, I don't know what would!
I am taking an online course through Five-Star entitled "Introduction to Blended and Online Teaching". We have talked quite a bit about technology integration using different models including SAMR, RAT, and TIM. I had never heard of TIM before and find it quite interesting. It is very specific and it depends on the lesson, the unit of study, the day, or even the class period as to where I fit in this model.
The TIM model includes levels of tech integration from Entry to Adoption to Adaptation to Infusion to Transformation. I would say I am definitely in the adaptation level in that we use the ALEKS program in my math classroom, which can be as teacher-directed or student-directed as you want. I feel I am somewhere in between because the students work at their own pace on a series of lessons but I have limited these lessons to a particular unit of study. I am adapting because the students receive notes and practice from me as a group but they also have online tutorials and can find information and examples anywhere online if needed as well.
The TIM model also includes attributes of the learning environment from Active to Collaborative to Constructive to Authentic to Goal-Directed. This is where I am definitely lacking in that most of the work the students do in my class is active. I would love to have my classes be at the constructive level by the end of the school year. I think collaboration is great, but I want my students to make connections rather than just seeing and using information passively. I don't believe students have truly "learned" a topic if they cannot connect it to previous and future knowledge. I love when a student is working away at something and all of a sudden asks if they are allowed to use sine, cosine, or tangent for example to solve a problem. Allowed. Seriously? It makes me so happy to have a student see this connection but I should be concerned that they see topics they learn as individual compartments that must be used individually.
How do I get my students to this constructive level though? That is the ultimate question. I suppose I will start by investigating online what others are doing that helps their students make connections. I will look for activities that interconnect several concepts through the use of technology. I will start looking for blogs and see what others are doing in my situation and ask advice of my peers. I will start with one activity or idea and see where that takes me. Check back and see what I have found!
