Using the ASSURE Model to Incorporate Technology in the Character Education Classroom

Using the ASSURE Model to Incorporate Technology in the Character Education Classroom
By Agatha M. Cruz

Being that this is my first experience using the ASSURE Model lesson plan, I would have to say that it was extremely challenging. I am very unfamiliar with the ASSURE Model lesson plan; this lesson plan was the first ASSURE lesson plan that I have an opportunity creating.
The technology standard that I feel would most appropriately fit the description of my ASSURE lesson would be to customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources (NETS, 2008). In my lesson plan I included all students from special needs to English as a second language (ESL) students all the way to high achieving students. This enabled me to break the students into groups carefully choosing which student would go into each group. In my lesson plan there were only 3 groups of 5 students, so a balance was created to ensure that all students were able to actively participate with my assistance as well as the assistance of the middle to high achieving students. There were only 3 groups which made it even easier for me to monitor what each group was doing on an individual basis.
In using the ASSURE Model to plan my lesson, I learned of at least two things that stuck in my mind: specific details is an absolute must in creating the lesson, and knowing exactly what you want the students to be able to learn must be thought out well before you conduct the lesson. While using the ASSURE Model, I became lost in what exactly it was I wanted the students to learn. The length of the structure of the ASSURE Model is one that many teachers may accidently get lost in.
In all stages of organizing and planning with the ASSURE Model, I was able to get further and further ahead using the new technology tools provide in ED451 such as web browsers, search engines, sample blogs, and sample lesson plans. These technology tools provided me encouragement in the idea stages of my planning.
What I liked least about using the ASSURE Model is how foreign it is to me. Like most people, adapting to change can be mind boggling and in using the ASSURE Model, that is exactly what it felt like. The ASSURE Model is an in-depth type of lesson plan whereas a daily lesson plan does not require much thought, rather it just comes naturally so to speak.
What I liked best about using the ASSURE Model is that I can now say that I have been exposed to an ASSURE Model lesson plan, I know how it looks, I know how to write one, and I know that it is used specifically for integrating technology in the classroom. I am also happy that I will be able to share it with my colleagues.

References:
NETS*T Standards 2008. ISTE.org
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/NETS_for_Teachers.htm
[Retrieved 06 February 2009]

ASSURE Model. UNCA. http://www.unca.edu/education/edtech/techcourse/assure.htm [Retrieved 06 February 2009]