Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Monitoring my GAME Plan Progress

I am progressing nicely on my GAME plan.  It makes me feel good to know that I have set goals and I am on my way to reaching them.  My students are also responding well to my new technology additions. 

I am finding many of the things that I need to complete my GAME plan.  I am using resources on the internet to find lesson ideas that incorporate more technology.  I am also discovering new tools to use in my lessons and for the students to use in activities.  I am very excited to learn how to use these new tools that I have come across, and the students are excited too. 

I have been managing my time better lately so that I have been able to dedicate more time to researching for ideas to use technology in my classroom.  I have also collaborated with my colleagues and my technology coordinator on new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom.  I post all of my assignments on my web page so that students can see what they missed, and I have been better at keeping that updated. 

A recent project that we are doing in my classroom is a virtual short story fair, where students are working in partners to create a wiki demonstrating their understanding of the assigned short story.  They are required to provide literary details along with creative aspects.  They are taking it well and seem excited about it.  This leads me to a question.  I know that students must take turns editing the wikis, but could they be working on the same wiki but on different pages? 

I have learned many new ways to incorporate technology into my classroom, and I have also learned how easy it is to do.  I do not feel that I have to change anything with my GAME plan right now because everything has been going well.  I am pretty excited that I have been making good progress on my GAME plan.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Carrying out my GAME plan

When I think about carrying out my GAME plan, there are many things that I need to consider.

Resources:
There are many resources that I will need to successfully carry out my plan. One resource that I need is time to read and search for technology tools that I can use in my classroom. Access to the internet is something that I do not have a problem with, but I need to take the time to explore tools and lessons that incorporate technology. For my students to be more engaged and learn the 21st century skills that they will need, I need to research and plan for the best lessons that will teach them the skills that they need. Another resource that I will use for my GAME plan is my colleagues. There are many experienced teachers in my school that use technology often in their classrooms. We also have a technology coordinator available to help us find and use technology tools in our classrooms. Seeking the advice of my colleagues and sharing ideas with each other can help provide the support needed to carry out my plan.

Additional Information:
In order to carry out my GAME plan I need to consider my students and their interests, along with our access to technology. Fortunately, all of my students have access to a netbook for use in the classroom and at home. This makes it easier for me to plan activities for the students using technology and for them to access additional information or assignments that they may have missed. When considering my students, I have to examine their backgrounds and find out what interests them so that I can be more successful at engaging them in lessons that will teach them the content and the skills that they will need to have. I also have to examine their abilities when it comes to technology so that I can have a better idea of how much assistance they need with the technology.

My steps I've taken so far:
I have taken many steps towards completing my GAME plan. I have taken more time researching tools that my students can use in the classroom and finding tools that I can use to present content that will be more engaging. One activity that all of my classes either has completed or are in the process of completing is a wiki. Most of them did not have any experience with wikis, but they we very quick to learn the skill and were able to successfully work in small groups and create the wikis. I have also brought more technology into presenting the content. This has engaged more of my students and they seem more interested in what I am teaching them. I have also researched more tools that I can use and talked to many of my colleagues sharing what we are doing in our classrooms.

I am very excited to continue carrying out my GAME plan! I feel that I am off to a good start and I have all the right tools to continue and successfully carry out my GAME plan.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Personal GAME Plan

It is important for teachers to be self-directed learners and model it for students so that they can learn to be self-directed learners. To succeed in the digital society that we live in, it is crucial that students can teach themselves new information and skills that they are required to know.

Technology is constantly evolving, and both students and teachers are expected to use the tools available to complete tasks. When looking at the International Society for Technology in Education web site, there were many National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) that I feel comfortable with, but there are others that I do not feel as confident or proficient. In order to improve on the standards, I have developed a personal GAME plan to strengthening my confidence.

Goals:
The first step for my self-directed learning is to set goals so that I can improve on the NETS-T where I am less confident. The first NETS-T that I need to improve on is 2C: "Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress" (www.iste.org). It is important that students learn to be self-directed learners for success in their future and become continual learners (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 2). I want to help them become self-directed learners. The second NETS-T that I need to improve on is 5C: "Evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning" (www.iste.org). Technology can enhance student learning and make learning content easier, so I need to take more time to research and locate technology tools that I can use in my classroom to support student learning.

Action:
In order to meet my goals, I need to take action. In order for students to take advantage of the technology tools available, I need to give them more opportunities to explore on their own. I need to develop more activities that give students the freedom to choose what they want to explore and use tools that they want to use in order for them to teach themselves skills ans set their own goals. Most students are not accustomed to setting their own educational goals because they are usually set for them. I will take more time utilizing the computers that all the students in my classroom have for lessons. I will use tools such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts for activities that address content learning. Students will be able to use these tools to meet the goals that I have set for them, but they will be in control of their own learning and demonstrating what they have learned or discovered through the product that they have created. They will have the opportunity to manage their own progress, learning, and goals through Web 2.0 tools. In order for me to make good use of the tools that can be used to enhance learning, I need to take more time researching the tools that are available for use in the classroom. By evaluating and researching the digital tools available, I will be able to find tools that will enhance student learning in my classroom.

Monitor:
To monitor my progress on achieving my goals I will use a reflective journal to record my observations of the students in my classroom. I will also collaborate with my colleagues and technology coordinator in my district to share what I am doing in my classroom with technology and hear about the tools that they have used in their classrooms. Working in groups to share ideas is an excellent opportunity for us to learn from each others' strengths with technology (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, p. 91). Another way that I will monitor my progress is by observing what my students are learning in the classroom and listening to their feedback. I can also post on my blog for other educators to read and share their suggestions on improving my classroom practices.

Evaluate and Extend:
To determine whether I have met my goals, I will look at the progress of my students. If I have effectively taught the content to my students through the use of technology and helped them become better self-directed learners, then I have met my goals. I will also examine their progress in reading and writing in my classroom and on standardized tests to determine if I have been effective in teaching hem through technology. I will be able to determine what I have succeed in and in which areas I still need to improve. I can extend what I have learned by sharing with my colleagues through collaboration and continuing to research more ways that I can use technology in my classroom.

I am excited to use my skills with technology in the classroom and teach my students the amazing possibilities that are out there for them with technology. In order for my students to be prepared for our digital society, I need to guide them to become self-directed learners and effectively use technology.

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.
International Society for Technology in Education (2008) http://www.iste.org.