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.

Reflection on Becoming a 21st Century Teacher

This course has helped me tremendously in further developing my technology skills. I have learned about many new tools throughout this course. I have never made a wiki, a podcast, or even my own blog before. I enjoyed the experiences I’ve has working with these tools. I feel that I can continue to use the skills that I learned and become even better at working with them. I am excited to explore the tools that are available online so that I can learn even more.

I plan on continuing to expand my knowledge of technology integration with the aim of student achievement by trying the new tools that I have learned from this class in my classroom. I want to see how the students work with the technology and integrate more of it into my lessons. My students will work hard and collaborate on creating online artifacts that will be seen by all of the class and others online that want to see their work. If the students put forth their full effort, then they will achieve more. I also want to explore the internet to find more tools and ideas that I can use in my classroom that will integrate technology. I want my students to collaborate to solve problems because it will help them in the future if they can do that successfully.

One goal that I have for transforming my classroom into a place where technology is integrated to meet instructional needs and increase student achievement is by using computers on a daily basis. This will be not be as challenging as in the past because my students will all have a laptop to use daily. This will allow for more collaboration on assignments. I want to have a class blog that the students will participate in on a weekly basis and I also want them to create wikis and podcasts frequently. An online audience will also play a large part in helping my students work harder and accomplish more. Another goal that I have for the immediate future is to use collaboration on more assignments even when technology is not used. The students need to know how to work effectively with other people on anything that is thrown their way.

Becoming a 21st century teacher is important for me because it will make me better at teaching my students the skills that they will need to succeed in the future. Students are using technology daily at home, so I need to use it as often as possible in the classroom. I want to teach my students how to use technology successfully to learn and solve problems through collaboration.

Podcast: Technology and the Students of Today

Check out my podcast. I interviewed students at my school about their use of technology. Making a podcast was easier than I thought and my students and I had fun in the process. I think that students would really enjoy making podcasts in the classroom.

http://dlatchaw.podomatic.com/

21st Century Skills

Partnership for 21st Century Skills: http://www.p21.org/
This is an excellent website for teachers trying to teach their students skills needed for the 21st century. The framework and definitions are very clear for any teacher to follow to teach these skills to students. I really liked the explanation of the student outcomes (http://www.p21.org/documents/P21_Framework_Definitions.pdf) for the framework. It was very clear to me that it is important for students to learn these skills. This site provided excellent resources for teachers such as videos that show 21st century skills in action in classrooms, blogs, and many other resources that are valuable for teaching these skills. I am concerned that these skills are not seen to be valuable enough to be testing the students on standardized tests. If these skills are extremely important, then why don't we have standards to teach these skills and why aren't these skills tested?
I was curious to know exactly how much learning out of books is still present in these classrooms. This concerns me because I think that students may rely on technology and those skills so much that they will be lost without the technology. Students still need to know how to find information and learn without the use of technology. I am afraid that they may become too accustomed to using the technology. The money needed to implement a program such as this also concerns me. This idea would have to be completely accepted by the district, then by all the teachers. It would be up to the teachers to sell the idea to the students. Teaching 21st century skills according to the framework would require a major change in some of my teaching methods. I would be open to the idea, but I would also have to have reliable technology, which is not always the case.
It surprises me that states have become 21st century states. I am amazed that they have the resources to become technologically advanced. I wonder if the state wants all schools to teach 21st century skills, or if all schools are required to teach these 21st century skills.
I think that this site is awesome for teachers. Following a program like this would be excellent for students. I would not to rely 100% on technology because I do not want my students to lose the ability to work without technology, but I would love for them to become more advanced in working with technology.

How would I use a blog in my classroom?

Just a few months ago I wasn't positive it I even knew what a blog was. Now, I am excited about blogging! I think that blogging in the classroom would be an excellent idea. In my tenth grade English class, I have my students write journal entries every week. I am the only one that reads them, and some of them are really well written and interesting. It would be awesome to be able to make them accessible for each student to see. My class blog would have the journal prompts posted, and each student would have to complete it. I would also require them to read and respond to the responses of some of their students. They would have to follow some blogging rules that would be specified beforehand so that they know that everything posted has to be appropriate. This would enhance the lesson because the students would learn how to respond to the prompt and respond to each other. This would teach excellent communication skills that they would use throughout their lives. They could also add more later and reflect on the comments that they received from their peers. This particular blog would serve as a showcase for student work that they can be proud of and reflect on at the end of the year. The blog would be an excellent instructional tool because it would have the attention of the students, they wouldn't lose the work or prompt, they could easily access it outside of school, and it gives them something to showcase for other people to see. Giving the students ownership of something that other people will see makes them work harder and do well to make it the bast that they can do.

Hello

Welcome to my first blog! I am excited to learn more about technology to bring into my classroom. I was amazed that it was this easy to create my own blog.