Revising My GAME Plan

Throughout this course I have learned many new technology tools and resources for implementing in my classroom. This week presented many ideas for using social networking and online collaboration to engage students and allow them to express their creativity and learning. Websites such as Facebook and MySpace, and tools such as bolgs and wikis help students and teachers "interact with their peers around the world", "give and receive ongoing feedback", and "easily manage work" created by groups of people (Laureate 2009).

In following through with my GAME plan I feel that I am still working toward certain goals. I am still working with my students to teach them some of the technology I have learned recently. I am still concentrating on being patient with my sixth graders, knowing that they all learn at different rates. I am improving my ability to differentiate instruction in a manner that accommodates these varying learning speeds and styles.

Although I am headed in the right direction toward my goals, I am not ready to set new goals for myself. It has been my experience that I should not set new goals until I have accomplished the originals ones I set out to meet. Instead of setting a new goal I will try to extend what I have learned thus far. I will continue to seek out better and more efficient ways to apply the concepts I have learned so that the implementation of it in the classroom becomes second nature.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program 10. Spotlight on Technology: Social Networking and Online Collaboration Part 1. [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.

Application 5 - Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

The final step in the GAME Plan mentioned in the learning resources is to evaluate your progress in reaching your goal. A self-directed learner should be able to assess whether or not they achieved what they set out to do. He or she should determine what steps to take, if necessary, to change course in the journey toward the ultimate goal.

When evaluating my GAME plan I believe that the actions I have taken are helping me meet my goals in integrating technology. Having the ability to monitor my progress has made it easier to change direction before I go too far along in my plan. That way I do not waste any time or resources going in the wrong direction.

I have learned several ideas for reaching all learners and giving them the opportunity to express their learning. Technology gives students many different avenues for gathering, analyzing, and presenting information.

Although I am closer to my goal, there are still things I need improve on. I am still not completely comfortable with some of the digital tools and resources mentioned in the learning resources. With time and practice this issue should be resolved. Because my class this year is not very diverse academically, I will not be able to assess my effectiveness at reaching all of the different types of learning.

References:

Ertmer, P., & Simons, K. (Spring 2006). Jumping the PBL implementation hurdle: Supporting the efforts of K-12 teachers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1(1), 40-54. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=ijpbl.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

Application 4- Monitoring GAME Plan Progress

As I progress through my technology GAME plan I am learning new ideas and about new resources to use in my classroom to integrate technology. The learning resources and my colleagues have helped me find information and tools I need to gain confidence in my ability to seamlessly use technology to complement my instruction. I now understand that using technology is not the main goal. It is merely a means to an end. In other words, the content is what is most important and technology is only used to help reach all learners and increase interest and student engagement. At this point I do not see any reason to modify my action plan as it is written. I have been able to follow it closely with no need for modifications.
As I learn new technologies and ways to implement them, certain questions have arisen. What do schools with limited funds do to compensate for lack of technology? What are school districts doing to promote the importance of technology in schools? How can I help my colleagues integrate technology in their lesson plans? Hopefully, I find the answers soon.

Application 3 - Carrying Out Your GAME Plan

In order to carry out my GAME plan mentioned in my previous post, there are certain resources and information that I will need to reach my goal. The first goal I set for my self, “to learn how to better present specific and relevant real-world problems that interest my students and then use the Internet and other digital means to solve them” requires the use of digital media such as Youtube and podcasts. These resources would enable me to present the most current topics that are appropriate for my students and their interests. A wiki would allow my students to collaborate in solving real-world problems and the creation of a video or other digital media would enable them to present their solutions to problems and share them in ways previously not available.

The second goal I set for my self, “to provide my students with multiple opportunities to use their varied learning styles” could be reached using strategies mentioned in this week’s learning resources. Technology can be used to reach all types and levels of learning if used appropriately by a knowledgeable teacher (Laureate 2009). The use of online tutorials, digital projects, interactive websites, graphing software, and assistive technology can help a student reach his or her potential in a way not seen before. Along with these tools I would need to do further consultation with experts and colleagues who have had experience and success using these resources. People can be just as valuable a resource as any type of literature.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program 6. Meeting Students’ Needs with Technology, Part 2. [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.

Application 2: Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

An educator should always look for ways to strengthen competency and effectiveness in their teaching. The reason I am trying to earn my Master’s degree in technology integration is because I want to become more proficient in this field. In addition to my coursework I need to devise a plan for self-directed learning after my degree has been earned. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer have developed a “GAME plan (that) enables you to customize your approach to learning tasks, to develop relevant skills that are important to you, and prepares you for lifelong learning” (2009). This plan requires you to set goals (G), take action (A), monitor your progress (M), and evaluate your learning (E).

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) website presents five standards, and indicators for each, in their National Educations Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). There are two of those indicators that I feel less than proficient in and in which I would like to strengthen my confidence and ability. The first indicator is found under standard number one. It states: “Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources” (ISTE 2008). In order to follow the GAME plan I would first need to set a goal. I want to learn how to better present specific and relevant real-world problems that interest my students and then use the Internet and other digital means to solve them. My plan of action is to discuss with my students the issues and problems they care about and focus on one or two that are the most prominent. Then, develop objectives that cover that content. Finally, I would research technology that would enhance my lessons. “Technology should be used as a tool to enhance your objectives,” not the other way around (Laureate 2009). To monitor my progress I will consistently reassess the strategies I am using for effectiveness and adjust accordingly. After completion of the lessons I will evaluate whether or not I attained the goal I first set for myself. At this point, it is essential for the teacher to determine “whether (he or she was) successful in meeting (their) goals” (Cennamo et al, p. 5 2009).

The second indicator in which I want to increase my confidence is found under standard number two. It states: “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources” (ISTE 2008). Technology can be used in various modes to reach all of the different ways in which students learn (Laureate 2009). Following the GAME plan, my purpose for this indicator is to set the goal of providing my students with multiple opportunities to use their varied learning styles. The action I will take is to first make myself more knowledgeable on the subject of multiple intelligences. Next, I will develop lessons that reach as many multiple intelligences as possible. Subsequently, I will seek out digital tools that may help enhance my lessons and engage the learners in my classroom. The Smart Board is one example of technology that reaches many learning styles including audio-visual, kinesthetic, spatial, musical, and interpersonal (Laureate 2009). My classroom does not contain a Smart Board; However, I do have the means for creating a tool similar to one. When monitoring my progress I will ensure that I am including activities that get students moving around, include plenty of images and sounds, and group activities. The evaluation step is essential for establishing concrete evidence that a teacher is meeting their goal in a timely and efficient manner. To identify my level of progress I will create a rubric for myself that contains key criteria for reaching my goal.


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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology Reflection

At the beginning of this course I developed a "Personal Theory of Learning" that summarized my current approach to teaching as being aligned with a behaviorist perspective. I also set a goal for myself to move my strategies and practices toward a constructionist point of view. Upon completion of this course I still have this goal in my sights. I believe constructionist methods of teaching are the most effective at demonstrating student comprehension and to foster collaboration and teamwork.

As a result of my learning in this course I plan to use technology on a more consistent basis and in more effective ways. Previously, I saw technology as a teaching tool instead of a learning tool. I have used it as a way to present information to students. Now I know that technology is more effective as a learning tool that is student-focused and used by them to gain knowledge and to create artifacts that exhibit understanding. Two of these learning tools that I plan to use with my students is virtual field trips and concept mapping software. Virtual field trips will enhance student learning because they allow you to take your students to places that you otherwise might not be able visit due to financial or logistical reasons. Concept mapping software supports learning in that it enables students to organize their thoughts in a way that promotes knowledge retention.

Integrating technology in my classroom has always been a focus and I have two goals I would like to reach for accomplishing this task. First, I must reserve the computer lab more often. In my school we have two mobile computer labs, one for primary and one for intermediate. Right now, I have a one hour time slot each week in which I can use the lab. I must find other times during the week to have the lab in my room so that computers are accessible to my students. Second, I must introduce my students to more technology tools earlier in the school year. Typically, I slowly integrate technology in my classroom out of fear that my students will not be able to handle new complications. What I have learned is that I am the one who is fearful of new technology. I have found that my students are quick learners when it comes to technology because they have grown up with it.

Link to my Voice Thread artifact

Here is the link to the Voice Thread artifact:

http://voicethread.com/share/1038020/