GAME Plan Reflection

The GAME plan that this class required me to instate has really made a huge difference how I will use technology in the future, and will greatly affect my students’ learning in a very positive way. I chose to work on two different aspects of the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) standards. The first is under standard number two Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments part B teachers will “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (International, 2008). With this standard, I want to get more technology into the hands of my younger students. The second is number five Engage in professional growth and leadership part B, “Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (International, 2008). With this standard, my goal is to share the knowledge I have gained here at Walden with my fellow teachers. I want to become more of a leader in the technology field, not only in my schools but also my county and state. I have been working to make progress with these goals and it is starting to pay off. I have had meetings with my principal about what I have learned here at Walden, and my many ideas concerning technology and students learning. I am happy to report that at the beginning of the new school year, I will be presenting at one of our faculty meetings to share my knowledge. I have talked to several of the teachers about some of the new technology, but I have not had a whole group sitting. I am super excited to brain storm with my colleagues about different ways to incorporate technology into our classrooms. These meetings with my principal have also helped with my goal to get more technology into the hands of my younger students. At this school, I do not have computers in my library for my students to use. If I want to use the computer lab, it requires schedule changes, taking up classroom teacher computer time, etc. My principal has decided that I will now have the lab one day a week to work on technology with my students. I cannot explain how ecstatic I am about this. There are so many things that I want to do with my students but have be hindered, or just flat out halted because of the lack of technology. That will no longer be as much of a problem. My GAME plan is not complete, and I’m not sure it ever will or should be complete. These are goals that I should be working on constantly, as well as the other standards of the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) . All teacher know that there is always room for improvement, not just in our students but as teachers as well. I have a sign on my door to my library that states,”The road to success is always under construction”, and I believe that. I have to continue to challenge myself and grow as a teacher so that I can be the teacher my students need. International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers

Monitoring Game Plan Progress

I have been hard at work working to carry out my game plan. The first area of the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) I want to work on is under standard number two Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments part B teachers will “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (International, 2008). My plan is to release the technology, and put it into the hands of my 2nd grade students. I have been looking into different ways for my students to create digital stories using a computer or a tablet. My research has paid off and I have found several different apps that the students can use. I am currently learning how to use them myself so that I can teach the students. I have been working with their teacher closely this week. We are working together to create a project-based assessment rubric. We have also been discussing the different forms of digital story telling I have found. We decided that I need to narrow the choices the students have to choose from to 4 or 5. I do not want to overwhelm them with too many choices. It is also important what technology I use to assess students. According to our book, “the assessment activities you select will indicate to your students which skills and knowledge you feel are most important and worthwhile” (Cennamo, 2009; pg 142). My other goal National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) standard I want to work on is number five Engage in professional growth and leadership part B, “Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (International, 2008). I just sent out a survey to teachers asking them different questions about what different types of technology they feel confident using, need help, or never used. The best thing that has happened is that it has opened a dialog with many of the teachers. I have started teacher the pre-school teacher how to use power point in her classroom. She does not use any technology in her room. Other teachers have started talking to me about questions they have, and asking me to help they with different technology based items. I have learned that many teachers’ skills are lacking in technology I thought was becoming old such as power point. I am excited to be of help to both by fellow teachers and students. Both of my goals seem to be heading the right direction. 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.

Carring out My GAME Plan

Last week I posted about the areas of the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) I want to build up my confidence in. The first area is under standard number two Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments part B teachers will “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (International, 2008). With my goal relating to releasing control of technology, and getting it in the hands of my students. This goal is related specifically to my K-2nd students, and I will be starting with 2nd grade. In order to accomplish this I have developed a GAME plan for my students. The goal is for my 2nd grader to create digital stories using different digital media. The 2nd grade I will be working with is very diverse and has all different learning levels. According to our book, in order to implement UDL in the classroom digital media is key (Cennamo, 2009; pg 126). I am looking into different digital media options to give the students to create a digital story. The resources that I will need for this part of my plan is computers and Ipads. The school computers has Kidspiration and power point on them, both of which could be options for my students to use. The other information that I need would be the technology level of my students and researching other digital storytelling options on the internet and apps that can also be used. I have already started researching and I have set up a meeting with the 2nd grade teacher to discuss the level of the students. My other goal National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) standard I want to work on is number five Engage in professional growth and leadership part B, “Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (International, 2008). The information that I need is similar to the information that I need from my 2nd grade students. I need to know what technology my fellow teachers are familiar with. I am working on a survey to have the teachers complete to help answer this question. The technology that I will need to carry out this part of the plan is internet, smartboard, ipads, and a computer. 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). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers

Game Plan

When it comes to National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) there are several areas that I need to tackle. One area I need work in would be under standard number two Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments part B teachers will “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (International, 2008). My goal with this standard is to get more students using technology instead of the teacher. I need to utilize the little bit of technology I do have and, put more students in charge of their learning. One of the actions that I will take to achieve my goal is planning lessons that get my younger students into the computers. Right now with grades kindergarten thru 2nd I take charge of the learning. I use technology to present many lessons, but the technology is not in the hands of my students. There are many different activities that I can do with this younger group, and I have to give up that control. According to Dr. Peggy Ertmer teachers have to change how they think (beliefs) and be willing to release control of student’s learning (Laureate, 2009). I think digital storytelling is a perfect way to get my younger students using technology. To monitor my progress I am going to ask several of my teacher colleagues to help me not only monitor my progress and but evaluate how I am doing. I think this will help me with my next standard that I need to work on. The next National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T) standard I want to work on is number five Engage in professional growth and leadership part B, “Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (International, 2008). I try to help others with technology, but I do not take as much of a leadership role as I should. I have wanted to hold a meeting to introduce the other teachers to what I have learned at Walden. My goal is to speak with my principals and hold a quasi-professional development that I present. Some of the older teachers have been have been less receptive to my offers of sharing new technologies, software and websites. I think at a meeting where I teach them about the new technology they would be more will to try it out. To monitor my progress I will again ask several of my teacher colleagues to help me not only monitor my progress and but evaluate how I am doing. If you have any suggestions that will help me reach my goals I would love to hear them. Have a great day! References: International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas: Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.