After creating my GAME plans last week, I was ready to begin
finding ways to make them happen. After much discussion, I have realized that
with the short amount of time left in the school year, it is even more important
that I set the goals for myself and begin carrying out the actions as soon as
possible.
For my first GAME plan, which is incorporating the use of
more technology into my lessons, it is vital that I have various technology
resources available to my students. It is also important that I work with a
colleague to be sure that the way in which I am implementing technology is
enhancing my lesson and not hindering student learning. To help achieve this goal, it is also going
to be beneficial for me to know what technology tools students have used
before, and what tools I may need to teach them how to use before implementing
it within a lesson. I want students to feel comfortable using the technology
within the lesson so they can concentrate on gaining the content knowledge
through the use of technology. I do not want the technology use to be a barrier
for their learning. To begin this GAME
plan, I have met with several colleagues to look closely at the lessons we are
about to begin teaching, to determine whether or not any form of technology can
be implemented. We are still working out ways in which we can do so, so this
GAME plan is still in the action stage.
For my second GAME plan, the resources I will need are
websites that allow me to create user friendly blogs or websites for
communication. Thanks to some colleagues at Walden, I have been introduced to
several different websites that are user friendly and will allow for this
communication to occur. I plan on creating a survey for my parents and students
to determine their interest in using a class website to help them stay
informed, but I will probably have to gather this data at the beginning of the
next school year as well. With the end of the year quickly approaching, I feel
that this GAME plan will be one in which I will need to carry over into the
next school year with my new group of students. However, I am still going to
determine the interest level from this year’s students to see how parents
respond to the idea. After talking with my colleagues about this plan, they too
are interested in creating a website for their classroom, and possibly a grade
level website where general information can be found.
As I continue to carry out my GAME plans, I am realizing the
importance of making sure that I have a goal and actions in which to help me.
If I set a goal for myself, I need to have ways in which to achieve that goal,
and determine what resources I will need to help me be successful. I am looking
forward to continuing both GAME plans, but primarily the first one during the
remainder of this school year.
Samantha,
ReplyDeleteMy technology integration specialis turned me on to this website www.socrative.com that is really cool. It allows teachers to set up a "room" in which students can go to by supplying the room number. You can do surveys, exit slips, quizzes, etc. This could be a way to survey interest in your blog/ website ideas. Good luck!
--Brett
Samantha and Brett,
ReplyDeleteI think you both offer great ways to help meet your GAME plan. I think Brett's suggestion of creating the online classroom is a cool way to meet the survey aspect. I also think you will be very surprised by the amount and variety of technology your students use and are familiar with. I think giving them a survey is a great way to see what they know. It could also be an option for them to earn extra credit by teaching you or the class how to use the new technology.
Chelsea
Samantha, I like how you have already compartmentalized your game plans and decided which can be worked on for this year an which to hold until next year. The nice thing about teaching is we have the luxury of time to get it right before we roll out a new process or blog or lesson. if we cannot make it work then we can shelve it until we feel it is ready. Then if you are like me you will try out a new lesson and have it go over like a lead balloon and decide to scrap the whole thing anyways. Good Luck.
ReplyDeleteDoug Baker
Brett,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the website. I am going to to look into it!
Chelsea,
The survey will help me learn a lot about my students and parents. I like the idea of having the students teach the rest of us about a new technology. Thanks!
Doug,
That is one of the perks of teaching! When we reflect on our lessons, we learn a lot about our teaching and ways we can improve. I do scrap lessons at times, especially those when students are more lost at the end then they were at the beginning! We do have time to step back and think about ways to make lessons better, and with the help of others, they will continue to improve! Thanks!
Thank you all for your responses!
Sam R.
Hi Samantha,
ReplyDeleteI am running into the same realization as you as the end of the school year approaches, as I'm sure the rest of our class is doing the same. I did not consider polling my students for what technology they have used before. This should give you the results you want; making sure you are not wasting yours or your students time with the technology you choose. I am working on getting Edmodo.com off the ground, which is a really cool website that satisfies both of my ISTE standard choices. Good luck!
Mike