GAME Plan - Week 4

I am finding resources and information needed to continue following my GAME plan. I have a friend who is a certified SMART board trainer and is willing to take time to help me implement the use of my Mimio in the classroom effectively and how to use SMART software with it. I have arranged to be informed of any technology training that takes place at the local Educational Service Center and have made arrangements to attend the State Technology Convention. I hope that in attending these conferences and training sessions that I can continue to develop my knowledge of how to use technology to draw my students into my lessons and engage them in learning. At this point I don't believe I need to make any changes to my GAME plan. I have learned that there is much work into developing lessons that use technology and that the availability of technology in the district is limites. Careful time and considereation must be taken when designing lessons and when implementing them. I know that I must be prepared with a backup in case technology fails. There are many available technology conferences or trainings for low cost and most will be paid for by my school district. Questions that I have would be how to find time to develop these lessons, and what does one do when technology doesn't work. I am also wondering if there is a good way to track student progress in using technology or to determine if greades are improving through the use of technology.

GAME Plan Week 3

In putting my GAME plan into action I need to receive training on how to use the Mimio Board, which is an interactive white board effectively in my classroom. I wish to learn how to use it in ways that reach all of my students. I am familiar with how it works but also know that I am far from using it to it's fullest potential. I wish to use the Mimio board to bring lessons to life and engage all students in learning while also learning and applying valuable 21st Century skills in real life situations. I need to have internet access, access to various websites including BrainPop, and UnitedStreaming.

Another piece of technology on my wish list is the NEO 2 by Renaissance Learning. This piece of technology has many functions such as word processing, student response systems, Accelerated Reader quizzes, and allows for students to peer edit and print out work. I believe that this piece of technology would allow for sudents to become engaged in the lesson as well as learn to become self directed learners.

I am currently using the Accellerated Reader in our 8th grade classroom. Students enjoy the option of choosing their own books. I am also currently enrolled in the Integrating Technology in the Classroom master's program through Walden University. In completion of these courses I should have a better understanding of how to implement the use of technology in the classroom effectively.

Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

The two indicators I choose to focus on are "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" and "Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assments."

When looking at "Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity" I have developed the following GAME plan:
Goals:
1. I wish to create learning activities that requires students to think in a creative manner using real-world activities so that students may make connection with and utilize 21st Century Learning Skills.
2. Many students are aware of how to work technology while I see other student that do not have computer access at home. I need to create an environment in which these students have access to these computers and software programs that are readily available.
3. I will design activities that address the diverse learning styles of each student.

Action:
1. I will collaborate with other teachers to design creative learning experiences for students integrating the use of technology.
2. I will write grants as available to bring more available technology in the classroom.
3. I will use online tests and surveys to determine student learning styles so that I may take this into consideration when designing lessons and assessments.

Monitoring:
1. I will use formative assessments to reflect upon student learning. I will then use this information to plan and guide future lessons.

Evaluation:
1. I will reflect upon student assessments and results to determine whether or not my lessons have been effective.


When looking at "Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments"
I have designed the following GAME Plan.
Goals:
1. I will create a technology rich learning environment by implementing and using effectively all possible forms of technology when available.
2. I will design lessons based on the learning styles of my specific students.

Actions:
1. I will design classroom activities and lessons that allow for the use of technology when available and the the use of all available technology, so that students may develop adequate skills in using multiple forms of technology in meaningful ways which may be applied to the real world work place.

Monitor -
1. I will monitor student progress though the use of formative and summative assesments. I will compare student averages between grading periods.

Evaluate -
1. I will evaluate my progress of my goals by looking at the progression of student achievement. If achievement is truly being made. I will use this information to plan specific upcoming lessons.

Reflection

The only constant in education is change. In order for students today to be prepared for the future work place the must acquire 21st century learning skills. “The ability to learn continuously changing technologies for literacy may be a more critical part than learning any particular technology of literacy itself” (Leu, Kinzer, Coiro, & Cammack, 2004, p1605). In completing this course, I am now aware of the preparations I need to take in designing lessons to meet the needs of my students in terms of development of new literacy skills. One step I would like to take towards enhancing my own technology skills is to bring more technology into my classroom through the writing of grants and to use the technology I have to its fullest potential.
In order to keep up with the fast pace of education and technology, both teachers and students must put forth much effort into preparing for the future. One way I believe or students can be more prepared is to revise our Acceptable Use Policy in regards to technology. Most schools already have one in place stating “students will not visit inappropriate websites, use offensive language, plagiarize, or harm the computers” (Eagleton & Dobler, 2007, p56). While I was pleasantly pleased with our districts policy, I believe students need more guidance and direct instruction on the dangers of technology misuse. Because many students are quite familiar with technology use, the are still naïve when I comes to the dangers of misusing technology. I was surprised by what students are automatically expected to know about technology use. I believe that students should be educated on the dangers of internet misuse at the beginning of each school year. This concepts and ideas need to be ingrained in their minds. Students need to see how to use technology through modeling or other activities.
This course has enabled me to take a serious look at how technology is integrated in the classroom. I believe that I will now be able to plan lessons and units that encourage the effective use of technology as learning tools. “Language arts classrooms can be technology-rich environments if you help students understand that technology is an integral part of the classroom curriculum” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p190). I believe that if I approach my unit plans as I did for this course that I will be able to ensure that I am utilizing technology in my classroom efficiently and effectively to create memorable learning experiences. I will go through a step by step process looking at each part of the lesson to see where I can integrate and how I can integrate technology into the lesson. In planning the unit bit by bit, I will look closely at how I may best utilize technology in the classroom.
One way I intend to enhance my professional development is to learn to use all the available and new technology effectively in the classroom. The first step is to be a self-directed learner and see what available resources I have access to on my own.. I can conduct my own research and look into how others are using the same technology in their own room. I have also had the opportunity to observe in another classroom to see how technology is being utilized there. I plan to continue my professional development through the classes needed to complete this degree. I also plan to attend available conferences that will enable me to enhance my classroom practice in the terms of integrating technology effectively. I will take what I am learning and develop units that promote the use and development of new literacy skills.
This course has enabled me to learn about the new literacy skills necessary for students to learn and develop in order to be successful in the future. Many students still do not have access to technology at home and are reliant on what they learn at school. I believe that it is pertinent that I utilize all available technology as often as possible in order to provide these students with the education they need to be successful in the future.


Resouces
Eagleton, M. B., & Dobler, E. (2007). Reading the Web: Strategies for Internet inquiry. New York: The Guilford Press.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Based Approach.