Monitoring My GAME Plan

I have been able to find the information and resources that I need to carry out my GAME plan.  Thankfully, other teachers have shared ideas for web 2.0 tools that do not require e-mail addresses and allow teachers to monitor the accounts.  I have sent a request to the Head of Schools to see if kidblog.org could be used in the classroom.  I also sent him an animoto on how we use technology already.  I am hoping that this will help me go forward in my goal to inspire student learning through web 2.0 tools.  I also want to personalize the learning experience for my students.  This is still a struggle because of the lack of technology available.  It looks as though the school will be purchasing tablets for next school year.  However, the computer teacher is posting a schedule for the lab starting next week.  This should help my goal.

I do not need to modify my action plan.  I think that I will be able to meet my goals based on my current actions.

I have learned that to change the technology policy and attitudes at my school requires a lengthy process.  I had hoped since I teach at a small Christian school, it would only take a week or two.  It looks like it will be at least a month because the school ministry team has to approve my request.  My students completed a survey on their learning styles this week.  It opened my eyes to the varying styles within our class.  Many of them prefer to use music and technology to learn.  I use this strategy in most of my lessons so I feel that I am at least reaching my students.

Right now I am questioning the timeline on meeting my goal.  The school has requested that I find acceptable technology use policies from other schools that we could adapt.  If any teachers have a policy that they could share, this would speed up my process.

Carrying out my GAME plan.

Last week I wrote a GAME plan to help improve my teaching.  My goals are to inspire student learning and creativity using web 2.0 tools and personalize activities for my students base on their learning styles and abilities.

To meet these goals, I will need resources.  I plan to include web 2.0 tools in my reading, science, and Bible classes.  My students need access to computers.  The school ministry team has been discussing adding a computer to the classroom for student use.  Currently, students are not allowed to use teacher laptops.  Until I am able to get computers in my classroom.  I will use the computer lab during my students' computer time or free lab time.  This will require me to collaborate with the computer and library teachers.  I will need websites to use with my students that do not require students to use an e-mail address.

I will also need information.  I need to know what my students' learning styles and abilities are.  Some of this information is found in their records.  I can learn the rest of it through surveys and conversations with students.  I only have 12 students at a time, so I will be able to have discussions with them.  I also need articles to support differentiated instruction wit web 2.0 tools.  My hope is to change the current technology policy so students can use an e-mail address to log-in as needed.

So far, I have been able to discuss this plan with the computer teacher.  Because of the hurricane that came through, she is struggling to complete work with my students and is unable to give me time during her class.  I will need to use the lab during her planning period until December when we can co-teach twice a week.

Resources

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. D., & Ertmer, P. A. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: a standards-based approach. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth.

ISTE NETS

ISTE created a list of NETS for teachers.  These will help me become a better educator and integrate technology into my classroom.  I model digital age work and learning for my students on a daily basis.  When they have a question, we go to the internet to find the answer.  I use my SMART board to make my lessons interactive.  I also engage in professional growth and leadership.  Participating in an online graduate program has allowed me to speak to other educators about integrating technology.

There are a few NETS that I feel that I need to work on.  My school only has one computer in the classroom because the students go to computer class twice a week.  I need to work on facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity.  My students can use the few computers we have available to collaborate with other students in different environments.  They can web conference with other classrooms. 

I would also like to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments.  I incorporate tools and resources to promote student learning, but I do not always promote creativity.  I need to work on personalizing activities for my students based on their learning styles and abilities with technology.

My GAME plan:

Goals:

• Inspire student learning and creativity using web 2.0 tools.
• Personalize activities for my students based on their learning styles and abilities.

Actions:

• Work with computer teacher to find times that the lab is free.  This will allow time for web 2.0 tools.
•  Ask for another computer in my classroom.
• Give a survey to see how each student learns best.

Monitor:

• Give formative assessments using these tools and learning styles.  
• Make observations of how the students are doing.

Evaluate:

• I will evaluate my students and my teaching after each lesson.  

Do any teachers have suggestions for how to improve on these NETS with limited technology?

References

NETS-T. (n.d.). ISTE. Retrieved November 6, 2012, from www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2