Two weeks ago I began developing my GAME plan. GAME is an acronym for set Goals, take Action, Monitor, and Evaluate and extend, and is used to assist in self-directed learning (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). The first goal I set was to create a classroom website that will be used to provide information to students, families, and the community, and a place where students can publish their work. My second goal is to introduce and show my colleagues what technology can do for them in the classroom. This week I am monitoring my progress on these goals.
I have spent some time looking for the information and resources I need and have found a lot of helpful information on creating a quality classroom website. Two of these resources are located at http://k6educators.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Classroom_Web_Site0963767121.htm and http://hubpages.com/hub/10-Tips-for-an-A-Plus-Classroom-Website. The tips they offer have been helpful. The information that I am still having difficulty obtaining is from my own school district which seems to have put a hold on my request for permission to place school information on my website until after the holiday vacation. I have also been gathering information to provide to my colleagues on the benefits of technology in the classroom. After reviewing effective assessments using technology this week in class I knew some of my colleagues might be interested in learning more about it. Ross noted that assessing with technology provides flexible options for testing student content learning (Laureate Education INC., 2009). Last year I began building digital portfolios with my students. This morning I had the opportunity to share examples of these portfolios with a few of my colleagues. The information located at http://electronicportfolios.org/handbook/index.html was extremely helpful in talking about the process of using electronic portfolios and how to get started. I think I have at least one of my colleagues interested in using something similar with her students and I will be talking more about it with her next week. Does anyone else have additional information or resources that I might find helpful in this area?
At this point I do not feel like I will need to modify my GAME plan, other than to reflect a more realistic time table for development of my classroom website. I have a general idea of website design and links to helpful resources I seem to be at the mercy of my school district on moving forward. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions on this? I am beginning to think I should build the page using software and then try to move it to a site when I get the okay. The problem is that I am unsure what I will get the okay to put in the website. Hopefully I will find out early next week.
So far I have learned to keep up with my goals. With my busy schedule it can be easy to put these goals on the “back burner” and forget to go back to them later. I have asked one of my colleagues at school to help me with this by asking me each day where I am on carrying out my GAME plan.
The new question that arose from this monitoring of my GAME plan is if my time table is still doable for my website. I wanted to have it running by the end of the blogging assignments. I hope to be able to move ahead as soon as possible this next week.
As always, I welcome thoughts, comments, and suggestions on my blog.
Shannon Eno
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program seven. Assessing Student Learning with Technology [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Carrying Out My GAME Plan
Developing a GAME plan is only the first step in becoming more confident and proficient in the NETS-T. This week I am looking at the resources and information I need to carry out my action plan.
One of my goals was to develop a classroom website that will serve as a way to produce information to students, families, and the community, and a place where students can publish their work. To accomplish this goal I will need my computer and, web development software, and an online host for my website. I will also need information related to making accessible websites for people with special needs. This week in our class, we have been looking at Universal design for learning (UDL) and assistive technology. Assistive technology and computer adaptations will allow my students more effective access to the computer (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 131). I must also get permission from my administrator and IT department before proceeding since I would be placing school information on the website. I have already put in the request and hope to hear back soon. Is there anything I am missing? Those of you who have build classroom websites might be able to let me know.
My other goal was to introduce and show my colleagues what technology can do in the classroom. Working in special education, we have access to many forms of assistive technology that could be useful for our students, but I have often seen it unused, because the teacher does not know how to properly work it. Ross states that effective teachers using assistive technology in the classroom must know how to use the technology (Laureate Education, INC., 2009). To accomplish this goal I will need information on how to use the technologies so that I can teach it to my colleagues. I will also need to make myself familiar with research that can help show my peers the benefits of technology integration. I have begun doing this already this past week. I have access to much of the research due to the classes I have been taking through Walden University.
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. If you have any resources that I would find beneficial in developing and carrying out my GAME plan, please let me know. It is through collaboration that we grow as educators.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
One of my goals was to develop a classroom website that will serve as a way to produce information to students, families, and the community, and a place where students can publish their work. To accomplish this goal I will need my computer and, web development software, and an online host for my website. I will also need information related to making accessible websites for people with special needs. This week in our class, we have been looking at Universal design for learning (UDL) and assistive technology. Assistive technology and computer adaptations will allow my students more effective access to the computer (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 131). I must also get permission from my administrator and IT department before proceeding since I would be placing school information on the website. I have already put in the request and hope to hear back soon. Is there anything I am missing? Those of you who have build classroom websites might be able to let me know.
My other goal was to introduce and show my colleagues what technology can do in the classroom. Working in special education, we have access to many forms of assistive technology that could be useful for our students, but I have often seen it unused, because the teacher does not know how to properly work it. Ross states that effective teachers using assistive technology in the classroom must know how to use the technology (Laureate Education, INC., 2009). To accomplish this goal I will need information on how to use the technologies so that I can teach it to my colleagues. I will also need to make myself familiar with research that can help show my peers the benefits of technology integration. I have begun doing this already this past week. I have access to much of the research due to the classes I have been taking through Walden University.
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. If you have any resources that I would find beneficial in developing and carrying out my GAME plan, please let me know. It is through collaboration that we grow as educators.
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Developing My Personal GAME Plan
After reviewing the National Education Standards for Teachers I decided on two standards that I would like to become more proficient and confident in. They are:
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
5b. 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 (ISTE, 2008)
The first goal I have for becoming more proficient on standard 3c is to design a classroom website. I have tried this before, but I got busy, and the project fell by the wayside. At this point, having taken a number of classes through Walden, I am already better prepared at designing the website to be a place where I can relay information to students and parents, as well as showcase student and classroom work when appropriate.
The second goal I have relates to standard 5b. At this point, I am the only teacher in my program at school (students with multiple disabilities) interested in technology integration. Of the five teachers in the program, I am the only one to have made any technology requests, other than for a computer. As such, it is sometimes difficult for me to convince administrators to spend the money on technology for my students. I feel that if I can convince my colleagues how the technology integration can enhance their teaching we can petition for the technology together. To do this, my goal is to demonstrate and teach my colleagues about the power of technology integration.
To accomplish these goals I will take action on building a website with information for students, parents, and peers. The website will also have suggested resources and showcase classroom work and projects. I am also looking for other suggestions on what I should include in the website. Successful and beneficial sites need to be defined (Who is the audience? What information do they need? What content will be available?) in advance (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.64).
I will also need to take action in accomplishing my second goal, but I am having a little more trouble in what action will make the biggest impact. I thought about inviting my peers to see me use the technology. I also thought about maybe leading a little in-service during the afternoon of a half-day. Does anyone else have suggestions? They seem so worried about everything they have to teach, that they say they do not have the time to learn the technology. While I understand their concern, Ertmer notes that for technology integration to be truly successful, supportive culture is key (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). Having supportive colleagues would be a big help to me.
To monitor my progress on these goals I will set goals on when to accomplish each step of my GAME plan. I also will have the timed aspect of these blogging assignments for my Master’s class. Lastly, I will also make these professional goals that we need to develop each year in the district.
To evaluate and extend my learning, I will look to see if I have completed what I set out to do. Do I have a website with all the components I am looking for? Have I shown my peers the vision of technology integration and are they willing to work with me in getting the technology and sharing ideas on how to integrate them seamlessly into our lessons to enhance student learning?
Please feel free to add suggestions for me. I am especially looking forward to hearing suggestions on how best to get my peers at school to see the power of technology integration, or for them to understand the technology integration is not just having a student computer in the classroom. Any thoughts?
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
Laureate Education Inc., (Producer). Program three. Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology Part One [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
3c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
5b. 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 (ISTE, 2008)
The first goal I have for becoming more proficient on standard 3c is to design a classroom website. I have tried this before, but I got busy, and the project fell by the wayside. At this point, having taken a number of classes through Walden, I am already better prepared at designing the website to be a place where I can relay information to students and parents, as well as showcase student and classroom work when appropriate.
The second goal I have relates to standard 5b. At this point, I am the only teacher in my program at school (students with multiple disabilities) interested in technology integration. Of the five teachers in the program, I am the only one to have made any technology requests, other than for a computer. As such, it is sometimes difficult for me to convince administrators to spend the money on technology for my students. I feel that if I can convince my colleagues how the technology integration can enhance their teaching we can petition for the technology together. To do this, my goal is to demonstrate and teach my colleagues about the power of technology integration.
To accomplish these goals I will take action on building a website with information for students, parents, and peers. The website will also have suggested resources and showcase classroom work and projects. I am also looking for other suggestions on what I should include in the website. Successful and beneficial sites need to be defined (Who is the audience? What information do they need? What content will be available?) in advance (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.64).
I will also need to take action in accomplishing my second goal, but I am having a little more trouble in what action will make the biggest impact. I thought about inviting my peers to see me use the technology. I also thought about maybe leading a little in-service during the afternoon of a half-day. Does anyone else have suggestions? They seem so worried about everything they have to teach, that they say they do not have the time to learn the technology. While I understand their concern, Ertmer notes that for technology integration to be truly successful, supportive culture is key (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). Having supportive colleagues would be a big help to me.
To monitor my progress on these goals I will set goals on when to accomplish each step of my GAME plan. I also will have the timed aspect of these blogging assignments for my Master’s class. Lastly, I will also make these professional goals that we need to develop each year in the district.
To evaluate and extend my learning, I will look to see if I have completed what I set out to do. Do I have a website with all the components I am looking for? Have I shown my peers the vision of technology integration and are they willing to work with me in getting the technology and sharing ideas on how to integrate them seamlessly into our lessons to enhance student learning?
Please feel free to add suggestions for me. I am especially looking forward to hearing suggestions on how best to get my peers at school to see the power of technology integration, or for them to understand the technology integration is not just having a student computer in the classroom. Any thoughts?
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
Laureate Education Inc., (Producer). Program three. Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology Part One [Motion picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)