Over the last five weeks, I have developed and followed through the GAME plan process. Having been through the process (a process that I will continue to work through), I now look at how I can use this process with my own students. Just as I developed goals from the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T), my students should be seeking to accomplish goals set forth in the National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S). Among other things, students need to be able to use technology to be creative and innovative, collaborate, problem solve, research, and make decisions.
For my special education students, I would not have them go through the GAME plan in the same way that I did. Instead, I would go through the process as a class first. We would choose a classroom goal from a list of I develop. We would then brainstorm what we need to do to accomplish our goal and take action. Once every day or so we would monitor where we were and what changes (if any) we would need to make to our GAME plan. In the end, we would evaluate what we accomplished. Only after this process would I begin to have the students look over some of the areas of the NETS-S to choose what they would want to work on individually. It would need to be a longer process but I believe it would be an important one. Does anyone else have experience going through a process similar to this one with students who have cognitive and physical impairments? I would also appreciate suggestions on how to make the process as simple as possible, but still allow my students to feel it is an individualized process. Any thoughts?
Shannon Eno
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I agree with you that developing a class goal would be the best way to go. When I looked more closely at the student goals, I noticed several that are collaborative or group-oriented (1b - group creativity, 5b - collaboration with digital citizenship). The group could focus on these first and then those students who are able could go on to work on those that require more individual work. Just as your students have IEPs for academic work, I imagine they would need the same for digital goals. Another possibility would be 3d where you could, as a group, have your students process data and report the results. That goal would seem to mirror many of your math goals, I would believe.
ReplyDeleteI think the key to successful integration with your student population will be your ability to find appropriate sites for them. Many of the online projects are grouped by grade level and while I know you don't want to insult them by choosing a 'babyish' project, you should be able to find ones that are appropriate with some searching. Good luck!
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI think that you made very appropriate modifications to the GAME plan philosophy based on your student population. Completing each portion of the plan as a group will prevent your students from being overwhelmed and will also allow them to work together to accomplish goals. I teach three self-contained emotionally disturbed classes along with my other general education classes in physical education. I have tried similar strategies with these challenging students by allowing them to work together and focus on the class as a whole. Providing your students with an outline template may also help them understand the GAME plan philosophy and give them a simple structure and format to follow. You could fill in basic information within the outline and have your students complete the of the outline themselves or with a partner. I hope these suggestions help, best of luck!
Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the GAME plan process should be modified to meet the needs of your students. I think by modeling the GAME plan process first with the whole class is a great way for your students to learn how the process works. I also think that for younger students and students with cognitive delays, the teacher should choose a NETS-S standard for the entire class to work towards. For example you could work on technology operations and concepts with your students. Students can work toward mastering standard 6b which is to select and use applications effectively and productively. Whether you’re teaching your students when it is appropriate to use an assistive device, how to use Microsoft Word for typing, or using the internet for finding a picture, you are working towards this NETS-S goal. I would set a goal for the whole class a group of students and work the GAME plan process together. I think that you are doing some great things with your students. I have loved reading your posts every week. Have a great holiday season and a happy new year!
Jennifer
Reference:
National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
Anita, Rachael, and Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your posts. Finding activities can sometimes be difficult for students with cognitive impairments. Often assignments at their level are not age appropriate or appear babyish. It takes a lot of prep time to do the adapting I need to. It seems that working through the GAME plan as a group is the best way to start this process with my students. After Christmas break we will start the process. I appreciate all of your helpful suggestions and comments.
Shannon Eno