Sunday, April 24, 2011

Final GAME PLAN Reflection:


 
The reflection process is a very important step in any type of improvement circumstances and reflecting on the last eight weeks, throughout these GAME days, is no different.  As I embarked on creating my GAME plan, eight weeks ago, I remembered being a little fuzzy trying to envision the end result, but I persevered week by week.   Soon, I was able to see the whole picture and enjoyed working towards my goals.

There have been some very helpful aspects of my GAME plan that I had developed through this course and have already begun incorporating into my daily teachings. My first Goal of “Model Digital-Age Work and Learning” involved me being able to demonstrate fluency in technologies both current and rising, while sharing my information to support students’ learning.  Because I continued to reach above and beyond my comfort zone when using technology, I have learned so many new things over this past 8 weeks that I would have never predicted.  Due to my hard work and using all types/kinds of technology, I was recently asked to assist my school’s technology teacher during a computer session for my entire faculty.  Also, I have made progress in incorporating this goal with my students.  The next few weeks I have two- technology integrated projects planned that I am working on with my students.  Having never done anything like this before, I am very excited and eager for both my students and myself.  No matter what the end results may be, my students and I will be more enriched and experienced.

The second Goal I worked on was conveying relevant information through various digital venues in an effective manner to student, parent, and colleagues.  At first, I thought this goal was going to be achieved within a quicker timeframe, but in fact, the opposite could not be truer.  When trying to start a group account for my colleagues to share information and resources, I came across a professional barrier.  This is an adjustment that I will have to sort through in order to be able to bring this goal to fruition.  By the end of this summer, I plan to have the group account for my colleagues operating and the said address distributed, and additionally, I plan to have my class website, new and improved and ready for action as soon as school starts.

I am very grateful for the privilege of being exposed to such useful and practical ideas that I can incorporate into my classroom.  This course has provided me with a sound foundation in which to build and grow upon for the unknowns of tomorrow.  I am a better teacher because of this course today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Linking NET-S and NET-T; Week 7
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                Images Taken From http://www.iste.org/



As one examines the NET-S and the NET-T standards, it is obvious they are intertwined; therefore, one must understand BOTH.  The most obvious way to thoroughly begin to understand something is to explore and act on it.  This is a cycle that will have a snowball affect on both teachers and students.  Teachers will begin to implement more technology, students will see teachers using more technology and begin to learn and want more technology integrated into their daily lessons, teachers will witness the students positive response and eagerness to learn and an adept ability to understand digital concepts quickly, students will begin to experiment on their own or formulate questions to ask teachers, teachers will explore, learn, experiment more.  When working together on the same team, both students and teachers can motivate each other while constantly learning.  Teachers need not be afraid that they might not know everything about technology, but just be confident enough to be honest and keep learning.

When creating my lesson plans I will incorporate NET-S and NET-T guidelines.  Even though I'm not using the GAME acronym,  I will be more conscientious because of our GAME assignment.  I have already met with my CTT (computer-technology-teacher) this week and outlined a plan of all the technology software programs I would like to use for the remainder of this year and for next year.  When I approached my CTT, I stated that it was my responsibility to expose and teach my students in their elementary years, the basics of certain software programs and technology in general, resulting in basic knowledge for my students when they move on to middle school. 

NETS standards for Teachers and Students definitely overlap. One of the most important things to keep in mind for all teachers is that no matter how tiny your step might be when integrating technology, it is better than not incorporating any technology at all.  Always keep in mind that you are still helping your students improve their literacy skills in this 21st century demanding world!


Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. Chapters 8-16.


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Reviewing my GAME


The two NET Standards areas that I chose for my GAME plan are
“Model Digital-Age Work and Learning.”

This first Goal involves me being able to demonstrate fluency in technologies both current and rising, while sharing my information to support students’ learning.  As far as this goal is concerned, I am making tremendous progress.  I am adding some type of 21st century skills in my lessons for my students almost daily now.  I have joined a twitter network that shares educational ideas and rejuvenated instructional ways to help reach students.  I am now in a position to access new an array of websites and also I’m able to now help my colleagues locate and access ideas or information for which they are searching.  This particular goal will be ongoing, because I do not foresee myself being regarded as ‘all-knowing’ in the technology realm.  By extending this goal to ‘permanent mode’, hopefully my current growth rate will continue as is, and I will always be a lifelong-learner.  In the area of future improvement for my future learning and continued growth, will be not to hold out so long in experimenting with things like twitter or blogging etc.

The second Goal is conveying relevant information through various digital venues in an effective manner to students, parents, and colleagues.  After receiving feed back from colleagues and peers, I believe that setting up a parent night in order to provide direct demonstrations and opportunities for parents to experiment and ask questions is one of the key to this goal being successful.  I have already spoken with my principal and she was excited and eager for my goal to be implemented, but asked me to execute this intent next year.  Concerning the goal of creating a group account for special education teachers has more or less hit a snag and this particular goal I am still working on.  One approach I have learned stemming from that goal is it might be better to ask for forgiveness rather than asking for permission (I would really only consider this tactic only when I know my actions are not breaking any regulations or rules).