GAME plan progress

The indicators that I had stated in my GAME plan to focus on are:

1.      Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

2.      Model Digital Age Work and Learning

The course text that we have been using has a focus and expectations mainly on descriptors 1 and 2. As part of my action plan, I decided to visit the ISTE site again so that I quit getting them mixed up. I have gained further understanding of more specific expectations so that I am able to separate them confidently in my mind and reflections.  One thing that I have learned is that indicators 2 and 4 intertwine with the work, teaching, and researching in which I am doing. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly feel that all of the ISTE indicators need to be applied in the classroom, and I need guidance in all of them. I just needed clarification as far as staying on track with my goal to improve on the indicators that I chose to focus on. I’m wondering if I am the only one who gets the indicators mixed up, because I really think that much of it overlaps. Another action that I have taken that I found to be very worthwhile is to look at the following websites that have certainly helped to raise my knowledge bank (see below).
Thank you for visiting my site, and have a happy day!
Cathy

Balancing 2 Faces of ePortfolio- This site has great explanations, visuals, and resource links. http://electronicportfolios.org/balance/index.html

Create Your Own Electronic Portfolio- This site is like a glossary of ‘need to know’ terms if you are going to create a portfolio. It has links to many technology free applications. http://electronicportfolios.org/portfolios/iste2k.html

Monitoring my GAME

As I monitor my GAME plan, I have some successes and some obstacles to post this blog.  First of all, I would like to say thank you to the comments that I have received, and that I shall receive.  You don’t know it yet, but just by your ideas, suggestions, and the mere act of communicating on a blog is pushing me forward on my tech adventure. So…Thank you! I said all that to say all this…As part of my action plan, I decided to go in search of an expert within my elementary school. I also wanted to find out if anyone has ideas or experience with integrating technology into their classrooms, or allowing students on computers to do research. I am it. Other than what I am attempting to do and another classroom response system, there are no smart boards, no webquests, no student created power points within my entire grade school. Another part of action that I have taken is to collect quite a large list of links that I can include with the Webquest that my third graders are going to research.  The resources that I will need to carry out my plan are basically the computers. I will need to have a group work with me on the overhead computer, and group the rest in 3’s in order to have enough computers to go around. I already introduced the Webquest as whole group, and am hoping to get the students on the computers next week. Wish me luck, and THANK YOU Again!
Cathryn

P.S. While searching for photo story ideas for my classroom, I chanced upon a very awesome bookbuilder on cast.org site.  It is a message to teachers on UDL, check it out! http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view.php?op=model&book=30018&page=1

GAME plan

I am in the process of developing a GAME plan for building my own confidence and experience on at least 2 indicators in NETS-T. First of all, GAME = setting Goal, taking Action, Monitoring those actions, and Evaluating or reflecting on how my plan works for me (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, p14).  The indicators that I have chosen to focus on are to “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity,” and also,“Model Digital Age Work and Learning.” The actions that I plan to take in order to achieve those goals are to use a new technology tool (new to me) in order to enhance student learning. There are a couple of technology tools that I have in mind to use. We have recently built a student research area that currently has 8 stations that students can use. I would like to get individual and small groups of students working on those computers during instructional time. The other technology tool that I would like to explore would be the use of student created digital storytelling. I will model the use of the new technology in front of students. As I do so, I will simultaneously be modeling and pronouncing lifelong learning. I feel it is very important to share the love of learning, and willingness to learn. I really like the explanation of Dr. Peggy Ertmer, who stated that knowledge of technology and pedagogy are only the beginning. “Confidence is important so that you are comfortable enough to make a mistake or be able to say that I don’t know, in order to do that you need experience.”  I will monitor my progress by keeping a log of successes, and things that I would do differently. I will evaluate my learning by my confidence level and a KWHL chart. No matter the results, my learning will be extended by successes and failures, searching relevant topics via tutorials, wikis, blogs, and advice from experts. Thank you for visiting my blog, and have a happy day!
Cathy

Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences With Technology, Part 1. [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.