As I reflect on my GAME plan for this course, I realize how much it helped me in staying on course. Not only did I make a commitment to myself, but to those of you who would read and comment on my posts. It kept me on track and moving forward in my learning. One of the things I learned was that it is important to be aware of how you or your students learn best. In Promoting Self Directed Learning with Technology, Dr. Katherine Cennamo explained that a great way to increase learning is for the learner to document the learning process in order to “evaluate the process and result/product of learning and what helped them learn most.” This will impact my instructional practice in that I will have students begin with ongoing self assessment checklists and KWHL charts that will assist in documenting said learning. Being aware of how I learn has been another lesson that will impact my teaching. I know that I am someone who must truly learn by doing. I feel that I have been breaking new ground as my courses with Walden push me to stretch and leave my comfort zone. I have also been able to reflect and realize the importance of allowing people options on how they best learn. One of my very favorite quotes from this course is from Cennamo and Ertner, “As you lead the way and break new ground in the world of technology integration, self-directed learning will be essential (19).”
If I were to modify my GAME plan, it would be to start with a checklist of what I need to know or do and place it as a visual reminder somewhere. It would make the reflections easier for me, as well as being a more reliable reference for data. That is why I feel that it would be beneficial to implement in my teaching practice. It helps when a learner can glance at how far they have come. It also can be a great motivator for new learning that may seem daunting.I feel it is very important to share the love of learning, and willingness to learn. The NETS-T indicator 3 has been one of my goals to improve and focus on which is to “Model Digital Age Work and Learning.” Sharing the process of GAME plan will be a great way to model this indicator.
Regarding technology adjustments that I will make to my instructional practice, there will be many. I have just been moved into a 4th grade position for the upcoming school year. At first, I was alarmed to find that my future classroom has no computers for student use. I have already put in a request, but I am unable to plan at this time whether I will be able to place students on computers within my classroom. I do know that I will use the classroom response system more often, and will be able to save student response data now that I will have a class of my own.
I will still be able to integrate problem-based learning and digital storytelling into my instruction. Digital storytelling can be done with power point and a digital camera, so those projects can still occur without access to student computers. I am thankful that this last school year, I was able to write a grant to build a student research area in the library. I will be taking my class to use those computers in order to give them practice with the necessary 21st Century skills. I believe that will inspire other teachers to do the same with their classroom. This will be a step toward much needed change. I feel that through Walden courses, I have developed confidence and empowerment enough to have begun a wave of change in our elementary school as far as integrating technology into our students’ instruction. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.).
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). (2010). Program One: Promoting self-directed learning with technology [Webcast]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas.
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