The GAME plan philosophy, steams from the idea of establishing a goal, taking action on that particular goal, monitoring progress and evaluating the goal and its' effectiveness (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). Over the past several weeks, I have focused on establishing two goals. They are as follows: incorporating blogs and wikis when appropriate in my physical education class and creating a classroom website to be used as a communication device between myself, parents and my students. Despite the short week, I have taken a few steps, recommended by Dr. Katherine Cennamo, to demonstrate my ability to be a self-directed learner by planning, monitoring and evaluating my GAME plan (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).
As a result of my efforts this week, I have been able to meet with my technology teacher to explore scheduling and availability in terms of using the computer lab. We have established a rough outline of the times in which my fifth graders will be able to use to the computer lab, outside of their physical education classes to respond to specific questions and open-ended response assessments. As we learned in this week's resources, open-ended responses take little time to create and are widely effective in terms of allowing students to express their thinking in a creative manner (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I have also started to experiment with Microsoft FrontPage in terms of creating my own classroom website. I have found this process to be quite simple to use and have enjoyed using the various tools and options. As Dr. Peggy Ertmer states, four important attributes of teachers that effectively integrate technology are: knowledge, confidence, beliefs and supportive culture (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). I am continuing to focus on all four of these attributes and allowing them to drive me toward succeeding in my GAME plan.
As of now, I do not feel that I need to modify my GAME plan. I continue to look for new and improved ways to make my GAME plan more beneficial to my students. I have learned a tremendous amount by completing my Walden resources, as well as by conversing with my fellow colleagues. My classmates have given me several suggestions and helpful hints that have guided me in the right direction over the past few weeks. I look forward to hearing from more of my peers this week as to how I can continue to push forward to motivate myself to finish my website and blog inquiries.
References:
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.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
GAME Plan Part II
This week, I was asked to reflect on my GAME plan and discuss the resources, information needed and any steps that I have taken to carry out my GAME plan. Last week, I agreed to focus on the following two topics over the next several months: incorporating classroom blogs and wikis when possible and creating a classroom blog to inform parents and students of pertinent information.
As stated in last week's blog, all of my 5th graders currently have their own blog and classroom wiki. I would like to establish this same procedure with my fourth graders so that they are introduced to this technology prior to their fifth grade year. I have met with our technology teacher to discuss the possibility of acquiring new licenses for our fourth graders. We have emailed our county technology representative and he is currently investigating the cost of purchasing new licenses. In terms of 5th grade, I have developed a block plan related to the ballroom unit that they will begin after the Christmas holiday. I have included opportunities for my students to use the computer lab to work on their blogs and wikis related to this unit.
Unfortunately, I have not been as productive with my second goal of creating a classroom website. I still need to meet with the select group of teachers at my school and determine the process that they took in order to begin to establish a blog. I was able to receive a link to a personal classroom blog from another Walden colleague that has been very helpful. He teaches physical education as well so I was able to see the way in which his blog was laid out and the activities and ideas that he chose to include. I need to continue to seek additional information from other professionals including my physical education supervisor so that I am able to include any state content information that is relative to my discipline.
Please share any ideas that you may have about classroom blogs and the process of getting started with this task.
Thanks again Brian!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
As stated in last week's blog, all of my 5th graders currently have their own blog and classroom wiki. I would like to establish this same procedure with my fourth graders so that they are introduced to this technology prior to their fifth grade year. I have met with our technology teacher to discuss the possibility of acquiring new licenses for our fourth graders. We have emailed our county technology representative and he is currently investigating the cost of purchasing new licenses. In terms of 5th grade, I have developed a block plan related to the ballroom unit that they will begin after the Christmas holiday. I have included opportunities for my students to use the computer lab to work on their blogs and wikis related to this unit.
Unfortunately, I have not been as productive with my second goal of creating a classroom website. I still need to meet with the select group of teachers at my school and determine the process that they took in order to begin to establish a blog. I was able to receive a link to a personal classroom blog from another Walden colleague that has been very helpful. He teaches physical education as well so I was able to see the way in which his blog was laid out and the activities and ideas that he chose to include. I need to continue to seek additional information from other professionals including my physical education supervisor so that I am able to include any state content information that is relative to my discipline.
Please share any ideas that you may have about classroom blogs and the process of getting started with this task.
Thanks again Brian!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
GAME Plan for Success
After reading all of the ISTE's Educational Technology Standards for Teachers, I realized that for the most part, I am up to speed in terms of technology expectations in the classroom. In physical education, it is sometimes difficult to develop creative ways to integrate technology while keeping the students moving as much as possible.
With that in mind, I have chosen to focus on improving my instruction in the following indicators:
1.c- promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
3.c-communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
1. c
GOAL - In order to accomplish this, I plan to utilize each classroom wiki whenever possible and have students communicate via classroom blogs.
ACTION - Each student in grades 3-5 already has already established their own personal physical education blog. When entering the computer lab each week, students will have the opportunity to answer a question prompt posted on their blog or wiki accounts.
MONITOR - I will access student accounts and respond to posts throughout the week when appropriate. I plan to guide students throughout this process and create online groupings to diminish any confusion that may occur with such large class sizes.
EVALUATE - The best way to see if this strategy is working is to read student posts and determine whether or not their conversation is meaningful and relevant to the specific topic.
3. c.
GOAL - One particular goal that I have always had that has never been fulfilled is to establish my own classroom website. Creating a classroom website would allow me to post objectives, announcements and any other information relative to my classroom. I could also communicate with parents by setting up a message board within the website.
ACTION - In order to accomplish this goal, I must begin to research the various tools used to create a classroom website. I can talk with teachers that have already been through this process and determine the best possible means of getting started on this project.
MONITOR - I would make it a point to visit my website often and update it regularly. I would also ask parents for feedback and encourage students to visit the website to seek additional knowledge regarding a given topic.
EVALUATE- Finally, I plan to use parent feedback and student comments in order to help make my website more user friendly and beneficial to my students and parents.
I am open to additional suggestions and would love to hear feedback on any of my ideas!!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T). (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Home. Retrieved November 10, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
With that in mind, I have chosen to focus on improving my instruction in the following indicators:
1.c- promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes.
3.c-communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.
1. c
GOAL - In order to accomplish this, I plan to utilize each classroom wiki whenever possible and have students communicate via classroom blogs.
ACTION - Each student in grades 3-5 already has already established their own personal physical education blog. When entering the computer lab each week, students will have the opportunity to answer a question prompt posted on their blog or wiki accounts.
MONITOR - I will access student accounts and respond to posts throughout the week when appropriate. I plan to guide students throughout this process and create online groupings to diminish any confusion that may occur with such large class sizes.
EVALUATE - The best way to see if this strategy is working is to read student posts and determine whether or not their conversation is meaningful and relevant to the specific topic.
3. c.
GOAL - One particular goal that I have always had that has never been fulfilled is to establish my own classroom website. Creating a classroom website would allow me to post objectives, announcements and any other information relative to my classroom. I could also communicate with parents by setting up a message board within the website.
ACTION - In order to accomplish this goal, I must begin to research the various tools used to create a classroom website. I can talk with teachers that have already been through this process and determine the best possible means of getting started on this project.
MONITOR - I would make it a point to visit my website often and update it regularly. I would also ask parents for feedback and encourage students to visit the website to seek additional knowledge regarding a given topic.
EVALUATE- Finally, I plan to use parent feedback and student comments in order to help make my website more user friendly and beneficial to my students and parents.
I am open to additional suggestions and would love to hear feedback on any of my ideas!!
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
The ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T). (n.d.). International Society for Technology in Education Home. Retrieved November 10, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Final Thoughts on Information Literacy Skills
When this course first started, I must admit that I had no idea what to expect in terms of new learning. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to incorporate things from this class into my current classroom setting. The past eight weeks have provided me with a wealth of knowledge in terms of literacy skills and shown me strategies and techniques in order to successfully develop an Inquiry-Based Unit Plan.
After completing the 21st Century Fluency Audit during the first week of class, I learned that there were things that I need to work on in order to further develop my knowledge of 21st century fluency. I have gained strategies that have allowed me to overcome my weakness of locating and managing resources for problem solving and reading for information and application. I now understand the importance of being well-rounded in terms of new literacy skills and will continue to work on developing these skills in the future.
The most striking revelation that I had in regards to teaching new literacy skills is that it is really not all that difficult. I was intimidated at first, but I have soon realized that many of my students already possess a large amount of resources that simply need to be managed and developed. I was surprised to see the students' working throughout my Inquiry Based Unit Plan. They were excited to use the computers in order to conduct research on the Olympics and even more excited to transcribe their new knowledge into their classroom wiki. Without knowing it, they were questioning, understanding their resources, evaluating, synthesizing and transforming their information into a final project.
The knowledge from this course has made me think about other units in which I could incorporate the QUEST model for Inquiry Based Unit Plans. I have already spoken to our technology teacher and we have plans to incorporate this model into the 5th grade Ballroom Unit that occurs annually in the winter. I have also learned the importance of the ability to determine fact vs. fiction online. I have learned strategies and exercises to teach my students ways to determine valuable vs. invaluable websites. Students must understand what they are reading and know whether or not the information is creditable.
One professional learning goal that that I plan to pursue after completing this course relates to Prometheon Software and Interactive White Board Technology. This year, my entire school received Prometheon Boards, Active Votes and Active Tabs. I have already signed and started a Course on "Using Prometheon Boards", which is conveniently being offered at my school. I have enrolled in an online course as well through Prometheon Planet which will allow me to gain further knowledge in the area of this particular software. My goal is to become proficient with this new technology by the end of the second quarter so that I may utilize this technology to extend my students' 21st literacy skills throughout the second part of the school year. I plan to incorporate critical thinking skills, cooperative activities, strategies on applying new knowledge and fun and exciting activities designed to encourage interaction and creativity with the Prometheon Software. I
After completing the 21st Century Fluency Audit during the first week of class, I learned that there were things that I need to work on in order to further develop my knowledge of 21st century fluency. I have gained strategies that have allowed me to overcome my weakness of locating and managing resources for problem solving and reading for information and application. I now understand the importance of being well-rounded in terms of new literacy skills and will continue to work on developing these skills in the future.
The most striking revelation that I had in regards to teaching new literacy skills is that it is really not all that difficult. I was intimidated at first, but I have soon realized that many of my students already possess a large amount of resources that simply need to be managed and developed. I was surprised to see the students' working throughout my Inquiry Based Unit Plan. They were excited to use the computers in order to conduct research on the Olympics and even more excited to transcribe their new knowledge into their classroom wiki. Without knowing it, they were questioning, understanding their resources, evaluating, synthesizing and transforming their information into a final project.
The knowledge from this course has made me think about other units in which I could incorporate the QUEST model for Inquiry Based Unit Plans. I have already spoken to our technology teacher and we have plans to incorporate this model into the 5th grade Ballroom Unit that occurs annually in the winter. I have also learned the importance of the ability to determine fact vs. fiction online. I have learned strategies and exercises to teach my students ways to determine valuable vs. invaluable websites. Students must understand what they are reading and know whether or not the information is creditable.
One professional learning goal that that I plan to pursue after completing this course relates to Prometheon Software and Interactive White Board Technology. This year, my entire school received Prometheon Boards, Active Votes and Active Tabs. I have already signed and started a Course on "Using Prometheon Boards", which is conveniently being offered at my school. I have enrolled in an online course as well through Prometheon Planet which will allow me to gain further knowledge in the area of this particular software. My goal is to become proficient with this new technology by the end of the second quarter so that I may utilize this technology to extend my students' 21st literacy skills throughout the second part of the school year. I plan to incorporate critical thinking skills, cooperative activities, strategies on applying new knowledge and fun and exciting activities designed to encourage interaction and creativity with the Prometheon Software. I
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