Developing a GAME Plan

I want to bring in new ideas to foster interest and develop 21st Century Skills for my students. As Mark Prensky (2008) states, Educators would figure out ways to use, build on, and strengthen students' reservoirs of knowledge. In making the decision to get my Master’s Degree, I knew I had to update my skills to incorporate more technology. Last week I read about the Game Plan (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009), which is a plan for self-directed learning and by using this system, I can decide the focus of my learning and how it will take place. After referencing the ISTE (National Educational Technology Standards and Performance Indicators for Teachers), I was able to identify the areas in which I need to improve. I will monitor my learning and evaluate my progress. I chose two areas in which I would like to focus and created a GAME Plan for myself.

1. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS-T.

A. Teachers should design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

G- Set Goals
My goal is to develop learning experiences using the interactive whiteboard to promote student learning and engagement. I would like to design lessons in the content areas that increase student knowledge and creative thinking.

A- Take Action
I will research different websites for appropriate lessons for my content areas and collaborate with other second grade teachers to share information and lessons. I will develop a new lesson in a content area each week for at least four weeks.

M- Monitor
For monitoring, I will use the initials WB (Whiteboard) on my lesson plans. I can track the number of times I use it for my lessons quite easily. I can monitor the different content areas that I reach also using this system.


E-Evaluate and Extend Learning
The evaluation of my lessons using the interactive whiteboard will be through a Reflective Journal. After completing each lesson that I designed, I will rate it using a rubric for student engagement, content, interactivity, and interest. I will comment on the good parts of the lesson and what I need to change. If needed, I will save artifacts from the lesson to help fine tune the activity.


2. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.
C. Teachers communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats.

G- Set Goals
I would like to increase my communications with students and parents using my website, and blog. I want to design my website to be more interactive and informative to parents and students.

A-Take Action
I will attend a SchoolWires conference to learn more about the different features that are available to use on my website. I will spend 30 minutes per week on developing the website and keeping it up to date. I will visit other teachers’ websites to get new ideas for implementing on my website.

M- Monitor
To monitor my website, I will survey parents and students to find out what they use most often and what was most helpful to them.

E-Evaluate and Extend Learning
To evaluate my communications with parents and students through my website, I will use a counter to track the number of visitors and track posts to my blog.
I hope to hear your thoughts about this plan and welcome any suggestions that you have to help me adjust my GAME Plan.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. (M. Staudt, & M. Stranz, Eds.) Mason, OH, USA: Cengage Learning.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf on May 12, 2010.
Prensky, M. (2008). Turning on the Lights. Educational Leadership , 65 (6), 40-45.