Evaluating my GAME Plan
How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
In reviewing my GAME plan and what actions I took, I believe that the steps I took to meet my goals have been helpful. I have been viewing different sites to look for interactive whiteboard lessons. I have accumulated quite a few and will be able to see where they will fit into my curriculum. With my website, I have been working on updating it since I attended the SchoolWires conference. Once the district updates the site, I will be able to access even more ways to improve my site.
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I have found many IWB lessons to use in my classroom and have already tried one with my students. It was successful and students really were engaged in their learning. Whiteboards support interactive learning environments that promote discussion and opportunities for participation in small-group or whole-class settings (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
I attended the Schoolwires Conference as Tech Liaison for my building and it was very informative. I am excited to get updates for our school site. I hope this update will include a counter widget. If not, I am not sure how I can determine the number of visits made to my site. If anyone has suggestions, I would be very grateful. As always, I am looking for new ideas to incorporate technology into my classroom.
How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
When the new school year starts, I will be updating my website and starting off the year with a fresh new outlook. Before this year ends, I hope to get a survey completed by the parents as to what is the most helpful part of my website. This way I can really focus on giving the parents what they want and need. I will continue to visit other teachers’ sites to look for good ideas. My goal will be to start a blog for my students before they come to school and continue it throughout the year.
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. (M. Staudt, & M. Stranz, Eds.) Mason, OH, USA: Cengage Learning.
Kerry
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Craig Jones said...
ReplyDeleteKerry,
Its a great idea to post a survey to the parents of the students you will teach to find out what they like in a teachers website! I am definitely curious what kind of responses you will receive. It is my experience that many parents find informative teacher websites to be a great tool, but sometimes can become somewhat of a hindrance, as it can be used as a crutch. From the outset, parents need to know exactly how the website can be used, and what they can expect from it, and then you have to take the responsibility to make darn sure that its updated, or you will definitely hear about it! This year, our school implemented using online calendars, and many parents would complain that all of the teacher calendars were not uniform. Many calendars (mine included) were outlines of what was being taught, and important upcoming dates (quiz, exam, project due dates...) while other teachers uploaded everything from the in-class PowerPoints, to printable notes, and practice quizzes and exams. While this may be, in parts, beneficial to students, I strongly believe that as an 8th grade teacher it is a part of my job to help to teach students self-reliance in addition to self-directed learning skills, and it would be unfair to send students off to the high school after not having been made to be responsible for themselves.
Have you run into this predicament in your use of a class website?
Craig,
ReplyDeleteI do know what you are talking about; it is the question of supporting the students too much. Who is responsible for getting the homework? But another way to look at it is that it helps get the parents involved! That is my goal for my GAME Plan.
Thanks,
Kerry
Kerry,
ReplyDeleteCraig makes very good points about being responsible and holding up your end of the bargain or else you will hear about it. On the flip side, my district has created many websites and resources that parents can view from our district website. We even have a an electronig grading system that enables parents to log in and view their child's progress. All of these tool have counters and we can see exactly who logged in and when. Reviewing the log in records on 2 parents out of the past two classes I have had actually logged in one time throughout the year to check on their student's progress. I feel a survey for parents would be very helpful in knowing what they think works and does not work. If I can make a reccomendation, have them fill this surbey out on meet the teacher night or conference night. This way parents will be sure to return it. Good luck!
Julie,
ReplyDeleteGood suggestions for having parents fill out the survey on Parent Night. That would help get them back! Our district also has an electronic grading system for parents to view but it starts at the 3rd grade level. Grades K-2 are not included on the system.
Thanks!
Kerry
I also think that having the students fill out a survey is an excellent idea. We have the parents fill out questionnaires during registration. They log on with their student's ID number and that way we track who has answered. This is a schoolwide process. It asks the parents who has internet at home, email, and ways they would like to be communicated with. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDelete