To recap my GAME Plan, I have created two goals for myself that are in accordance to the NETS-T standards. To meet the Model Digital-Age Work and Learning standard, I am creating a class website that will increase my ability to communicate relevant information to my students’ families. Concurrently, I am taking steps toward becoming more knowledgeable about Interactive Whiteboards through professional discourse and my own research.

My class website is a work in progress but I am planning on making it available to parents at the end of the week. Having looked at other teacher’s websites, I had a good idea as to what components I wanted to included on mine; however, I look forward to gaining the parents’ insight into its effectiveness in communicating classroom information. In conjunction with the website (which is actually a wiki), I have an attached blog where I plan to include updates about the classroom happenings. While the wiki will be more informational, I hope that the blog will provide the families with a better understanding of what is actually happening within the four walls of our classroom through pictures and conversational text.
This week, I met with the school technology committee to discuss the upcoming installation of our Promethean Boards. With deadlines in place, it is all the more critical to have a tentative plan as to how I would like to integrate this piece of technology into my already functioning without Kindergarten classroom. Fortunately, one visit to Promethean Planet is all it takes to provide me with plenty of ideas, as it contains numerous flip charts that are relevant and applicable in meeting the standards in our core curriculum.

This week’s learning resources has left me thinking more about using technology as assessment tools and assessments in general. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) emphasize the importance of jointly planning lessons and assessments. They also remind educators to only use technology as an assessment tool when it facilitates learning, and is “not simply a novelty” (p. 146). I think this is an important idea to reflect upon. As new technology infiltrates our classrooms (some more quickly than others), much thought must be given to how it should be best incorporated to ensure that teachers are still using best practices as instructional strategies. Technology such as wireless responders fulfills these guidelines as they allow teachers to receive immediate feedback about specific concepts assessed through a forced-choice assessment. Students, in turn, also benefit as they receive the same feedback in an engaging manner. I look forward to having access to this tool in the near future.

Reference:
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

GAME Plan Revisited

My GAME plan already needs to be tweaked. I decided that I would like to create another goal that is more measurable and will have an immediate impact on how I communicate with parents. This year, I plan to create a class website that will contain all important information pertaining to my class. Although I know that this is a large undertaking, I feel that it is critical to finding my place in a family’s busy lifestyle.

My district recommends teachers to create their websites in the form of a wiki. Although I am relatively familiar with how to create a wiki, I have located a how-to guide to assist me with the basics. I also have referred to many other teacher websites, noting the most commonly included information. Examining other websites provided me with greater clarification as to the direction in which I should be taking with my own website.

My other goal outlined in my GAME plan is to become more knowledgeable about my future Interactive Whiteboard. Although I will be receiving district training about how to use the equipment, I want to have a better idea as to how to incorporate it into my Kindergarten classroom. I have already subscribed to several technology blogs that provide Interactive Whiteboard ideas. Sifting through activities found on www.ilearntechnology.com and http://primarytech.globalteacher.org.au/ has allowed me to determine which activities are aligned with my curriculum. Dr. John Ross reminds teachers that sometimes you have to “train yourself to go out and find information” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). Fortunately in this day in age, a simple Google search can get you headed in the right direction – well, most of the time that is.

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

Developing my Personal GAME Plan

My students deserve a teacher who has a desire to be a continual learner. The GAME plan as outlined by Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) provides easy steps for self-directed learning. After reviewing the NETS-T standards, I feel that focusing on two areas will directly influence my effectiveness as a teacher and a proponent of technology integration in the classroom.

Set Goals:
My goals fall under the Model Digital-Age Work and Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership categories. My first goal is to become more knowledgeable about my soon to come Interactive Whiteboard and how to effectively integrate it into my Kindergarten classroom. My second goal is to become an active member of the school technology committee to ensure that technology integration in the classroom is being recognized as an issue of importance.

Take Action to meet those goals:
To become more knowledgeable about my Interactive Whiteboard, I plan to attend any offered trainings and communicate with those that have already successfully integrated its use in their classroom via educator technology forums and online discussions. There are also many websites available that have Interactive Whiteboard resources. Frequently reviewing websites such as www.ilearntechnology.com will ensure that my newfound practices never become mundane. Becoming a member of the school technology committee is the first step to achieving my second goal. Since the committee sets goals for itself, I plan to actively participate in helping the technology committee achieve such goals.

Monitor progress toward achieving goal:
I plan on keeping a journal to document the outcome of various lessons involving the Interactive Whiteboard. What went well? What should I change? Were the students engaged? Was it an effective use of technology? Answering these questions will better prepare me for discussions with my colleagues about technology integration and how to best use an Interactive Whiteboard. Monitoring my progress for my second goal may prove to be more difficult; however, if I can expand the conversations about technology to include how to use technology to inform instruction and engage students in learning then I feel that I will be making progress in achieving my goal.

Evaluate whether the goals were achieved:
Achieving my first goal will undoubtedly take years as it requires much trial and error; however, I will feel satisfied when I can foresee the success of a future lesson involving my Interactive Whiteboard. Only then will I know that I am on the path to truly utilizing this technology tool to promote student learning and engagement. Achieving my second goal can be determined by what goals the school technology committee chooses to create for the following school year. These goals should contain a focus of technology integration in the classroom if I truly was an active participant in discussions with my colleagues.

Self-directed learning is not only meaningful but it is also critical to being an effective teacher. “As a self-directed lifelong learner, you’ll be able to respond to the rapid and continuous technological changes that inevitably will occur during your professional career, keep your skills up-to-date, and better meet the needs of your students today and in the future” (Cennamo et al., 2009, p. )

References:
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 Educational Technology Standards (NETS•T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved September 14, 2010, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf