Reflection

Integrating technology across different content areas can seem like a daunting task, and to the teacher yet to explore the world of educational technology; integrating technology into a singular curriculum or lesson can be equally as daunting. Exposure, education, and experience are the key to minimizing any apprehension with integrating technology into your classroom. Whether it is influenced by initiatives set by our government (www.ed.gov/technology/netp-2010) or private organizations (www.gatesfoundation.org/college-ready-education/Pages/next-generation-classroom-technology.aspx), more and more teachers are realizing the benefits of integrating technology into their classrooms.

“It’s amazing how much a learning environment can change when technology is added to the mix! While technology is not essential to creating authentic, learner-centered instruction, it offers a powerful resource for engaging students in authentic experiences, typically increasing both their motivation and their learning” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). With resources like the GAME (Goals, Action, Monitor, Evaluate and Extend) plan available to assist teachers with implementing various technology tools, integrating technology into the classroom becomes less stressful. I will be able to use the GAME plan, along with my other strategies, to assist my seniors and sub-seniors with staying on track for graduation. With a longer range perspective, I will also be able to use it with my underclassmen. All students can set goals such as making certain grades for a quarter or having a certain GPA. The Action would be doing homework, taking notes, and going to study sessions in order to make the grades. The Monitoring would be the feedback received from the teacher and grades on particular assignments. The Evaluation and Extend would be the report card and making adjustments based on the report card. All of this information can be kept on a spreadsheet in Microsoft excel. With the strides made in the field of educational technology, teachers can be confident that there is a technology tool available to compliment every content area and all curriculums out there today.

My new learning over the course of this class has been profound. I relate it to a child waking up on Christmas and not knowing what gift to open first. There were so many interesting and engaging topics addressed, from promoting self-directed learners to digital storytelling; All of which, in one way or another, possessing the ability to enhance most if not all curriculum. I say “possessing” because the ownership still lies with the teacher to first have the classroom management skills which produce an environment to introduce new things effectively, and then have the knowledge of the different technology tools available and know which ones would complement his or her teaching style, the curriculum, and the learning styles of the students. I look forward to utilizing my new knowledge and sharing it with my professional communities.

Reference

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P., (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning.

Using the GAME plan with my students

As the Graduation Coach at my school, I am constantly trying to paint a picture for my students. That picture often entails them taking certain steps toward graduation. I could certainly use the GAME plan with them to have them set goals, take action, monitor their progress, and then evaluate where they are. This plan can be implemented with students regardless of their current grade classification. Using the ISTE NETS-S, I think students would embrace their GAME plan and it would serve as motivation toward graduating. Students would be encouraged to use Creativity and Innovation in creating their GAME plan. They could use a VoiceThread to chronicle their high school story or a Excel Spreadsheet to calculate their GPA as they progress through high school. Students would be encouraged to communicate and collaborate with their peers in school and other students around the world through wikis and blogs and web resources such as Epals (www.epals.com).

Utilizing the GAME plan with my students will contribute to their focus on graduating. Along the way any number of things can arise to throw students off track or off focus from graduating, but having a GAME can serve as a constant reminder of what the ultimate goal is in the end.

Update on GAME plan

After reviewing this week's learning resources I learned that I may be able to apply some different instructional practices to accomplish my goal of Teaching, Facilitating, and Inspiring student learning. There was a wealth of wonderful information shared this week about social networking or "educational networking" (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010)and online collaboration. I have been so focused on bringing guest speakers in to class to speak with my students, but dealing with the roadblocks of the logistics of making it happen has been a major obstacle. I realized, with this week's learning resources, that I don't have to physically bring anyone into the classroom, the technology is at my school, ready and waiting for me to utilize to digitally bring guest speakers in through video conferencing. So I realized that I don't have to adjust my goals, just my objectives to accomplish my goals. Utilizing the technology available will help in engaging student interest and demonstrating how learning can be fun because most, if not all, students enjoy interacting with technology. It will also allow me to still make the connection between what students are learning in the classroom and what individuals are doing in the working world.

For my second goal of Creativity and Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership, I feel like my progress has been solid and steady. Each week as I comment on my classmates blogs and discussion boards and read the comments left for me I feel like my professional growth grows by leaps and bounds. I consider it informative to get constructive feedback or suggestions from folks who have moved on to other roles in education, but I consider it invaluable to get the feedback and suggestions from people who are still on the "front line" with me experimenting and employing the many educational approaches available. I also continue to educate my co-workers on the implementation, management, and benefits or utilizing the online learning product we have available at our school. In this role I am fostering my leaderships skills and also extending my professional growth.

As always, I will continue to assess my growth toward meeting my goals and be ready to make adjustments as needed.

Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Spotlight on technology: Social networking and online collaboration, Part 1. [DVD]. Integrating technology across the content area. Baltimore, MD: Author