Introduction
To strengthen my confidence and proficiency using digital tools, self directed learning is essential in the implementation of technology into my content area. Part of that journey includes developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating my personal GAME plan. “The GAME plan requires you to think about and take steps to direct your learning process, specifically while learning about technology and how to integrate it into the curriculum. Also, it enables you to customize your approach to learning tasks, to develop relevant skills that are important to you, and prepares you for life long learning” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 3). Using the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T), I chose two indicators to reflect upon in order to strengthen my teaching expertise. The two indicators include the design and developing of digital-age learning experiences and assessments and engagement in professional growth and leadership.
Goals
To design and develop digital age learning experiences, it is important to incorporate technology into the content area to promote student learning. Since we have only two computer labs and one mobile lap top cart available for our entire building, I tend to dismiss the use of technology because of the scheduling hassle it creates. Since I do possess an interactive Smart board and student response units, my goal is to incorporate these tools in my classroom daily to promote a digital learning environment that addresses all learning styles. I would also require my students to be assessed weekly, either formally or informally, using the student response units.
The engagement in professional growth and leadership is an area I should have developed a few years ago. Since I am the Language Arts department head, it is my job to educate our teachers about the newest research and strategies available for my content area. My goal is to incorporate one technology facet into each of my professional learning segments, to educate the staff on the importance of technology and the tools available. I am certain that we have access to online homework pages, blogs, and parent portals, but most teachers do not use them because they do not possess the confidence or drive to attempt them. I must assist them in becoming, “self directed learners,” so they can “select their own personal best practices and can explore multiple literacies” (Laureate Education, 2009, Davis).
Action
In order to ensure that I use my Smart board and students response systems daily, I must follow a few steps in order to reach my goal. First, I must contact the people in charge of technology for our school district and request a class on the software associated with each piece. I have used trial and error to get by, but proper education is essential when using the technology daily. Next, I would need to adapt my old lesson plans to include the use of technology, but only to be used to “enrich the content” (Laureate Education, 2009, Cennamo). Finally, I will set aside twenty minutes during my planning time, to adapt my lesson plans, practice my new learned skills, and reflect as needed.
When engaging in professional development, I must first pursue “informal learning opportunities by reading books, completing tutorials, asking others, or searching the web to find answers to personal questions” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 9). Before teaching the staff, I must be well versed in the tools being addressed. Then, I must open myself up to help with setup and troubleshooting issues that may occur. Also, I must collaborate with our school’s business teacher in the teaching of these skills. Finally, hands on practice is an “active learning” approach that would benefit all teachers. Using a computer lab for teachers to practice, instead of lecturing to them, would be a more effective way for them to learn.
Monitor
The ability to monitor professional goals is enhanced through the use of reflection. I have been in the practice of using a reflection notebook to record ideas on how my lessons have been going and what I can do next time to improve. To add a technology aspect to my journaling, I will implement “online interactive journaling.” “Unlike traditional journaling, which is considered a personal process, online journaling establishes an interactive and collaborative learning environment” (Lee, 2010). Reflective online journaling will allow me to keep an archive of my reflections, as well as, look for any feedback from other educators.
Evaluation
At the end of each nine week period, it is important for me to evaluate the usage of my Smart board and student responses units and the effectiveness of collaborating with teachers to help guide them to technology. It is important to discover whether I have met my goals or need to keep working towards them. Also, I need to ask myself, “What do you still need to learn?" and "Would I take different actions in the future?” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 10).These questions can aid in the decision making process on what are my next steps towards success.
Conclusion
By piecing together a GAME plan, I was able to evaluate my technology knowledge and proficiency, and was able to set goals based on that reflection. I intend to use these goals for my upcoming school year and hopefully each year after I can add another piece of technology to my classroom.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology: Part two. [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Davis.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology: Part two. [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Davis.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Promoting self-directed learning with technology. [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, : Cennamo
Missy to Emily: Great blog! One of the best things I have found for collaboration is asking others. This week another teacher showed me how to make the computer print pages on both front and back. I in turn taught two teachers how to make a folder in the favorites and right click it to open all the sites in that folder in a tab group all at once. I am finding that informal discussions about the computer and interent are the most valuable learning situations for me. So, your comment about asking others is one on which you should capitalize.
ReplyDeleteSara to Emily:
ReplyDeleteYou have a strong GAME plan for building confidence with the NETS. You have a great plan of action. I have an Promethean IWB in my classroom and they have student response devices. I use them all the time and the students love it! I can use it to quickly assess what my students are understanding and what I need to review. I think a good way to monitor this is to follow through on using them to give a weekly assessment. This is a great place to start. Once you do this for a few weeks, then it will become natural to simply incorporate them into more of the lessons. Also, providing information to your department and colleagues is a great way to encourage them to try new technology ideas and strategies. I think if you shared your GAME plan it might give them more confidence in their abilities. You could also set-up a school blog so that you and your colleagues could talk about what is working and where help is needed. Good Luck!
Great GAME plan for incorporating more technology in the classroom. Since you have the name-brand SMARTboard, I would suggest going directly to the SMARTtechnologies website and watch as many tutorials has possible. Also, sincy you have the hardware, your district must also have the SMARTnotebook application to use as well. I love this program, it has so many tools you can use and manipulate. Also, their are a ton of pre-selected lesson plans created by teachers and organized in to categories, available for download on the SMARTtechnologies website.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, after you've reviewed the tutorials and have tried it out yourself and in class, I would suggest continuing to practice what you've learned and then slowly incorporate even more of what SMARTtechnologies has to offer. Continue to increase what you know and can utilize in class and...here's the biggest suggestion: Offer professional development classes on SMARTtechnologies to others in your district. It will be worth your while and theirs.
Kuuipo
Emily,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as though your PLAN is well thought out. I admire that you hold the department head position and you wish to be able to collaborate better with other members of your department. I wish my department had the opportunity to meet regularly. This is a great way to collaborate about anything, not just technology. One piece of advice I may be able to offer is to poll students on certain types of technology. By asking students what they are using may spark ideas for your own classroom. I have tried to use cell phones to my advantage, having them use them for small assignments. I also have a class list of students that have internet access on their phones, and I will strategically place them in different groups, to accomplish tasks. This has been very affective.
I am in the same position you are in regard to students accessing computers. We have 2 labs and a laptop cart that takes 10 minutes to log onto and die in about a half hour. I also received a SMART Board this past year, but my students do not response units. We see in course videos the advantage teachers who have a full class set of laptops have.I agree with Kuuipo's advice, use the website as a guide for your lessons. We have a staff member who has made it her mission to email a tip once a week. Just when I think that I have mastered all there is to know, she teaches me something new. Maybe within your department, you can take turns sending a tip of the week to colleagues. Just a thought.
Good Luck,
Nick
Like you imply, I would also think that the department head should be the main one pushing colleagues to integrate more technology. My idea would be to hold informal professional development sessions. In doing this, your fellow teachers that feel uncomfortable in using technology would be in a 'pressure-free' environment. I work with older teachers that are intimidated by the fact that some of their second and third graders know more about technology than they do. You could also try to form some type of support group for those 'scared' teachers to turn to. Like my intimidated teachers, your colleagues should try to use technology without fear, welcoming help and ideas from their tech-savvy students!
ReplyDelete