Each week I have continued to strengthen my confidence and proficiency by exploring strategies for seamlessly integration of technology into my content area instruction. As part of that journey, I will work through the process of developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating my personal GAME plan. Monitoring allows me to “continually think about and modify my current behaviors based on the thought processes that occur simultaneously with action” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 11).
Resources
The first requirement for my GAME plan was to incorporate my Smart board daily and implement my student response units to help assess my students both formally and informally. “This type of live polling of responses is ideal for monitoring learning through formative assessment and can help you and your students quickly determine content areas that require further instruction or where there are obvious gaps” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 145). Since I have limited “Smart” knowledge, I must rely on the technology professionals from our county. I sent an email to the technology department to inquire about up and coming Smart board trainings. Also, I sent a personal email to one of the specialists about learning the student response units. I haven’t gotten a response from the general email pertaining to the trainings, but the personal email was replied to. She offered to come out one day during our preplanning week to help get the students response systems up and running. She also offered any help needed with the Smart board. I was pleasantly surprised that she was so willing to meet me. There are only two technology specialists for the whole county, so I didn’t have high hopes.
My second requirement was to use my position as department head to help guide other teachers with the use of technology. I sent my principal an email asking to lead one of the sessions during preplanning. The second day of preplanning is set aside for sessions such as teaching with inclusion, differentiation, building relationships with students, and TECHNOLOGY. I will have 4 groups of teachers for 45 minutes each to help guide them through some simple tools to use with their students. I am a little nervous that I may make a mistake or the internet will go down or something, but excited for the opportunity.
Modify Action Plan
I may need to modify my action plan to allow for collaboration with our school keyboarding teacher. My principal’s email response asked why I would teach technology when the technology teacher is the one qualified. She thought I would be more apt to teach reading or writing strategies. I told her I could incorporate them both, and she applauded my efforts, but has now wondered why our keyboarding teacher has not been more involved. Oops! “Teachers who lack knowledge of how to use technology are inadequately prepared to provide their students with meaningful access to technologies that may be readily available in a school” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p. 176).
Learned
I have learned that if you don’t ask for something, you won’t get it. I just assumed that our technology specialists would be too busy to help me set up my student response units, and did not use the opportunity last year. Also, it is important to involve colleagues and administration in the planning and execution of my GAME plan to avoid any animosity.
Questions?
The only question I have so far is, can I use my student response units daily to check for understanding or does it consume too much time? From the technology specialist’s email, it sounds like the process of setting them up can be quite cumbersome, but once they are in use they can benefit class instruction immensely.
Resources
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful
classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning
Emily,
ReplyDeleteWow, you are really rolling with your GAME plan. I understand why your principal would question why you were more interested in leading the Technology session than the actual technology teacher but I would not take that as a set back. Look at it as a way to create a great collaborative relationship. I don't know your current relationship with the other teacher but perhaps you could meet up with her before the session to discuss how you can co-teach it (which would be a great example for inclusion as well!). Good luck, and I applaud you for taking the brave step into leading a teacher session. I always say that I could teach to kids K-12 with no problem, but adults are the hardest.
~Nikki~
Yes, and you'll find that the more often you reflect upon your progression, the more changes to improve the lesson will come about. You have a great lesson plan, good luck in the implementation.
ReplyDeleteRachel to Emily: I think that you're off to a great start in mastering the indicators you're having trouble with. I think that the fast response from one of your IT people speaks very highly of your school district. I've had experience with school districts that will only offer help when asked. I'm glad that they are willing to help with your effort to gain more SMART knowledge. One piece of advice that I would give you when meeting with your groups of teachers is to challenge them as well to teach other colleages and 'teacher friends' that they come into contact with. During my time as an undergrad, we stuck with the motto "Each One, Reach One". It was very encouraging and helpful on those struggling days, and as you continue in this program teaching your fellow colleagues, simply teach them what you have learned encouraging them to continue to share the information.
ReplyDeleteEmily:
ReplyDeleteI wanted to encourage you to continue to do what you are doing thus far, I think that it is great to hear that you are making attempts to incorporate your technology specailist into your learning arena. Often they spend much of their time in an office and sometimes forget that they need to be more vigiliant about working in the classrooms with teachers or making a means of helping to improve the classroom learning experience. I'm sure that if you could get your department together at your shool and stress to your principal how your department is planning on using the Smartboards diligently, maybe he/she can contact tech support and setup a training. If not, then maybe you can contact the company on your own to get things moving faster with Smartboard training before school year starts. Lastly, could it help you assess or review the student responses quickly if you were able to create a blog or classwebsite, like blackboard, etc. where you could view the responses and also have students comment/discuss with each other. (Just a Thought!)
Keep it up!!