Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress

This has been a difficult week for meeting my GAME Plan goals.

There has been no school all week for my district. Therefore, I figured that I would spend some time this week reading the manuals for my SmartBoard system and become acquainted with it. However, a little snafu with that plan…I cannot find the manuals. I looked all around my room at school and at the house. I have had no luck in finding them…strike one.

The next part of my plan involved accessing the company’s website to explore any tutorials that might be available. However, since I do not have the manuals and cannot remember what the name of the company is...strike two.

The only thing that can be done now is to get prepped for the rest of the semester by looking ahead and locating all supplementary materials that I will need for classes. This will be accomplished by looking through my textbook and figuring out what topics will be covered. Then, I will explore the internet and United Streaming to locate videos and other curriculum related items that will engage my students. I have used EdHelper in the past and will use it again. I will also be looking on the textbook publisher’s website to determine what online material I can use. There are quizzes and exercises for the students to access.

Carrying Out Your GAME Plan

In last week's blog, I outlined two standards from ISTE NETS-T that I wanted to focus on. The first was Standard 4b: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. The second was Standard 5c: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. The essence of my GAME plan is to become more familiar with and start utilizing the SmartBoard technology that has been installed in my classroom. Also, I want to start accessing the computer labs on campus. Using the SmartBoard will not only allow my students to become more engaged, but will keep me more focused on educating the students effectively.

There have been some developments at school since my last posting. My principal was able to finally schedule the training on how to use the SmartBoards. The training will be taking place on December 4th. Before that takes place, I plan on reading through the manuals that have been provided to become familiar with all of the controls and terminology. I am also going to attempt to access the company's website to explore any tutorials that may be available. With regards to computer lab access, I have discussed options with the computer lab staff. The schedule is rather full right now, but will clear up a little after the winter break. That will be good time for my history students to begin a long term research project.

Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

After reading through the ISTE NETS-T standards, I came up with two areas that I need to focus on and improve in to increase student learning and be a more capable teacher in the classroom. The first standard that I need to address is Standard 4b: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. "Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources" (http://www.iste.org/, 2008). The second standard that needs to be addressed is Standard 5c: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. "Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning" (http://www.iste.org/, 2008).

I have decided that there are two ways for me to address these standards and become more effective in the classroom. The first way for this to happen is to use my SmartBoard, and use it more efficiently. There are two items in my SmartBoard use that need to be focused on. At this time, I am using my SmartBoard and LCD projector mostly as a video screen and as an extension of my computer screen to run the curriculum PowerPoint presentations. The principal has given us the pens to use the SmartBoards, but the teachers have not received any training on how to use them or even turn them on. The installation is mostly complete, but there are little things that still need to be finished in order for the systems to be fully operational. This leads me to the second part of my SmartBoard use. The teachers have been given the manuals on how to operate the SmartBoards and pens. However, I have not taken the time or opportunity as of yet to read them and figure out the system. I need to take the time either before or after school, read through the manuals, and get my system running. I know other teachers in my department and in the school have been having problems getting their systems operational. This would be the perfect chance for me to help them out as well. It would allow them to also be more effective in the classroom. The second way for me to address these standards is in the use of the computer labs at school. Access to the computer labs is limited. There are some time slots available, but when they are available and what I need to have the students complete for class needs to be coordinated. I need to communicate with the computer lab staff to schedule some times for my classes to access the lab. My students also need to have access to my SmartBoard for classroom activities, which is another reason to get the SmartBoard in my classroom fully functional.

The easiest way for me to monitor my progress will be to set a timeline for when I need to meet my goals, and then meet them. I have a relatively easy week next week leading up to the Thanksgiving break. I will meet with the computer lab staff on Monday and set up some times for my classes to access the lab after the break. I will also be spending time during my prep period and outside of school to get my SmartBoard set up. I want to have it figured out before the school goes on break so when we come back, the students and I will all be able to use it fully. If the other teachers are still having problems with their SmartBoards after the break, I will be able to offer assistance to help them get set up.

The evaluation portion of my GAME plan is simple. I will either complete these goals or not. Therefore, it is imperative that I do complete these goals to better myself, my students, and my colleagues.

To recap my GAME plan, I will:

1. Address Standards 4b and 5c of the ISTE NETS-T standards
2. Learn how to use my SmartBoard more effectively and gain access to the computer lab for my students.
3. Set time limits on when to meet these goals and follow through
4. Meet my goals

Resources

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). The iste national educational technology standards (nets-t) and performance indicators for teachers. Retrieved November 9, 2009,from www.iste.org