The development of a GAME plan, addressing the NETS-T standards chosen, and integrating technology into my classroom has been a real challenge. However, I have learned a lot from this experience and plan on incorporating what I have learned into my classroom from now on. First and foremost, I have learned that I do not necessarily NEED to use every single piece of technology I have access to, ALL the time. A little bit here, a little bit there. That is all that needs to happen most of the time in order to have a successful classroom environment. Second, my students need to start doing more on their own...becoming self-directed learners. I spend too much time talking at them. I am going to schedule time for the computer lab for the second semester. I would like to incorporate many of the ideas that I have learned about this term, including digital storytelling.
The one thing that I will do in order to be more effective in my classroom is planning. Next week will be spent figuring out what material needs to be taught before the state testing period. Along with that, I will be determining what media and other technology elements will be needed in my classroom for each lesson. I will also spend time deciding what upcoming unit will be focused on to have my students complete a long term project in the computer lab. Because my history students will be taking a state test covering three years of material, I may have the students research and present lessons reviewing each topic and standard that is being addressed on the test.
Overall, I am excited about what I have learned this term. My hope is that I will not fall back into the same teaching style that I currently use just because I am comfortable with it. I need to move forward, and my students need me to move forward in order to be better students and learners.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Using the GAME Plan Process with Students
Working through the GAME plan during this term has been a real challenge. In a nutshell, it has made me realize that in order for our students to the best that they can be, the teachers who are teaching them have to be the best that they can be. Throughout my Master's program, I have slowly warmed to the notion that planning is not all bad...in fact, it is a pretty good idea. In the past, I had spent very little time planning for my lessons. Any person older than five years old could tell that this was the case. My instruction was not very fluid at all. It is evident now that planning what I need and want to teach helps to keep not just the students focused, but me focused as well. Looking ahead to the next section, and even to the next chapter, has really helped to keep my classes on task.
Utilizing the GAME Plan process with my students is a great way to hone my planning skills even further. It will also allow my students a greater opportunity to access and use technology. Each point of the GAME plan is important. However, the first point (GOAL) is the key to having a successful GAME plan. In order to take advantage of one of the computer labs on campus, teachers must schedule time slots with the lab technician...sometimes weeks in advance. A teacher must not only be aware of how long the current chapter or unit will take, but must also be cognizant of what the next chapter or unit is about. The teacher must also keep in mind what kind of project they will be asking their students to complete, in order to schedule enough computer lab time to allow the entire project to be finished.
The best way for students to become proficient in the ISTE NETS-S is to be able to use the technology that is at their disposal, and to use it often. In order for this to happen, the teacher my plan their own GAME plan. This way, both parties win. Teachers are more prepared, and students learn the material in better ways.
Resources
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). The iste national educational technology standards (nets-s) and performance indicators for students. Retrieved December 16, 2009,from www.iste.org
Utilizing the GAME Plan process with my students is a great way to hone my planning skills even further. It will also allow my students a greater opportunity to access and use technology. Each point of the GAME plan is important. However, the first point (GOAL) is the key to having a successful GAME plan. In order to take advantage of one of the computer labs on campus, teachers must schedule time slots with the lab technician...sometimes weeks in advance. A teacher must not only be aware of how long the current chapter or unit will take, but must also be cognizant of what the next chapter or unit is about. The teacher must also keep in mind what kind of project they will be asking their students to complete, in order to schedule enough computer lab time to allow the entire project to be finished.
The best way for students to become proficient in the ISTE NETS-S is to be able to use the technology that is at their disposal, and to use it often. In order for this to happen, the teacher my plan their own GAME plan. This way, both parties win. Teachers are more prepared, and students learn the material in better ways.
Resources
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). The iste national educational technology standards (nets-s) and performance indicators for students. Retrieved December 16, 2009,from www.iste.org
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Revising Your GAME Plan
When this school year started, I had great hopes and dreams for a wonderful year that involved utilizing and using technology. I was hoping that I would be able to grow as an educator and my students would grow musically. However, many of those hopes and dreams have been pushed aside in favor of survival mode. The classroom I started the year in has been abandoned. My new classroom has an interactive whiteboard, but I have only received basic training on how to operate it. I teach six classes, but am only able to offer two classes any real education. My frustration level is very high. The sympathy I feel for those students who are not receiving a quality music education is equally high. However, there is nothing I can do.
The blog sequence for this class started with my focusing on two NETS-T standards. The standards I chose to address were Standards 4b "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility" and 5c "Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership." At this point, I feel that I have not really begun to address these standards. Unfortunately, I chalk this up to the fact that I am not operating in a fully functioning classroom. I do what I can to address Standard 4b during instruction. But, Standard 5b is not being addressed very much for the reasons stated above. I am learning how to use my interactive whiteboard, but like any new tool, will take some time to become familiar and comfortable with.
Considering the situation I am currently dealing with, I feel that it is inappropriate at this time to set new goals for learning or address new NETS-T standards. I hope to continue working toward learning how to use my interactive whiteboard more effectively. With any luck, the equipment in my current room will be completely functional by the time we get back from our winter holiday on January 4, 2010.
The blog sequence for this class started with my focusing on two NETS-T standards. The standards I chose to address were Standards 4b "Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility" and 5c "Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership." At this point, I feel that I have not really begun to address these standards. Unfortunately, I chalk this up to the fact that I am not operating in a fully functioning classroom. I do what I can to address Standard 4b during instruction. But, Standard 5b is not being addressed very much for the reasons stated above. I am learning how to use my interactive whiteboard, but like any new tool, will take some time to become familiar and comfortable with.
Considering the situation I am currently dealing with, I feel that it is inappropriate at this time to set new goals for learning or address new NETS-T standards. I hope to continue working toward learning how to use my interactive whiteboard more effectively. With any luck, the equipment in my current room will be completely functional by the time we get back from our winter holiday on January 4, 2010.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progess
Some of the frustration that I experienced last week has been alleviated. As you may recall from last week’s post, I was unable to fulfill one of my goals – reading up on how to get my interactive whiteboard operational. There were two reasons for this. First, I was unable to find the manuals provided for the system – I thought they were lost. Second, I could not recall what the brand name was for my interactive white board – therefore, I could not search for any information on the internet. Fortunately, the manuals were not lost. I located them in one of my desk drawers. In my haste to leave for Thanksgiving break, I simply overlooked them.
On Monday when we returned to school, I decided that I did not want to wait until this coming Friday for the training. I wanted to get my interactive whiteboard functional. After several attempts at trying to get things working, I was finally able to use it. I am hoping to start using some of the functions available with the software over the next couple of days before the training. If I have any operational questions, I want to be able to ask the trainer.
From what I have been able to determine, the system is relatively easy to use. I have already been able to show several other staff members in my building how to turn on the system. We spent a portion of our lunch period trying to use some of the board’s different features. I will also spend some time over the next several days exploring the company’s websites to become more familiar with what curriculum-related materials are available. Over the next several weeks, in preparation for the upcoming history unit, I will also be spending some time on the internet looking for virtual websites that my students can use during class.
On Monday when we returned to school, I decided that I did not want to wait until this coming Friday for the training. I wanted to get my interactive whiteboard functional. After several attempts at trying to get things working, I was finally able to use it. I am hoping to start using some of the functions available with the software over the next couple of days before the training. If I have any operational questions, I want to be able to ask the trainer.
From what I have been able to determine, the system is relatively easy to use. I have already been able to show several other staff members in my building how to turn on the system. We spent a portion of our lunch period trying to use some of the board’s different features. I will also spend some time over the next several days exploring the company’s websites to become more familiar with what curriculum-related materials are available. Over the next several weeks, in preparation for the upcoming history unit, I will also be spending some time on the internet looking for virtual websites that my students can use during class.
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