Week 6 Revising Your GAME Plan

As I pursue my GAME Plan, I realize that the more we learn and discover in technology the more there is to know. My first goal was to provide my students with creative lessons that inspire learning. My plan included a creative project each nine weeks in my content areas NETS 1b-c Indicator. I have added more manipulatives and authentic real world experiences in my math and science class. I have also been able to integrate both content areas together using technology. The students are creating musical instruments from recycled materials and using the internet to research, write and display their work in PowerPoint with digital photos. In social studies, the students worked in collaborative learning groups to research battles of the revolution and their key leaders using ask.com and other search engines. Our team also decided to make the battles more authentic for them by having battle enactments outside in the playground. Their learning connections were evident in their test scores. We used the digital photos to inspire their journal writing. In the video, this week one of the teachers shared that collaboration inspires and challenges students to perform at a higher level (Laureate, 2009). As our classes worked together to create the battles physically they increased their writing and communication skills that were used in their blogs that followed the lessons. I feel that I have been successful in design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity as stated in NETS•S 2C indicator.

I am still striving to develop an online collaborative project with a class outside my school. I have encountered some difficulties with district denied access and blocked websites. I have applied to Think Quest which will allow me to integrate technology in my curriculum through projects with teachers and students around the world. My principal has agreed to assist me in this endeavor and work as my liaison in the district pursuit.

I am revising my game plan to include ITSE-NETS Indicator 5 by engaging in personal growth and development. I am currently working on our new vision committee for our school. We are researching and developing ways to incorporate researched based technology strategies and tools in our classrooms more effectively. My team is responsible for developing strategies and plans to bring the home and school life together in order to promote learning. Many of our parents do not own or use home computers or the internet. One of my student’s grandmothers inspired this idea. Her granddaughter attends my after school computer club and she asked to be a part of it. She told me that someone offered her granddaughter a computer and she was leery of having such a powerful tool in the house that she (grandma) could not operate. She is learning to type and research on the web. We are considering an adult computer club for our parents to learn how to use the internet and type. Together we can create a powerful learning or educational learning network that will connect personal learning communities, create greater diversity and increase exposure to learning as we read about in this weeks video Spotlight on Technology: Social Networking (Laureate, 2009).

I plan to continue working with my Walden Colleagues and the educators with Think Quest to challenge and inspire me to discover engaging and authentic learning experiences and activities for my students. My grade team also provides resources and expertise in integrating technology; social networking and problem based learning projects. As we plan each nine weeks lesson curriculum, we are challenging ourselves to complete the GAME Plan and implement challenging, engaging lessons that offer authentic lessons. We are seeking ways to expose our students to the world outside our small town. We also hope to inspire our parents to join us in this adventure.

Many of my Walden colleagues have mentioned using electronic portfolios; I would like to learn more about these tools. We currently use writing and reading portfolios, but I would like to have something that could easily follow students each year. I would also like to know what social networking projects have worked with other elementary teachers. I am interested in starting with a small grass root project that could be accomplished this year.

Reference:
ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Teachers(NETS•T) http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas

(DVD). Spotlight on Technology: Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 1 and 2. Baltimore, MD: Author