EVALUATING MY GOAL PLAN

Reviewing my goal in the GAME plan which is to learn to use computer as a conferencing tool I perceive that my actions thus far is guiding me to my goal. The unfortunate aspect is that I need more time to feel comfortable with the use of the computer as a conferencing tool. There are other aspects to using Wiki as a conferencing tool that I would like to more proficient with. For example, I would like to embed audio recordings but I need to determine if the computers in the classroom will accommodate sound. Also, I would like to have more opportunities to see this tool in action from someone who has used it. Presently, summer vacation is here and I would have to wait to seek out colleagues. Although, I do have an opportunity to possibly meet with the Librarian Technician who can also assist me.

At the moment I can perceive what the benefits are in integrating this technology tool into my lessons such as impacting students’ communication skillsl, cooperative learning or critical thinking skills, as mentioned by Keengwe, Onchwari, and Wachira (2008). Until I actually implement it into my classroom instruction and see students using it I remain concerned about the time students will need to use and benefit from using computer as a conferencing tool. I am confident that once this technology tool is used in the classroom it would create a student-centered environment and with proper amount of scaffolding it could be used to engage students and create a culture of collaboration and interdependence which is affirmed by Ertmer and Simons (2006).

References:

Ertmer, P., & Simons, K. (Spring 2006). Jumping the PBL implementation hurdle: Supporting the efforts of K-12 teachers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1(1), 40-54. Retrieved from http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=ijpbl.

Keengwe, J., Onchwari, G., & Wachira, P. (2008). The use of computer tools to support meaningful learning. AACE Journal, 16(1), 77–92

Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress

My GAME plan action was to seek out other colleagues who may have used the computer as a conferencing tool and to use self-directed learning skills to assist me in reaching my goal. Using my self-directed learning skills I have visited a Wiki and discovered a feature for discussions. I have manipulated this feature to determine how best I can integrate as a technology to for conferencing.

I have received ideas from colleagues to use other forms of technology beyond Wikis. For example, the use of blogs sites created for educators is another option. I am now considering the tools I will need to use in addition to my colleagues. There is a textbook I have requested to review its content in search of applicable strategies for integrating technology. The textbook is Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in the classroom (Shell, Cashman, Gunter and Gunter, 2004). In addition to what I have mentioned there is another resource that I have encounter to assist me in my action plan. Lue and Lue (2000) have mentioned three different websites that I could visit that would explain how to use video conferencing in my classroom. These three websites have not yet been visited but in the near future I will embark on reviewing them to learn how they may assist in reaching my goal for using the computer as a conferencing tool.

To create instructional activities involving technology will be effective in impacting student learning not because of the website or software used but more due to the way it is used by the teacher (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). With this in mind as I continue with my GAME plan I am monitoring my action so that as I reach my goal of learning how to integrate technology to reach all students, I will be comfortable with the technology before I present it to students.

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Leu D., & Leu D. (2000). Teaching with the internet. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.

Shelly, G., Cashman, T., Gunter, R., & Gunter, G. (2004). Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in the classroom. Boston, MA: Course Technology.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

The first step in my GAME plan was to set a goal. Reiterating my goal, it is to learn Wiki as a computer conferencing tool. The resources that will be needed to carry out my GAME plan would begin with contacting the school media librarian. Currently, since school vacation is in process I have emailed the school’s Library Technician to inquire information about using the computer as a conferencing tool. As I await a response I am encouraged to using self-directed learning strategies, therefore, I will begin visited Wiki spaces and navigate through their tools such as their discussion board. My concern would be how to arrange using Wikis so that I can assess each student’s participation. I am also inquiry of the school’s Library Technician on how to utilize our school’s program that has new APPS added to it that could possibly be consider as a conferencing tool.

Using a computer as a conferencing tool gives flexibility in my instruction that allows students with diverse learning abilities to have choices for learning. Ross (Laureate, 2009) affirmed that the use of technology in classroom instruction gives students of diverse learning abilities choices. For example, if I embed a podcast into a Wiki students who have difficulty with vision will have the option of learning their class instruction in another format other than reading printed text.

It is important to reach all students of diverse learning abilities and to give them the tools such as technology to create a learner-centered environment that promotes academic success for all students as mentioned by Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer, (2009).

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

DEVELOPING A GAME PLAN

In a discussion with a colleague on how best to integrate technology into my instruction the greatest encouragement he gave me was to take the risk and just do it. Learn it as you go along; learn it with the students, he would say to me. Richardson (2009) affirmed that educators must embrace new technologies regardless of the level of discomfort it creates for teachers.

What is the GAME plan I could develop to continue building confidence and proficiency in integrating technology into my content area instruction? As I review the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) (2008) there are two standard indicators that I will focus on. The first indicator is NETS-T 2.a to design or adapt relevant learning experiences to incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. And the second indicator is NETS-T2.b develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress. Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009) created four steps, called the GAME plan translated as follow: Set Goals, take Action to meet those goals, Monitor achievement towards the goals, and Evaluate whether the goals were achieved and Extend your learning to new situations. My GAME plan will involve using computer as a conferencing tool.

My goal will consist of learning how to use wikis as a computer conferencing tool to increase students experience with technology and to encourage students to take ownership for their learning experience. Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer ascertained that using a tool such as wiki for computer conferencing can encourage the students to develop their creative thinking skills. My plan of action would involve communicating help from other teachers who have used wikis and talking with the school media librarian to show me how I best could integrate this tool to assist student learning. As a self-directed learner experimenting and manipulating the tools on a wiki program would be part of my action plan also. To monitor whether I am meeting my goal I would want to know if what I am learning about conferencing tools such as wikis could be implemented into my content area instruction. Do I have enough time to learn it? Will students have enough time to use it? Is it a tool that students learning experience would be engaging and motivated? As I evaluate my GAME plan I would reflect if my learning experience has gained me the confidence and increased my proficiency in using a computer as a conferencing tool. Then reflect where I may need to continue learning to increase my proficiency in integrating technology as a tool to assist student achievement in learning. It is important to learn to integrate technology as a learning tool and not as a reward as mentioned by Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009).

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

The National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) is located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Richardson, W. (2009, March). Becoming network-wise. Educational Leadership, 66(6), 26–31.