REVISING MY GAME PLAN

Reviewing the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) (2008) there are two standard indicators that I have focused 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.

One major lesson that I have learned along this journey is that when using Wiki as a collaborative tool only one person at a time came edit the site which was pointed out by Davis (Laureate, 2009). This can be a disadvantaged if there are more than two working on a group project. Therefore, since I have never used other social networks as online collaboration in the classroom I want to consider applying self-directed learning skills to understanding the creative ways to implement them into my content area.

Until I have access to our school administrator and the school’s media technician it will be challenging to prepare to implement any the goals I have set before me. I am confident that once I can implore the support and modeling of the school’s media technician that I will integrate the technology tools that I have set as my goal. Specifically, I expect to learn from my colleagues the desired digital tools that will enhance learning for all students such as online collaborative tools and social networking tools.

In this learning process for using technology as a learning tool, I have discovered that a great amount of time is required when you are a self-directed learner. Learning technology requires much modeling for me; therefore, I will want to have access to learning environments that can show how to use technology resources so that I can implement them quicker and with ease and confidence into my instruction. To give students options for learning with technology will engage all students, and meet individual learning preferences as affirmed by Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009). Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer(2009) also mentioned that the most influential factor in using technology tools effectively into classroom instruction is our own beliefs about our role as teachers using it. I have approached my learning and reaching my goals in the GAME plan with a belief that students will enhance their learning with technology. Therefore, there will be an ongoing developing, monitoring and evaluating my personal GAME plan.

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.

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