Developing My Personal GAME Plan
As I studied the NETS·T standards, I found that encouraging my students to work together cooperatively and trying to incorporate technology as much as possible in my classes is included in the standards. But I have noticed I also need to encourage and teach my students the correct procedures to follow when using technology. I need to teach them how to be responsible when using websites and citing sources. I need to teach them the proper way to conduct conversations online with their fellow classmates. The final thing I need to improve in my teaching is to expose my students to real-life problems and how to find ways to research in order to discover ways to solve them.
An action plan that I can use to improve the skills that my students need can be done in several ways. I can begin a class blog, teach mini lessons in netiquette, teach them research techniques and how to cite sources. I can teach many of these by modeling and using minilessons as a way to introduce and teach the proper way to conduct conversations and do research on the internet.
One way that I can monitor if the students have synthesized the information given to them is to closely monitor the class blog. I will be sure to stop and correct any improper behavior. I can also create projects that the students will need to search the internet for information. I will have the students keep a journal of their progress with class blog, as well as any projects that they are conducting.
I will extend my learning by doing more professional development that pertains to technology. I will also need to research the internet for up-to-date information for new technology applications and ethical use of information obtained from the internet.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Amy
Your GAME plan is well thought out and will help you and your students to realize gains. The areas you have chosen to focus on are so crucial–helping students to engage in teamwork activities using technology tools and helping them to recognize the significance of digital citizenship.
I like your action plan of introducing these elements in small packages that can be added to when your students are ready. Also, your thoughts on modeling and scaffolding these skills will help your students to grasp the process and transfer the knowledge to new situations. Best of luck with implementing your GAME plan and providing your students with the skills they will need for their futures.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Amy,
I think your action plan for professional development of searching the Internet for technology resources is a wonderful goal, one that will really empower your ability to integrate technology into the content and increase student engagement and learning outcomes. The only dilemma I face when researching ideas and lessons for integrating technology is the abundance of really amazing learning experiences educators are providing their students. Sometimes I get so lost in all the incredible opportunities, I don’t know where to begin. I thought Vickie Davis (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009), really had some practical advise. She recommended setting a research and development goal of the next 3 things you want to learn or do. I am going to take that advise because for me, it would make integrating technology into the content much more manageable.
Our resources this week also mentioned electronic journals. Have you tried anything like that with your students? It seems like journaling online would be more motivating and engaging for students than paper and pencil.
Reference:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program three. Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, part 1 [Motion picture]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Author.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I think that it is a good action plan to introduce the pieces in mini-lessons. When students are learning something new they need it broken up into little bits. If you take the time to teach it in small lessons then later when you go to use the technology again students will already know how to properly use it and you will not have to re-teach. Spend time to save time!
November 15th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Markeeta,
I think that the goal you have to teach your students how to appropriately use technology resources is a reat one! So many kids today use technology innappropriately because they have not been taught otherwise. I think that your idea of using mini lessons to teach these ideas is great. It will allow you to cover many different topics with your students when it is relevant in their learning.
Emily
November 15th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Donnel,
I also liked the idea of setting three goals for learning. I thought it would be a great way not to be overwhelmed. I have had my students do some reflections in their notebooks but not electronically yet. Thanks for the post.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Markeeta,
I think introducting new topics to students in mini-lessons also gets them more engaged and helps them to be able to learn more without getting overwhelmed.