I have chosen to create a GAME plan for strengthening my confidence in two of the NETS - T standards.
The first standard that I would like to strengthen my confidence in is the first standard: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. My goal will be to create more engaging and authentic lessons that use technology. The action that I will take to help myself achieve this goal will be to make an effort to include at least one activity that uses technology in every unit of study. I think by starting with this small step, I will not feel too overwhelmed at first. I will also be able to create better activities since I am just focused on creating one for each unit instead of one for each individual lesson to begin with. I will monitor my progress by making sure I include one well-planned engaging and authentic lesson that uses technology in every unit of study. I will evaluate my learning by reviewing the effectiveness of each new lesson after it is taught. I will make sure that the lessons are intentional and are effective at reaching the goal.
The second standard that I would like to strengthen my confidence in is the fifth standard: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. My goals will be to take part in some type of technology training each school year and to share my learning with my department at my school. The actions that I will take will be to actively search for, sign up for, and attend some sort of technology conference or training during each school year. I will also prepare a presentation and/or training for my department when I return from the training so that they can become more technology proficient as well. I will monitor my progress by making a point to do some type of technology training every school year. I will also ask my department head to make sure I share something with the department at least once a year. Finally, I will evaluate my learning by taking the time to reflect on what I learned at the training that I attended and share that information with my colleagues.
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Sally,
ReplyDeleteYou GAME plan sounds really great! I too discussed the importance of educators attending professional development opportunities. I feel as though your idea or being a presentor/trainor of technology would be a very good way to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the latest technology trends. What a wonderful idea, Sally.
I would particularly like to comment on the second standard. I also wrote about the importance of teachers educating themselves about technology.Integrating technology in the classroom can bring such an upliftment to the lesson and the students. I also admire your action plan to share your knowledge with your colleagues. What I have experience at my school is that most of the teachers do not like to share what they have learned with their colleagues.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Moore,
ReplyDeleteI am confused. I left a comment for you on Saturday but now it is gone. I will leave this one again.
I find you to be very ambitious in using a specific technology activity for every unit of study. I am will be lucky to set up a technology lesson plan for each semester. I do use technology each day with my students of various levels. Some are teacher presented and others are interactive.
I appreciate the fact that you also want to continue your learning of technology through yearly training. This is wise considering that technology changes so quickly. There are always new things to learn.
Rhonda
Julie, Thanks for the positive comment!
ReplyDeleteCassandra, I really am lucky to work with a department who is more than willing to share with one another! We are always exchaning ideas and material with each other.
Rhonda, I agree with you that I may actually be a little too ambitious to try to create one technology lesson per unit. I would definitely like for that to be my final goal, but I may need to change my GAME plan somewhat initially now that I think about it!
Thanks for all of the comments!
Sally
Inspiring and facilitating student learning and creativity was something I have been struggling with this past few years. As a math teacher in our testing driven school district where content and curriculum must be covered within a certain time frame, I used to believe that it would be close to impossible to inspire and facilitate student creativity. I've found since starting our Master's program that it's when we use technology or a variety of strategies that address the different learning styles, we can engage our students. Your goal of integrating technology in each of your units allows for the small steps which increases your confidence in the technology. With each unit, you are more comfortable in using the tool and your students will become more familiar with its presence. You grow together as a class and just starting to implement this technology is important for future uses and the possibility of adding more digital tools.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Excel first came out when I was in high school. It was just some spreadsheet program where you entered numbers in 2 columns we labeled x and y. All we did with the information was create line graphs. To me, it really didn’t enhance my understanding and I could just as easily hand written the graph. My lack of experience in Excel created fear when I was in college and expected to use it. Just make sure the technology you use, is used consistently and relevant in your lessons.
As for your GAME plan on the second goal of engaging professional growth, it is determined teachers like you who help out teachers like me who feel too overwhelmed and busy to attend a workshop or seminar on technology integration. In the summers when I could possibly create lesson plans or modify my current ones, it’s nice to be able to search blogs and wikis created by other teachers to try new programs and tools that have worked for them. It’s professionals like you that allows these programs to even go on. With your willingness to do the footwork and go to these events as well as your willingness to share in what you learn, I can look at your experiences with these technologies, I can probably work through any trouble shooting or execution issues I might be facing. Every time I use search engines, I am amazed at all the information others have posted that I have used in my day to day teaching and life.