Sunday, July 25, 2010

Evaluating the GAME plan

I feel like my GAME plan has been a mini success so far. I believe that time will allow me to complete this GAME plan to a bigger success in the future. Many of my actions will be taking place when school gets back into session. I also have not had enough time available to synthesize the information like I would like.

The small success so far is finding and implementing a math tutorial program into my fifth grade classroom. Following my action plan I have been able to compile an excellent list of resources that are available on the web for free. I am going to take these resources and list them by the content strand that my students can explore on each site. After I have finished my list I am going to make posters of the list throughout the classroom for students to use. I still have some questions about one tutorial program called accelerated math. To answer my questions and to hopefully complete my GAME plan, I am going to attend a training on accelerated math at our local ESD in October. This training will hopefully provide the information that I need to make a decision about pursuing accelerated math as a district funded program.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Monitoring the GAME Plan

I feel that my game plan is right on track to achieving the goals that I have established. This process is taking a little bit longer than I expected. So more than anything I need to continue to complete my action plan when school gets back in session from summer break.

Thanks to everyone who offered comments and suggestions last week to help me find more information and resources about math tutorials. I am going to continue researching the information that I was given last week. I am also going to make one small modification to my action plan. I had taken an action to contact colleagues at my building through email, requesting any information they had on math tutorials. After receiving information on my blog last week I am going to extend this to some neighboring school districts that are in our athletic conference.

After last weeks exploration in UDL principles I am even more excited to bring a math tutorial program into my classroom. If I can find a program to fit the needs of my students this could be an excellent technological tool to help me provide experiences that students need to become enthusiastic about learning. One tutorial program so far that I am very interested in is Accelerated Math. I have requested more information from their website. The tutorial program appears to be very individualized. Students take a placement test that tarts them at their appropriate level; the program also appears to give quick and easy data to the students and teacher monitoring progress.

Some new questions that have arisen are will the free tutorial programs online meet the goals of the tutorial that I am looking for? How much does a math tutorial program cost? What will my principal think about purchasing a math tutorial program?

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Carrying out the Game Plan

Resources & Information to Complete the GAME Plan

Goal 1 Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Standard 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.

Actions to Take

• Conduct reading and research on the Web about math tutorial programs.

• Post an information request to all my colleagues through email.

• Ask my Walden University classmates for assistance on their experiences with math tutorial programs.

• Meet with my district tech-coordinator when he is back in his office from summer break.

Steps Taken

• I reviewed the textbooks companion website and linked to Mrs. Linquist: The Tutor.

• I also reviewed information on a math program called accelerated math.

• I sent out an email request to colleagues at my elementary school.

Goal 2 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Standard B-exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others.

Actions to Take

• Schedule a meeting with my Principal to share the technology skills that I have learned with my professional learning community.

• Choose one skill each month to share with my colleagues.

• Work with my grade level team to share methods to infuse technology into the content.

Steps Taken

• None-I will set up a meeting with my principal after summer break. I will also meet with my grade level team in August when we meet before the beginning of the school year.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Game Plan-NETS-T

Before starting this master’s degree program at Walden University, I needed strengthening in all of these NETS-T indicators. After completing the course work and developing new technology skills, I feel that I have gained more confidence and proficiency. With that being said, it is an ever changing world that we can never stop learning in or we will fall well behind.

One indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. Specifically, standard 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. To complete this goal, I would like to learn more about computer tutorials. I would like to find a math tutorial that my fifth grade students could use to meet standard b. The action that I will need to take is to review different math tutorial software. I believe that my district tech-coordinator would be a good resource to start with. I will also reach out to colleagues about their experiences with math tutorial software. I would like this tutorial to be a tool that challenges the students’ creative thinking skills. To monitor this goal, I will need to evaluate the different tutorial software to make sure that it meets the criteria that I am looking for. To evaluate and extend my learning, I want to identify the techniques that could be used best for my students. I would like to find the best ways to allow my students to be successful when using the software.

The second indicator that I would like to strengthen my skills in is engaging in professional growth and leadership. This program has increased my excitement about infusing these new technology skills into my classroom. I would also like to take a leadership role in sharing what I have learned with my intermediate grade level team. Standard b. exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building as well as developing the leadership and technology skills of others. The action I would like to take is to take a leadership role and present the skills that I have learned at a professional learning community meeting. To monitor this goal, I will need to make sure that I am prepared to take this leadership role. I believe that we are not preparing our students for the technology skills needed for the future, and I would like to help my colleagues by sharing what I have learned throughout this program so far.