Using the GAME Plan with Students
To implement the GAME plan process with my fifth grade students, I will first have to teach them each step of the process with a scaffolding technique. I will probably use my GAME plan for this class as an example. Slowly releasing the power to the students I would like them to create and execute a GAME plan in NETS-S 6-Technology Operations and Concepts-students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations.
My thoughts are to have my students choose a technology tool that we will use in fifth grade that they are not familiar with or that they might want to review and explore in greater detail. (Wiki, VoiceThread, PowerPoint, Search Engines, Accelerated Reader)
Set Goals
• Choose a piece of technology that you would like to learn how to use.
Take Action
• Determine the steps that will help you meet your goal.
• Examples-Experts, another student who has advanced skills, librarian, online tutorials
Monitor
• How well is your action meeting your goal? Are you learning useful information? Should you modify your actions?
Evaluate
• What did you learn? How can you apply what you learned?
Any assistance in this process would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Revising the GAME plan
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice? What goals are you still working towards?
• I have learned that there are some excellent computer tutorial programs available for free and for a price.
• I have compiled a list of free computer tutorials for my students to explore.
• I have found computer tutorials that will enhance critical and creative thinking skills
• I am still working towards engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership. When school gets back in session I will finish completing my action plan to share a digital tool once a month with my Professional Learning Community.
Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
My next GAME plan is to implement student response systems into my classroom. My school district is piloting an assessment program next year. With this pilot is a student response system. I would like to create and follow a GAME plan to implement these tools into my classroom.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
To extend what I have learned so far I would like find ways for my students to have time at school to explore the math tutorials that I have found. Many of my students do not have access online at home. I will need to work with my colleagues to be creative with our daily schedule so that my students have time to explore these resources online.
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
The biggest change I will make next time is to focus in on one specific skill, concept, tool, goal or content. This process has gotten a little jumbled up over the last six weeks. I believe that if I narrowed down my goals and actions the GAME plan would be much clearer and more efficient. I have found that even when you think you have time there is never enough.
• I have learned that there are some excellent computer tutorial programs available for free and for a price.
• I have compiled a list of free computer tutorials for my students to explore.
• I have found computer tutorials that will enhance critical and creative thinking skills
• I am still working towards engaging in Professional Growth and Leadership. When school gets back in session I will finish completing my action plan to share a digital tool once a month with my Professional Learning Community.
Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
My next GAME plan is to implement student response systems into my classroom. My school district is piloting an assessment program next year. With this pilot is a student response system. I would like to create and follow a GAME plan to implement these tools into my classroom.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
To extend what I have learned so far I would like find ways for my students to have time at school to explore the math tutorials that I have found. Many of my students do not have access online at home. I will need to work with my colleagues to be creative with our daily schedule so that my students have time to explore these resources online.
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
The biggest change I will make next time is to focus in on one specific skill, concept, tool, goal or content. This process has gotten a little jumbled up over the last six weeks. I believe that if I narrowed down my goals and actions the GAME plan would be much clearer and more efficient. I have found that even when you think you have time there is never enough.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
New Literacy Skills Reflection
Before taking this class, I had a vision of how my fifth grade classroom would look after I had integrated many of the skills that I have learned throughout this program. This class has helped me begin to understand how I can make this vision a reality for my students. This course has shown me that it is real easy to get caught up in students’ final products and loose sight of the important steps that are along the way. So the biggest revelation I take from this class is breaking down the final product in an inquiry research project and teaching the step-by-step literacy skills that are essential to prepare students for today’s online world. Before this class, I didn’t understand the skills that are important for students to be successful online. I also placed too much emphasis on the final product and not enough on the learning that needed to be taking place along the way.
Going forward, I will work to implement the QUEST model of internet inquiry research into my classroom. This implementation will be a step-by-step process teaching students how to navigate the internet using new literacy skills such as; questioning, searching, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating. This process will not be quick and easy. Many of my students lack the essential skills that are needed, but I now feel that I am equipped with some skills that are going to help these students be successful. These new skills have made me excited to teach and learn along with my students as we begin to master the ability to read and learn on the Web together.
One professional development goal that I would like to pursue is to put this inquiry based internet model of learning into action in the intermediate grades at my elementary. First, I will need to explore this model with my students but hopefully after I have learned more about this model I will be able to promote these skills to my colleagues. To get help with this plan, I will need to meet with our district technology coordinator and our district technology committee to see if there our any trainings available in our district or region that would be helpful. I believe that this goal would make a big impact on our students. Getting teachers to work together would be a very powerful tool to develop a different way of teaching for many educators.
Going forward, I will work to implement the QUEST model of internet inquiry research into my classroom. This implementation will be a step-by-step process teaching students how to navigate the internet using new literacy skills such as; questioning, searching, evaluating, synthesizing and communicating. This process will not be quick and easy. Many of my students lack the essential skills that are needed, but I now feel that I am equipped with some skills that are going to help these students be successful. These new skills have made me excited to teach and learn along with my students as we begin to master the ability to read and learn on the Web together.
One professional development goal that I would like to pursue is to put this inquiry based internet model of learning into action in the intermediate grades at my elementary. First, I will need to explore this model with my students but hopefully after I have learned more about this model I will be able to promote these skills to my colleagues. To get help with this plan, I will need to meet with our district technology coordinator and our district technology committee to see if there our any trainings available in our district or region that would be helpful. I believe that this goal would make a big impact on our students. Getting teachers to work together would be a very powerful tool to develop a different way of teaching for many educators.
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