As I reflect upon my GAME plan, I know I will need to rely on various resources to carry out my plan. My current masters course, including my readings and videos, are a resource I am already using to begin my journey. I also plan to use the Internet to search for information and resources. Lastly, I will look to colleagues to support me and teach me ways to reach my goals. My school district also has a technology educator that visits our school once a week. This person will be a great contact for me to gain further knowledge and tools. I realize that as I progress in my GAME plan I may find that I need or desire the use of other resources. Flexibility plays an important role in learning and teaching.
Both my goals are pretty broad. My first goal is to design my current lessons to include technology tools for students to explore. For this goal, I feel I need more information on the technology tools that are available within my school district as well as the rest of the United States and World. I also feel that I need more information on the types of technologies that are being used successfully in school settings and real life settings for learning and living. Incorporating these digital technologies will allow me to reach the different needs of my students, or to “customize” their learning path. (Laureate, 200) I will look to my colleagues, district technology educator, and the Internet to assist me in finding this information and resources. By using technology in my lessons with my students I am able to apply all learning styles.
My second goal is to continue to seek out professional development opportunities through technology. The information I need for this goal involves local, as well as global training opportunities. I will need to research classes that might be offered locally that are technology based. I will also continue taking masters classes through Walden University online. Both of these options will begin my professional development using technology journey.
So far I have set my GAME plan in motion by reading my course text and watching course videos to build my professional development. This week is the last week of school for my district. We have an in-service day for teachers this coming Friday. This district in-service training has a technology focus for all of the break out sessions. I hope to acquire more information for my teaching as well as better practices for student learning using technology.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program: Meeting Students’ Needs With Technology [Webcast]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Shonda,
ReplyDeleteI agree that this masters program through Walden is a tremendous resource for learning about new technologies and ways to effectively incorporate them into our instruction. I am assuming that you are exploring Web 2.0 tools when you mentioned identifying technology tools that are available. Do you have access to many computers in your classroom or do you have a computer lab that you can use? Access to computers can be a major stumbling block to integrating Web 2.0 tools. I only have three computers in my classroom and they are all located right next to each other. This can cause a lot of problems, especially if I am having students work in groups. Even partners can become too crowded when all the computers are in use. We do have a computer lab, but it can be difficult to get my first and second grade students into it because the third through sixth grade classes generally fill up the schedule.
I think you are very wise to include professional development as one of you goals. Dr. Ertmer (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009) emphasized the importance of teacher’s knowledge to successfully integrate technology. This includes knowledge of technology and the related skills, but also knowledge of how technology allows teachers to present content in different ways, and knowledge of how technology enables students to interact with content in a variety of ways as well. Professional development, along with completion of this masters through Walden, will help you to develop the knowledge base necessary to include technology in your instruction and assessment. This knowledge will increase your confidence and belief in technology, which are two additional components described by Ertmer.
The final component, and possibly the most important one, is a supportive culture at your school. Do you feel that you have the support you need from your building administration and colleagues to assist and encourage you through this change process? Best of luck to you!
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, Part 1, Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Hello Sheri,
ReplyDeleteI also have just three computers in my classroom. They are also located right next to each other. You are right that this makes computer based group projects difficult due to lack of space. My school has a computer lab schedule. This allows me one hour once each week. This is really not enough time for the types of activities and projects I would like to do. My school recently bought ipads with grant money. This was very exciting until I discovered that my class would only have four of them. It is very difficult to do things with four ipads, even if students do work in groups. I have to use them as stations or set a schedule for days of the week for each group.
I feel that my school is in limbo for technology support. There are those that love technology and share what they are doing. Then there are those that want nothing to do with technology, and moan and groan at the mention of anything new. My principal does pretty well supporting the implementation of new things, including technology. Our district seems to be offering more opportunities to learn about and with technology every year. This makes me feel more supported as I try to incorporate it into my teaching. Thanks for the response.