Throughout this course I had to create a GAME plan and work on accomplishing the GAME plan. I like the process of the game plan and how it kept me focused and wanting to complete the task instead of putting a plan in place and then getting to busy to complete the task. The GAME plan held me accountable for the goal in which I had set forth. After completing a GAME plan for myself I see how it can be beneficial to my students as well. For my students long term goals are hard for them to complete and often become forgotten. So I think I would use the Game plan for shorter goals maybe one per marking period and instead of them creating a goal of their own I would great their GAME plan for them. An example could be to write neater or be able to spell your first and last name. I know these tasks seem simple to us but for my students these are extremely difficult tasks but are ones that need to be learned.
Throughout this course I learned many different ways to use technology along with various tools that I am looking forward to embracing them and implementing them in my class activities next year.
One thing that I have already changed in my classroom is I have signed up for the computer lab for every other week in order to make sure that my students are able to use technology as often as possible and customize the learning to meet the individual students needs.”Digital tools can help you “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resource.”(Cennamo, Ross, Ertmer, pg 109).
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
GAME Plan Process with Students Week 7-
My first thought was why would you have a student create a GAME plan how would that be useful to them. I then took a moment to think about why we had to set a GAME plan and how it benefited me and with the two thoughts in mind I came up with the reason why I feel GAME plans could be beneficial for my students.
Throughout my years of teaching I have always tried to instill the use of graphic organizer and brainstorming to my students and how it makes your writing piece more organized and well developed. Well what is a graphic organizer? It is nothing more than a plan and idea that you build on in order to complete the final piece just like a GAME plan. To me my GAME plan was a goal that I wanted to accomplish in order to better meet my student’s needs and be able to incorporate more technology. So why can’t students do this? The answer is they can and in fact it might actually help then to understand/see why they are completing the project in the first place. It might make them understand that teachers do just make up lessons to keep them busy that there are standards that they need to meet. Along with it might help the student stay more focused and allow for a continual check on what progress is being made. Just like we did for this class you could assign weekly posts on their progress towards the completion of their GAME plan. That will not only allow you to use another form of technology but will help you as the teacher to monitor the student’s progress. I know GAME plans are normally used for longer term goals but I feel that for me and my student’s longer term goals would not beneficial and to use it effectively it would be more beneficial to use it for a shorter term goal such as a project.
Their game plan will be related to their project they are working on and will be geared towards their academically functioning level. Each student will have to create a GAME plan based on the assignment/task at hand and then use the GAME plan to help guide them through the assignment. Their GAME plan will be posted on their blog and weekly monitoring will take place. The lesson will of course use technology in order to help develop their proficiency towards the technology standards.
Throughout my years of teaching I have always tried to instill the use of graphic organizer and brainstorming to my students and how it makes your writing piece more organized and well developed. Well what is a graphic organizer? It is nothing more than a plan and idea that you build on in order to complete the final piece just like a GAME plan. To me my GAME plan was a goal that I wanted to accomplish in order to better meet my student’s needs and be able to incorporate more technology. So why can’t students do this? The answer is they can and in fact it might actually help then to understand/see why they are completing the project in the first place. It might make them understand that teachers do just make up lessons to keep them busy that there are standards that they need to meet. Along with it might help the student stay more focused and allow for a continual check on what progress is being made. Just like we did for this class you could assign weekly posts on their progress towards the completion of their GAME plan. That will not only allow you to use another form of technology but will help you as the teacher to monitor the student’s progress. I know GAME plans are normally used for longer term goals but I feel that for me and my student’s longer term goals would not beneficial and to use it effectively it would be more beneficial to use it for a shorter term goal such as a project.
Their game plan will be related to their project they are working on and will be geared towards their academically functioning level. Each student will have to create a GAME plan based on the assignment/task at hand and then use the GAME plan to help guide them through the assignment. Their GAME plan will be posted on their blog and weekly monitoring will take place. The lesson will of course use technology in order to help develop their proficiency towards the technology standards.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Revising Your GAME plan Week 6-
Throughout this process I have learned that people are using and relying on technology more than I had even imagined. Many of my students are even asking to submit assignments via email instead of handing in a hard copy. It seems like technology is taking over for almost everything but my concern is what will students do when technology fails them as we all know it will.
As for my goals I have taking the first few steps and have had my students and their parents complete a survey in which I learned that more parents and students were interested in the Moodle page. They all looked forward to the various aspects that it has to offer. The parents stated they would use it to make sure their child is completing assignments as well to look at their grade. Where the students stated they would use it to check their homework as well as ask questions if need be. With the results that I received from the survey I went ahead and set up a basis Moodle page. Although it is far from being done I have began to set up the first page but still need to learn how to add different categories as well link a confidential grading program to the page for parents to monitor their child.
My goal for this week is to learn how to add categories so I can break the Moodle page into different sections. In hind sight though I should have picked this GAME plan when there were more resources available not towards the end of the year when 99% of the workshops are done as well as teachers are ready for the year to end and have less time to help.
As for my goals I have taking the first few steps and have had my students and their parents complete a survey in which I learned that more parents and students were interested in the Moodle page. They all looked forward to the various aspects that it has to offer. The parents stated they would use it to make sure their child is completing assignments as well to look at their grade. Where the students stated they would use it to check their homework as well as ask questions if need be. With the results that I received from the survey I went ahead and set up a basis Moodle page. Although it is far from being done I have began to set up the first page but still need to learn how to add different categories as well link a confidential grading program to the page for parents to monitor their child.
My goal for this week is to learn how to add categories so I can break the Moodle page into different sections. In hind sight though I should have picked this GAME plan when there were more resources available not towards the end of the year when 99% of the workshops are done as well as teachers are ready for the year to end and have less time to help.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress Week 5
I am continuing to make progress towards my GAME plan goal with the help of many colleagues. So I would say that my actions have been helping me meet my goal but it has been a slow process. Being that the end of the year is nearing many teachers are busy with their finishing touches along with are not using moodle as much as they were in the beginning of the year. On the other hand I have been using more technology in my classroom along with various assignments using technology. So on one hand I am modeling technology to my students while still learning my way around moodle.
One thing that I have learned so far that I can apply to my instructional practice is the homework page and the use of Elmo a technology tool that has helped with note taking and class discussions. Over this week I have noticed not only the excitement of students due to the use of technology in the classroom but a higher rate of homework competition, which for the end of the year is an accomplishment in itself.
I still need to learn how to set up my own moodle page and learn how to add different sections along with make sure the site is secure for students and parents. I also need to have my students and parents complete a survey to see how many people would actually use the interactive site for the advantages. As for adjusting my plan I am not sure that I need to adjust my plan at this time to use of more technology is never a bad thing.
Any suggestions on how I can improve my GAME plan are welcomed!
One thing that I have learned so far that I can apply to my instructional practice is the homework page and the use of Elmo a technology tool that has helped with note taking and class discussions. Over this week I have noticed not only the excitement of students due to the use of technology in the classroom but a higher rate of homework competition, which for the end of the year is an accomplishment in itself.
I still need to learn how to set up my own moodle page and learn how to add different sections along with make sure the site is secure for students and parents. I also need to have my students and parents complete a survey to see how many people would actually use the interactive site for the advantages. As for adjusting my plan I am not sure that I need to adjust my plan at this time to use of more technology is never a bad thing.
Any suggestions on how I can improve my GAME plan are welcomed!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Game Plan Progress
Over the past week I have been talking to colleagues about Moodle and all the ways that they use it and how it is beneficial for their classes. One of my colleagues signed me onto their site so I could get a hands on feel for what Moodle is like and all that it has to offer. I also touched based with our computer teacher and he provided me with some resources on internet safety along with a PowerPoint presentation for parents. So far I have found there to be enough resources available and know that next year will bring even more for Moodle. So far I do not feel that I need to make any modification to my action plan but I was wondering if it mattered that a big bulk of my resources for Moodle will be next year. Does anyone have any ideas?
Some of the things that I have learned so far are that in Moodle you can set up different tabs which allow for different types of topics to be going on at the same time. It also allows for you as the teacher to set up a daily log where students can go back to in order to review what happened in class. It also allows for you to add short videos and web sites so students can have resources at the touch of a button. The other neat part about the different sections is that you could have a homework board which tells the students and parents the assignments that are due and were due. One of the teachers had a link that allows the parents to see their child’s grade and what assignments were outstanding while still keeping the privacy of the other students.
When it comes to internet safety I learned that a lot of parents have blinders on and do not want to see what is going on. Most parents also do not take the time to learn the new tools that their child are using on a daily basis so even when they do take the time to talk to them they do not understand them as well as do not have any idea of how dangerous some of the sites they are using daily can be if used incorrectly.
Some questions that have arisen in my research are how long does this take to set up? How many parents and students use it? And lastly privacy factors?
Does anyone else’s district use the Moodle program?
Some of the things that I have learned so far are that in Moodle you can set up different tabs which allow for different types of topics to be going on at the same time. It also allows for you as the teacher to set up a daily log where students can go back to in order to review what happened in class. It also allows for you to add short videos and web sites so students can have resources at the touch of a button. The other neat part about the different sections is that you could have a homework board which tells the students and parents the assignments that are due and were due. One of the teachers had a link that allows the parents to see their child’s grade and what assignments were outstanding while still keeping the privacy of the other students.
When it comes to internet safety I learned that a lot of parents have blinders on and do not want to see what is going on. Most parents also do not take the time to learn the new tools that their child are using on a daily basis so even when they do take the time to talk to them they do not understand them as well as do not have any idea of how dangerous some of the sites they are using daily can be if used incorrectly.
Some questions that have arisen in my research are how long does this take to set up? How many parents and students use it? And lastly privacy factors?
Does anyone else’s district use the Moodle program?
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Game Plan Week 3
My game plan is to not only to create a moodle page but update it daily so students and parents can use it on a daily basis if wanted or needed. I also want to promote technology and responsibility and what better way to do this then be a role model and show the students that I am learning just as they are. I also would like to use the moddle page in order to provide resources for various activities that we are working on and for those students who need extra reinforcement.
Some of the resources that I plan to use are not only my colleagues who currently use moodle but the workshops that my districts have set up for those who want to learn. I also would like to complete some research online and give my students and parents a survey in order to make sure that the moddle page is set up and most effective for not only the students but parents as well. The last thing I would like to learn is how to connect blogging to my moddle page in order to maximize the site to its fullest.
Some additional information that I need to locate and implement are various lessons for the beginning of the year along with an informational packet to send home for parents to look over relating to internet safety. This will hopefully help connect the student’s home life and school life as well as show students how dangers the internet can be if used incorrectly.
Any suggestions on how to more effectively complete my game plan are welcomed!!!
Some of the resources that I plan to use are not only my colleagues who currently use moodle but the workshops that my districts have set up for those who want to learn. I also would like to complete some research online and give my students and parents a survey in order to make sure that the moddle page is set up and most effective for not only the students but parents as well. The last thing I would like to learn is how to connect blogging to my moddle page in order to maximize the site to its fullest.
Some additional information that I need to locate and implement are various lessons for the beginning of the year along with an informational packet to send home for parents to look over relating to internet safety. This will hopefully help connect the student’s home life and school life as well as show students how dangers the internet can be if used incorrectly.
Any suggestions on how to more effectively complete my game plan are welcomed!!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
GAME Plan 6713
Throughout my years of teaching and my effort to try and keep up with technology and how fast it changes has left me struggling with meeting some of the teacher technology standards. Although I have taken many steps in the right direction I still feel that I fall short on the following two standards.
-Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
-Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Although I feel I do complete some of the standards as a whole I think I need to work on them hence why I am going to make them part of my GAME Plan.
Goals: Everybody in life should set goals for themselves if it be for work or for their personal lives. Setting goals is an important part of life and it is important not only for adults but students as well.
1. My first goal is to set up a moddle page in order to allow for communication to be more open than just an email or phone call.
2. My second goal is post on the moddle page daily allowing for students to check back on daily lessons as well as prepare for future units. This will also allow for parents to become more involved in their child’s life while I model the use of technology.
Actions:
1. In order to achieve this goal I will make moddle my personal development plan for the school year which will allow me to build and learn the program in order to be able to develop and implement my goal completely.
2. I will make sure to discuss and encourage the parents to get involved and look at my moodle page weekly by talking to them about this during back to school night as well as send home some information about the site.
3. Throughout this process I will always promote and model digital etiquette and responsible along with social interactions related to the use of technology and information
Monitor:
In order to monitory my goals I will set dates on my personal development plan making me accountable for my development along with allow for me to keep track of my goals. I will document all findings and use my moddle page to demonstrate my accomplishment of my goal and the progress that has been made towards this goal throughout the year.
Evaluate/Extend:
After trying this out of a year I would like to reflect on the outcome and see if it had any effects on my classroom and the success of my students. I would also like to track the amount of students and parents who used the site and how that effected the classroom environment. Lastly, I would also like to get some feedback from my students along with their parents in order to make and implement modification and model digital technology at its best.
Resource:
National Education Standards for Teachers (2008) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
-Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
-Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Although I feel I do complete some of the standards as a whole I think I need to work on them hence why I am going to make them part of my GAME Plan.
Goals: Everybody in life should set goals for themselves if it be for work or for their personal lives. Setting goals is an important part of life and it is important not only for adults but students as well.
1. My first goal is to set up a moddle page in order to allow for communication to be more open than just an email or phone call.
2. My second goal is post on the moddle page daily allowing for students to check back on daily lessons as well as prepare for future units. This will also allow for parents to become more involved in their child’s life while I model the use of technology.
Actions:
1. In order to achieve this goal I will make moddle my personal development plan for the school year which will allow me to build and learn the program in order to be able to develop and implement my goal completely.
2. I will make sure to discuss and encourage the parents to get involved and look at my moodle page weekly by talking to them about this during back to school night as well as send home some information about the site.
3. Throughout this process I will always promote and model digital etiquette and responsible along with social interactions related to the use of technology and information
Monitor:
In order to monitory my goals I will set dates on my personal development plan making me accountable for my development along with allow for me to keep track of my goals. I will document all findings and use my moddle page to demonstrate my accomplishment of my goal and the progress that has been made towards this goal throughout the year.
Evaluate/Extend:
After trying this out of a year I would like to reflect on the outcome and see if it had any effects on my classroom and the success of my students. I would also like to track the amount of students and parents who used the site and how that effected the classroom environment. Lastly, I would also like to get some feedback from my students along with their parents in order to make and implement modification and model digital technology at its best.
Resource:
National Education Standards for Teachers (2008) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
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