My Technology GAME Plan

After examining the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) NETS for Teachers, (NETS-T), I realize I have actually made some progress over the course of my master’s work with Walden.  In my opinion, I have especially experienced growth in the second standard, “designing and developing digital age learning experiences and assessments” (2008).  However, there are many areas where I can still improve my own skills regarding the NETS for Teachers. 

Therefore, I have set two goals for my professional improvement.  Below are the indicators I would like to focus on, and steps I will take to improve my teaching and thus my students’ learning based on the GAME plan.

GOAL  #1, Under Standard 1, “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity,” I want to become better at

a.  Engaging students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources (2008) 

In the past, I have had difficulty finding what I felt were authentic learning activities for my students.  As I mentioned in this week’s discussion, I need to look beyond the world of my language arts classroom in order to work with others in more project-based learning activities.

Goal 1: ACTION

1.  Meet and plan with colleagues from other subject areas to create cross-curricular activities with real-world meaning, integrating language arts skills with technology, content, and authentic issues.   I want to use language arts skills not as separate entities with no real audience or purpose, but rather as support skills in authentic student-driven projects.

2.  Infuse meaningful use of technology into lessons to increase motivation in students.

Goal 1: MONITOR

I think the most effective monitoring I can do is in the form of field notes and student evaluation.  I will need to take notes as my colleagues and I move forward with cross-curricular projects.  I will need to monitor who is doing what part of the planning, who is responsible for formative assessments, and how we are doing with timelines.  I will also use student self-assessment and teacher assessment in the form of rubrics to help measure student learning.

Goal 1: EVALUATE & EXTEND

I plan to use a journal, hopefully my own reflective blog, to evaluate how effectively I am reaching my goals.  A reflective journal is a great place to jot down what I would do differently next time, or what went especially well.  I want to jot down successes as well, so I can use them as examples when setting up the same project the next time!

Goal 2:  Under Standard 4, “Promote and Model Digital Citizenships and Responsibility,” I want to focus on

                        a.  Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources (2008).

Goal 2: ACTION

1.  As a part of our new Common Core Standards, we will offer a Media Literacy unit in the 10^th grade, where students will learn about issues and the safe practice of Internet use, including:

            a.  cyberbullying

            b.  cyber safety

            c.  social networking etiquette

            d.  giving credit where it is due

            e.  Internet security and protecting your data

2.  I will model ethical and safe use of the Internet, as well as model Internet etiquette.  One way I can do this is by creating and maintaining my own blog.  Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2008) stated, “By all means, create your own blog as a model for students” (p. 74).

3.  Put more emphasis (we already do this to some extent) on giving proper credit for Internet sources through correct citation of others’ work.  We want to start at a younger age to get students in the habit of citing  Internet sources properly.

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Goal 2:  MONITOR

I will use student assessments and evaluations such as rubrics to monitor student learning on the projects, as well as during the Media Literacy units in the second goal.

Goal 2:  EVALUATE AND EXTEND

I will reflect daily on the progress my students and I are making in regard to ethical and safe use of the Internet.  I want to use student reflections and feedback as well, perhaps in the form of a blog, so others can join in the conversation of what we learned as a group and as individuals in our Media Literacy unit.

Resources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008).  National education standards for teachers.  Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers