Progress on Goals

I have made some progress with my GAME plan this week. My first goal was to “engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources” (ISTE, 2000). So far, I have found several resources on using digital tools. I have compiled a list, and will begin testing out these tools in the near future.

My second goal was to “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2000). My colleagues in my PLC at school reminded me of the SMART notebook software that is to be used with my SMARTboard. I have been practicing with this software to create activities to use with the SMARTboard. I have begun using Google docs and Google forms with one of my classes. This particular class meets in a computer lab for the time being. Each class period begins with a bellringer activity. I noticed that many students in this class lost their bellringers by the due date. So, I created a google form for my students to send me their responses to the bellringer questions. I have not been using this long enough to make a judgment on how well it works.

I still have some work to do as far as finding resources online. I have found a few, but so far, nothing that I really think will work for my students. I am hopeful about the implementation of google forms to help my students to submit their bellringers.

References

ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). (2000). ISTE NationalEducational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved fromhttp://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets_for_teachers_2000.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Goals and GAME plan

This week, I explored the National Educational Technology Standards (ISTE, 2000) to create two goals for myself based on these standards. I then decided on a “GAME” plan (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009) to reach both of my goals.

My first goal comes from the NETS-S standard 1: “Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity” (ISTE, 2000). The indicator I want to focus on is indicator b: “Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. (p. 1) I have not been using technology as much as I would like because I believe it is pointless to use technology just for the sake of saying I used it. I need to find real-world situations for my students to work on using technology. Real-world assignments will be much more meaningful for my students. Because technology is everywhere, I know my students will try to solve problems using technology, so I should show them how .

I plan to meet this goal by searching online for resources on using digital tools. I will begin my search on the website http://www.teacherspayteachers.com.  This website has resources created by teachers for teachers. I will track the resources I find on teacherspayteachers.com, noting which ones work for me, and which ones do not. I will write a reflection on each lesson I try, so that I can remember the specific elements of the units that work or what I could do differently the next time I use it.

My second goal comes from the NETS-S Standard 2: “Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments” (ISTE, 2000). The indicator I will focus on with this standard is indicator a, “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (p. 1). My goal is to incorporate digital tools beyond just using my electronic whiteboard to project resources. I will find ways to incorporate technology into the lessons I have already planned to use. I will meet this goal by consulting with my PLC at school, which consists of four other teachers. I will explain some of my lessons and how I would normally go about teaching them, and ask for suggestions from my PLC. I will also ask the other teachers how they incorporate technology into their everyday lessons. I want to begin implementing digital tools to teach my lessons at least once per week to begin.

I believe both of these goals are attainable for me. I am sure I will have to put in some hard work, and get out of my comfort zone, but I am confident that my “GAME” plan for each goal will help me achieve both of them.

References

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.

ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). (2000). ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets_for_teachers_2000.pdf?sfvrsn=2