Reflect on the GAME plan

While setting up my Game Plan I came to realizes how important it is for teachers to be open to change and that if we listen more to one another while trying new ideas we can only get better at what we do. I was apprehensive about asking other teachers to help me reach my goal. I feel like teachers have so much to do already especially as we get to the end of the term and winter break. The teachers I dealt with in the English department were very helpful and willing to help me with my plan of a Technology group at our school and my principal was very interested in trying new things. I also received great ideas from my group members Game Plans and I was very pleased with their input to my own. It has been so easy to add NETS-S to my lesson plans that I wish I had started doing it earlier. Adding the standards has revived and refreshed some of my projects that I was not sure about anymore.

I will continue to use the NETS-S to make my lessons and add technology where applicable. I hope to expand my technology group to include more people and have short reviews of what we are doing and discussing at faculty meetings. Technology is changing so rapidly that I think it needs to be changed up often or it will go stagnate

I enjoyed this project much more than I planned and I appreciate all the feedback and comments from my group.
Thank you,
Mary

Happy Holidays!

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

When I reviewed my Game plan to include NETS –S in my daily lesson plans and to start a technology group that will educate other teachers at my school on how to incorporate technology in their lesson plans without too much chaos, I was happy to see that I am on my way to achieving these goals. I have posted the NETS-S in my lesson plan book and try to make sure I am doing something everyday to help my students gain proficiency in technology. I think by getting my Masters degree and by starting a dialogue at my school about technology and how to add elements of NETS-S to already intact plans without too much chaos I am also helping my school environment. I can definitely see how the teacher and studnet standards are connected.I think it will be easy to do add both to daily lessons and I look forward to the results.

1.Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity-
I will facilitate and inspire my students by trying new ideas involving technology. I will not be afraid of failing while doing so and I will take notes so the next time each lesson will improve.

2.Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments I will ask my peers for help and guidance when using new technology like Digital Storytelling. I am very excited about D.S. it seems to really enhance learning and I have several ideas for the spring.

3.Model Digital-Age Work and Learning- I will use technology in my classroom and in my daily life to communicate with my peers, students and parents by using a blog with information about what we are doing in class.

4.Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility I will promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social with my students and help develop cultural awareness with my students by doing projects that engage students from other countries.

5.Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
I will finish my Masters in Technology and I will continue to help other interested teachers add technology to their lessons while I try to persuade our principal to try to get everyone to increase the technology they use in their classrooms.

Revising Your GAME Plan

• What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
What goals are you still working toward?
I have learned that lesson plans are works in progress and are never complete. I think I need to spend more time making sure I am achieving my intended results.

•Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
My goal is to add new NETS-T to my plans and always be prepared to update or change what I have.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
I am always ready to set new learning goals, and I hope that next year I have not only retained what I have learned but I am sharing my knowledge with other teachers in my county.
• What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
I will try to use everything I learn so that it helps me remember what I have learned

Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

When I looked at the progress of my GAME PLAN, the first thing I thought is that I seem to be veering off topic a little.
My two goals were 1) to include the previous standards in my daily lesson plans and 2) to set up a technology group at my school that works to add new technology to all classrooms. I am definitely finding the first one easier, probably because I have to rely on only myself and I have a hard time asking other teachers, whom I know spend too much time at school as it is. In addition, it seems like everyone, including me, has the flu.
• How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
I feel like I have been successful in my first goal and not doing that well in my second.
• What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
I have learned that I work best alone and teachers want to be helpful and are used to doing many things.
• What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
I spoke with my team leader and a few English and Reading teachers, I decided that at our next department meeting I am going to demonstrate some of the technology ideas I have learned while taking classes at Walden. Then I am going to get feedback from them and use that information to do a larger demonstration at our teachers and staff meeting in January, I received permission from my principal to do this whenever I am ready. I was a little weary of speaking to him about it, but he seemed very interested.
• How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
I think I am going to change my second goal a little. I think I will find it easier to start small and have my technology group grow next year, when I can start at the beginning of the year

Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress

I think I have all the resources I am going to need to finish my game plan. What I need is support from my fellow teachers and my administration. I mentioned before how difficult I found it to get help at this time of year. The holidays and are looming test dates are coming quick. I received an idea from one of my groups mates (Abby) who suggested a blog to answer and ask questions. I loved this idea because it would allow people to comment and participate without taking up too much of their time. I like the idea of my students helping come up with their own goals. They are leaving high school soon, I think the responsibility of meeting, and setting goals should be a high priority.

The idea of incorporating more technology seems easy enough, but I need to make sure that my students are still meeting standards and able to pass or make substantial gains in the state reading test. I teach Remedial Reading and we have a much regimented lesson plan/ curriculum. I am not allowed much creativity or leeway. This has been an issue for me from the beginning. I need to find ways to creatively add more technology to my lessons

Carrying Out Your GAME Plan

The first thing I needed was a complete list standards from the NETS website; I needed to print out a copy and add this link to my favorite so it is always easy for me to locate. My first goal is to incorporate these standards into my daily lesson plans. The second goal is to start a technology group or forum was my fellow teachers discuss ways to incorporate technology into our lesson plans. My two goals are 2a design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. 2b. 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.
My first goal I is the easier one because I have to rely on myself to get it done. I told my principal that I was going to be adding technology standards to my lessons and he thought it was great as long as I continue to teach my content. I need to get one of my classes on board with me and see how they feel about adding technology to our lessons. I want it be part of their own personal goals.

My second idea to start a technology group will probably not happen until next year. Timing is everything. One idea I got from my Walden classmates was to add current and former students to the mix. I like this idea. As long as the students are serious and willing to help, they will be welcomed. The problem will be my co-workers and time of year. We have four weeks until Winter Break and finals and when we get back, we fall into the FCAT (Florida’s state test) black hole until March. I will try to see if I can get my department to add a technology goal at our next meeting.
I have started planning for January and trying to add technology to my current plans.
How can I get people on board at this time of year? Does everyone feel like they are annoying people when they try to change the status quo?

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

GAME Plan

When I viewed the NETS website I found two standards that I feel I need to focus on to enrich my classroom and allow my lesson to enhance technology while focusing on content. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
2 Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S. Teachers: 2a design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. 2b. 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. (Cennamo, Ross, Ertmer, 2009) I believe that I will be able to achieve my GAME plan.

My goals will be to include the previous standards in my daily lesson plans. I have learned several ways to incorporate technology while obtaining my masters degree. I believe that I need to make my lessons plans more relevant for my students that are leaving school next year and entering the workforce. One goal I have to set up a technology group at my school that works to add new technology to all classrooms. I know my county has a technology board, but no one knows what they do.

Take Action-I would like there to be an open dialogue about what inexpensive enhancements can be added to current lesson plans to make them successful for the 21-century learner. I will add the NETS standards to my lesson plans and make sure that I am using them to enhance my lessons.

Monitor- I will monitor my use of technology and make sure that I am including the two standards I previously mentioned and adding new ones until I feel I am using all the standards frequently. When I was first teaching I wrote my daily standards on the board every day, not just in my lesson plans. I think that I need to go back to basics and start doing that again. Doing this reminded me daily what my goals were.

Evaluate and Extend-I will evaluate my plan by the reaction and work of my students. If they seem engaged and excited about assignments, then I will be an accomplishment. The reaction of my colleagues will also evaluate how I am doing. If I can get dialogue about adding technology to our yearly reviews, beyond using an overhead, I will feel that I have succeeded.

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

Reflection

I think the most striking revelation that I had while taking this course was the awareness of the large amount of false information on the Internet. Application 4 was helpful in opening my eyes to this fact and made me more aware of how misleading Internet sites can be. I realized how much time I needed to spend with my students on establishing credible web sites and guided my students to reliable safe sites.
The knowledge and experience of this class and all the classes I have taken while at Walden influence will influence me in my classroom because they are relevant to what is happening in schools around the world. Technology is changing how things are done, taught and learned and it is exciting to be taking classes on the subject. I think as an educator I will be more aware of the issues my students face when dealing with technology because I also had a few issues. I am also excited about the ideas I obtained from this class, many of them borrowed from my classmates like ideas about how to use digital story telling.
When I think about a professional development goal that I would like to pursue I am reminded of The 21 century literacy skills and how they are needed for our students to be productive in this new century. I believe that for our students to remain competitive their teachers must make an effort to attain these skills. The ideas behind 21 Century Fluencies and traditional literacy skills are similar in the fact that they both want the student to achieve a similar goal, process information and utilize that information.“ All the 21st Century fluencies are learned within the context of the Digital Citizen, using the guiding principles of leadership, ethics, accountability, fiscal responsibility, environmental awareness, global citizenship, and personal responsibility.” (2010)
My favorite skill and one that I think would be beneficial to teachers is working in collaboration with other teachers and even parents. I know when I began teaching I had help from more experienced teachers, but not every teacher is as lucky. I feel that teachers should share more information and be encouraged to work in collaboration by their administration. Collaboration fluency is team working proficiency that has reached the unconscious ability to work cooperatively with virtual and real partners in an online environment to create original digital products.” (2010) My school motto has a line that says “…to build lifelong learners and I believe to teach lifelong learners you must be one yourself.


The 21st Century literacy Project The Fluencies,2010-http://committedsardine.com/fluencies.cfm

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REFLECTION

• My learning theory is definitely a blend of different learning theories. I believe that every student has a unique perspective and understanding that the student brings to my classroom. It is my job to help them understand how they learn. I don’t think my learning theory has changed, but I have been reminded by my classmates and Dr. Orey that our classrooms should be student centered.
• One thing I have learned while taking my last few courses is that I am just starting to fully understand my own learning style. It has changed even over this last year and the more I read and learn I that your learning style will change and grow, but the fundamentals will remain the same. As my knowledge of computers and how to integrate them in the classroom increases, I can expect my own classroom style to change and that is very exciting
Two new technology tools that I would like to use would have to be Voice Thread and Blogging. Voice Thread and Blogging are such innovative ways to get a class discussion going and to really bring about community learning.
• Two long term goals I would like to change in my classroom in regards of using technology are using more technology that is student based and taking more time to try new applications

Cooperative Learning

This week we read and discussed cooperative learning. In the text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works, they explain, when students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others. Our students will experience a different work force when they enter and will be expected to be prepared for a fast-paced workplace where technology is used and where the clientele may be global.
I love the idea of using Keypals to communicate and collaborate with students and teachers in other parts of the country or world. Many of my students have a much-skewed view of the world because they have never left the South and I feel responsible in broadening their outlooks. Most of the books we read as a class are about other cultures or countries or have a minority lead character.
My students spend 25 minutes in small group instruction daily and I really liked the idea from our text about using different criteria for deciding groups. I notice that my groups often start feeling that it will be easy to let someone else do the work and then they become competitive and really, fight to see has the right answer, it becomes fun and the students remember answers better, maybe because they listen to see if their answer was correct.
I think cooperative learning is a fantastic way to design curriculum, however I think a mix of a more traditional one on one with this style is the best way. I also think Cooperative teaching might also benefit teachers and students for many of the same reason.

Reference
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

Voice Thread

I think that if my remedial readers owned their own novels and were able to write in them they would be more successful. Please view my voice thread.
Thanks,
Mary

voicethread.com/share/1191648

Constructivism in Practice

Application 4
Dr. Orey (2009) gave a great definition for constructionist learning theories – “A theory of learning that states people learn best when they build an external artifact or something they can share with others.” He also talked again about using the power point because that is allowing the students to build something using cognitive images and that is constructionism. In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, chapter 11: “Generating and Testing Hypotheses,” The chapter talks about ways teachers can help students to generate and test hypothesis and how technology can play a vital role using spreadsheets, data collections tools and web resources. All these tools allow students to build or add to the information they already have. My personal favorite was web resources; I loved how the students used background knowledge to see if their hypothesis were true.
I work with my reading to use background knowledge and inferences when dealing with new vocabulary. I have them record words they aren't sure of and ask them to guess what they think it means using context. Then they look up the meaning and see how close they are. It builds their confidence, because very often they have a general idea of the meaning.

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer) (2009). Constructionist and constructivist learning theories: Bridging learning theory. instruction, and technology [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author

Application 3

When I think about cognitive learning theories and how they correlate to the instructional strategies mentioned in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works. Cognitive theory Learning results from inferences, expectations and making connections. Instead of acquiring habits, learners acquire plans and strategies, and prior knowledge is important
I immediately think about the organizers I use with my reading students and all the reading charts we use to organize their thoughts.
I really need to be aware of my student’s cognitive learning because they definitely need help in that area. We often spend two days working on two pages of text, skimming and scanning text, asking questions.” One classroom recommendation for teaching students to summarize in the classroom is to use rule-based summarizing. This strategy provides students with a process to apply as they summarize and gives them structure to guide them when attempting what can otherwise be a confusing task. “(p. 121) I really believe summarizing out loud with my students and then having them re write the story in their own words helps my student retain the main idea of the story. I am interested in the Note Taking created in Microsoft Word. This is a resource I already have; I just need to learn to utilize it to its full capacity.

When I was reading our course text Using Technology with classroom instruction that works, I felt that the authors gave several great examples for how instructional strategies correlate with the principles of behaviorist learning. Because I work with students who need to pass our state graduation test, I was interested in the section on Data Collection Tools. It is imperative that my students understand their failing tests scores and what they need to do to pass the test the second, third or fourth time. “When students see that others have faced many obstacles and achieved goals with strong effort and good attitude, they too can see their connection between effort and achievement.” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p.161). I like this because students need proof like data, that what they are doing will help them succeed.
The second strategy I looked at was Homework and Practice, I believe that reviewing, practice gives students more confidence, and when working with students that are in your class because they failed, building confidence is very important. Using the word processor to help with reading and writing is a great idea. Student who do not read well, generally have difficulty writing. Using a word processor while they practice writing would also help them learn on their own. Computer literacy is so important for high school students.



Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD

Welcome to my very exciting blog. I hope we all learn a lot during this course on technology. I am very excited about summer and a much needed break.

Enjoy,
Mary

Reflection

When I started this class, I had no idea there were so many ways to incorporate technology into my lesson plans. I really enjoyed our class project; working with teammates in other states and countries was wonderful. I felt the experience is something that will help me when I put my class into groups. I am also a kinetic learner so the hands on projects and assignments were very helpful. I was very nervous before I finished a project and by the time I finished I really felt my technological skills were expanding.
I think the best way for me to continue to expand my knowledge of technology integration with the aim of increasing student achievement, is to keep up with my personal blog and continue to keep up with all the sites and blogs I bookmarked like http://www.21stcenturyskills.org, . If I want to be relevant, I need to stay on top off teaching trends. Partnership for 21st Century Skills emphasis the essential 4c’s (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration and creativity and innovation) and I hope to highlight these in my lesson plans daily.
I think two goals I can accomplish in my classroom that will integrate technology are using more blogs daily with my students and having them do more group projects were I am more of a guide than an instructor. Dr. David Thornburg (2008) said, teachers now change facilitator of learning rather than to direct it. I think the best way for me to stick with these goals will be to experiment with all the new things I have learned, blogging, and wiki’s. podcasts, etc. Because I have taken this course and was provided so many useful sites, blogs, and sources for new information on our changing classrooms, it will be easier. I have also talked with my principal about starting a technology group that will meet and discuss new trends that can be implementing in the classroom. I have also have many peers at my school that are very interested in integrating technology into their classrooms and are now asking for my help. That means I need to stay informed to help them as well. This class has been great and very useful in the real world classroom setting, were many education courses are not.

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). The changing role of the classroom teacher: Part 1: Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills. (n.d.). A report and mile guide for 21st century skills. Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/

I surveyed my 11th grade intensive Reading Class about their use of technology and computers. I have 12 students in this class and was really surprised by the results. I thought they all would be using computers for homework daily. They also said they had computers at home, however a few did not have the Internet, they had to go to a relatives house or the library. They all felt that technology would be used in their future careers and that high school was preparing them for that aspect. Please click on link.
Thanks, Mary

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Survey-
How much many hours a day do you watch t.v?____5____
How many minutes are you talking on the phone?____60____
How many text do you receive or write per day?____600 total____
How much time each day do spend on the computer at home? __7 hours____
At school? thirty minutes to an hour
Do you belong to a social network like Facebook? Yes
If yes, How much time do spend on it per day?___4 hours____
How much time on average do you spend on video games?___0___
Do you Skype? YES!
Do you write or view blogs? no
If yes, can you name one__________________________
How often do you use a computer to complete homework?____almost every time________
How often do you surf the Web?_______ALOT_____________
How often does homework require you to use the computer?_____almost every assignment___________
Do you think that computer skills will be required of you after high school? Yes
Do you feel that your high school is preparing you for that future? Yes
I THINK I know more about computers than my parents and teachers.

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.21stcenturyskills.
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills is a very cool site. I think it would be awesome if my state was doing more to allow all children access to technology. The site gave advice on how to write an email. I feel like I've wasted my students time doing 5 paragraph essays. This site really changed my views on a few things. I our country needs to do more as well as our states. The only way my county or state would do more was if there was money involved.

How my students could benefit from blogging

My high school students read below grade level and have not passed the state test required for graduation. We use a computer reading program called "Jamestown" in my reading classes. I believe blogging would benefit my students and help them express themselves. One thing I find that most of these students have in common is that they do not take their time. They rush through their reading and writing assignments. I believe that if they knew that other students would be reading their responses they would put more effort in to their writing and this would improve their reading comprehension and other skills necessary to graduate. I think a great way to use blogs in reading would be to have my reading students post reading comprehension responses to a blog and their classmates would have to read, check and respond. I would also have the students work in groups and answer questions, then they would have to check other groups work. All together the questions and answers could be a study guide for a test. I think this would be great for many reading and writing skills.
As computers are used more, all students would benefit from blogging and the reality that what you put on the web is viewed by everyone.

New Blogger

I am very excited to learn all this new technology. I think that the first rule of blogging is that you must believe that what you are writing is worth reading, I hope you all think so.

Thanks, Mary