In order to strengthen my confidence and proficiency
with the integration of technology in my classroom, I have created a GAME plan
inspired by two of the NETS-T. A GAME
plan requires an individual to “set goals, take action, monitor your learning,
and evaluate your learning” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 7). Incorporated in my game plan are two goals,
which include the integration of various digital tools as project options as
well as the creation of a class blog.
With these goals in
mind, it is imperative that I search for and surround myself with various types
of resources. These resources will allow
me to carry out my GAME plan and effectively incorporate the use of digital
tools into my daily teaching practices.
One resource that will assist me in accomplishing my GAME plan is my
fellow fourth grade colleagues. Like
myself, they too are striving to effectively integrate technology into their teaching
practices. I have already shared my GAME
plan with my colleagues who have readily helped me with the process, assisting
me in the course of discovery and research of digital project options.
In addition to my
fourth grade cohorts, it is also important that I seek support from my
administrators. Knowing this, I have
already met with my building administrators.
After meeting with both my principal and assistant principal and articulating
the outline of my GAME plan, they have offered to assist me by generously giving
me access to ten school iPads, as well as a small budget for iPad
applications. This has immensely jump-started
my GAME plan, as it has allowed me to research and download several apps that I
can later use with my students. One of
these applications is the iMovie app.
This application will allow me to have video production as one of my digital
project options. Another iPad
application that I researched is the MindNode application. This application provides students with tools
that will allow them to brainstorm, plan, and manage projects. MindNode, although not a project product
application, can benefit my students during the project process.
In the media segment Promoting
Self-directed Learners, Dr. Peggy
Ertmer describes four attributes that are crucial when integrating technology. One of those attributes is confidence
(Laureate Education Inc., 2010). It is
not merely discovering or researching the possible digital project options, but
gaining the necessary confidence to facilitate their use in the classroom. As a student, I learn best by doing. With this in mind, I have begun to seek out
seminars, as well as other professional development opportunities. Thus far, through the New Jersey Education
Association, I have registered for TechCon 2013, which is an all day event that
provides education on digital tools such as Smartboards, Googledocs and
more! Although TechCon is not offered
until July, I believe that the experience will help me to expand and continue
my GAME plan well into next school year.
In addition to
support from colleagues and administrations, seminars, and conferences, I have
also sought out online tutorials for digital technologies such as VoiceThread,
Prezi, and digital story telling tools.
It is important that I am able to navigate the tools that I will later
introduce to my students. To do this, I
must first practice using the tools and applications that I have found.
As I move forward
with my GAME plan, I am happy with the resources I have found thus far. I cannot wait to see what I will discover
next!
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. &
Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration
for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach.Belmont,CA:Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning.
International Society for
Technology in Education. (2008). National
education technology standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers
Laureate Education, Inc.
(Executive Producer). (2010). Promoting self-directed learners [Video webcast].
Retrieved from: https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_1958377_1%26url%3D
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI think that is so great that your administrators have backed you up with your GAME plan! Providing you with iPads is such a huge resource. I have never used the app iMovie before and am interested to learn more about it. I am familiar a little with MovieMaker, which we have installed in our computer lab and I hope to use this for my digital project. Great resources! You are off to a great start!
Jana
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou are so fortunate to have a group of colleagues who have the same goals as you do with integrating technology. Do you guys meet often as a team to discuss different classroom matters and are you doing this on your own or is in mandated by administration? I too, am looking to increase my students’ use of the iPad in the classroom. How have you been finding the apps for your students? TechCon 2013 sounds like a great resource that we should all be attending! I am very jealous but I am going to look around in my area for something similar! Looks like you are off to a great start with implementing your G.A.M.E. Plan and I can’t wait to see how it all pans for you and your classroom!
Have a great weekend,
Tricia
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI want to applaud you for going to your administrators and applaud them for giving you tremendous support! I would love to have ten I Pads and funds for applications to support the content! This is collaboration at its finest! I am also impressed that you sought out additional professional development opportunities. With greater access to technology, you are providing students many benefits that promote learning. Your I Pads will engage students, provide genuine opportunities for differentiating, and enable you to plan for universal design to meet the needs of your diverse student population. In addition, you are able to promote a learner-centered environment where students are able to learn content based on their needs, interests, and talents. Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer recommend key elements to make a learner-centered environment successful:
• Teacher modeling
• Questioning
• Quality Responding
• Peer Interactions
• Group Inquiry Skills
• Reflective Journaling
(2009, 168-169)
You have been very proactive in beginning your GAME plan. You have inspired me to talk to my administrators for support and future technologies. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Janelle
References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom
use: A standards-based approach.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI would like to congratulate you on the steps that you have taken in acting out on your game plan. It looks like you have put a great deal of effort into making your teaching practices better, and your administrators are recognizing that. I am sure that the kids will greatly enjoy the iPads in the classroom and they will be thoroughly engaged! Good luck!
Brian
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteWell done! It is impressive that you were able to work with your administrators and get 10 iPads for your classroom. I am sure this will engage your students and generate a lot of enthusiasm.
iMovie is a great program that my students use to create movies. It is easy to use and they seem to really enjoy it.
Some other great apps are Paper Desk and Evernote. These are both notetaking apps. Paper Desk lets you put typed-text, you can draw with your finger, you can add audio, or insert pictures. It is a great multi-modal note taking App. I use evernote to make notes during my classes. I have the notebooks set up so they are available to all my students - this way they can check in to see what we did in a particular class, as well as what the homework is.
Finally, if your students will be doing any word processing on their iPads, I would recommend Pages. It is a good word processor that allows you to save your work to iCloud. From there it is accessible on any device.
It sounds like you are off to a great start with your GAME plan.
Cheers,
Ben