The whole GAME plan thing at first, wasn’t a very fun activity for me. Once the course got moving and I realized that I was going to get out of the GAME plan what I put into it, my mind changed. Since the plan was started I have gotten some great resources to come into my classroom ranging from the semi – professional basketball team in Rochester, NY to going to a local pizzeria to discuss fractions. I am hoping that my big fish will fall into place once my students come back to school. My big fish is KODAK. I have been emailing a contact from there since we started our GAME plan and the gentleman there things that once my students come back and I am able to send letters in from the students asking for help from them, it might just work.
The one thing from creating my GAME plan is that I realized how much you have to change or have the ability to change your research / plan if something is not going the way that you planned it. Being flexible is something that we always do as we teach, so doing it during the GAME plan is something that has to happen as well. I also realized that there are people in the community who are willing to help. I think by talking to a lot of the organizations that it will be easier when the students come back to school. So when my students come back to school I am going to have them write letters to local businesses asking for help etc. I even thought about having my students create a VoiceThread to some of them asking for help / donations. I will have to get the OK permission from their parents first of course. I think that it will be a good way to go about doing things.
I can not even begin to explain how much this course has opened up my eyes in the area of integrating technology into my classroom. There are so many different and useful technologies available at our finger tips. The only problem that I am going to run into will be time and resources. I have been writing grants to get more computers for my classroom. I am going to use VoiceThread and other digital storytelling programs as much as I can. I am going to open up this year with the students creating an All About Me VoiceThread. It will be a nice way to have a trial and error session right at the start of the year. It will be a technology filled year in Mr. Henry’s room and I can not wait to see what my students will be able to create and develop. I also plan on creating a classroom Wiki page where the students have a great deal of work / integration into the pages. I think with their help it will mean that much more to them.
I hope that this will be the start of a new me. Technology infused lessons with nothing but higher level thinking.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
GAME Plan Process with Students
After carefully reviewing both sets of standards, the NETS-S and NETS-T, it is apparent that these two sets of standards mirror each other. Each one of the student standard is promoted by a teacher standard. What I mean by that is this, look at standard 1 for both:
NETS – S #1
Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology
NETS – T #1
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
As you can see the students need to learn how to be critical thinkers and construct knowledge on their own. Now as a teacher, we need to figure out ways to get the students to be creative thinkers on their own by using the internet. The standards align with each other.
Now the hard part is creating that meaningful learning experience for the students. I firmly believe that these standards will be addressed if you are implementing the 21st Century Learning Standards. By using elements in your teaching such as effective use of the internet and creating digital story maps / boards, you are hitting all the NETS-S standards.
There are some however, that might have to address in another way, in a mini unit lesson plan format, such as digital citizenship. The students need to know the ‘Do’s and Don’t’s’ of using the world wide web. They need to be aware of what is right and wrong and know they there are boundaries that can get them in trouble if crossed. It is our job as an educator to make sure that all the students in our classroom know of the rules and abide by them especially when they are in our watch.
The GAME plan process will be followed when you use and implement your lessons as long as you create a plan of how you will hit each one of the standards. Lessons can be created to make sure and hit the key points of the standards.
By using the internet and other various technology based tools inside of our classroom, we are not only making our students become 21st century ready, we are hopefully preparing them to become life long learners.
NETS – S #1
Creativity and Innovation Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology
NETS – T #1
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
As you can see the students need to learn how to be critical thinkers and construct knowledge on their own. Now as a teacher, we need to figure out ways to get the students to be creative thinkers on their own by using the internet. The standards align with each other.
Now the hard part is creating that meaningful learning experience for the students. I firmly believe that these standards will be addressed if you are implementing the 21st Century Learning Standards. By using elements in your teaching such as effective use of the internet and creating digital story maps / boards, you are hitting all the NETS-S standards.
There are some however, that might have to address in another way, in a mini unit lesson plan format, such as digital citizenship. The students need to know the ‘Do’s and Don’t’s’ of using the world wide web. They need to be aware of what is right and wrong and know they there are boundaries that can get them in trouble if crossed. It is our job as an educator to make sure that all the students in our classroom know of the rules and abide by them especially when they are in our watch.
The GAME plan process will be followed when you use and implement your lessons as long as you create a plan of how you will hit each one of the standards. Lessons can be created to make sure and hit the key points of the standards.
By using the internet and other various technology based tools inside of our classroom, we are not only making our students become 21st century ready, we are hopefully preparing them to become life long learners.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
GAME Plan Progress III
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
One thing that really sticks out to me is that the people around the community are willing to help if the ‘PRICE’ is right. One business that I went to asked what was in it for them… It was kind of shocking to hear this man say that, but I have a feeling that this is what happens all the time. From this experience, I will show all of my students the emails that I have sent and explain / walk them through the process that I have been taking. There is something that we all can take out of this experience; you can not settle for no if it is something that means a lot to you. I have had more people tell me that they can not help me than people who are willing.
What goals are you still working toward?
I am working on obtaining more businesses from around my school area. I went last week after summer school and drove around the area looking for good businesses that I could / would want to have come into my classroom. I am also working on setting up a classroom website. I think that a website, not just a Wiki would be a great tool for my students. This coming up school year, I heard through the grape vine that we are all gong to be required to have a classroom website. I want to get as much of a head start on that as I can.
Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
Standard 5 - Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
I think that I am doing a good job at trying to obtain the above standard. I believe that I am learning valuable digital tools to effectively communicate with people from around the community.
Standard 2 - Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified
I need to learn new and effective ways to develop learning experiences online. I would love to be able to assess my students online in various ways. I think that online ways to assess them would give immediate feedback and be easier on me.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
The only goals that I am going to add are the ones from above. I want to learn how to create online assessments and continue to develop my professional growth through being a lifelong learner. I think through using Walden University, this will definitely help me learn how to be a lifelong learner without even leaving my house (thank you internet).
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
I think that I need to read more online or text books. There is so much information out there from so many different educators, that reading and being involved through blogs, wikis, etc, is an easy thing to do. Also, asking questions from my fellow colleagues and professors to obtain answers to questions will help me improve my learning.
One thing that really sticks out to me is that the people around the community are willing to help if the ‘PRICE’ is right. One business that I went to asked what was in it for them… It was kind of shocking to hear this man say that, but I have a feeling that this is what happens all the time. From this experience, I will show all of my students the emails that I have sent and explain / walk them through the process that I have been taking. There is something that we all can take out of this experience; you can not settle for no if it is something that means a lot to you. I have had more people tell me that they can not help me than people who are willing.
What goals are you still working toward?
I am working on obtaining more businesses from around my school area. I went last week after summer school and drove around the area looking for good businesses that I could / would want to have come into my classroom. I am also working on setting up a classroom website. I think that a website, not just a Wiki would be a great tool for my students. This coming up school year, I heard through the grape vine that we are all gong to be required to have a classroom website. I want to get as much of a head start on that as I can.
Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
Standard 5 - Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.
I think that I am doing a good job at trying to obtain the above standard. I believe that I am learning valuable digital tools to effectively communicate with people from around the community.
Standard 2 - Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified
I need to learn new and effective ways to develop learning experiences online. I would love to be able to assess my students online in various ways. I think that online ways to assess them would give immediate feedback and be easier on me.
If you are not ready to set new learning goals, how will you extend what you have learned so far?
The only goals that I am going to add are the ones from above. I want to learn how to create online assessments and continue to develop my professional growth through being a lifelong learner. I think through using Walden University, this will definitely help me learn how to be a lifelong learner without even leaving my house (thank you internet).
What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?
I think that I need to read more online or text books. There is so much information out there from so many different educators, that reading and being involved through blogs, wikis, etc, is an easy thing to do. Also, asking questions from my fellow colleagues and professors to obtain answers to questions will help me improve my learning.
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