I'm exploring strategies for seamlessly integrating technology into my classes. There are numerous ways to motivate students to learn and fortunately technolgy offers some of the most powerful tools available. (2009) I need to teach students how to be self directed learners, so that they can adapt to any job they would like to do in the future. My personal journey is to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate my own personal GAME plan.
What is a GAME plan?
GAME plan is an acronym for setting your own learning Goals, taking Action to meet those goals, Monitoring your progress toward reaching those goals, reflect or Evaluate the Effectiveness of your learning process. (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, pg 30)
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is an organiztion for educators engaged in improving learning and teaching by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education. They help set goals for what students, teachers, and administrators should know and be able to do with technology in education. http://www.iste.org
There are two indicators in the NETS-T that I will set goals for strengethening my confidence and proficiency.
Goal
1 - Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
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.
Actions I will take to achieve those goals are:
Develop technology-enriched learning environments that let all students pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants with the aide of technology. "Authentic instruction provides for, and builds on, learner autonomy."(2009) Lessons that are relevant and interesting will motivate students. My goal is to learn more about Windows Movie Maker. The current action I am taking is working with another teacher to learn all the features of Movie Maker in order to have 8th grade students develope a storyline and a storyboard to create an organized script for a 5-10 minute movie in our history class covering trench warfare in WWI. Students will be able to have their skits saved in their digital portfolios as well as on our class website to share with a wide audience. I am monitoring my progress through making one video as an example for my class with the aide of a tech teacher. As each class works on their projects I am reflecting on how each class period does and adjusting the lesson as I go.
2 - 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.
Continue with perfessional growth and development classes in technology.
Monitor my progress in implementing authentic instruction and how many professional development and master degree level classes I take per school year.
Evaluate how I am doing with exit slips from class - where students would respond to the lessons/projects we are completing. Ask myself the questions - did my lessons or unti plan work - can it be improved? What would I do differently in the future.
Reflect on current educational research about technology.
Noreen,
ReplyDeleteI think it’s great that you are creating your own video. By doing this, you are not only modeling technology skills and content, but also showing your willingness to take risks. As Dr. Ertmer (2009) asserts, integrating technology into the classroom requires the confidence to use the technology and admit if you are unsure how to do something (Laureate Education, Inc.). I use a Mac so I am not too familiar with Windows Movie Maker, but it sounds like you have found a perfect resource with the technology teacher. I look forward to hearing how your students’ projects turn out!
Take care,
Tara Minnerly
7th Grade Language Arts
Reference
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology, Part 1. [Motion Picture]. Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.
Noreen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your plan to implement more technology-enriched learning experiences for students. The idea of using Movie Maker as a way to illustrate learning about WWII is an excellent example of a collaborative, project-based learning experience. Students will engage in meaningful conversations, as they plan and execute their projects. In addition, student creativity will be displayed as they decide how they will portray a particular event in WWII, and what visual and audio additions they will include. Students will also be engaged in meaningful reflection, as they view one another's videos and consider what worked and what could be improved upon.
-Jennifer
Noreen,
ReplyDeleteWe share common ideas and plan goals.I also teach students how to use moviemaker to make their work come to life. I found a new resource to make shorter clips or movies that work really well with my students. I know you teach the gifted and talented and I teach students on the ladder end of that education level stick but you and your students might find this to be a useful resource.
Here is the link: http://animoto.com/