Continuted GAME Plan Progress

I have started carrying out parts of my GAME Plan. I have made sure to bring home all my pacing guides and resources that I had at school. I have also started perusing the web for resources to use with my ACTIVboard. I have found some great flipcharts that I can customize to meet my needs, especially in language arts and math. One area I have not started working on yet is finding a secure photo sharing web site. I am wondering if any of my classmates have used a photo sharing site with parents and how it worked out. My blog is set up to begin using for next year, but I need to work on creating a letter that introduces the idea to the parents. I also need to add information about the blog to my beginning of the year PowerPoint I share with parents at open house.

After the readings last week and this week, one thing that has come up in my mind is revamping not just my lessons but assessments too. Although I use all four types of assessments, I lean heavily on forced-choice simply because they are easy to grade. As I am revamping lessons I am also going to be finding ideas for more project and performance based assessments.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

Resources: Most of the resources I will need to carry out my GAME plan can be found on the Internet. I need to search for resources to revamp my lessons. There are plenty of resources on the Promethean web site that I can adapt to meet my needs. I also need to be searching for a free secure photo sharing site to use next school year. I will also need to make sure to bring home all of my pacing guides this summer so I can be sure to follow our local guidelines.

Additional Information: I think I have everything I need to begin carrying out my GAME plan. I know what I need to be searching for and most of my GAME plan revolves around me getting in gear and getting things done.

Steps Taken: So far I have not taken any steps toward accomplishing my goals set forth in my GAME plan. Right now I am trying to survive the last two weeks of school and then take a week to rest. After that I plan on working a little at a time to start revamping my lessons to include the use of my ACTIVboard on a more regular basis.

My Personal GAME Plan

In order to educate students for the 21st century, teachers have to move their teaching practices into the 21st century. I have selected two indicators from the National Education Standards for Teachers to focus on. The first one I want to focus on is part of standard two, "Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments" (NETS-T). The specific indicator I want to focus on is "design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity" (NETS-T). My goal is to slowly revamp all my lessons to include the use of my ACTIVboard. In the past I have not used it extensively because it is on a stand and I would have to move it around whenever I wanted to use it. However, next year my board will be mounted so I will not have to worry about that issue. Other than having my board mounted, another action I will take is to spend time this summer revamping a few lessons in each subject. To monitor my goal I will keep track of how often I use my ACTIVboard and whether or not students are participating in the lessons or sitting like knots on logs staring off into space. Finally, to evaluate and extend my learning, I will continue to find new ways to incorporate the ACTIVboard and other interactive technologies into my lessons.

The second indicator I want to focus on falls under standard three, "Model Digital-Age Work and Learning" (NETS-T). Specifically I want to work on "communicat[ing] relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats" (NETS-T). In the past I have shared information with parents via a Scholastic web page. However, this year I started and then let it fall by the wayside. I have several goals for this indicator. First, I want to return to maintaining my Scholastic web site. Second, I want to start a homework blog that both students and parents will be encouraged to use. I spend a great deal of time on the computer in the evenings and would like to use the blog to answer students' and parents' questions about homework assignments. Finally, I would like to take more photos of the great learning happening in my classroom and have an account where I upload them for parents to view. There are several actions I need to take to accomplish these goals. First, I have to remember to update my Scholastic site each afternoon. Second, I have to find a photo sharing site that is secure and free to use. Finally, I have to get the word out to parents about the Scholastic site, the blog, and the photo account. Monitoring my progress is a simple as keeping track of how often I use these technologies. If I am not using them daily, in the case of the Scholastic site and blog, or at least weekly for the photo sharing, I need to evaluate why and consider what I can do to make them more relevant and useful.

International Society for Technology in Education ( 2008). National Educational Technology Standards (NETS-T) and Performance Indicators for Teachers. Retrieved May 13, 2010 from www.iste.org