Sunday, February 27, 2011

Course Reflection

As I have progressed through this masters program at Walden University, I have gained experience with many technology tools and gained knowledge of ways these tools can be used to support the learning of students. My current course, Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas, has provided me a method to implement the technology tools into my classroom. The GAME plan helps someone set goals, make a plan of action to reach the goals, monitor their progress, and evaluate/extend their learning (Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P., 2009, p. 3). The GAME plan provides a guide to support self-directed learners in making and achieving their goals.

During this course, I developed a GAME plan to support me as an educator in working towards developing proficiency in the National Education Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) developed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, 2008b). One standard is “to facilitate and inspire student learning…through the use of digital tools” (ISTE, 2008b). I developed a GAME plan to investigate methods to integrate student responses systems such as ‘clickers’ into my classroom. Through observation and discussion, I have gained knowledge on multiple ways to include these tools in my classroom. Although my original goal was met, an extension currently in progress is to research the brands and costs of student response systems.

The second standard I chose to focus on was “to design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessment” (ISTE, 2008b). As part of this course, I developed a unit plan that will assess the student’s knowledge of the algebraic concept, systems of equations, through demonstration of proficiency by applying the math concept to real life experiences. During the unit, students will use digital tools such as the internet to conduct research, social networking to share information with team members, and digital storytelling to present their projects. My hope is to include this unit into my classes next month as we begin to investigate and work with systems of equations.

The experience of developing, implementing, and following a GAME plan has shown me the value to teach students how to develop their own GAME plans and in the process develop skills to become self-directed learners which are important for success in the 21st century. A GAME plan is a tool that supports one in gaining knowledge, skills, and experience. Students could use the GAME plan to support their progress in gaining academic knowledge, in reaching personal goals, and in mastering the National Education Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S) (ISTE, 2008a). The NETS-T and NETS-S are related so that as a teacher strives to meet their standards, they are supporting, helping, and encouraging students to meet the NETS-S.


References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008a). Nets-S. Retrieved on February 15, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008b). Nets-T. Retrieved on January 11, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

The GAME Plan is a process that supports one in setting goals, taking action to reach their goals, monitoring their progress, and evaluating their plan as to whether or not they met their goals. During the process, one may decide to adjust their goals as they progress through their plan of action. At the end of the process, one may decided to either continue working on their goals or maybe even set new goals as a result of questions that have developed during the process.

During this course, I developed a GAME Plan to strengthen my understanding and application of the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). The International Society for Technology in Education (ITSE) has also developed National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S). As a teacher, I need to continue working on meeting the NETS-T but I also need to begin to support my students in meeting the NETS-S. Fortunately, many of the teacher and student standards are related. One of the teacher standards is to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity. As a teacher strives to meet this standard, they will be able to support students in demonstrating creativity and innovation which is one of the student standards. Another teacher standard is to model digital-age work and learning. As part of this standard, teachers need to model the use of technology to gather information, collaborate and communicate. The teachers modeling will help students meet their goal of communication and collaboration as well as research and information fluency. Thirdly, a teacher standard is to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. This standard allows a teacher to support and help students learn to become responsible digital citizens in the 21st century. The NETS-T and NETS-S are related so that as a teacher strives to meet their standards, they are supporting, helping, and encouraging students to meet the NETS-S.

Through my experience using the GAME Plan during my Walden course, I can see the value in this plan supporting and helping students to reach their goals. The plan can be used by students to develop academic and/or personal goals. The plan can also help students in creating a plan of action to reach their goals. Many of my students seem to be just trying to make it through a day and not thinking about their future. I would really like to use the GAME Plan with my students in hope to help them develop and feel success in their lives and future.


References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). Nets-S. Retrieved on February 15, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). Nets-T. Retrieved on January 11, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Revising Your GAME Plan

Goal #1 -- Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice.

This week I was able to observe a colleague using the iRespond student response system. This particular style of ‘clickers’ allowed for an A, B, C, D, or E response. The multiple choice style allowed the teacher to ask different types of questions. For example, students were able to grade some anonymous student work based on what the students thought the teachers expectations were, students were able to answer recall type questions about World War 1, and students were able to answer opinion style questions regarding whether they agree or disagreed with a statement. After students answered, the responses were displayed in a bar graph format. The visual summary of responses led to great discussions in the class. All students were able to participate safely due to the anonymity of the responses. I plan to continue to look into the different types of student response systems. I hope to be able to integrate one into my classroom next school year if the funding is available.


Goal # 2 -- To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.

Today, I met with a team of teachers from other local high schools and our local community college. The purpose of this team is to revise, adapt, and improve a curriculum created by one of the community college teachers. The hope is that the high school teachers will be able to offer this course at the high school level in the next year or so. Many of the problems and concepts in this curriculum are ‘Applied Algebra’. The questions apply Algebra concepts in the areas of electricity, construction, manufacturing, and welding. My thought is that maybe some of these questions could be pulled out of he curriculum and used as part of an authentic assessment.


Goal # 3 -- To provide a tool to support my colleagues and me in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.

I am still planning on working to meet this goal over the summer.

New Goals
-- My hope also this summer is to become proficient and comfortable enough with a wiki, blog, or moodle in order to create an online resource to supplement the classroom instruction. I would like students to be able to post homework hints and help for each other, the teacher (me) to be able to post homework hints and help, as wells as post links to other online sources that can provide assistance to students. For example, our curriculum provides online resources for students and parents. I need to promote this link to my students.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

Goal #1 -- Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice

This week I have been processing what style of student response systems would seem to fit with the instruction of mathematics. It does not seem that a True/False style would allow students to use problem solving and critical thinking skills when answering a math question. ‘Clickers’ that allow multiple choice responses will provide the students with more opportunities to think critically but seem to limit the questions I could pose to my students. After reflecting, it seems that I would find ‘clickers’ that allow students to answer multiple formats of questions including numerical and short answer responses. Now that I have decided on the style of ‘clickers’, I need to begin researching the different brands and costs. I had hoped to observe a colleague use their iRespond clickers this week. However, my colleague was not using them during my prep period. I hope to observe the clickers in use in the next week or so.

Goal # 2 -- To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.

Tomorrow during my all day department meeting, we plan to discuss creating and implementing authentic assessments. I would like to implement at least one authentic assessment third quarter and one fourth quarter. My hope is that tomorrow I will be able to spend some time researching possible questions with my teaching partner.

Goal # 3 -- To provide a tool to support my colleagues and me in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.

This is a long-term goal for me. I continue to see the necessity for both teachers and students to spend some time discussing the important issues of digital citizenship and responsibility. For example, a student this week became very upset when it seemed that Wikipedia so not accessible at school. This student claimed the Wikipedia was a valid source for information to complete projects. As the school tech lead, I had to explain to this student that Wikipedia is in fact not blocked and that it was not a 100% reliable source. I explained to the student that anybody can make changes, additions, and omissions to the information contained in Wikipedia. This discussion with the student reminded me how valuable this goal is for our students, my colleagues, my school and me.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress

The process of working through a GAME plan is a journey. During the journey, I am continually monitoring, modifying, and adjusting my goals and action plan.

Goal #1 -- Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice.

At a regional technology meeting last Friday, I was able to learn about the different types of response systems fellow colleagues’ use. I discovered that there are many different types. A teacher at my school use the ‘Ultralite’ clickers from iRespond. Other types are ActivExpression (for use with an ActivBoard) and SMART Response System (for use with SMARTBoard). Since I have a SMARTBoard in my classroom, I plan to research student response systems that interact with a SMARTBoard. There are about 4 different styles that are offered by the SMART company. I have learned that I need to not only research types of systems but also styles. Do I want a ‘clicker’ that allows True/False, Multiple Choice, or short response? To begin this process, I plan to observe a colleague at my school using clickers next week.

Goal # 2 -- To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.

I plan to make more progress on this goal during a department meeting on February 3rd. My teaching partner and I have had several quick discussions about what standards and chapter of our text would provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge in ways other than forced-option and open-ended responses assessments.

Goal # 3 -- To provide a tool to support my colleagues and me in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.

As stated last week, I have not progressed on this goal yet. My hope is to have time this summer to create lessons that staff members could use in the fall 2011.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Carrying Out Your GAME Plan

In last week’s blog post, I developed GAME (Goal, Action, Monitor, and Evaluate) plans to support me in developing proficiency in several areas of the NETS-T. This week, I am continuing the process by identifying resources that are needed, any additional information that is needed, and steps that I have already planned to take toward reaching my goals.

Goal #1 -- Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice.

Resources Needed: Colleagues, Internet
Additional Information Needed: Different types of student response systems (‘clickers’) that interface with SMART Boards
Steps: Plan to discuss different types with colleagues from other schools and districts at a regional technology meeting this Friday

Goal #2 -- To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.

Resources Needed: Teaching Partner, Internet
Additional Information Needed: Examples of project-based learning that cover Algebra concepts
Steps: Plan to discuss with my department members at a team meeting on February 3rd

Goal #3 -- To provide a tool to support my colleagues and me in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.

Resources Needed:
Previous Walden course work, Internet, District Staff
Additional Information Needed: Sample lesson plans on digital citizenship and responsibility
Steps: I have not progressed on this goal yet. My hope is to have time this summer to create lessons that staff members could use in the fall 2011.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Developing a GAME Plan

One way to strengthen ones confidence and proficiency in anything is to develop a GAME plan. The GAME plan helps someone set goals, make a plan of action to reach the goals, monitor their progress, and evaluate their achievement (Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P., 2009, p. 3). For educators, the GAME plan provides a tool to support them in their development of new instructional strategies and tools. The International Society for Technology in Education (iste) has developed a set of technology performance standards for teachers (NETS-T) (iste, 2008). I will use the GAME plan to support me in developing my proficiency in several areas on the NETS-T.

NETS-T: To facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity by engaging students through the use of digital tools.

GAME plan:
G (Goal) – Learn more about how to integrate student response systems into instruction and guided practice.
A (Action) – Observe response systems being used in other classrooms within my school and discuss response systems with teachers from other schools in my technology cadre.
M (Monitor) – Reflect on how the teacher used a response system. What type of response system was used? Were the students engaged? What type of preparation is needed to prepare/use the response system?
E (Evaluate) – Make notes during observations regarding ways to integrate a response system into instruction. Reflect on ways to use a response system in my classroom.

NETS –T: To design and develop digital-age learning experiences and assessments.

GAME plan:
G – To design and develop an authentic assessment for my Algebra course that provides students multiple options to use technology to demonstrate learning.
A – With my teaching partner, discuss what content can be demonstrated through project-based learning. My hope is to develop a minimum of one authentic assessment this school year.
M – Reflect on the discussions with my teaching partner. What content would be best addressed with an authentic assessment? What types of technological options will be provided to the students? What is the time-line/steps that students will need to complete? How will students demonstrate proficiency on the content?
E – Are the students able to complete the assessment and demonstrate learning? Does the assessment address the diverse learning styles and abilities of my students?

NETS-T: To promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility.

GAME plan:
G – To provide a tool to support me and my colleagues in teaching our students about digital citizenship and responsibility.
A – Develop a series of lessons that teach students how to conduct and internet search, “how to verify the legitimacy of content on the internet” (Cennamo et al., 2009, p. 75), and how to cite internet sources.
M – Reflect on the three lessons. How and when could these lessons be provided to students? Who could provide the lessons to the students?
E – Are students demonstrating understanding of digital citizenship and responsibility? Can students conduct an internet search and find the information needed? Can students determine if a web site is legitimate? Are students giving credit to the sources they use?

The NETS-T are standards that all teachers should continually plan to achieve. The GAME plan is one tool that provides a structure to learn, understand, and apply the standards. The NETS –T standards can not only improve the effectiveness of a teacher but also student learning.


References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). Nets-T. Retrieved on January 11, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx.