Developing my GAME Plan will force me to fully integrate technology is the best manner possible into my classroom. What I like about this assignment is that we are given time to develop it step by step. I took the time to really familiarize myself with the ISTE NETS-T standards. Looking through them I was able to reflect upon my teaching and realize that while there are some that I feel comfortable with, a few are very overwhelming for me and need a GAME Plan in order to for me to conquer them.
This year I have focused on Standard 4: Promoting and Modeling Digital Citizenship and Responsibility. I felt that this was the base that all other standards need to be built upon. Before we can make our classroom truly digital, the students needed to learn how to be digitally responsible and safe while using internet tools. We’ve discussed internet safety and ethical use of digital tools. My students know not to use their names, to avoid plagiarism, and the proper etiquette for online activities.
The two standards I am not yet fully comfortable with are Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I feel I am gaining experience in facilitating student learning and creativity and am much better able to teach using new digital tools. The students are inspired; however, I feel I need to learn the best methods in which to carry this further. Where my discomfort with this comes is always within the management of the lessons. I am still searching for best practice methods in how to best have the students all part of the digital creation. An example is building a VoiceThread. They love this, but I still am working on how to best engage all students without some of them being left behind. I’m sure a lot of it will come the more I do it. One thing I know for sure is the more I do these lessons, the more I learn “what not to do” the next time. The other standard of Designing Learning Experiences is overwhelming in the sense that I am learning how to creatively use what I have, or more precise, what I do NOT have. The technology is my classroom is sparse. I have a SMARTboard which I use daily and often. As far as computers for my classroom I have 4 computers for 33 students and access to the computer lab for 25 minutes each week. It makes it difficult to develop a technology enriched learning environment. I grapple with how to give all students time to not only learn the digital tools, but also to have time to use them.
Part of my goal for strengthening my confidence is simply to continue to dive in. I know that I learn best by doing and my comfort level grows the more I am engrossed in the “doing”. I’ve already learned from my mistakes and know not to bite off more than I can chew. I will choose one lesson or one digital tool and teach it well instead of trying to do too much all at the same time. We will grow upon each tool rather than try to grow them all at once. As for how to meet my goal of a technology rich classroom, I’m still at a bit of a loss and would love any feedback. I am growing it with my own money, in that I have purchased FLIP cameras, digital cameras, etc. with my own money, and I’ve brought in my own laptop, but I don’t know how to truly set up a digital classroom with so few options.
I realize that monitoring my progress will need to be ongoing and reflective. I will set specific goals and time frames for each technological tool. For instance, the students will have created a VoiceThread by November, PowerPoint presentations in December, etc. It will help to schedule as well as monitor.
As I continue to learn and grow in my own experience with technology I will be able to better evaluate and extend not only my own learning, but that of my students as well. The important thing in this day and age is to not remain stagnant. Technology changes so fast that we have to be willing to change along with it. Making a promise to grow along with the technology around me will be the best way to continue to extend my learning.
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Tonya, I enjoyed reading your blog. I recently learned about VoiceThread and I am very excited to incorporate it into a lesson or two. I have always been very intimidated with technology and believe that jumping in with two wet feet is the best way to overcome that fear. I know that once I add technology to my lessons it is only going to open many more doors for learning and growing for my students. I also have limited access to computers which limits my use, but I am determined to make it happen for my students' sake. Monitoring progress was something that I also included in my GAME plan and hope to see progress.
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