Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

In the evaluating stage of my GAME plan, I reflect and see if I’ve met my goals. Have I developed technology enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress (ISTE, 2008)? This is the goal I feel I have attained the most success. I have sought out resources and implemented technology in new and exciting ways within my classroom. Investigating resources recommended by colleagues has provided me with numerous opportunities for students to take charge of their learning, using technology to help them along the way.

Have I exhibited leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others (ISTE, 2008)? Maybe not through the course of this class, but by being in the first cohort of my county’s Teach21 program and pursuing a degree in technology rather than math, I believe I demonstrate my commitment to the importance of technology in education. I continue to search other avenues for advancing my knowledge and developing my leadership.

Monitoring My GAME Plan

Monitoring My GAME Plan

I have taken many steps in carrying out my GAME plan. Some of the information I have gathered is not encouraging. One of my goals is to exhibit leadership in developing technology skills in others and my community. I began to inquire more deeply into my school district’s Teach21 program. This program is designed to support teachers during the process of integrating new technologies effectively. With continuing budget cuts, this program is completing its final cohort. So, my goal of presenting a course in this program may be put on hold. I have contacted many of the instructors to see what direction I need to take to get where they are. I am also looking for alternative avenues for bringing technology to the forefront in education.

My second goal is also hindered somewhat by the conclusion of Teach21. I still plan to take some courses on the latest technologies and how to use them in my classroom, including advanced video production and Scratch. I have also begun searching for quality webquests for math and performance tasks for math that incorporate technology. I plan to attend this year’s Teach21 Capstone Expo to view what Teach21 teachers have been doing in their classes.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan

In order to continue with my GAME plan to design and develop technology enriched learning environments, I have begun keeping a log of the interesting ideas I come across from colleagues. I always comment on the great ideas Walden colleagues implement in their classes, but I often forget and move on to the next great idea. I am going to become more organized, placing strategies within content standard folders for use year after year. I have also looked into courses offered by my school district as part of our Teach21 program. I have completed the program, but as technology changes, so do the course offerings and there are some interesting areas I believe could enrich my lessons. I also plan to seek out other professional development opportunities.

The second part of my GAME plan is to exhibit leadership in developing technology skills in others and our community. I have contacted some of the class presenters for our technology program and have inquired as to their path. There may be more coursework on the horizon for me. I also continue to monitor my technology related subscriptions through my RSS reader, to keep at the forefront of new developments.

Developing My GAME Plan

by Lee Banks

For the past couple years, I have been a frequent visitor to the International Society for Technology in Education website. Because I truly believe that schools must move into the 21^st century along with their digital students, I have researched the technology standards and indicators to ensure that I am supporting the use of technology in learning.

Goals:
After reflecting on the standards and indicators, I have identified two areas that I would like to concentrate in order to improve my effectiveness in incorporating technology in my teaching. The first is to “develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress” (ISTE, 2008). My second goal is to “exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building , and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (ISTE, 2008).

Actions:
I am very adept at using technology, but often feel I fall short in making meaningful connections for the students. I plan to keep myself up to date on the latest technology tools as well as continuing to take courses to implement the tools. I subscribe to blogs and news threads that keep me in the forefront. I also communicate with colleagues to share ideas and strategies.

I also want to be a powerful changing force in encouraging schools to place more importance on technology. Students have to know how to use technology to be productive in the 21^st century. School districts need to realize this. I would like to work towards becoming a technology specialist, one who teaches teachers how to use technology and support their efforts in the classroom. This requires more coursework on how to use applications and software.

Monitor:

I can monitor my progress based on what is happening around me. Currently, I am at the forefront of technological advances in classrooms. I have the SmartBoard, the laptops, the scanner, the Qwizdoms. If teachers start gaining tools that I have not heard of, I will know I have slipped in my GAME plan.

Evaluate:

Again, I will evaluate and extend by conversing with others with the same goals. Comparing myself to others on the same path and relying on administrator reviews.

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf