Revising My GAME Plan
In evaluating my GAME plan and how to take my next steps forward, I realize I have gained so much already. I have investigated resources from my colleagues, which have provided me with technology enriched lessons. I plan to continue this quest and provide more opportunities for students to manage their own learning next year. I realize I cannot change everything at once, so I have taken some pressure off of myself to overhaul my classroom. As many of my colleagues have noted, baby steps are perfectly fine.
I will continue to be an advocate for technology in the classroom. This becomes more challenging as budgets are cut and programs lose funding. I believe if I model a technology infused classroom, others will become intrigued and encouraged to do the same in their classes. This may be all I can do on a school level. For myself, I have already looked into attending the ITSE Conference this summer. My school district has a presenter attending and what a wonderful way for me to support him while learning the latest strategies for teaching with technology. My biggest problem would be which workshops to attend.
The start of a new school year is a perfect time to revise, evaluate and carry out a new GAME plan, so I will continue to monitor my progress and look for great accomplishments with my students and colleagues next year!
Lee,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your goals are within your grasp. Encouraging your colleagues through modeling/practice of incorportating technology is a wonderful idea. I am working on getting my peers excited about technology as well. It is harder than I thought it would be--they are resisting a little because technology is not always a reliable option for them.
I am also feeling the pressure of budget cuts--in relation to technology in my classroom. Recently we lost our color printers and are down to two student printer in the whole building (of almost 800 students). We are being encouraged to become more of a paperless district--so using more social networking and online assignments would be beneficial and even necessary.
Going to the ISTE conference this summer sounds like an amazing learning opportunity. Enjoy!
In today's economy, budgets are being cut for many things. Unfortunately, education is among them, even though teaching young minds should be at the top of the list of important jobs! With teachers like you that model great teaching and getting students to use higher-order thinking skills, I think you are on the right track- others will notice what you are doing and ask themselves how they can alter their own practices to match up. Using the technology that is available to us is one thing we can all do to ensure our students are given a rich environment in which to learn. We must utilize it while we can! I also agree with what Erin said above. Our school district has cut back on paper and printer cartridges, and we are being urged to move toward a "paperless" school district. The online collaboration lessons and activities are one way to help create less waste while also seizing the opportunity to use technology with our students, so it is a great solution for us right now.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you have taken many useful steps towards reaching your goal. There are so many things that will potentially stand in your way, but you are working through those blocks in stride. One of which is the budget and budget cuts. Unfortunately education is not one of the highest priorities when it comes to where money should be spent, but it is the first to be cut. This creates many situations that just should not be. And now that our world is moving towards the use of more technology in everyday life, we need to prepare our students so that they are not behind and if budgets do not allow for that, we cannot prepare our students. But in the end, I commend you for taking the steps that you have toward your goal.
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