Reflection on Game Plan

My game plan consisted of setting goals that involved learning more about the content standards that are required to be taught. As I reviewed the ISTE standards for teachers, it was quite easy to recognize my strengths and weaknesses. As an educator, it is imperative to be able to recognize where one needs help and be able to revise and make accommodations needed in order to help each student grow in learning. Dr. Peggy Ertmer, helped me to recognize the variables of Integrating Technology effectively. They are as follows, knowledge of the computer, being confident with technology experience, believing that students will have the desire to want to interact with content or standard that is being taught, and having supportive culture, wherein I am able to collaborate with colleagues on various views of that which will be beneficial. This is vital in accomplishing various tasks in order for students to be able to grow in learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).

Any immediate adjustments that I will make to my instructional practice regarding technology integration to my content areas will be to incorporate more of the social networking and online collaboration. I am a firm believer that we learn from each other. Therefore collaboration plays a vital role in the success of colleagues learning from each other and student's growth in learning. Another adjustment would be to incorporate the digital story books that will help students to develop a sense of different methods that will help them to complete various task as they approach them in this life.

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas: Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Monitoring Game Plan Progress

In order to accomplish my GAME plan, I have spoken with several of my colleagues about various strategies that are reliable sources. However, accomplishing any goal can be a very difficult or simple task. It all depends on how research is done. Some of the resources that I am gathering are very helpful while others are not. Thus far, I have taken action and developing a list of what all it will take in order to master the goal set before me. There are several YouTube videos that are being searched to help with integrating technology into my lesson. The ISTE Standards for Teachers discusses in indicator (1) (d), the modeling of collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments (ISTE, 2008). One way of improving my ability professionally is to model and demonstrate the effective use of technology tools and information is through research. It is essential to prepare the materials for the students, along with the technology tool to be used, the computer and their knowledge of using a computer in order to complete such lesson plan that includes technology learning experiences (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009).  Monitoring each step that I implement in accomplishing my goal for my GAME plan will be vital in student’s growth in learning. This is important because of the 21^st Century skills that are being introduced for students to be able to move forward in learning various concepts through technology and not just on paper.

References:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom

            use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Accomplishing Game Plan

Finding the best possible strategy to complete my game plan will not be an easy task. There are numerous strategies to be considered in this accomplishment. Collaborating with teachers of all standards have been a positive avenue in gathering information of all sorts. In order for me to succeed and be more proficient in technology, I must attend the school seminars related to any new knowledge about software as it relates to education to better serve my students now and in the future. Collaborating and attending seminars frequently will be very beneficial in helping strengthen my weak areas of implementing my GAME plan.

According to the International Society for Technology in Education, in order for my game plan to succeed, I must continuously improve my professional practice by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources (ISTE, 2008).

Reference:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.

GAME PLAN

Looking over the ISTE Standards for teachers, I could easily identify my strengths versus my weaknesses. Indicator #1 Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity and indicator #5 Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership are my areas of strength. The other three indicators are areas of weakness and need improving. In developing a GAME plan, I would focus more on my weak areas in order to better understand technology and its use within the classroom. One must know the components that a GAME plan consist of in order to develop such a plan (ISTE, 2008).

A Game plan consist of setting Goals which involves learning more about the content standards that is required to be taught. Next is taking Action to master those goals. Monitoring my development towards reaching those goals and then reflecting or evaluating the forcefulness of the learning procedure and learning results. In order for me to be confident in developing a game plan that will be successful in overcoming the weakness of the three indicators listed in the ISTE standards for teachers, I have to take action, become knowledgeable with the variables discussed by Dr. Peggy Ertmer. She discussed four (4) variables of Integrating Technology Effectively which requires: 1) Knowledge that I must possess some technology skills, 2) Confidence, having experience with technology that is successful 3)Beliefs, caring whether the students will interact with the content or standard being introduced. 4) Supportive Culture, collaborating with co-workers about content and elaborating on the various views that will be taken into consideration (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).

The areas of the ISTE standards that I am not strong deals overall with designing, promoting and modeling digital age work. This is where I need to focus more because of our 21st Century learners, it will be imperative to learn and grow with them in learning the new technology tools for enhancing learning.

References:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas: Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Reflection

This course has deepened my knowledge and understanding of various learning theories. One theory that stands out is Constructivism. This theory relates to being able to learn with constructing interpretation from experience. Dr. Orey discussed how students develops an understanding of how a lesson works (Laureate Education, 2011). The influence that technology has placed on students learning is marvelous in my opinion. There  is an excitement and attitude of wanting to learn when technology is included in various lessons within the lesson plan. In helping students to gain meaningful understanding of how a lesson is administered is vital in the outcome of students' success. I now have more of a clear understanding of various learning theories from this course that will help me to develop lessons to assist my students in learning.

As I reflect, there are several adjustments to be made within my classroom when integrating technology. Utilizing more strategies in daily lessons with the implementing of engaging students in learning. Revising my lesson plans to be able to accommodate all students who are struggling with learning. One strategy specifically named is Cooperative learning which will also inspire students to learn by developing an unique relationship and perception of responsibility to each other (Pitler, Hubbell & Kuhn, 2012). The two learning technology tools that I would like to introduce to my students is Voice Thread and Smartboard. I am a firm believe that these two learning technology tools will enhance learning through creativity. If students are interested in what they are learning, then technology that is creative can be implemented in order to enhance learning.

One long term goal changes that I would make is to stay knowledgeable of the latest technology that can make a difference in the classroom. The second long term goal would be to lecture for a small frame of time and spend the majority of time demonstrating through various learning tools that will help students to learn and want to learn.

References:

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program seven: Constructionist and constructivist learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice - Voice Threads

http://voicethread.com/?#e4966307

or

http://voicethread.com/?#u4005450.b4966307.i25199263

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

Instructional strategies that correlate with the principles of social learning theories can be associated with cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is a form of active learning where students work together to perform specific tasks in small groups (Lewis, n.d.). It is imperative to work with each small group in various strategic ways to prepare them for a vocabulary lesson in helping them to be able to read effectively. One of the benefits of cooperative learning is that the students are able to work in a team effort of completing an assigned task. Sharing a common goal allows students to learn to trust each other as they achieve more than would be possible on their own (Lewis, n.d.).

Social learning plays a major role in helping students to actively engage in collaborating with each other (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Cooperative learning has been shown to increase academic engagement and self-esteem, improve student attitudes toward school and decrease social segregation and loneliness. We are dwelling in a period where information and modernization are progressively worldwide. To arrange for the rapid pace, virtual environment that they will someday come into, students should be able to learn and bring about cooperatively both personally and online. The resource for this week discussed several avenues that students should become familiar with in utilizing groups in ways that improve their learning. Another strategy implemented is Multimedia. Developing a short video or animation is a complicated task that demands many roles and responsibilities. Rubrics can assist students in understanding what is required of them and how their participation will be evaluated during this process. Social learning plays a vital role in enhancing learning within the classroom (Pitler, Hubbell & Kuhn, 2012).

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Lewis, B. (n.d.). Cooperative Learning. Retrieved October 2, 2013 from www.about.com.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program eight: Social learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1