A Reflection of Learning

As a teacher of the 21st century, it has become a reality that educators are not dispensers of all knowledge. Instead, we have taken on a new responsibility to provide students with the skills to access the limitless supply of knowledge and strategies to stay current with ever-developing technology. By following a strategic plan, known as the GAME plan, the opportunities to teach these essential skills, along with content knowledge, can be realized. The four steps include setting goals, taking actions, monitoring the success of those actions, and evaluating the outcome. In addition, these four steps can be taught to and followed by students as they prepare to be competitive in this dynamic workforce and society.

At the onset of the course entitled Integrating Technology across the Content Area through Walden University, my initial GAME plan was based on ideas I had as I was nearing the end of a school year and preparing for the next. Instead of completing the goals and moving on from the coursework, what I soon discovered is the GAME plan format is actually a continuous cycle that can be used for every aspect of my instructional practice. In other words, educators are lifelong learners; as professional developments ensues, the GAME plan can be used.

For this reason, as I come to the end of a course, I have reached new beginnings for my instructional practice. Technology has always played a role in my curriculum, instruction, and assessment because, “Technology provides the means to situate learning within real contexts, and to provide students with the whole picture of an event or process, while still allowing them to focus on the relevant parts” (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, p.34). But what I did not realize was the lack of teaching about the 21st skills students were learning in the process. With my initial GAME complete, I now have an extensive list of goals to begin taking the actions to complete. So far, I have made a list of technological tools and applications mentioned throughout the last eight weeks. A few at a time, I plan to investigate each and create GAME plans for those that would benefit t he students of my classroom. As each are introduced to students during the next school year, they too will be asked to complete the four steps to make them part of their 21st century toolbox.

Reference

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

Teachers & Students Reaching Goals Together

When comparing the National Education Standards for Students (NETS-S) and the National Education Standards for Teachers (NET-T), according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the connection is simple. The NETS-S outline the skills students of the 21st century should develop to become digital citizens and competitive members of society and the workforce. The NET-T directly aligns with the student standards, providing ways for the teachers to ensure the students reach these outcomes.

As a teacher, it will be important to not only incorporate these standards throughout the curriculum, but to raise student awareness and assist them in setting personal goals to reach them. Just as it is important to identify content standards and objectives when teaching a lesson, students should be aware of essential skills they will be developing in the process.

At the beginning of the school year, it would be helpful to survey the students, asking them to identify their believed strengths and weaknesses according to the standards. Based on the noted weaknesses, students can build goals for the school year, and together, teacher and students can plan actions to reach the goals. Throughout the year, a class blog can be used to continuously monitor and evaluate the progress being made. As students build and execute their GAME plans, both teacher and student standards will be met.

Revision Where Needed

Professional development and learning are a constant. Lifelong learner is an adjective true to the educator devoted to providing the best education they can and preparing students for success in society and the workforce. I have come to the realization that the GAME plan is the best way to put this learning in motion and ensure success. I have learned that it is not only valuable to use the steps outlined in this plan of action as a professional, but to teach students the importance of using them as well. I have officially completed the goal to locate and create an implementation plan for a digital portfolio for select students in the upcoming school year, as well as finding resources and publishing space for an online student-directed learning module. For now, the remaining actions are on hold until the beginning of the next school year, freeing up some time to set new goals and begin taking actions to reach them.

Based on this week’s learning resources, I have discovered a number of online collaboration and social networking tools that I would like to investigate and hopefully implement. By doing this, I will be fulfilling Standard 1: Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, based on those outlined by NETS-T. It will address all four benchmarks, specifically those based on the model and support of collaborative tools.

This time, as I plan my GAME plan, I would like to set goals and establish actions that can be reached in a short time frame. The previous GAME plan outlined goals that I will not be able to fully reach until next year, which is fine, but I do not want to create too many in this fashion in fear that they will never be accomplished. I am excited for the time summer will provide, as I learn more about all of the wonderful technological tools available online.

The GAME Plan: A Continuous Cycle

Five weeks into my GAME plan, I am making more progress than I thought I would despite the time of the year, as classes are coming to a close and I am busy preparing finals. By taking the actions outlined in my GAME plan, I was able to completely meet one of my goals, while making significant progress on the other. The goal I completed included the locating and implementation of a digital portfolio to be used by students of the St. Johns County of Future Teachers. Surprisingly, I was able to locate a free digital portfolio through the Florida Department of Education, get it approved by administration, and begin training both myself and colleagues who will be responsible for implementation. My second goal, which was to create and publish a student-directed learning module is also underway. I have located online sources to create it and have learned how to publish it using our school website, linked to a class webpage. The only reason why I have not completed this goal is because I have yet to receive my teaching assignment for next year and do not want to create the module for a topic I will not be teaching. For now, I will adjust my plan to continue researching additional ways to implement technology into the social studies content area.

By first laying out a plan before jumping into the actions, I have realized that the four steps of a GAME plan are essential to ensuring success in reaching goals. Not only will I continue to use this design for future professional development, but will teach students the importance of setting goals, taking actions, monitoring the actions, and evaluating the results. One way I plan to teach this method is through problem-based learning. By posing authentic real-world problems, students can follow these steps to ensure the question is being answered. As students grapple with the process, I am sure we will continue learning together the best way to incorporate the GAME plan into the classroom setting. Question I have for this application include: Will they be asked to complete a template outlining their plan? Will they post it on a blog and discuss their plans and progress with other students? How can I get them to realize that this is a process to be used in life and not just a class requirement? I guess it looks like I just created a new goal for myself!

Katie