My GAME Plan

I have completely accepted the fact that technology will continue to expand with or without me; I want to be a part of the change, instead of resisting it. In order to fully become a master teacher, I must embrace even the things that are difficult for me. I want to strengthen my weaknesses in order to become an effective 21st century teacher! After reviewing the NETS standards and indicators for teachers, I have chosen two that I will focus on for my GAME plan (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). For each goal, I have given actions to achieve my goals, ways to monitor my progress as a learner, and how I can evaluate and extend my learning for the future.

2010-2011 School Year NETS-T Goals

NETS-T standard two is “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments” (NETS-T, 2008).The indicator I would like to focus my attention on is “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” (NETS-T, 2008). I would like to allow students more freedom. Peggy Ertmer explains that perhaps our beliefs about learning need to shift (Laureate Education, 2009a). Do teachers need to have all the control over what students learn (Laureate Education, 2009a)? Although I do not believe that teachers should posses all the control, I need to figure out how to manage all of the different projects and effectively know if students are in fact learning. To achieve this goal, I will allow students to choose their choice of assessments by a Tic-Tac-Toe menu of options (Laureate Education, 2009b). On the menu of options, there might be a formal written essay, a written blog, a wiki presenting thoughts, a film, podcast, a digital story, PowerPoint, or PhotoStory. Students get a feeling of empowerment when they are trusted to choose the project that suites them best (Laureate Education, 2009b). I will monitor my progress so that I can achieve this goal. If I have created one Tic-Tac-Toe menu of options for assessment, creating 9 differing projects offered, I will have succeeded in progressing with NETS-T standard 2b. To evaluate whether students did feel empowered, I will create a survey on surveymonkey.com that allows students to respond about what assessments made learning worth while for them, if they liked the Tic-Tac-Toe menu of options, what assessment options should be added, and questions like these. I will reflect after viewing the results to my survey so that I can grow in mastering NETS-T standard 2. I would need to extend my learning in creating valuable rubrics for each of the differing projects, because with choice activities rubrics will differ in what skills are evaluated.

The second NETS-T standard I want to further develop is “4d. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility, develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools” (NETS-T, 2008). I know there are many ways to achieve this goal, but I would like to explore epals.com. I will connect with a teacher from Mexico or a country in Central America. Because I will be teaching math next year, students can communicate with students from a different country to gain insight about the math principles that were generated from the early Mexican culture. Not only will students learn about math related history, but students will be connected by 21st century tools that they will undoubtedly use for their future jobs. They will “engage directly in knowledge creation with others who are not physically present” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 74). I know in geography students study Mexico and Central America, so this would be a wonderful extension of learning for my students that expands across content areas. This is also a great extension of learning for me as a teacher, because I am becoming cognizant about making valuable connections for my students that go beyond one subject matter. If students are able to connect with students through epals at least twice, preferably more, during the course of the year, I will be excited about my growth towards NETS-T standard 4d. Students will need to reflect on their experience with epals so that I can evaluate the effectiveness of this activity. I will have students email me a reflection about epals, explaining how this opportunity was beneficial for their learning and what ideas they have to improve the experience. I will then be reflective and make the changes necessary to enhance the learning for years to come.



References

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009a). Enriching Content Area Experiences with Technology, Part 1.[Motion picture]. Introduction to Educational Research; Baltimore: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Knowing your students. Reaching and engaging all learners through technology. Baltimore: Author.

National Education Standards for Teachers. (2008) Retrieved July 7, 2010. Website:http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf