*GAME Plan Update*

Thus far, my GAME Plan has been progressing as fast as time and resources permit. Besides teaching 8^th grade ELA, I must also teach a Computer Lab elective to 7^th graders. In that class, I try to incorporate the goal of designing or adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. That class has been basically my “guinea pigs” for the new technology that has been presented to me throughout the past couple of months in my course of study. We have been going over internet etiquette, blogging, wikis, and currently we are using Inspiration. The children have been able to work on various projects from other classes and apply the various tech learning tools to enhance their learning quality and assessment.

What I have learned thus far from my GAME Plan is to take things slow with implementing all the technology in class. A majority of my students have very little technology skills. Therefore, I had to learn to slow down, not assume their level of exposure and skill and start from the basics. Also, to treat computer class as I do a core subject class – allow much group/partner work and group students according to ability.

All in all, I feel that my GAME Plan is going well. My only anticipation is to implement more technology and the wait for my middle school students to receive their netbooks so that these tools are used school wide on a regular basis.

GAME Plan Revisited

Thus far my GAME plan has been inactive in regards to implementing it in my classroom. There is little to no technology available in my classroom or available for rotational use within the school. However, next month the entire middle school will be receiving netbooks. The students are really excited to use them in class to enhance their learning. I have discussed with them the endless possibilities of how this can motivate their willingness to learn and apply it to real world scenarios. However, we have also discussed that with this great privilege comes great responsibility. Negative possibilities and consequences have briefly been visited thus far – internet bullying, inappropriate messaging/imaging, credible information, plagiarism, etc. These things must be and will be visited once our highly anticipated and needed netbooks are delivered.

I am looking forward to collaborating with teachers in the other core content areas as well as electives, in an effort to reinforce proper internet usage and possible cross curricular projects. I am currently in search of as much professional development as possible in making the use of our new tools a daily part of the classroom routine.

GAME Plan

During the course of my exploration of implementing technology inside the classroom, there are two major goals I would like to achieve that come directly from the International Society of Technology Education Standards for Teachers:

1. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information. This is an ongoing goal that must be continuously practiced throughout the year with students. Students must know the proper way to conduct themselves on the internet. They must also learn “what to do” strategies for dealing with and reporting inappropriate internet activities such as cyber bullying. These things are taught during the initial class internet projects and is an ongoing observation of skills and skill sharpening.

2. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. I plan to incorporate digital tools into student centered projects at least once per month to start. I want to introduce students to some new form of digital tool each time so that their catalogue of learning tools increases each time, which will in turn increase the endless possibilities of concept retention and project presentation possibilities. I can achieve this goal by mapping out major components of the various ELA units and brainstorm a list of technology learning tools that I am familiar with, that may correspond with the array of topics. In the classroom, I can display a posted list as well as a snap shot of the covered/implemented tools thus far, serving as a constant reminder of the choices that exist for them that cater to their learning style and preference. This, I feel, will motivate students in becoming more eager and involved in their educational process.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf