My GAME Plan

Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) note that self-directed learners are better prepared to face the changes presented to us due to advancing technology or the ever changing needs of our students (p.7). This unavoidable truth helped me to see the importance of keeping with the times.  Creating a GAME plan sounded intimidating in the beginning. However, once I realized that I create a GAME plan for almost every lesson that I teach, applying this principle to other areas sounded like a much more manageable task.

In assessing the NET-S I chose to design a game plan on two different standards. The first standard pertains to engaging in professional growth and leadership and the second standard pertains to designing and developing digital-age learning experiences and assessment.

Goal = I would like to increase my students participation in local or global learning communities   to improve student learning through authentic experience and assessments.

Action = I plan to concentrate my efforts on learning about what collaboration programs are out there as well as their time lines and requirements for participation. Much of this information I can find by searching websites and reading and participating in education blogs.  I also plan to utilize my fellow coworkers to see if there is interest in creating a cross-grade level communication project or correspondence.  

Monitoring = Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) state “The key to effective reflection is the ability to go beyond simple description of what happened to consider why it happened “(p.11). In my GAME plan I plan on keeping a portfolio of student work so that I can look for growth.  I also plan to give a survey before and after so measure student moral on the subject area. As a good teaching practice, I also plan on taking observational notes about what I notice throughout the process.

Evaluate = Based on the data that I collect from the monitoring stage, I will decide what needs to be changed or tweaked for next time.  If they student are successful with this application, then I will look for new ways to incorporate it into other subject areas.  If the students are not utilizing the tool to its fullest, then I will look to see if I can make adjustments to the way the learning tool is presented or the effectiveness of the classroom management.  Many time it is not the technology that is ineffective, it’s the way in which it was present. Lack of planning and anticipating, allows for students to quickly fall off task.

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