Reflection Final Post

Step 1: Reflect on the GAME plan you developed and followed throughout the course.

I really can see the benefit of the game plan. Not only is it a tool for the teacher but one that can be applied to the students as well. In an ever developing digital world this is a tool that will help keep you focused on what you are developing but also allow for adjustments when needed. It is truly beneficial to have a plan of evaluation, reflection and adaptation to assure that you are getting the most out of what you are trying to accomplish. I feel that the game plan that I developed worked out very well. I met the standards I was trying to accomplish with little modification. By only having to little modifications it made it easy to adapt to meet my needs in obtaining my goals. If you follow the steps it would be hard not to meet your goals.

Step 2: Summarize any new learning that resulted from your following your GAME plan and explain what impact your new learning will have on your instructional practice.

I think one of the biggest aspects I learned from this class is how effective a learning community can be and how easy it is to set up. I think this will allow me to make more lessons that can incorporate technology and learning communities. These lessons will be more efficient and captivating to the students. It is not as complicated has I had thought and would be a great way to work with my students on their technology standards. By using the game plan I realize some of the best sources for reaching my goal can be in my own school with fellow teachers that have the same goals as myself. It is beneficial to all parties to share the information that they have gained to reduce the work on one another and get the most out of the research.

Step 3: Describe any immediate adjustments you will make to your instructional practice regarding technology integration in your content area(s) as a result of your learning from this course.

I think the most immediate adjustment I will make to my instructional practice is using digital learning communities more in the classroom. It allows for the students to work when they are ready and collaborate easier outside of the classroom. Not only these to things but if it is through a wiki it is place that they consider their own and are comfortable with. I would like to try to incorporated more technology standards into my daily lessons as well. I think by adding short amounts into the lesson the students will unknowingly pick up the good habits. I feel that this is very important due to the lack of guidance when concerning the use of technology. The most important adjustment will be the use of the game plan. It may not be as full scale as our units for some lessons but it will be beneficial to monitor and adjust the standards being taught in all lessons.

GAME For Students

When developing a game plan with the students I think the first goal would be having the students understand the standards and indicators. I would split the class into groups so that each group would cover a standard and its indicators. Each group would present these standards along with examples of meeting the standard and not meeting the standard.

After the presentations that students would take a survey that rates how well they feel they perform at each standard. By using the results of the survey as a class we can choose which standards we would like to focus on first. This can go as detailed as each individual indicator.

With the standards chosen each group would brain storm which actions they think would be effective in meeting our goals. From the ideas students will start with three actions they feel would benefit them the most. Some of the actions would take place during school and on their own.

To monitor the effectiveness a weekly assessment of their actions will be given. The assessment will include the use of a personal reflection and also several questions that involve what was done correctly and incorrectly when applicable. It may include open ended questions where the students state what they have learned in the past week.

At the end of each standard it would be added to a portfolio. The portfolio can be done digitally and or in a binder. Each section will include a final reflection and assessment.

Revising GAME Plan

What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice? What goals are you still working toward?

I have been able to allow the students to use many resources to allow them to explore the content and collaberate amongst one another in class. A goal that I would like to be able to reach is allow the students the option of colleberating outside of the classroom through social networking. I have a lot of reservations about this. I am sure that they are doing it already on some level but I would want it to reach a point of where it is part of the classroom.

Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?

I would like to add to my learning goals dgitial citizenship. This would go hand and hand with the idea of social networking. I believe that many students would benefit greatly from this standard seeing that most of them network already though the Internet. With having these students in the classroom they would be a great tool to lead other classmates and set a good example of the proper use of social networking.

What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?

I thinking a learning approach I would like to use would be taking a one on one or small group course. Sometimes being able to follow along step by step with an instructor is very beneficial in some aspects. This would allow for immediate feed back where when learning on your own it may take a great deal of time to find the information you are looking for.

Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?

So far my actions have been doing very well with meeting my goals. I have found several new ideas and technologies that I would like to incorporate into my classroom. I just had a bright link projector installed in my room today and cannot wait to use it with the students. I think it is going to being a whole new level of interaction into the classroom. I think the biggest help is find teachers with common goals because they use the same technology that I do in different ways. This helps develop new ideas everyday.

What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?

For quick easy assessments I can easily use my clicker system with my interwrite program to make short assessments that the students can literally take in five minutes and get immediate feed back.

What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?

Still trying to find new ways old technology. There are many things out their that I believe can be used in better ways. It may be by themselves or a culmination of tools.

How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?

I will try to redirect my focus towards my newer questions and look towards other sources for my answers. I would also try reading in to capabilities of all the tools that I currently have for the classroom.

Jonas