EDUC 6713 - MY GAME PLAN

My GAME plan – Dr. Senemo introduced us to the GAME plan in the learning resources video last week. The plan is an example of being a self-directed learner, a skill that most teachers I know already adhere to. Teachers Plan, Monitor, and Evaluate their students regularly (Laureate, 2010) however, the GAME plan and the NETS-T reflect on the educator himself in this example. When reading the NETS-T indicators I was drawn to the design and development of digital-age learning experiences and assessments.

It is here where “Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes” (National Education Standards for Teachers, 2008). My intention is to “customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources” (NETS, 2008). During the past year I have acquired a CPS system to assess its value to elementary education in our school district. In our building only I and one second grade teacher were issued these new systems. The introduction of technology has enhanced my students learning greatly although it did mean spending several hours over the summer “rewriting” assessments into the system. With this system I am able to provide instant feedback and address students’ diverse learning styles and differentiate instruction as well as monitoring progress with the data acquired. To continue to strive to design and develop new, technology rich experiences will be my goal hereon. My goal will be to strengthen my understanding of the software and technology through further education and trial and error. I will be able to monitor my progress by monitoring the progress of my students. To evaluate my progress, I will use my knowledge and experience to further the efforts of attaining more systems for our building and in the training of my peers to come.

The other NETS-T indicator I wish to address is my efforts to “Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership” (NETS, 2008). It follows where “Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools” (NETS, 2008). I will make it my goal to “participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning” (NETS, 2008). My actions will be to attend conferences and share my learning with my peers in regards to technology use in the classroom to advance student achievement. For instance, next week I will be attending the MACUL conference in Detroit, Michigan. Not only will I attend workshops on technology use but I was asked by Edutek to “work” at their booth to share my classroom experiences with the CPS systems our school has attained. How will I monitor my progress? In the first four years of my teaching assignment I have attended this conference twice as well as others. I have created a classroom blog and encourage my students technology use daily. My evaluation of my progress will be measured through the success of my students.

Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010) Promoting Self-Directed Learning with Technology [Webcast]. Supporting information literacy and online learning in the classroom. Baltimore, MD: Author.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx