Preparing for the GAME

The first indicator that I said I would like to strengthen is NETS 1b,  "Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources"(ISTE, 2012).  My goal to obtain that indicator is:

Goals:  To engage my students by covering my standards using real-world issues and technology

One resource that I have used to help obtain my goal is the use of Promethean Planet.  They have flip charts and interactive lessons that I can download and use on my Activeboard.  I have also collaborated with colleagues in my county as well as in my Walden class.  

The next indicator I want to strengthen is NETS 2a, "Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity"(ISTE, 2012).  My goal for this indicator is:

Goals:  To further my knowledge of technology and resources to help design lessons with more digital

            tools to help promote student learning and creativity.

Again, my peers have been a big help in trying to obtain this goal.  I have been given websites and resources that have helped further my knowledge in the use of technology in the classroom.  Another good resource has been our our book, Technology Integration of the Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards based approach by Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer.  Their suggestions on the use of technology for the four types of assessment (forced-choice, open-ended, performance-based, and project-based) was very informative (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). 

I do not feel that I need to alter my GAME plan.  I feel that by strengthening by ability in the above indicators will help my students excel.  I have not learned as much as I thought I would.  The difference has been to just do why I have heard.  Collaborate and investigate resources has been the key. So far I feel that I am on track to accomplish my goal.  I am aware that I have a long way to go but I am making progress one step at a time.  Again, my peers at work and my colleagues here at Walden have been a huge help in obtaining my goals.  Please do not hesitate to offer more guidance and resources. 

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J.D., & Ertmer P. A. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful

classroom use: a standards-based approach. Belmont, California: Wadsworth.

ISTE, I.S. (2012). Nets for Teachers. Retrieved September 15, 2012 from:

       http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Continuing the GAME

This week, I am focusing on how to carry out my GAME plan.  The first goal I chose to work on was to engage my students.  This goal comes from standard 1b of the International Society of Technology Education (ISTE, 2012), which states that teachers should “engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.”  To carry out this goal, I know that I need to create more “real-world” applicable lessons.  Luckily, with technology, this goal should be easier to reach.  I can use the Internet to collaborate with other professionals.  I am interested to hear what technologies you use that engage your students.  I can also find engaging lessons that use digital tools and resources using sites such as studyisland.com.  I believe students are more engaged when they use such technologies. 

The other indicator I am working to improve upon is 2a, “designing or adapting relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (ISTE, 2012).  While this is very similar to my first indicator, this one is a little more difficult for me. This requires me to “design” lessons that incorporate technology.  I have a hard time doing this in math.  This is simple during our geometry units but our algebra units seem to be more of a problem for me.  Some steps I can take would be to design lessons using ActivInspire that allow my students to use the interactive white board or classroom response systems.  Again, I feel that collaboration and talking to other professionals would also be advantageous.  What other technologies can math teachers incorporate into our lessons? I would love to hear your suggestions.

References:

ISTE, I.S. (2012). Nets for Teachers. Retrieved September 15, 2012 from:

       http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2

Lets Play the GAME

 After reading the National Education Standards for Teaching on the ISTE websites, I realized that there are several areas that I need to try and improve upon.  While I feel that I am a good teacher and my test scores are always very good, incorporating more technology and relating my lessons to real world problems is a weakness of mine.  I have chosen two indicators in which I feel that I need improvement.  To strengthen myself in each of these areas I will develop a GAME plan.  GAME standas for Goals, Action, Monito, and Evaluate (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2010).

The first indicator that I would like to strengthen is NETS 1b,  "Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources"(ISTE, 2012).  My GAME plan for indicator 1b is:

Goals:  To engage my students by covering my standards using real-world issues and technology

Action:  I will create more real-world lessons.  To accomplish this I will search internet, collaborate,
             and try to communicate with other educators across the world using technology.

Monitor:  To monitor whether this is successful I will have to assess my students progress closely to
                determine if they are learning as they have in the past.  I can monitor my progress in finding
                real-world lessons by reviewing lesson plans and curriculum maps.

Evaluate:  The ultimate evaluation to me are test scores.  How well did my students fully understand the
                 material?  I can use this knowledge with previous scores to evaluate myself and my real-  
                 world lessons.

The next indicator I would like to strengthen is NETS 2a, "Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity"(ISTE, 2012).  My GAME plan for indicator 2a is:


Goals:  To further my knowledge of technology and resources to help design lessons with more digital
            tools to help promote student learning and creativity.

Action:  To accomplish my goal I will dedicate myself to go to workshops discussing integrating
              technology as well as student creativity.  I will also begin researching online as well as texts.

Monitor:  When I go to workshops, read texts, or search the internet, I will determine their success by
                whether or not I can bring something back that I did not know before.

Evaluate:  I will evaluate my actions based on my goals.  Did I reach them?  Have I increased my
                ability to incorporate technology, and more importantly new technology, into my lessons?

Please help me achieve my goals.  My first action is to ask my peers and classmates for any advice.  I teach high school mathematics and welcome any information that would make me a better teacher.  I need the most help in finding real world applications for my Math II standards in Georgia.


Reference


Cennamo, K., Ross, J.D., & Ertmer P. A. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful
classroom use: a standards-based approach. Belmont, California: Wadsworth.

ISTE, I.S. (2012). Nets for Teachers. Retrieved September 15, 2012 from:
       http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2