In the beginning of this course, I set a GAME plan to strengthen my skills in integrating technology in the classroom. As an educator it is my responsibility to my profession and to my students to stay up to date on the technologies out there and provide my students with learning experiences that allow them to use those technologies.
I set some goals I wanted to accomplish by the e nd of this class. They were to improve in the following areas of the NETS-T indicators: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments and Model Digital-Age Work and Learning. In addition to setting goals, I implemented an action plan. My plan of action was to design and develop digital-age learning experience and assessments by:
- Continue with my current Master’s Program at Walden University, and take information gained from the resources, my professor, and my colleagues back to my school and staff to begin implementation of some of the technologies introduced and taught in the program
- Create a consistent, calendar giving students computer time weekly to use different technologies to create different types of projects used for assessment and to show mastery of concepts taught
- Commit to creating a minimum of one lesson focused on students using technology as a learning tool, including but not limited to podcasts, blogs, glogs, wikis, educational social networking (edmodo)
Throughout this course, I have learned a great deal of how to integrate technology within the classroom. I realize that students respond better when they are true participants of their education. I know that I must incorporate technology into my instructional practice, but this is easier said than done. The only way for me to be successful with integrating technology within the classroom is to practice it in the classroom. Problem-based learning and online collaboration will play a vital throughout my instruction and class. Problem-based learning will require me to put more thought into my lessons and online collaboration will keep me on my toes as far as communicating with my students.
This course was extremely vital in my learning process, considering it forced me to develop lessons including a problem-based learning unit, incorporating digital media, social networking, and digital storytelling. Even though I use edmodo.com for social networking in my class, and have students create digital posters on edu.glogster.com, I have never incorporated digital storytelling in any lesson...nor have I completed a unit study incorporating several different types of technologies in one unit. The week 5-7 culminating project was very thought provoking and an experience for me, as well as I know it is a unit my students were very engaged in and excited about.
Learning from my colleagues all of the ideas discussed on our discussion boards and from feedback from Professor Kirk, was imperative for success in the course. I find this part of the Walden courses most beneficial to my own reflection of teaching, and what I can and will take back to my colleagues on my grade-level and in my school.
Although I use a great deal of technology in my classroom for both teaching and student learning, I have not completed my GAME plan for this course. It is my expectation to have it fully implemented by the end of the school year. Once state assessments have been completed mid-March, I will be able to take more time with the implementation and begin incorporating the piece of including parents in the process. I will continue to do everything in my power to stay up-to-date and continue learning about the new technologies, and exploring as many as possible over time.
