Week 4: Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress

In order to accomplish my goals, I have been searching for interactive websites that will enhance learning for my students. In my fifth grade science class we are studying the skeletal system. I found the following websites that will help them learn the bones of the body.

Skeletal System Websites:

http://www.abcya.com/skeletal_system.htm

http://www.anatomyarcade.com/games/matchingGames/MatchABone/matchABone.html

http://www.purposegames.com/game/1009

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/skeleton/Skeleton_tutorial.htm

I plan on implementing these websites on the interactive whiteboard as well as individual laptops.

One area that I would like to modify in my GAME plan is to add the component of communicating with parents. I would like to develop a website where I can explain each topic we are learning about. I also want to have a section where I am sharing websites that we use in class that students will be able to use at home to reinforce skills learned in class.

I have realized that there are so many digital tools out there and I need to jump on the bandwagon and start using them all in my classroom. Instead of thinking of it as a big task in the classroom, I am beginning to change my mindset as using these tools are just a part of everyday.

Week 3: Carrying out your GAME plan

One of my main goals is to explore different interactive websites and other digital tools that will assist my students in learning. Digital tools can be used with a variety of learners, whether they have a learning disability, are an English as a Second Language learner, or have gifts and talents in certain subjects areas.

In order to accomplish my goals, I need to be able to use a variety of resources. First and foremost, it is important that I collaborate with colleagues and that we share ideas with one another. As a special education co-teacher, I need to work side by side with my colleagues at all times. By taking time out of our day to work together to investigate new digital tools that would work for our students, we are collectively sharing ideas that will ultimately benefit our students. We just received new interactive whiteboards in all of our classrooms. I have been collaboratively working with other teachers to explore new interactive sites that will enhance lessons and learning.

Furthermore, I need to use various resources from the internet that will help me to use different digital tools in my classroom. I can explore different blogs and articles that explore digital options for the classroom. I can check out different websites that would be worth while to use in the classroom.

To achieve my goals, I have actively been exploring and using all of my resources. I will continue to work with colleagues and review digital tools in order to meet the needs of all learners.

Week 2: Developing your Personal Game Plan

After reviewing the NETS-T standards, there are several areas that I wish to learn more about. The two areas I would like to focus on are:

v F Faciliate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity with a concentration on engaging learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments

Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments with a concentration on personalizing learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles by using different digital tools

My GAME Plan

Goals: Create a lesson-Think about what the students need to know and what tools can help facilitate their learning.

1. Develop lessons that explore virtual environments that allow students to feel like they are in a real-world experience. For example, being at a Civil war battlefield through programs like Google earth or various websites.

2. Develop lessons that address various modalities to accommodate all learning styles. Create lessons that have students creating or doing something using their voices or music.

Actions-Teach the lesson

1. Connect to virtual environments and implement lessons.

2. Use various tools such as webquests, wikis, podcasts, and blogs to facilitate learning

Monitor-Monitor Student Learning

1. Assess students through formative and summative assessments

2. Develop and implement self-assessments to gain feedback from students on their progress. Use these assessments to modify goals.

Evaluate- Evaluate student progress

1. Communicate with students and discuss use of technology. What could change? What did they like?

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.