Reflection

Reflection
Technology has become an essential element in teaching the curriculum in our classrooms. Teaching technology in the classroom is needed in order for educators to enhance student learning in this 21st century of technology. “Innovations in information technologies and assistive/adaptive technologies can be powerful tools for success in the classroom” (Bray, Brown & Green, 2004, p.2).
As a result of learning in this course I will make several adjustments in my curriculum that will include technology use. The Principles of Universal Design for learning guidelines has enabled me to change my lesson plans and use strategies that will help all learners. The one size fits all classroom will no longer exist in my lesson plans. “The goal of education in the 21st century is not simply the mastery of knowledge. It is the mastery of learning” (CAST, 2009). In the UDL guidelines I have learned how to use the three principles to make adjustments with my students. I will make adjustments on how I assess each student. I will begin by using a variety of assessments. Before, I began this course my assessments was simply a quiz or a test at the end of the chapter. Through UDL guidelines I have learned that there is a need for alternative assessments to identify the diverse learners in the class. “Students differ in the ways that they perceive and comprehend information that is presented to them” (CAST, 2009).
Differentiated instruction has allowed me to become knowledgeable of the technology usage that can be used in teaching students. Using technology can help assist learners with disabilities and all students. In my class assignments students will be allowed to present their assignment in a variety of ways, for example using the word processor that includes clip art, video taping their assignment, creating a wiki or a tape recorded assignments. In my social studies classes I have began to use Virtual Expeditions. Giving students this experience to tour other places was engaging for the students. My lesson plans will include the use of CD-ROM that includes interactive lectures and visual summaries of the lesson will help the diverse classroom of student to enhance their learning.
Finally, in this 21st century of technology all teachers will need to make adjustments to their curriculum to allow the students to experience and learn from using technology. Technology use is here to stay and teachers need to prepare and make accommodations in their classroom that will include technology use.

Reflection
The GAME plan that I developed enabled me to take actions for the goals that I have prepared myself to meet for this school year. “Strategic learners begin the goal-setting process by analyzing the task at hand”( Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.85). I began my goal-setting process by analyzing what standards that was necessary to teach in order for my students to achieve higher level learning.
I have learned new strategies throughout this course using technology that can enhance learning for my students that is authentic and engaging. Using scaffolds will allow me to help them become self-directed learners. In teaching this generation of digital learner’s student’s need to have technology integrated in their lesson so that they can have the knowledge and skills to help them learn the content.
I have made several adjustments to my lesson plans for this school year. I have aligned the ISTE NETS-T standards with my state content standards. I have acquired new technology that I can use to implement the ISTE NETS-T standards that will allow me to teach students using technology.
Finally, as a result of learning how to develop a GAME plan in this course it has helped me to grow professionally and has enabled me to acquire new skills that are needed to teach students of the 21st century technology skills in my content area to prepare them for their future.




Reference
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.

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

In my GAME plan student progress will be determined on how well I implement the standards that are used in the National Educational Technology Standards or NETS-T along with goals I selected for my game plan. According to Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer the actions you take in the GAME plan for your students’ learning involve designing and arranging experiences that help meet their learning goals (p.85). Integrating technology in the content area is essential to teaching students of the 21st century.
At the beginning of the school year I will address the National Educational Technology Standards for Students. I will then have my students write down their goals they would like to meet by the end of the school year. Students will use their current knowledge of technology combined with my instruction to help promote student learning using technology in the content area. I will monitor student progress as we move through the school year and give formative assessments after each assignment. I will hold conferences with students who have questions and concerns about using the digital applications. Summative assessments will be given at the end of the school year.


Reference
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.

Revising My Game Plan
Education is changing rapidly with the integration of technology use in the classroom. Using a game plan to promote the use of technology in our content will enable teachers to meet standards in our curriculum and the National Educational Technology Standards. According the Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer “As in any self-directed learning activity, you need to set goals for your own professional growth, take action, then monitor and evaluate your progress toward obtaining your goals”(p.11).
At this stage in my game plan I have learned how to set-up blogs. I will use these blogs in my class as one of my collaboration tools. The goals that I still need experience in is facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity(d) model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues and others in face-to face and virtual environments. This is one area where I will put this part of my plan into action when I am back in the classroom with my students. I plan to have my students explore technology that will allow them to create virtual environments.
Based on the NET-S I am looking forward to moving towards standard number two, design and develop digital age learning experience and assessments. I will not move on to this standard until I have met the other two standards.
The learning approaches that I would like to implement in my social studies contents are using daily blogs, creating wikis, and using technology that promotes videos for the lesson.
Overall, the revising part of my game plan will take place after each phase of assessments that I will conduct with my students. The assessment can help me track what areas of improvement I need in my game plan for revision.

Reference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful
Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc.,
Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadworth, Cengage Learning.

Evaluating My Game Plan Progress
In my teaching career I set goals each year to improve my teaching strategies to enhance student learning. My game plan strategy maps out what steps I need to take in order to pursue my goals. According to Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer “most educators today would agree that two of the primary goals of education are to help students develop creative thinking skills and to become effective problem solvers” (p.44). My goal is to teach my student these skills.
The actions that I took to help me meet my goals were viewing various websites online. On Monday, I attended a workshop on SMART boards which was very educational. I was able to get approval from my administrators to acquire some of the software that I requested to use in my class. I spoke with some of my colleagues in my department and they were in agreement to using technology in with our lessons plans this year.
The game plan has taught me to become very organized with the strategies that I use in teaching students how to become independent learners.
I still need to learn how to design problem based learning lessons. The question that I have about problems based learning is will I have the technology to support my problem? What problem can I focus on that will be appropriate to use in my lesson? These questions come to mind as I think about designing a problem based learning lesson.
Overall, adjustments will be made throughout the school year as needed as I follow the steps in my game plan.


Reference
Cennamo, K., Ross, & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful
Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc.,
Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Monitoring my Game Plan

In monitoring the progress of my game plan I need to ensure that I stay focused on the two indicators that I chose which are facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity and engaging in professional growth.
At this stage I and finding information on the internet and my school district’s website exploring sites that may help me to accomplish my game plan. I don’t see it necessary to make any modifications at this time until I begin the new school year using the game plan with my classes.
I have been able to acquire some collaborating tool software that was approved my administrators at my school to use with my students in the upcoming school year.
I was also able to schedule a workshop for training in technology on how to use a SMART board that was offered to me by my principal. Our school will be adopting SMART boards this year to use in our class and I was selected to participate in the workshop.
The most important thing that I have learned so far about my game plan is that it will take dedication and commitment in order to accomplish my goals.
I will continue to engage in other training that offer activities that can help me facilitate the standards used in the district and the national education technology standards to help me become successful using technology in the classroom.

Julie Luton
Social Studies

CARRYING OUT MY GAME PLAN

In evaluating my game I need to reassess the goals, actions, monitoring and evaluating that will take place. In order to carry out an effective game plan I will need additional resources, information and be able to carry out different steps in the process.
The resources that I will need to carry out my came plan are word-processing applications, this tool will help students in their writing and editing research papers and wikis. I would like to acquire the word prediction software that helps “identify words quickly based on common usage patterns, arrangement of letters, or suggestions based on grammar” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). Also, the multimedia tools that offer student’s audio and visual information. Finally, I will need to obtain approval of my administrator’s to acquire the software and hardware to have available for student’s to use and the support of my colleagues in the Social Studies department to collaborate with me in using these resources in their classes.
I will need additional professional development training in technology and information on how to download the software and hardware that I plan to use with my students.
At this point in my game plan I have began to write lesson plans for the upcoming school year that are centered on the universal design for learning.

Reference
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for
Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education,
Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.