The Final GAME Plan

The lesson that this teacher has learned throughout this class is when it comes to lesson plans, planning is as important as the execution. At the beginning of this class, I formulated a Game plan using the ISTE standards (2010). The two standards that I chose were

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
2. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

In the past I realized I had not let my students be fully self-directed, and take charge of their learning. By giving them the tools in which to explore and seek out answers on their own, I would be preparing them for a future in which they would be more confident in directing their own learning, rather than just doing assignments by rote. In order to achieve this goal, I needed to add more technology-enriched learning into m class. Our reading stated, “when technology is incorporated in an effective way, it can indeed facilitate creative thinking skills in the language arts classroom (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 196). I started this process by developing a class website, one in which we could post, view assignments and take assessments. I chose to use Schoology due to the ease of navigating the site. This has been a tremendous addition to my class, both for the students as well as myself. The students have gained confidence by using this site on a daily basis and I have gained confidence in using it on a daily basis. I will continue to add technology into my lessons in order to prepare my students for the future. Every student has different learning styles and this approach is helpful because it allows the student to both gain and seek information in several different ways, hopefully it will reach students who have different learning styles (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a). By modeling, I have also gained valuable insight in teaching. By engaging is my own learning, such as this class, the students see both the importance and relevance of being in charge of their won education.
My most immediate adjustment will be to add more digital storytelling. This is a wonderful tool to use, since it develops several skill in students.
“As with other mind tools, digital stories enable learners to reflect, represent, and communicate what they know” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.67) Another benefit is student engagement, using “collaborative online tools and social networking, students are provided flexibility during the learning experience” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). I will continue to reflect, as well as plan in teaching, I see them in often overlooked but vital in the learning process. I have seen the improvement first hand. By implementing these wonderful lesson tools, hopefully my students will be most prepared for what is waiting on them in the future.
using collaborative online tools and social networking, students are provided flexibility during the learning experience (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).





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.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2008). NETS for teachers 2008. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009a). Promoting self-directed learning with technology. [DVD] Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009b). Spotlight on Technology: Social Networking and Online Collaboration, Part 1. [DVD] Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.