As a professional educator it is important to continue my education and grow to become the best educator for my students. It is important for teachers to set goals and have a plan on how they will reach those goals. My goals are as follows:
GAME plan goal #1 :
ISTE: 1.a. Engage students in exploring real world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
GAME plan goal #2:
ISTE: 4.c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsive social interactions related to use of technology and information.
Action Plan
#1 In order to allow my students to solve real world problems I must give them the opportunity to connect with their community and other students from their community and around the world. I know that students work best as a team and I plan to give them more opportunities to work together and become learners through experience, not lecture. Using the Internet I can allow students to connect with students around the world to solve problems together. Programs such as e-pals or Skype can help students connect and share ideas and perspectives from other locations and backgrounds.
#2 In all my course readings one thing about how students learn best has always been told the same; students learn best by teaching and doing. In order to teach students how to use digital etiquette, I will have my students break up into teams-each group with a specialization (plagiarism, chat/email safety, website creditability, etc.). Students will learn about their topic and make a media presentation for the younger grades to teach them how to use digital etiquette. They will have the creativity to create a PowerPoint, video, song, slideshow, etc. to be presented to a classroom of a younger grade.
Monitoring my goals
#1 In order for students to all stay on the right track I will be monitoring my student’s discussions with others and add suggestions. Students learn best when they are allowed to work creatively and guided instead of told what to do. I will allow my students to follow their instincts and use creativity in solving problems of their community while monitoring them for content and appropriateness. As stated in Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer (2009), the computer programs that students use is not the main focus in integrating technology into education, it is the quality of the conversation that occurs within students.
#2 I will monitor students’ learning by taking anecdotal notes on discussions and progress being made while students are conducting their research and creating their media project.
Evaluating my goals
#1 I will be evaluating students’ outcome by the way they solved their problem, worked with others, and the resources they used to reach their conclusion. I will evaluate how the use of technology helped students reach a conclusion and work with others. Did it enhance their learning? Did students use appropriate and safe methods while online? What ways did they use technology to solve their problem?
#2 I will evaluate the final product of each group and review before it is presented to other classrooms. I will evaluate if students were able to find helpful information, correct information, if they were able to present their findings in the media form, and if they will follow their own teachings in the future.
References
Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer. (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. (2008). NETS for teachers 2008. Retrieved January 13, 2011, from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
