Reflection

I have really enjoyed this class and have learned about so many new and emerging technologies that I did not even know existed. Digital gaming is something that is new to me but is something that I want to research to learn more about so that I can implement it in the classroom. MUVE's is also new to me and something I would like to keep updated on so that I can have this tool to use in the classroom as well. I think that my students would really enjoy using MUVE's to learn collaboratively and also to stay motivated and engaged in learning.

To keep up with the 21st century classroom and to provide students with a good quailty education, I want to learn more about all the topics that were discussed in this class so that I can introduce my students to them all.

To introduce new and emerging technologies to my students and school, I will have to take on a leadership role to provide colleagues and students will all the appropriate information that they need so that they can make professional decisions about the tools and technology that I am showing them.

Spotlight on Emerging Technology

http://www.slideshare.net/slp1777/cfakepathapp-jones-s4-4358051

Reflection

This class has provided me with many websites and resources about technology, UDL, and DI. I have learned how to better incorporate technology with DI for all students in my class. I will use the resources from the Differentiation Station in my classroom to research more information that I need about the topics. I will use the resources to teach lessons and conduct various activities for the many different leveled students that I have in my classroom.

The immediate changes that I will make are that I will use technology more to help me differentiate instruction. I want to also use technology more for assessing students. The school that I work at has the IRespond testing system and that is a wonderful resource for assessing students using technology.

I plan to continue my research and growth in UDL, DI and technology.

Reflection on GAME Plan

This course has really made me make more time for research and improving myself personally and professionally. Having to develop a GAME plan for myself made me set goals and really work to achieve them. I have researched many new ideas to use in the classroom. I have found lots of technology resources to use with my students and have also shared them with my team so that all the first grade students at my school have benefited from it.

Some immediate changes that I will make due to my GAME plan is that I will start using more technology and that I have many new technology resources to use in all the content areas. I love using technology because I know that my students enjoy it and it also keeps them more motivated and engaged in what they are learning.

Using the GAME Plan Process with Students

The goals that I set for myself where to take part in more leadership roles and also to conduct more research so that I could provide my students with more opportunities to use technology. I have met my goal of research and am still in the process of meeting my goal about leadership but am well on my way to reach it.

After looking at the National Education Standards for Students, I think I could alter these goals to help my students meet the NETS by:

1. Providing time for my students to conduct research so that they could:

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Students:

a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.
b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.


2. Communication and Collaboration

a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.
c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.


3. Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

a. plan strategies to guide inquiry.
b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.


6. Technology Operations and Concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:

a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

2. Allowing my students to have more leadership opportunities so that they can become leaders and carry it on with them throughout school and also into the work place.


5. Digital Citizenship

Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:


c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.

My GAME plan for my students would be to give them time once a week to conduct supervised and organized research to find websites and other technology resources that they are interested in to help them learn. I would also provide leadership roles in the classroom that would teach and show them how to become leaders. I would also include them in my goals so that they would have a model of what it is like to become a leader.

By allowing my students time to research and to become better leaders will only help them to become more productive citizens.

Revising Your GAME Plan

One goal that I set for myself was to dedicate 1 planning time a week to research and reflect on my progress for the week. I have found myself spending more time researching because I am finding so many good resources to use in the classroom. I have found new websites, educational games to create, and lesson and activities to use that meet the standards that I teach everyday. My research is going very well and I am applying this new information in my classroom everyday. I have also shared it with my colleagues who are also using it in their classrooms. I am still working towards getting more involved in the leadership role. I have completed some tasks but I feel that I need to do more to reach my goal. I have asked my principal and assistant principal to meet with me this week so that we can brainstorm more ideas for me to help me be successful. At this time, I am not ready to set more goals. I am still working towards one and am successfully reaching another one. The learning approaches I am trying to improve my learning are meeting with leadership and I am also going to start spending some of my research time researching ideas to help me be more successful at the leadership level.

Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

Making progress each and every week has really helped me grow personally and professionally. I have had some time to research different activities and ideas to apply in the classroom and have started to implement new activities using technology. So far I have started to use more technology during guided math and literacy centers. I have a class that loves the computers so I am using this to my advantage. I have researched websites that are good for centers and am letting the students choose which ones they visit when they are in the computer center. I still have so much to learn and things to try in the classroom to see how they are going to work with 1st grade students. I do not think I need to adjust anything at this time. I just need more time to research and implement activities to see how they are going to work. 1 new website that I found and am now using is http://www.coolmath4kids.com/ The students are really enjoying it and it provides lessons and games to use in the classroom. I have also started to use the Addition machine website http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/additiontest.html which provides practice on math facts. I am still learning and growing and am really excited about finding more websites to use in my classroom.

Monitoring Your GAME Plan Progress

While continuing my GAME plan, I have learned many new things and available resources and leadership roles. I met with my administration team and discussed new ideas for my professional growth. My principal and assistant principal were very helpful and are willing to help me with whatever I need to accomplish my goals for my plan. Our school has a leadership team that meets once a month to discuss what is going on in the school and other issues that all staff needs to be aware of. As of ow I am going to start sitting in on these meetings so that I can become more involved. I am also working with some of our partners in education to come up with new ideas on how our community can help our school. At this time, I do not need to modify my plan. Everything is going as planned but I will continue to monitor and evaluate my plan as I go along. I have learned that there are many more resources available to me than I previously thought. I have also taken some time to research using technology in the classroom and have started to implement new ideas with my students. At this time, I do not have any questions about anything but I am sure I will as I get further into things. This has been such a great learning process for me thus far and I am excited to continue with my plan and get great results from it.

Carrying Out Your GAME Plan

To carry out my GAME plan, I will need the help of others and different resources to be successful. When I set goals for myself, it is very important to me to succeed in completing them.

What resources will you need to carry out your plan (video, reading, experts or colleagues, etc)?
To carry out my GAME plan , I will need several resources to help me. First, I will need my colleagues to turn to with questions and also to be resources for me. I will also need the assistance of my administration to lead me in the right direction for more leadership roles. I will need computer and Internet access and access to books that will be valuable resources to provide me with information on different technologies and how to use them in the classroom.

What additional information do you need?
At this time, I can not think of any additional information that I need but I know this will change as I get working and into the research.

What steps have you been able to take so far?
So far, I have set up a meeting with my Principal and Assistant Principal so that I can ask them some questions about leadership opportunities in the school and community.

Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

After reviewing the NETS-T standards, I feel comfortable with all the standards but there are some standards that I could improve on such as Standard 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity. I feel that I complete assignments and tasks in the classroom that meet this standard but there is always room for improvement and more opportunities to be provided for the students. I use technology everyday in my classroom but there are many more opportunities where I could use technology. Writing is one subject where I could improve on with Standard #1. Writing stories is a hard concept for many students and using technology would be a way to motivate and engage students in the writing process. Also, standard #5 is somewhere I could improve. Professional Growth and Leadership is important to me and in the education profession. Participating in more learning communities and doing more research is something that I could do more of.

My 2 goals for strengthening my confidence and proficiency would be
1. Participate in more leadership activities in my school.
2. Research and implement more technology in the classroom.

The actions that I will take to achieve those goals are:
1. Talk to administration and see what else I can get involved in in the school and community to grow professionally and personally.
2. Set aside time each week to research different ideas and activities.

I will monitor my progress by:
1. Keeping a journal of information from administration and require myself to participate in a number of activities each month.
2. Get a colleague to hold me responsible for my goals and actions that I am taking to achieve my goals.
3. Dedicate 1 planning time a week to research and reflect on my progress for the week.
4. Keep a running list of tasks to complete to reach my goals.

I will evaluate and extend my learning by:
1. Having reflection time each week.