My Personal GAME Plan

Setting goals helps me to continue to challenge myself and continue to grow in my profession. After reviewing the International Society for Technology in Education website and reading through the National Education Standards for Teachers, I have developed two goals that will help me to strengthen my confidence and proficiency in using technology in the classroom. It is my hope that I can meet these goals on some level despite my limited technology resources at school.

The first goal is from indicator 2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Experiences and Assessments: “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). To achieve this goal, I will begin to incorporate more technology into lessons that will benefit from the enhancement. For example, I can use a digital storytelling program to adapt my unit on the personal narrative. In the first marking period, students learn how to write a personal narrative which then goes into their writing portfolio. To incorporate technology into this unit, I can teach students how to use the digital storytelling program to “enable learners to reflect, represent, and communicate what they know” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.67) in order to help the class “develop a deeper understanding of the perspectives of others” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p.69). Students will be given the opportunity to turn their writing into images and to record their narrative using a recording device. By creating lessons like this one, I will be teaching my students how to use technology and creative thinking skills to demonstrate what they know. To monitor the progress of my goal, I will observe my students during these technology rich lessons to determine if the addition of the technology to the lesson is benefitting the students as ideas may look good on paper, but one needs to see it in action to decide if it was beneficial or not. I will make adjustments to my lesson plans as needed for the next time I teach the lesson. To extend my learning, I will continue to research and read about different ways to use technology to enrich my lessons and promote student creativity and growth.

My second goal is from indicator 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership: “contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). To achieve this goal, I will continue to peruse my master’s degree in education with a concentration in adolescent literacy and technology. I will also continue to read and research information about technology being used in the classroom, so I can remain current in the latest tools being used to enhance student learning. Lastly, I will continue to take workshops offered by my school district that inform me about technology for the classroom. I have a professional developmental plan that I need to create each year at school and then I chart the different professional developmental programs that I attended. This chart will help me to monitor my goal as I record the classes I attend at Walden and the workshops I attend throughout the year. I will evaluate this goal by reflecting back each month and determining if I used the information I have learn that month to enhance my lessons. It is important that teachers change or adapt their lessons to meet the needs of the current students they have. Classes change each year regarding their needs and abilities. If I do not modify or adapt my lessons from year to year then I am not benefitting my students or being an effective teacher. I owe it to my students to replenishment my resources that I use to deliver my lessons, and I can do this effectively by meeting my goal.

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.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). (2008). http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf