Technology GAME Plan - EDUC 6713 (Wk2)

          Dr. Peggy Ertmer (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009), a professor of Educational Technology at Purdue University, says that in order to integrate technology effectively within a classroom, it requires that the teacher have technological knowledge consisting of some technology skills or at least knowledge of how technology allows students to interact with the content. Additionally, Dr. Ertmer mentions that the educator should have confidence in his or her abilities (or confidence to inform a student “I don’t know”), positive technological classroom integration beliefs, and a supportive culture. In order to grow in the areas of knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and support, I need to engage in Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer’s (2009) GAME plan which “requires you to think about and take steps to direct your learning process, specifically while learning about technology” (p. 3). My GAME plan will focus my learning according to the International Society for Technology in Education’s (ISTE) (2008) National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T).

  Entering my first year of teaching, I had plenty of ideas that I eagerly wanted to incorporate into my classroom, but as I reflected over the year, many of these ideas fell behind to, what I considered, more pressing issues. However, I have made a vow to incorporate these ideas in my next year of teaching. One of these ideas can be seen in NETS-T standard three. Indicator C requires teachers to “Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats” (ISTE, 2008, p. 2). Another area of improvement I would like to invest in is listed under standard five. Indicator A  requires teachers to “Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning” (p. 2). This second area will certainly promote my knowledge and confidence, but it will also create a supporting culture of educators within my school and globally. 

In the GAME plan, G represents that teachers should set goals (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). Second, A means to take action. M is for monitoring progress, and E asks educators to evaluate and extend. I will use the GAME plan to improve my professional development in the two areas listed below and addressed above. 

Standard 3 - Indicator C (Digital Communication):

  Typically, communication with parents consisted either of talking in person, email, or by telephone. Communication with students was limited to conversations within the classroom, and communication with peers was either by email or in person. Overall, technological communication was practically nonexistent which I find to be very disappointing. My goal is to employ multiple technologies for communicating with parents, students, and peers. In order to reach this goal, I will first seek advice from peers concerning their methods for communication. I will also ask parents and students how contact should be made specifically using technology. Additionally, there may be district or school guidelines as to technological communication which will need to be researched. In order to monitor my progress toward reaching this goal, I will first determine if I am indeed communicating with parents, students, and peers technologically. Also, many services will prepare records of communication. This too will serve be used to monitor my progress. In the evaluation stage, it is necessary that I reflect on the use of the technologies. Did they work? Was communication successful? Should I change technologies? Lastly, I believe it is important to share my findings with my peers. This, of course, can be done electronically as well.

Standard 5 - Indicator A (Technology Learning Communities):

  Technology application within the classroom is essential in the 21st century, and it is the teacher’s responsibility to participate in professional development opportunities to increase technological knowledge. For this reason, I have chosen this standard as an area in which I need to improve. My goal is to participate in local and global learning communities in professional development seminars and workshops and in online communities. The internet is full of educators sharing their uses in their classrooms. Therefore, I will search and join a network of teachers in order to read these teachers experiences using technology in their classrooms. Furthermore, it is essential that I also share my evaluations of technological uses in my classroom (which could certainly include the use of communication tools described above). I will monitor my progress by keeping records of technologies that I wish to incorporate into my classroom. My aggregator will also provide notices of new postings which will allow me to monitor postings which I have and yet to read. I believe a good way to evaluate my progress would be to reflect on my new knowledge. Am I gaining new knowledge? Are these online communities and local seminars providing valuable information? If not, I will need to join another network or further explore other workshop opportunities. 

Teachers strive to engage learners and encourage and lead them be lifelong learners, but first, the educators need to be lifelong learner role-models. What better way could this be done than by exploring new technologies and sharing them with peers and students and incorporating them into the classroom. If teachers are excited about the new and exciting technologies that students can use to promote their creative thinking, surely, the students will be excited as well. In the long run, I believe that if teachers will continue to become more knowledgeable and confident, promote and help create a supportive culture, and believe that technology can make a difference in the classroom, then students can and will also improve in these same exact areas.

Sources:

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. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas: Enriching content area learning experiences with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.