My Technology GAME Plan

My GAME PLAN:

There is an organization known as the International Society for Technology in Education. Their National Education Standards provide a guideline for teachers to become proficient in educating students with and through technology. For reference, please follow the link to the standards: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf. This year I have spent a great deal of time in class modeling the use of technology tools and promoting digital citizenship. I both teach and expect the ethical use of online material in student work. I have also made a serious commitment to engage in professional growth in this area by focusing my free time on earning a master’s degree in Instructional Technology. My use of technology to facilitate learning, however, still needs improvement. I have set myself two goals to strengthen my proficiency. The first is to facilitate and inspire student learning and the second is to design and develop digital age learning experiences for my students.

In order to achieve these goals I plan to promote innovative thinking daily in class and develop an online place for student reflection and sharing. I have begun by setting up an online classroom with assignments and handouts posted but will expand, now, and use the discussion features of the software. My high school students come to class loaded down with technology and I plan to use their cell phones and cell phone cameras to full advantage when planning homework assignments and sharing learning. Imagine photographing and uploading your own home’s electricity meter when studying energy conservation. Podcasting from a cell phone when a student is standing by an idling bus or sharing a ride in a carpool is a great way to make understanding greenhouse gas emissions real.

In order to evaluate my progress I will invite colleagues in for peer observation and keep a weekly log --a Friday reflection—about my goals. What I’ve tried and what I feel was successful will inform my teaching practice in years to come.