Carrying Out My GAME Plan

For my personal GAME plan I have set two goals that align with The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for Teachers. My first goal is to develop authentic learning experiences that allow students to explore their interests, and the second goal is to design learning experiences that meet diverse students’ learning styles and needs. I have already taken several steps in my classroom to aid me in accomplishing my goals, which include creating a class blog, gaining access to technology, and purchasing applications to support authentic learning experiences. To effectively carry out my GAME plan, it is important to identify the specific steps I have already taken to reach my goals and what information and resources I still need.

One step I have already taken to help me in reaching my goals is creating a class blog. A class blog supports an authentic learning environment because it provides a way for students to share their work with people in and outside of the classroom. By sharing work with others, students can engage in real conversations about the content they are learning. A class blog is also beneficial in supporting the diverse learning needs of students. A class blog can serve as a tool to share learning for the day (Laureate Education, 2009a). By posting instructional information to a class blog, students are able to review what they have learned. Communication tools allow students to express their ideas at a pace that is comfortable to them (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). A blog also supports students’ diverse learning needs because it supports students who struggle with expressing their learning, such as English Language Learners (ELLs), by providing them with an alternative way to communicate.

Other steps I have taken that will help me in reaching my goals in my GAME plan are gaining access to classroom technology and purchasing applications that support project-based learning. In my classroom, I have access to 12 classroom iPads funded by a school priority grant. These iPads make it possible for students to work in cooperative learning groups of two on one iPad. Students can use technology as a toolkit to share their learning (Laureate Education, 2009b). With the iPads and applications I have purchased, such as Book Creator, Haiku Deck, and Educreations, students can present their knowledge in project-based learning activities.

There are still resources and information I need to accomplish my goals. One resource I plan on taking advantage of is the district librarians. In my school district, there are district librarians available to aid teachers in teaching content with the integration of technology. With their help, I can increase my knowledge of ways to create authentic learning experiences with technology. I also plan on using my colleagues and my instructional coach as a resource as I work on my goals. My colleagues will serve as a good resource because they can share information about what they have done in their classroom to meet the needs of diverse learners. My instructional coach will also be a great resource because she can help me access information about other iPad applications that will support authentic learning experiences as well as the diverse learners in my classroom.

References:

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Integrating technology across the content areas: Meeting students’ needs with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009b). Integrating technology across the content areas: Meeting students’ needs with technology, part 2. Baltimore, MD: Author.