As I look at my GAME plan, I feel that I am taking the needed steps to achieve my goals, even though they may seem small at the present time. Part of my goal is to increase the use of technology in the classroom and utilization of project/problem based learning activities. While I originally intended to do this for a standard language arts class, I have recently been given the official task of designing a new curriculum for upcoming students. Thankfully, I have two years to complete the full design before implementation. This new course "Occupational English" will serve as an alternative language arts class for seniors who intend to enter the work force after graduation. It seems that the majority of courses of this nature that are presently available are designed primarily for special education students. The optimal goal for my department is to create a course that has academic rigor, but lends itself to the practical application of language arts in real world situations that the students will face post graduation.
With the new slant on my original goal, I have been able to help establish a clear definition for the new course to be developed, have collaborated with administrators, others in language arts, special education, and vocational departments, a school counselor, and even surveyed some students. While I haven't been able to access additional technological tools at this point, I have been able to ask the necessary questions to those who have the ability to grant special requests concerning the technology that is not readily available at this time. My new questions seem abundant at times. First of all, I need to know what types of specific language arts skills and technological skills students in the various vocational fields need in order to be successful in the work force. Secondly, I need to learn what local businesses would be willing to partner with the school in order to make the project based learning activities a reality, not simply a real world scenario. The most important thing I have learned has been about myself. I have learned that although I love the historical and literary merit of my field, I can also become passionate about another form that is much needed in language arts. Although it will be challenging, I look forward to the design of this new course and the full implementation that is to come.
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Sheryl,
ReplyDeleteI think that you are being given a huge responsibility here and being able to apply the GAME plan and process to it is an amazing opportunity for you to make some real world applications and links between this master's course and your profession.
I do have a suggestion to lend in response to your question surrounding the "specific language arts skills and technological skills students in the various vocational fields." I remember being introduced to the skills that were looked for within the 21st century learner at the Partnership for 21st Century Skills-Framework for 21st Century Learning at http://www.p21.org during another course. This site defines and lists the skills that are going to be necessary for the workforce when our students are at that age. This resource might help you to at least see what is somewhat expected in for our students. This site also lists life and career skills that will be needed for our learners as well.
The ability to help students actually be in a real world situation rather than just role playing it is a huge opportunity. I know that there must be a large number of community outlets that would love to have help on a volunteer basis. Looking at places such as elderly homes, youth after-school organizations, professional businesses (law offices,temp agencies, retail stores), and restaurants are all areas where I would start because they need the assistance and are areas that do not require post-secondary education to gain employment. I also believe that having them fill an application from those businesses would help solidify the real-world piece for your learners.
I am glad that you are gaining the knowledge you are seeking for your GAME plan. Any improvements and progresses toward your plan, whether they are large or minute, are still getting you closer to your end goal. Good luck with the new curriculum and keep us posted.
Thanks for sharing with us,
Lacey Wilson
Thank you for your comment Lacey, and also for the link. Once you mentioned it, I also remember visiting this site in another course.
ReplyDeleteSheryl G. Wine
Sheryl,
ReplyDeleteAccording to 21st Century Skills, www.21stcenturyskills.org,. students will need technologic skilsl that focus on collabortive work and communication with others. You can engage your students by enabling them to produce work collaboratively through Wiki spaces or blogs. I particuarly like the Wiki spaces, because each person can have a defined role in what part of the project to produce. A teacher can see what each user is doing in the Wiki space. This can also be integrated into different subject areas, such as reading or writing across the curriculum. I have used this for my students to create projects for social studies and my team teaching partner, set one up for science, with my help. The students also seem to enjoy multi-media presenations to show off their create works. You appear to be on the right track with your "GAME Plan" (Cenamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009, p. 14).
Best of luck to you in your mission.
Alisha Cochran
Blog: Inspirding Techology in the Classroom