Reflecting on my GAME plan

As another Walden course comes to a close, I feel confident and strong as an educator. With the new tips and tools I have gained throughout this course, I know that I can create a more engaging environment in which my students can thrive. By increasing the amount of technology integration through authentic project/problem based learning activities, my students will become more creative, better problem solvers, and cooperative learners, fit for 21st century living.

When I consider the immediate and future impact the tools presented in this course will have on my classroom, I am certain that digital storytelling will become a focus and regular project option. In addition, my classroom wiki will be given an update, and more wiki pages will be created for student collaboration and publication. As we come to the close of the school year, computer access is nearly impossible to gain; however, I intend to incorporate a final project based activity and additional creative opportunities for students to explore the curriculum and make personal connections with the material. I am very excited to plan new lessons over the summer to incorporate new technological tools, including a new smart board, student cell phones, and digital media tools. I dream of a day in which my classroom could possibly have a set of computers for student use. It can't be too far away, can it? Until then, I will continue to forge ahead into the present and future of technology and bring as many aspects as I can into the classroom. Hopefully, the "powers that be" will recognize the importance of student networking and collaboration online, and lift the ban for blogs, youtube, teachertube, and all other sites that could enhance learning and student engagement.

Teaching Students the GAME Plan

While my idea may seem strange at first, I can't help but post the first thing that came to my mind when reviewing the student NETS and pondering how to teach the GAME plan to students. We have studied problem based learning, and have discovered the importance of including students in the development of assessment; why now allow them to look at the student NETS and determine what projects they feel would best meet those standards? Students would be enabled to view the standards; therefore, be made aware of the Goals. Actions could be proposed by the students concerning the activities that would best meet each standard for various ability levels. Students could then help develop methods to Monitor themselves and each other, while still being accountable to the instructor. Finally, they could be part of the Evaluation process with the development of the rubric (created at the onset of project development), as well as group and individual evaluation forms.

I am certain that 175 minds of my students can develop more project ideas to meet the standards in ways that they find personally engaging and valuable than I could ever develop on my own. In additon, being part of the development of Actions, Monitoring, and Evaluation would also generate a feeling of ownership. Face it, no student wants to perform poorly on an assignment they have helped create from the ground up!

A reflection: Past, Present, & Future

As I look at my goals, I feel that I have made steps toward achieving my original goal to increase the amout of technology integration into my classroom. My desire and mental focus of creating a more digital learning environment greatly surpasses the current resouces available; however, I am confident that more tools will become available. Being ready to implement them when they arrive is my part of the process. In addition, the development of new PBL's to use in the classroom has ensure that I remain focused on what I can change. The development of engaging lessons that require higher order thinking skills to solve authentic problems ahs created an excitement and desire to create more lessons of this type. I truly love problem/project based learning, and look forward to next year, when one class of 11th grade language arts will be delivered primarily using this method. So, in reflection...

• I have learned that I already have many of the tools I need to build an engaging and rich classroom environment. Sometimes knowledge gets stifled by the daily routine, or other disturbances; however, simple reminders can increase our focus.
• I am still working toward my goal of incorporating more technology into the classroom. As more resources are made avaliable, I am excited to put new tools and practices to good use. Knowing that a smart board will be installed in my room over the summer, I intend to attend training to learn all that this tool can offer my students. Along with this short term goal, I hope to remain connected with other professionals through collaborative learning online. Even something as simple as blogging or a wiki page can offer valuable insights, ideas, and support.