The two standards and performance indicators of the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) that I plan to focus on in order to implement my GAME plan are “facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity, and engage in professional growth and leadership” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008). Teachers need to realize that lesson plans should be flexible and always geared towards helping students achieve success.
More resources and information are needed for implementing the GAME plan. Besides including the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles in the lesson plan, the resources that that would be needed are a rubric and assessment formats. Assessments could be done by using formative or summative assessments. There are four kinds of assessments formats - forced-choice, open-ended, performance-based, and project-based (Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. 2009). These assessment formats would be the resources and information upon which my GAME plan is built. “Assessment is more than the assigning of grades and serves a critical role in monitoring and evaluating the academic progress of their students” (Cennamo, K., et.al. 2009, p. 163). After the teacher gets the information on how the students do on the assessments, an alternative plan should be set up to help students who have had difficulty with the content being taught.
The action plan needs to be modified to add the four assessment formats and include a rubric for the lessons. It would be difficult to create a rubric for every lesson, but by taking small steps, this can eventually be achieved. The lesson plan also needs to be modified to incorporate technology with the assessments. The forced-choice assessment format could be implemented by using Study Island to give students multiple-choice questions to track their progress. The technology the students could use for the other three assessments formats (open-ended, performance-based, and project-based) could be blogs , wiki, Skype, podcasts, voice thread and digital story board. In order to implement all these technologies, students need to be familiar with all these web 2.0 tools.
The GAME plan has taught me to be flexible and change the plan according to what the students need the most help. Technology does help foster learning and it makes the lessons interesting for both teachers and students. Teacher collaboration makes it easier for implementing the plan. One of the questions that have arisen as a result of monitoring my GAME plan is how a single teacher could work on this GAME plan on her own. Putting the plan together is a difficult task for a teacher. Planning the action plan, creating rubrics, deciding on the correct assessment to use, and integrating technology with all the lessons, is a daunting task for just a single teacher. The best way would be for teachers to work within their grade level and collaborate among each other to write this GAME plan. Teachers could also Skype with other teachers in the district so that all of them are on the same page.
By monitoring my GAME plan, I am able to integrate technology into my content area instruction. Technology also helps in working through the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating my personal GAME plan. Keeping a reflective blog would facilitate making this GAME plan a success and would be instrumental in inspiring my students’ learning and creativity. By pursuing a Masters program at Walden and creating a teacher collaboration blog and a wiki to help collaboration in my school, I am engaging in professional growth and leadership, and progressing toward the goals in my GAME plan.
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
International Society for Technology in Education: Retrieved on July 19, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx
Preeti:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. You have developed well-planned GAME plan. Working with within your grade level on your GAME plan, is an excellent way of implementing the technology, carrying out the plan, and help with deciding on assessments or any modifications you will need to do. I also would like my grade levels to participate in my GAME plan. When integrating technology it can be scary and a big task for one teacher. By including my colleagues, we can work together and go through the journey together. Bouncing ideas off each other, it very beneficial for us and the students. My principal is very supportive on collaboration and will provide time for us during school time. For some teachers, technology is new and somewhat difficult for them so working with teachers who feel comfortable with it can provide a easier pathway for these teachers. It is not that they do not want to learn, it just getting started and building up the confidence. Good luck with your journey.
Lori Backen
Preeti-
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about a formative assessment format following reading your post, and it put me in mind of a template. Our curriculum teams use a format/template that I dislike, so I hunted for one that was better.
http://www.wethersfield.k12.ct.us/Staff_info/prof_devel/CFAGuide.pdf
(page 25-28...this is closest to both of our grade levels)
from the Wethersfield Connecticut had a neat one that I felt was straight-forward. Connecticut was one of my target states for formative assessment templates because it is among the 5 highest ranked states (Reading) according to the National Report Card ( New Jersey, New Hamshire, Vermont, and Massachusettes)....data from 2007 & 2009 (can't get 2011 yet):
http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/statecomparisons/acrossyear.aspx?usrSelections=0%2cRED%2c5%2c1%2cacross%2c0%2c0
I'm going to present it to my team this year for use in developing common formative assessments...we aren't developing anything as a district until the 2012 Common Core Standards begin being implemented.
Also- I wanted to ask about "Study Island". As best I can tell- this is service that your district pays for. Is that correct? Would you recommend it? How do your students use it?
Excellent post as usual Preeti : )
Hi Lori,
ReplyDeleteMany teachers are intimidated with technology and are apprehensive to learn it.
Last year I did not get much collaboration from my grade level because I was using web 2.0 tools in my instruction and they used no technology. This fall, I am teaching fourth grade inclusion with another teacher who is also very tech savvy. I am looking forward to working with her.
Collaboration is important for teachers and for the success of students.
Hi Julia,
ReplyDeleteStudy Island is an excellent software that our district has provided for our students. Every week I assigned different subject work for students. They would have a week to finish that particular assignment. It is an excellent ‘Forced-choice’ assessment for the students. This link to study Island http://www.studyisland.com/StateDocuments.cfm?myState=NC&docType=5
talks about how this software helps students learn. It is also a very good assessment tool for teachers.
Preeti-
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information about Study Island. I know that our budget cycle won't allow for subscription this year, perhaps if I research it a bit, it might be considered for next year.
Thanks Preeti for the link and the suggested resource!
Hi Preeti,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you when working on our GAME plans or really any plans, we need the input and support from others. Having others provide feedback on lessons or projects and even new ideas we can use in the classroom is so beneficial in the growth of any teacher. I wish you all the best with your GAME plan and this year with your students!
Judith