As I said last week, it amazes me that this class over. I have been frustrated at times, yet that feeling usually subsided once I really looked at my GLAME Plan and took it piece by piece. I believe that the biggest "Aha" moment for me was simply realizing the importance of HAVING a GAME Plan! This truly helped me to stay focused on my goals and allowed me to truly identify what was or wasn't working, so that I could adjust my lessons accordingly.
Immediately, I will focus more on the NETS-T standards, which really helped me in planning my activities. I will strive to use small groups more often, as well as give students more freedom in their learning by doing continued PBL activities. Although I have had difficulty acquiring computers for my classroom, I can see how using technology across the curriculum is of great benefit. My goal is to work alongside my school's technology team to acquire as many working computers as possible for our school and then REALLY use them to reach our goals.
I would like to thank everyone for their amazing ideas and wonderful insight! I have learned so much from you!
Amy
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
My GAME Plan With Students
Wow! Is this class over already? Time flies when you are learning so much so quickly AND trying to implement these new ideas and technologies in your classroom! (At least this is the case for me!)
Although I have had to revise my GAME Plan numerous times, I think that overall it was a very successful learning experience for me. In my own class, we are just in the beginning phases of my lesson, but having a GAME Plan from the beginning has made a HUGE difference for me. There are times when I am so busy "doing" that I don't focus on my true expectations for students or the desired results. This class has changed that completely. I have realized that for me, it's almost better to work backwards--focus on my desired outcomes first and THEN implement a plan to achieve those goals.
Through these lessons, my students will truly benefit from having focused on the technology goals. Prior to this, I had never thought of these standards as a top priority. (Shame on me!) Creating a GAME Plan takes time and effort, but makes the actual teaching part of it so much easier and more effective! My students and I have learned and adapted to situations together, which is such a great experience. We will move forward with our lessons, make changes where it's necessary, and stay focused on our plan.
Thank you to everyone who gave me such fabulous ideas for my lessons! I loved reading about all of your ideas as well as your own lesson plans. You are an amazing group of educators!
Amy
Although I have had to revise my GAME Plan numerous times, I think that overall it was a very successful learning experience for me. In my own class, we are just in the beginning phases of my lesson, but having a GAME Plan from the beginning has made a HUGE difference for me. There are times when I am so busy "doing" that I don't focus on my true expectations for students or the desired results. This class has changed that completely. I have realized that for me, it's almost better to work backwards--focus on my desired outcomes first and THEN implement a plan to achieve those goals.
Through these lessons, my students will truly benefit from having focused on the technology goals. Prior to this, I had never thought of these standards as a top priority. (Shame on me!) Creating a GAME Plan takes time and effort, but makes the actual teaching part of it so much easier and more effective! My students and I have learned and adapted to situations together, which is such a great experience. We will move forward with our lessons, make changes where it's necessary, and stay focused on our plan.
Thank you to everyone who gave me such fabulous ideas for my lessons! I loved reading about all of your ideas as well as your own lesson plans. You are an amazing group of educators!
Amy
Friday, April 9, 2010
Revising My Game Plan-Week 6
This week I have tried to REALLY take a step back and look at my GAME Plan from the beginning. My goal was to work on on Standard 1 and improve my ability to facilitate and inspire student learning and creativy through the use of technology. I feel that I have at least started this process, but again, I have a long way to go. I have tried to implement the use of technology as much as possible in my lessons, but for now I am taking baby steps. As for Standard 4, I feel that I have begun to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility through my lessons and I feel good about that. I wrote in my first blog that I wanted my students to have computers at their fingertips and adaquate time in which to use them. Well, this hasn't gone so well. Sometimes things are beyond my control and I have to make adjustments and use what I have. By using parent helpers and pairing up my students, I can make the most out of the computer time I have. I have to go back to truly being flexible!
This week for my assignment, I am going to attempt blogging. Even though this may be difficult for some of my first graders, I think if I keep it simple, it will work. For my first lesson, I am having my students look on the internet for the weather in the city in which they live and also in another city somewhere in the world. They will graph these temperatures as they keep track of them. Now, I am going to have them blog about the varying temperatures and tell what kind of clothes they would be wearing if they were in that other location. My students can compare and contrast that to the type of clothes they would wear in their home city. Basically, they are solving the problem, How can I find out what the weather will be today and what type of clothing is appropriate to wear for this type of weather?
All in all, I need to keep in mind that I don't have to "do it all" right away. My goal is to build a solid foundation upon which to expand my students' learning of technology tools. When I look back to where I was just one year ago, I have made HUGE progress! That is something to smile about.
This week for my assignment, I am going to attempt blogging. Even though this may be difficult for some of my first graders, I think if I keep it simple, it will work. For my first lesson, I am having my students look on the internet for the weather in the city in which they live and also in another city somewhere in the world. They will graph these temperatures as they keep track of them. Now, I am going to have them blog about the varying temperatures and tell what kind of clothes they would be wearing if they were in that other location. My students can compare and contrast that to the type of clothes they would wear in their home city. Basically, they are solving the problem, How can I find out what the weather will be today and what type of clothing is appropriate to wear for this type of weather?
All in all, I need to keep in mind that I don't have to "do it all" right away. My goal is to build a solid foundation upon which to expand my students' learning of technology tools. When I look back to where I was just one year ago, I have made HUGE progress! That is something to smile about.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Week 5 GAME Plan Progress
It sounds like this was a crazy week for everyone! Unfortunately, mine was no different. The good thing is that I made it through, and next week is Spring Break! Yippee!!
How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
My actions have been beneficial in helping my meet my goals in that I actually have a plan. Too many times, I tend to "fly by the seat of my pants" when I have a good idea and don't think about how it could be carried out most efficiently. By consistenly evaluating my plan, I am able to identify what is or isn't working and adjust my teaching accordingly. This has been of great benefit!
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
First and foremost, I have learned that being flexible is KEY! Also, considering the technology problems I am having (ie: lack of working computers, mice that don't work, lack of time in the computer lab) I have learned that having a backup plan is of the utmost importance. There is nothing worse than getting students excited about something, only for it to not work. In order to avoid disappointment, I now try to have a backup plan in place. I have also learned that sometimes less is more! My first graders are only able to do a few things on the computer, which originally frustrated me. But now, I have come to realize that they are able to do those things well. That shows success.
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
To say that I still have a lot to learn is an understatement! I STILL have to learn about more age-appropriate websites for each of the first grade subject areas and how to assist thirty six -year olds in accessing them. I don't have any new questions, I just need to focus on the ones I originally had,.
How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
Simply stated, I need to continue with my original questions, focus on those areas, and again readjust as needed. I think that this will change with each lesson in which I integrate technology.
How effective were your actions in helping you meet your goals?
My actions have been beneficial in helping my meet my goals in that I actually have a plan. Too many times, I tend to "fly by the seat of my pants" when I have a good idea and don't think about how it could be carried out most efficiently. By consistenly evaluating my plan, I am able to identify what is or isn't working and adjust my teaching accordingly. This has been of great benefit!
What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
First and foremost, I have learned that being flexible is KEY! Also, considering the technology problems I am having (ie: lack of working computers, mice that don't work, lack of time in the computer lab) I have learned that having a backup plan is of the utmost importance. There is nothing worse than getting students excited about something, only for it to not work. In order to avoid disappointment, I now try to have a backup plan in place. I have also learned that sometimes less is more! My first graders are only able to do a few things on the computer, which originally frustrated me. But now, I have come to realize that they are able to do those things well. That shows success.
What do you still have to learn? What new questions have arisen?
To say that I still have a lot to learn is an understatement! I STILL have to learn about more age-appropriate websites for each of the first grade subject areas and how to assist thirty six -year olds in accessing them. I don't have any new questions, I just need to focus on the ones I originally had,.
How will you adjust your plan to fit your current needs?
Simply stated, I need to continue with my original questions, focus on those areas, and again readjust as needed. I think that this will change with each lesson in which I integrate technology.
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