Week 2 ~ Developing Your Personal GAME Plan

           When teams want to win a game, the coach designs a game plan by setting goals for the team, defining actions, monitoring the players and evaluating during the game and after the game to determine the plan for the next game.  The same GAME plan is outlined for educators to use with their students to set goals, taking actions by lesson planning, monitoring student growth and evaluating student progress and student effectiveness (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009, p. 3).  This week we were asked to create a GAME plan using indicators from NETS-T.    

            Indicator: Model Digital Age Work and Learning – Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

Goals: To learn about and become skilled in new technologies and instruct in order to become better at collaboration not only with students but parents and others, even globally. 

Action: To involve my next class more with the opportunity to increase our communication with a class in Rwanda.  This year, a former student began her two year journey in Rwanda with the Peace Corps.  We communicated a little throughout the school year and shared our culture.  I want to plan a working unit with them.

Monitor: Once I have designed a lesson, students will be observed so I can adjust as we go, reteach any content or technology that I need to so they can proceed with their work.

Evaluation: Student will be assessed based on the objectives and the purpose of the assignment.  Reflection is involved by the student as well as me to determine if changes are need to enhance the learning experience.  It is difficult at this time to be specific since I do not know exactly yet what the work will be.  I do want to involve my students more in cultures around the world and using technologies like edmodo.com to connect is something I want to explore more.  The little communicating we did this year had a huge effect on the interest of problems around the world. 

Indicator: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership- teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership.

Goals: Today I was asked by my principal to be our team leader for the next two years.  There were others I thought she would choose before me so I am thrilled.  In my meeting, she said she chose me because of my technology skills and that I would be perfect to lead my team to a higher level of learning by sharing my skills. So, I am going to take on this role, not just with the traditional responsibilities but to create a professional learning club.  Even though we teach separate subjects, there are many things we can do together as a group, especially since common core is upon us. 

Action: We will meet once a week like we are required but I want to include a technology component to our meeting.  Also, by connecting to other schools, collaborating with in our school, attending professional development with our ITS and district personal when it is offered.  There is one teacher who is still hesitant, I will offer my assistance in a one to one capacity to help them gain confidence and develop ideas.

Monitor: During weekly meetings we can go over what we have done with new technologies, see how they are doing implementing their knowledge, and troubleshooting any problems. 

Evaluation: I want to be a good listener too.  I want my team to be comfortable to tell me if something is not working for them or if it just does not suit their needs.  I also want them to be able to tell me how I am doing as a leader and if I can do more for them.  We are a very good team, Next year we will downsize from six to four.  The four of us can become a good resource for each other.   We are all talented in different ways and that is what makes us good.  We share and discuss things productively.  If that can continue, then we will be effective in our goals to enhance our technology skills as we prepare our kids for the future.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom
use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for
teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers