In this new course we are
learning to develop a GAME Plan that will guide self-directed learning
activities (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).
Goal Action Monitor
Examine
As we begin to explore how
to effectively use a GAME Plan we are working this week to design a plan for
strengthening my confidence in at least two NETS-T indicators.
Goals:
I have chosen 3 NETS-T
indicators that I would like to improve upon (International
Society for Technology in Education, 2008). I choose the following because they address
different aspects of the afterschool program’s grant goals. I also feel that
these indicators can be addressed simultaneously through a few different
actions.
2a. Design or adapt
relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.
3c. Communicate relevant
information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a
variety of digital media and formats.
5b. Exhibit leadership by
demonstrating a vision of shared decision making and community building, and
developing the leadership and technology skills of others.
Action:
In order to meet my goal of
strengthening my knowledge and ability to effectively implement my goal NETS-T indicators I have chosen the following actions.
This weekend I will be
facilitating a small training session for a new group of tutors. In our
programs we use online learning activities, an online incentive store, and we
take attendance and create reports all online. Although we go over and practice
how to use these tools and tutors are provided with paper-based instructions
there are typically questions or challenges during the first couple of weeks. I
have decided to create screencasts that will demonstrate how the process of
logging in and using various programs. It is my hope that these tutorials will
provide additional useful help that tutors can use on their own and with their
students. NETS-T: 2a, 3c
Next week I am
participating in a free webinar that focuses on the many ways to use social
media to connect with families. This webinar is designed to utilize the latest
tools to better communicate with families and afterschool programs. Currently my communication is newsletter and second hand story based. I am excited to learn about the effectiveness of social media with families and staff member in afterschool programs. NETS-T: 3c, 5b
I have recently learned
about phone based podcasts called gcasts (Laureate Education, 2009). I would
love to learn more about this program to give tutors on the field another
option for quickly capturing the learning that is taking place in the
afterschool programs. If tutors and students are able to produce interesting
and fast podcasts then we will be able to use those to share what is going on
with parents and the community via the local radio station. NETS-T:
2a, 3c, 5b
Monitor
The monitoring step in the GAME Plan
process will take place both throughout the next couple of months. As I am
building my awareness and skills I will self-assess to ensure that I the actions
I am taking are helping me to reach my goals. By asking questions such as “Am I
finding the information I need? and “Do I need to modify my action plan?” it
will help me to ensure that I am on the right track (Cennamo et al., 2009, p
4).
Once I feel that I have I have a
strong base I will move onto developing plans for implementing the technology
integration skills into lessons. During my next site visit I will model lessons
and activities that integrate technology for both tutors and students including
gcasts, virtual field trips with corresponding diagnostic and summative
assessment and possibly my current favorite technology tool; VoiceThread
Evaluate:
When determining if I have meet my
self-directed learning goals I will look at how successful I was at improving
student learning and whether or not the tutors have utilized the tools that I
have shown. I overall goal is to improve the quality experience that the
students and tutors are having in the afterschool program. If I am able to
demonstrate easy and enjoyable technology integration into the program then I
believe all of the participants will benefit. Although technology infusion is
not written into the grant it can be thoughtfully interwoven into the literacy,
cultural, family and community connections so that students are being prepared
for their 21st Century lives (Prensky, 2008)
Resources
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, 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
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating
technology across the content areas: Enriching content area learning
experiences with technology, part 1. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Prensky, M. (2008).
Turning on the lights. Educational Leadership, 65(6), 40–45. Retrieved
from the Academic Search Complete database.
Kat,
ReplyDeleteScreencasting is a great tool, isn’t it? It’s also one that I forget about (probably because I haven’t used it very much). I’m glad you mentioned it, however, because you gave me a great idea to create a screencast to show my students how to use one of the recorder websites I recommend on my school webpage. Sure we can go over that information in class, but it would be more valuable to have a screencast posted right by the link so students could access the information. You also hit the nail on the head when you mentioned being able to demonstrate enjoyable tech resources to improve and enrich your program. Ultimately, I think this is every teacher’s goal in this program. Great post!
~Amanda
Kat,
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Amanda, screencasting is a great tool. The fact that they can go and explore it on their own at a later time is great. We are in a social media driven world so it is a great tool to use for your students and parents. Podcast is a tool I do not have that much experience with, but I can see how it can be such a great tool to use with the children. The self assessment you are doing should help keep you on your goals. Monitoring gives you the ability to adjust items as needed to best suit your needs. "Easy and Enjoyable" is something I think every teacher should strive for. After all we all want our students to succeed. I like the way you stated that.
Jose
Kat,
ReplyDeleteScreencasting is a very useful tool to teach the students and tutors how to use a particular online activities that you want them to learn. Paper and pencil are very boring to the students we teach, using screencast will hold students attention while demonstrating the skill you want them to master. I hope the webinar contains a lot of useful information that you can use. Everyone uses some form of social media so the webinar should be very enlightening. It is always a good idea to find new and innovative ways to communicate with parents. I use Class Dojo app to communicate with my parents. The app allows you to record your students behaviors while the parents monitor them. Class Dojo also has a messenger app that you can text parents without giving them your personal number. You should give it a try!!!!
I think that it is awesome that you are holding a training this weekend using screencasting. There are two things that I hate about staff developments, either the training is great and I end up forgetting how to use the information learned or I already know the material and have to sit through the training anyways. By using screen casting you are differentiating instruction for teachers. Those who need a refresher can watch and rewatch the videos as often as they need. Those who feel that they already know the easier material can skip ahead to the material that they feel would be beneficial to them. I wish that more trainings were done through screen casting.
ReplyDeleteI also love the fact that you are trying to use social media to help reach out to the community. I am also struggling through trying to get parents interested in twitter and social media. I really like your ideas and how you are planning on using social media in the classroom. It is nice to know that other teachers are trying social media and that we can learn from one another.
You are well on your way with your GAME plan. You are using screencasting, I am not to familiar with this and would like to learn more. Are there some useful websites in which I can find more information? From some of the sites that I have read, all have stated it is a useful tool for tutorial. You also mentioned that you are doing this screencast for tutors. Are your tutors adults or children who will be peer tutoring?
ReplyDeleteI have participated in webinars and I have loved each one. I believe that traditional classrooms will eventually become of thing of the past and this is how we will teach.
I like to use Jing from techsmith.com. It is free, easy to use, and they have useful tutorials. I have not tried any others but I do know there are others out there. The tutors that I work with are typically certified teachers although there are a few that are support professionals as well. The screencasts that I am creating are mainly for the tutors but I am creating a few for students on how to login to our online learning programs, website, and online store. So far the idea has been received warmly. I agree that webinars can be very effective and a great way to build professional development without traveling.
DeleteThanks,
Kat
It is so exciting to hear all of the enthusiasm that you all share for screencasting. So far it is working out well. I am waiting for our tech department to add the links to our website. I have sent out the Jing links to my tutor who missed training due to freezing ice. I also ran the idea of using Twitter to connect with parents and staff during training and people are on board so long as I can provide training and support. It is so fun to be able to share these technology tools with teachers who may not venture to try them out on their own. I will keep you all posted on the progress.
ReplyDeleteKat