As this course draws to a close, I realize that I have learned a lot about technology and how to use it in my classroom. More than that, however, I have realized that I need to be a life-long learner and continue to put my GAME plan to use as I learn even more. Now it is time for me to help my students become self directed learners themselves.
There are a few standards that I feel my students could spend some time working on and using the GAME plan would help them a lot. For example, I have noticed that many of my students do not really have a good understanding of how the computer can help them do better in school. They know how to use it socially, but when I ask them to use it for group projects, many tools that I mention, they have not used before.
Therefore, when my new classes come in next September, I will start by sharing the NETS-S with them and talking about why these standards are important. Then I will ask each of them to set up a goal for the year. For some, this may be as simple as learning how to use a wiki page, and for others, it may mean putting together and editing a video with a computer. As individuals, I will ask them to come up with an action plan as to how they see themselves achieving this goal.
As the year progresses, and I incorporate technology and problem-based learning into my classroom, I will have the students pull out their goal and action statement from time to time, so that they can monitor their progress. If they have achieved their goal, then they can set a new one. If not, then maybe they will need some guidance as to how to work toward achieving that goal.
At the end of the school year, and after several opportunities for them to reach their goal, we as a group will evaluate the success of the individuals and the class. Within this process, I will follow the steps as well, so that I can model the importance of working through the GAME plan.
I am really excited for next year, and for trying out some of these great ideas that we have been learning about in our courses. Have a wonderful summer, all of you, and good luck with your GAME plan!
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Kim,
ReplyDeleteI will also take the realization that we are lifelong learners away from this course. It is critical that we embed this idea in the minds of our students. We need to guide our students and teach them to use the GAME plan for making goals throughout their lives. I know it will be a challenge to motivate some students to do this but it is important that we show value in it. We can show students that we value lifelong learning by modeling the process.
~Lauren Micheli
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteHow right you are. As I watch some of the seniors who are ready to graduate leave my school, I wonder if they really have a grasp of what it will take to make it in the real world. Hopefully, we have made an impact and they will remember all that we have taught them.
Kim
Kim -
ReplyDeleteI commented on Michael's post about the fact that he is going to be using the NETS with the students. So I will present you with the same question. Do you share your state standards in your content area(s) with the students? I am interested in your thoughts because I wonder if we are considering this only because we are in tech classes right now working with the NETS and would not normally share the state standards in the content areas.
You also mentioned that the students would set up a goal for the year and that if it is met, they could set a new goal. Would you consider having a list of objectives for them to reach by the end of the year (like a checklist) with a deadline for meeting a goal like once a month? They could chose when to meet a goal through an assignment. For example, if you have them doing a presentation on a topic, they could chose to learn how to do a PowerPoint, a VoiceThread, or a Digital Story. Then the next month when the opportunity was presented, they could chose from your "list" a different way to present what they have learned.
I just know that in some cases if I left it to the students, some would wait to "reach their goal" the last month of the school year. This way they would be "pushed" along to challenge themselves on a schedule and the NETS would be revisted on a regular basis throughout the year.
Thoughts?
Dawn
Dawn,
ReplyDeleteVery good questions. I think that I would want them to chose a personal goal to work on. If that becomes more than one, then great. I would, on top of that, expect that they work on additional goals that would be covered within the projects that I present. But, I never thought about it, and your questions will make me, at least, reconsider how I will do it.
Kim
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post. I have to be honest. I am very concerned about implementing GAME plans with my students unless I am in strict control. My concern comes from the fact that I am dealing with 4th graders and not upper grade students. At the fourth grade level, I still have to occasionally check my students backpacks for homework. How can I then have them form GAME plans and truly expect them to accomplish them? However, I agree with you that having students make personal and academic goals to accomplish is possible and very beneficial. Perhaps that is my issue. I am thinking too large. Perhaps I am making it too complex and need to remeber the basics, that this is a goal that they will be setting and that it is ment to impact them and not always everyone else. Thank you
Kim,
ReplyDeleteYou made a great point in your blog. Our students are great on computers socially, but they do not know how to use them to help them do better in school. This would be a great thing for all of us to teach our students how to do. I feel that since our students live on their computers outside of school, it would be a good tool for us to use as often as possible while they are in school. This may engage our students in the classroom, and this may help us keep our students attention more in the classroom. If our students are putting forth some effort, then we are getting something across to them. Many of the ways we were taught are not keeping our students today. Our students are much different learners. We need to work to make the adaptations to close the gap to get the most out of our students. Also, by teaching our students these tools, we are helping them create artifacts using digital tools that they will use and that will help them in the future.
MS
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree about students not understanding the power of a computer. It is apparent now, more than ever, that we need to start teaching our students how to use such powerful learning tools effectively and positively. I say positively because I do think some students know the power of a computer, but they use it, as you said, to make gains for themselves in a social context. I think the faster we get going teaching them standards that every educator understands about technology, the further we will be able to take education. The problem, I think, is that not all educators know about these standards, or care to know about them.
Kim
ReplyDeleteMy mother said to me that when I was in high school and decided I wanted to be a teacher that "Aaron, don't you know that teachers go to school, workshops and learn new things for their entire careers?" I thought this was foolish, because when I was 16 years old, the main reason I wanted to be a teacher was to have the summers off. Like you said in your first paragraph, however, as teachers we must be Life-Long Leaners as well. Always working hard to find new innovative ways to reach our students. My mother was right, but I love to learn and could not have chosen a better profession.