Resources:
To begin carrying out my GAME plan, I am going to need more access to the variety of technology that can be used. Internet access is a major obstacle in my classroom. There are not enough computers for each student to use, therefore, I will need to find a way to enable the students to have access to computers weekly. I will also need to figure out for myself how to use the different tools that I plan to use. For example, I need to explore the various websites that I want my students to use so that I will be prepared to model for them how to use these sites. I also need to do my research. I need to find the benefits of the various technologies that I plan to employ. To do this, I will spend time researching the pros and cons of different websites and tools that I want to use. I also want to work collaboratively with both the library/media arts specialist and the digital arts teacher in my school. They are both very knowledgeable when it comes to using technology in the classroom and can be a powerful resource.
Additional Information:
Some additional information that I may need to know to carry out my GAME plan would be, most importantly, my students learning needs and preferences. I need to be able to recognize what my students need in order to successfully incorporate technology that would be useful for them into my instruction. Students all have various learning styles and abilities and to get the most use out of technology in the classroom, the tools should coincide with the learners' needs. I also want to find out what my students' level of ability for technology use is. Some students may not be that good at using these new tools and will need additional instruction. Some students will be more advanced and may even teach me a thing or two! I also will need to know how much access each student has to computers and the Internet at home. It would not make sense to incorporate these technological tools into the classroom and then have students not be able to reinforce what they have learned at home.
Steps that I have taken:
To begin carrying out my GAME plan, I have already taken a look at a variety of websites that I want to begin using in my classroom. But, I am not just looking at them. I have been really exploring the sites and checking the background of the sites' creators. I want to find out as much as I can about the site so that I am prepared to use it with my students. I have also began discussions with the digital arts teacher in my school to work on my GAME plan. I want to discuss ideas with her that will enable me to meet the diverse needs of my students through the use of technology. She has an abundance of information and ideas that we will be discussing. Also, to further my GAME plan, I have made a schedule for my students to get into our computer lab during my class once a week. That is all that we have room for right now, but eventually I would like to make that more or get enough computers in my classroom for all of my students. I feel that I am off to a good start to carry out my GAME plan. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn and am excited about where this is all headed!!
Hi Trisha,
ReplyDeleteLike you, I also have the feeling that you are off to a great start about your GAME plan. You have a very clear idea of what you want to achieve with your students. All the information you explained make perfect sense! Many of our classmates at Walden have considered taking time to read and to research for more new technology tools to include in their class. I certainly are doing that, it’ll be efficient to say include our colleagues in a regular sharing session see if they are using any tools with their students. This way it’ll save us a lot of hassle of having to do it alone. I full appreciate that sometimes we might not have all the time in the world. Though I still believe it’s something worth doing for our students’ benefits!
You’ve also pointed out additional information to be knowing your students strength and weaknesses, you couldn’t be more right in that we are there to help them with their learning and that technology is just a tool to make their learning more fun and effective. Needless to say, employing technology is a great way to reinforce what they have already learned. I have to thank you for bringing up the fact that some students might have access issue or regulations at home. Some students might not even have Internet at home. What shall we do with those students. Since my school’s students are mainly upper and middle upper class, computers are a must for their family background, sometimes I might forget to check this consciously. Your post gives me the chance to reflect that it is yet another very important area that I shouldn’t miss as a teacher!
Anyway good luck with your GAME plan and I’ll love to hear from your experience with your students!
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I have always found that it is important to consider each student as an individual and not just a part of the group. This week's resources have reinforced that idea for me. It is important to know your students interests, etc. so that you can make your instruction relevant to them. Who wants to learn about something that they are not interested in or that is being taught in a way that they don't understand. I am so thankful that we have access to the technology that we do. It makes differentiation that much easier. Bottom line though, we all need to know our students better. I like to take the first couple weeks of school just getting to know my students. They are all individuals and deserve individual attention. Adults would not stand for being treated as just a part of a group. We know we are individuals and want to be treated as such. And our students deserve the same. Thanks for all of your positive thoughts! Look forward to talking to you further!
Hello Trisha. I think you are off to a great start with carrying out your game plan. I like how you mentioned that you will find out the technology level of your students. I believe it is crucial to know where are students are with technology. You mentioned that your students don't have as much acess at school, and it is great to look into this because maybe they have daily access at home, or not at all. In addition, you had mentioned that you need to know the needs of your students. This is so important so you can see what they absolutely need assistance with, and how you can go about assisting them. As always, teachers are constantly differentiating instruction. It is a great idea you have for your more knowledgable students in technology, assist the others. For my second graders, I have the older students (fifth graders) come in and help out in regard to technology use. The fifth grade teachers are more than happy to assist, and the fifth graders enjoy it especially. Each of my 20 students works with a fifth grader, and together we make a difference. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Trisha,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I totally understand where you are coming from trying to find computers for every student in your classroom it can be extremely difficult. Working closely with the library has its pros and cons all by itself. I try to recieve much help from our library but since so many teachers are trying to better their technical support throughout their curriculum at one time it sometimes becomes impossible. We need to reserve the computers at least a month in advance and its hard to time all your activities around their timing. I was wondering if your school has this type of difficulty to reach these facilities. Great post take care.