Final Blog Post for Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas

The GAME plan allowed me to find an amazing tool for use in my classroom.  The implementation of the text message reminder program has drastically improved the homework completion rate of students who volunteer for the program.  I have also found that my students are sending themselves text reminders about assignments in other classes as well.  Through the GAME plan I have found a program/skill that students can independently use to improve themselves in the classroom and in their lives.  It has been a real joy to see students take responsibility for their own organization and homework.

The GAME plan that I developed and modified through this course was very beneficial to myself as a learner and a teacher.  I feel that this method of goal setting and monitoring is a great way to facilitate self motivated learning.  I added an additional personal incentive to help inspire me to follow though with my learning goals.  My GAME plan was very different from that of many of my classmates.  My plan calls for continued learning and research in the area of instructional technology.  Beyond the time frame of this class, I plan to keep working on my GAME plan so I can continue to learn and grow with educational technology.

As a result of this course I plan to make several adjustments to my instruction.  I am very interested in some of the differentiation and individualization theories and ideas that were presented in the course documents.  Things like audio recordings of books and word prediction software can be use to support students in the learning process.  Being a special education teacher, it is important to find ways that my students can learn along side their peers.  I also plan to implement more authentic learning in my classroom.  I feel this style of learning will best prepare students for their future roles in adult life.  This form of learning allow students to be self directed learners and perform at their individual levels.  The collaborative aspect of this instructional method is also very beneficial.  When students work together they build on each others ideas and usually have a better final product. This course has presented many great instructional methods that will inevitably influence my classroom instruction.  As with the completion of all of my Walden course, I feel as thought I have learned a great deal and have become better prepared to teach in a technology based world.

GAME Process for students

The focus of my GAME plan has been to find and utilize technology tools in my classroom. It is my ultimate goal to expose my students to copious amounts of educational technology and have them personally utilize it in their learning process. Through the use of technology in my classroom I feel that students should naturally strengthen their proficiency in the technology standards and indicators outlined in the NETS-S. The natural exploration of educational technology will model many technological literacy skills.

In using the GAME plan process with my students I will hopefully help them to become life long learners who can monitor and evaluate their own learning. In order to be a self directed learner, students need to be able to set personal learning goals. I feel that my students especially struggle with setting and working towards achieving personal goals them have set for themselves.

Revising My Game Plan

What have you learned so far that you can apply in your instructional practice?
After having a very successful experience with my previous GAME goal I am even more inspired to start my progress over while I incorporate what I have learned. I have located and had building officials approve the use of an online program that sends text message reminders to my students.
What goals are you still working toward?
After having accomplished my last goal, I plan to continues to research and implement various technology tools into my classroom instruction. My initial goal was to implement two new things into my classroom. After a short time, I realized that my goal was very ambitious and reduced the number to one per month.
Based on the NETS-T, what new learning goals will you set for yourself?
Currently my school district does not allow access to blogs, wikis, and various other social network program within the school network. I plan to gain an understanding as to why they are blocked and see if I am able to gain access as a means to improve student learning. My ultimate goal would be to have my students participate in a Wiki before months end.

What learning approaches will you try next time to improve your learning?

I plan to discuss my concerns with school administrators and the technology liaison in my building. I will have to browse through the internet exclusions policy and become familiar with the parameters of that document. I also have to find social networking tools with high levels of user security so I can present the benefits and safe usage plans I will implement in my classroom.