Monitoring My Game Plan

Game Plan Progress

I’m excited to let you all know that I have made some awesome progress in getting my tech-free classroom moved into the 21^st century.   Here’s some of the great things that are happening for us.

1. We have purchased not one, but two sets of student response clickers.  This has been a great asset for me, as well as other teachers.  One of the big pushes we are making, like many schools, is to make formative assessment a larger, more carefully executed part of what we do.  These clickers have bridged the gap for the “old school” teachers who use the method of 3 weeks of information, one day test.  They are liking it because they are seeing better results for students, since they are making adjustments every so often.

2. I found out this week that I’m going to be getting the projector that I’ve been wanting as well as a document camera to use SPECIFICALLY  in my classroom only.  That may not seem like much, but compared to my old chalkboard, it’s going to be pretty amazing.  I can’t wait to start looking around for tips and tricks I can do with it.  If anybody has some awesome suggestions, I’m all ears. 

So far my action plan seems to still be on track, but I am realizing that I am going to have to really push hard to get the kind of technology integration that is really beneficial.  The biggest hurdle I face is that many of the teachers at my school share the feeling that “it’s been done a certain way for a long time and it has worked, it will still work” without realizing that the student of 2011 is different than the student of 1995.  I will be looking for studies and documentation that show just how important and effective the technology can be in order to hopefully convince them that this is a good idea.  

Needs and Wants

Now that I have established my GAME plan for making technology a part of my professional tool belt, it’s time to determine what exactly it is that I will need in order to make the most efficient use of my time and resources to reach my goals.  Here’s a reminder of the goals I have set for myself.

Goal #1 – Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by demonstrating the proper use of digital tools to utilize information sources and quality products that demonstrate knowledge.

Goal #2 – Engage in Professional growth and leadership in my school community by sharing information and creating support systems for other teachers interested in using technology in their own content areas. 

For both of these goals, the number one thing I’m going to need is administrative support.  Without a supportive administration, I won’t have the flexibility or resources necessary to fully implement the kind of technology integration that I know will be beneficial for my students as well as the rest of the school.

In addition to administrative support, I will also need access to various forms of technology that I can test and try in order to find out what works best.  I also feel that it would be beneficial to pair up with someone from a technologically advanced school that can help support my quest with experience and knowledge not readily available in my small environment. 

In terms of additional information, my biggest concern at this point is how I can work on getting funding for the projects I would like to run. I believe it would be helpful to have someone who could assist in writing grants and getting donations, especially once it can be established that this is a worthwhile endeavor.

To date, I have begun discussions with administration, trying to plant the seed of technological usefulness in their minds so that they keep an ear tuned to what’s going on in the rest of the schools in our area.  Hopefully soon we will be making some more progress

The G A M E Plan

Goal #1 – Model Digital-Age Work and Learning by demonstrating the proper use of digital tools to utilize information sources and quality products that demonstrate knowledge

ACTION – I will begin by making sure that I am proficient in all of the tools necessary for students to be successful in their school experience.  Once I feel proficient, I will continuously monitor for new and leading edge technology that students can either use at school or may be using in the global workplace in their careers.  I will make it a priority to expose students to as much new and diverse technology and technology related tools as possible, while modeling appropriate and effective use of those tools. 

MONITORING – I will monitor my own progress by collaborating with other teachers in my field as well as professionals in the workplace to ensure that what I am doing continues to be relevant and useful to my students.  I will determine my success, at least partly, on my students’ recognition of the importance of the technology.

EXTENDING – I will extend my learning and the learning of my students by inviting professionals from a variety of fields to come and speak on technology sources and the importance of technology integration in the workplace.  This will help me stay current and my students understand the importance of what they are trying to accomplish.

Goal #2 – Engage in Professional growth and leadership in my school community by sharing information and creating support systems for other teachers interested in using technology in their own content areas. 

ACTION – My first step in becoming a leader in technology integration at my school will be to demonstrate to teachers, students, parents and administration, just how effective technology can be as a learning and teaching tool as well and the importance technology will play in the workplace these students are heading toward.

MONITORING – I will consider myself making progress when I can convince other teachers who previously had not considered technology to use technology effectively with their own students on a regular basis.  I would also consider it a success if technology grants and donations could be made by administration and parents as they become aware of the benefits.

EXTENDING – As an extension, I would love to take an official role as a technology leader in my school, offering advice and assistance to those interested in integrating technology into their own classroom environment.  As part of this extension, it will be important that I stay up to date on the cutting edge technology that is available and find ways to share it with others quickly and effectively.