GAME Plan Reflection

My GAME plan hasn't really changed through this course, primarily because school ended today and now is when I should have some time to reflect on my class and look for information that I said I wanted as a part of this class.  I haven't really learned a lot in this class, but it has given me some new ideas on how to use technology that I am familiar with.  I look forward to finding tasks that will change how information is presented as well as how kids will make use of this different method of assessment.  I don't think that my plan will change, but I do think that trying to find a way to use this process with my students could prove useful in my science classes since it does work well with the scientific method.

I think that the idea of having a place for kids to discuss science on a level that they are already familiar with could help improve their comprehension, which I really like.  I also think that finding more ways to get kids in front of the class and presenting information is a better idea than me being the resource.  They won't have me or someone like me once they leave the school environment, so they might as well get used to it now.  This will allow for the use of digital storytelling in a variety of ways, which is actually something I have found useful for the kids in all my classes.

Progress of Game Plan

In looking around online I have found some information that is helpful in meeting my needs of my game plan.  Finding current issues is not a difficult task to accomplish since they can assist in this process by looking up their own science interests This would allow me to gain access to multiple sources of information as I could critique the quality of their issue while they are summarizing it.  If it works well I could create a class discussion around their topic.

I don't know that I need to change my plan, I just don't think that my plan will be complete in the timeline that this class wants.  I have given up on finding quality work in a matter of a few days or a couple of weeks.  I have spent much time searching for the information I wrote down in the game plan for a while now, so finding new information doesn't really come easily.  I would also say that there aren't new questions, just new methods for finding answers to the same question.

Game plan strategry

As I ponder how to improve my teaching using the areas chosen for my game plan, I know that there are a few things that will be necessary for me to be successful.  One of the things that I need is time, I need time to search through the internet, talk with peers, possibly find and collaborate with other teachers online and time to determine the quality of the information that I manage to locate.

I don’t know that I need additional information, I just need to take advantage of the time I have in class to determine what it is I need for my classes.  The purpose of conducting this game plan is to find the information, if I knew the information I need I wouldn’t include it as something I don’t know.  I haven’t really had the time to take care of my game plan at the moment.  Between family, school, church, and being the head track coach in the final weeks of our season time for research is severely limited.  This will be a long term project that will pick up momentum as the summer starts and I reflect on what I want to change for next year.

My Personal GAME Plan

In looking through the ISTE NETS performance indicators for teachers I found that I am involved with at least half the information that is listed.  I felt like that was a pretty good level of technology involvement since I have done most of this on my own.

In looking at things to improve on I chose 2 areas of focus.  One was item 1b.  enaganing students in real world issues, I don't really do this in my class and would like to so hopefully this can become a more regular part of my class.  I also chose item 3d.  using current technology to analyze information.  As a science teacher analyzing data is an important part of the process of understanding science so finding a way to do this will be very helpful in my class.

Assessing this progress will be easy becuase my plan is to integrate one of each of these things in each topic I teach and I will have either completed it or not.  As a continued part of this process however will be to look for better options than the initial information or example that I might find at the beginning of the process. 

Personal Educational Theory

In the beginning of this class we were asked to describe our personal learning theory.  I stated that visual and kinesthetic activities for the kids will help them to retain information better than any other method.  I also stated that trying to find ways to make connections for everyone requires that multiple methods of instruction are necessary to reach the diverse learners that are in my class.  This class has really just affirmed my idea on how kids learn and what I need to do.  I do feel like this class has deepened my conviction to my learning theory.  This class did enhance my diversity of educational technology as I found more resources to use in my class. 

I think there are three things that I will change immediately based on information I obtained from this class.  I already used a virtual program to help kids learn about position, velocity and acceleration called the moving man.  I am also planning on using a website called line rider to continue my students ability to learn about the basics of motion.  In general I also plan on trying to change my power point presentations to visual images or videos rather than a bunch of text.  One of the nice things about this program is that it is requiring me to go out and seek new methods for presenting material that I have wantd to do for a long time. 

One long term changes I want is to make sure that the number of activities I use continue to increase as I continue to teach.  Finding ways to do this with or without technology is a big goal for me in the next few years.  Another goal that I have is as I hopefully transition into the physical education department I plan to find ways to digitize that department.  Using technology to create physical education plans, as well as other technology devices will make physical education very differerent than it is today.

voicethread link

I tried to make this website work, but can't seem to find a way to write on the video or dub over my voice from before.  The experiment itself is good, but not much editing on this right now.

http://voicethread.com/?#u2460420

social learning theory

The social learning strategy states that in order for kids to learn, the material must be just beyond the reach of our students.  It then states in order for the kids to comprehend, at some point they need exposure to the more knowledgeable other. 

The problem with most websites is that the information is there, and unless it is constructed by peers the level of information can be way over their head or too simplistic for them to learn.  I have found that many of my students have no shame using words that are far beyond their comprehension just because they read it on a website and they think that it pertains to their topic.  This makes the idea of social learning theory somewhat challenging when applying it to online opportunities.  It is really up to the teacher to find a way to make the website material relevant to the students, and still keep it challenging. 

The other issue that isn’t discussed here is the conservatism of schools pertaining to teachers interacting with students online.  I know that we don’t have a formal no Facebook friends with students policy, but it is severely frowned upon since there have been a few people in other districts and states who have used it for inappropriate contact.  When I was first told about this I was friends with may of my track and field kids so that I could monitor their posts and make sure they were living up to my standards as athletes off the field as well.  I have been told that this idea is frowned upon and I should no longer use this method for monitoring behavior.  This makes the social aspect of the internet somewhat limiting, since it is supposed to be a peer only process.