Revising the GAME Plan

My “GAME plan” (Cennamo, Ertmer and Ross, 2009), has had a great deal of success so far. Some of this success may be attributed directly to actions I have taken, such as seeking approval and permission to load necessary software onto student computers for use in facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity (NETS-T, 2009) through the use of collaborative tools for reflection. Specifically, we are using the screencasting software, Jing!, to share and comment on ideas in our class. In my other goal, networking with colleagues, I have found success in the use of this blog. Since we are all posting on a weekly basis in this course, I have been more focused on its use as a tool rather than thinking of it simply as another application assignment.

So far, I have learned that in effecting the changes needed to succeed, I will need to shift my role from teacher to facilitator. This will be applied to my instructional practice through more collaboration type projects, as suggested in this week’s resources (Davis, 2009). The main issue of problem I have with this is that students need to have more freedom to express creativity than I have chosen to afford them in the past. Davis (2009) also indicates that student involvement will increase through the separation of educational and social outlets, even going so far as to use the term “educational networking” (Davis, 2009) instead of “social” networking.

Based on the NETS-T model, I will start using technology in my classes on a more regular basis. Instead of waiting for a major project, I will focus on the immediate uses for my classes and create more meaningful assignments, such as digital storytelling or sharing with other students through video or blog applications. My approach to this will be to use my networking skills to seek help for the use of new technologies from others who are experiencing success.

Adjusting and monitoring are two qualities which make good teachers great. As part of my own adjustment, I plan to start using this (or another) blog to communicate with staff in my district and the surrounding areas. In this way, I can also assist my students’ creativity by soliciting ideas from other teachers and students. This, hopefully, will heighten the students’ awareness of our subject matter and inspire them to place this information higher in their “quality world” (Glasser, 1998).

-Stephen St. Georges

References:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Glasser, W. (1998). Choice theory: A new psychology of personal freedom. New York: Harper and Row.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program ten. Spotlight on technology: Social networking and online collaboration, part 1 [Motion picture]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Davis, V.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf on December 8, 2009.