Modifying my GAME Plan

Are you finding the information and resources you need?
I am finding the information and resources I need. I have a few computers in my classroom that students can use during our centers time to work on their PowerPoint presentations when the time comes. Our school computer lab also has a brand new Mac desktop computer for each student to use, which will be useful for my whole group instruction. The technology teacher is also in the lab at the same time we are so she will be able to help us out when needed.

Do you need to modify your action plan?
As I have mentioned in my previous post, I have decided to modify my GAME Plan by changing the idea of using VoiceThread to PowerPoint. The reason for this change is that I think PowerPoint will be of more use for them in the future than VoiceThread will be. Many of my students do not even have Internet at home so they would not be able to use VoiceThread outside of the classroom, which lessens its importance and accessibility even more.

What have you learned so far?
So far, I have learned that I will need to make modifications for some students by adjusting the amount of slides I require. For example, for my higher achieving students, I will definitely make the assignment more challenging by requiring more slides with more bullet points or details. For my lower achieving students, I will require them to have the same bits of information on each slide, but require fewer slides from them.

What new questions have arisen?
As of this moment, I do not have any new questions but I am sure once we return from our holiday and begin to use PowerPoint more questions will arise.

Editing and Reviewing my GAME Plan

My GAME Plan is to make the content "come to life" for my students through the use of technology tools, such as VoiceThread. I will also use this tool as a way for students to reflect upon their learning by creating a VoiceThread of their knowledge. In doing so, students will create a VoiceThread at the end of each chapter of each content area. 

What resources will you need to carry out your plan (video, reading, experts or colleagues, etc)?
To carry out my GAME Plan, I will need computers with Internet, content material, and the website, VoiceThread.

What additional information do you need?
At this point I need to introduce students to the concept of VoiceThread because we will then be able to move forward with my GAME Plan. I feel that once I see how quickly (or slowly) students are grasping the idea of using VoiceThread as a reflecting tool, I will be able to map out more concretely how often I would like to use this tool.  I feel that if students are grasping how to create a VoiceThread fairly quickly, we will be able to use it more often. If students are having trouble with creating their own VoiceThread, I may have to make accommodations. For example, I may have to pair up students so that they can help one another throughout the process, while other students will not have any problems.

What steps have you been able to take so far?
I have started mapping out where I want students to create their own VoiceThreads. I have started creating my own VoiceThread, which I will present to my class in a way to introduce them to this new idea.

**As I have been putting my plan into motion this week, I have come to the decision that I will be using PowerPoint instead of VoiceThread in my GAME Plan. The reason for this change is because I think my students will benefit more from learning how to use PowerPoint than VoiceThread. Many of them do not have computers with Internet at home so it would not benefit them much outside of the classroom. Also, PowerPoint will be an essential tool in their academic careers so learning how to use the program sooner than later will be better off in the long run. 

Developing My GAME Plan

In the National Education Standards for Teacher (NETS-T), I am comfortable with the following standard:

 

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. 

Teachers:

a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations  

b. collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success (NETS-T 3a & 3b).

I use technology throughout the school day and share with students how to use the Internet to find quick results. I also collaborate with colleagues, administrators, and parents through email on a daily basis. My students are in third grade and most do not have their own email addresses just yet, so I cannot communicate with them via the Internet. I heavily rely on technology whether it is a PowerPoint presentation, some kind of picture or songs to help practice their multiplication facts, I always have my laptop in the classroom.

The standards I am not as confident in are the following: 

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. 

c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes. (NETS-T 1b & 1c). 

I feel that I do not create enough opportunities for students to use their creative brains nor do we really use collaborative (technological) tools, such as Wikis or Google Docs. We do a lot of collaboration in the classroom, but it is mostly verbal or pair/group work. 

My goal is to incorporate some sort of technological resource in my classroom, such as VoiceThread, a class wiki, or podcasts. This goal will ensure that students are engaged in "exploring real-world issues" through the use of pictures, music, text or their own voices. My GAME plan to strengthen my confidence in this area is to start off by experimenting with these different collaboration tools. I will start with VoiceThread and see how this progresses with my class. My students do not have much experience with computers aside from using programs, such as Accelerated Reader, Reading Eggs, and Starfall, so it will be quite an experience for all of us. I also like the idea of using online graphic organizers through Webspiration or SpiderScribe.net in collaborating settings where students work with others in our own classroom. 

I think the best way to monitor my progress is to see how often we use these tools in the classroom. If I am using these tools at least once a week, I would say I am slowly progressing. As time progresses, I will increase the number of times we use VoiceThread to where it is a daily tool. 

I will evaluate my learning based upon the progress of my students. If they are finding success with the new tool, I will see that as proof that I am also learning and succeeding with my GAME plan. Eventually, I would love for students to create their own VoiceThread slide independently. I know we will need to start slow where I am creating and showing my own to modeling how to create a VoiceThread to guiding students in how to create one on their own. 

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx