Resources and Information for GAME Plan
My first goal in the implementation of ISTE standards is to “facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity” (the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, 1997-2010). One of the focus areas that I have that the ISTE put in this standard is “exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems” (ISTE, 1997-2010). One of the first resources I would need to complete this goal of my game plan is access to the media. This includes all forms; print, online, television, etc. as media would provide an outlet to open up ideas for authentic problems. As I teach government and economics, real-world, authentic problems are present in our global society and I would simply need the resources to access information and stay informed about those problems. This could also include the ability to stay informed on local problems; school, townships, boroughs, county, etc. This can be done by simply attending meetings that each hold. Since technology would provide a basis for my content by helping establish authentic ideas for problems, I would also need technology to enhance my content (Laureate, 2009). It would provide a basis for perhaps a WebQuest that I could create to help students solve the authentic problem we found by using technology as a research tool. I am someone who would need colleague’s help in creating a WebQuest. The WebQuest would provide a way for me to design the goals, learning, and assessment criteria of the learning goals I want my student to meet by the end of the WebQuest. To meet this goal so far I have begun to bookmark online media sites to my webpage for students to access, begun watching 10 minutes of news daily, and had students begin to create a survey to ask their classmates what topics they would like to see discussed the most. Perhaps with that information I can fit their learning goals into our curriculum.
My second goal in the implementation of ISTE standards is to “promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility” (ISTE, 1997-2010). The area of this standard I would like to focus on especially is to “develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using…collaboration tools” (ISTE, 1997-2010). The resources I would need to complete this goal are to simply become a member and browse different websites like the Flat Classroom Project and ePals. I think reaching out to other individuals, both in my building and outside it, would help me feel a little more comfortable to take this step in collaboration with a classroom that my students have never met. The only step I have taken towards meeting this goal is that I have checked out ePals.com, I have become aware that some of the resources I need for pen pals and online collaboration is permission slips and privacy forms signed by my students’ parents. As I am completely unfamiliar with how collaborative, online project work, simply learning and researching for myself, perhaps even a workshop, would be of great benefit for me.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program 3. Enriching content area learning with technology, Part I. [Educational video]. Baltimore: Author.
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.
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Casey,
ReplyDeleteTo stay on top of current issues maybe you could try following some informative blogs that would tap into your RSS feed and be right at your fingertips each time you log into your blog. I was not familiar with blogging before I started this degree and now I follow many different art blogs and love how all of the information comes right to me.
Good Luck! Great GAME plan!
Robyn
Casey,
ReplyDeleteI think the key to reaching your second goal as you have stated is making connections in your building and outside as well. Bridging the learning gap through classrooms across the country is essential is helping ourselves feel more comfortable with digital learning without walls. Do you know someone that teaches in your content rea that is fairly local that you could try this out with to start?
Joel
Casey,
ReplyDeleteIn my high school, we have an awesome government program. The guy who teaches government does a fantastic job with his seniors and he really knows his stuff! Not only does he attend council meetings and such (like you would like to start doing as part of your GAME plan) but the kids are required to attend so many throughout the year as well. They report back with what they heard/learned at the meeting and this sparks a lot of interesting class discussion. They also discuss a lot of current events that are reported on the nightly news. He tapes the national news programs every evening, takes notes over them, and brings them to class to discuss each and every day. The seniors vote this class as their favorite every year and I think it is because it is real world stuff that actually pertains to them and their lives. Good luck with your GAME plan. It really has a lot of potential!
~ Jennifer
Thank you for the comments. I definitely have subscribed to more and more blogs through my feeder as I have moved through this program.
ReplyDeleteI have also made contact with a classroom in Hungary that we are working on a collaborative wikispace starting mid-October. Check it out and let me know what you think: www.hungary-us-history.wikispaces.com.
I really enjoy having students attend meetings, they get so awakened by the experience. My problem has always been that I live about 40 minutes from my school district. Since I am the head girls basketball coach, am married to a football coach in a another district, and have a 15 month old, my time to attend personally gets pushed to the wayside. Sometimes I think it would be unfair to require my students to go if I cannot make it so much myself.