Georgana's GAME Plan, Step One:

WEEK 3:  STEPS TO THE GOAL

Technology will play a key role in the development of a 21^st century learning environment. So I must become computer and internet savvy. Today, most students do not have a fear of technology. They own cell phones, digital music and photography equipment, gaming machines, and computers that can interface globally. The only way I will be able to even get their attention is to use technology seamlessly as I develop lesson plans, implement these lessons, and instruct assignments. Becoming technologically literate is an ongoing process, as the frontier of equipment is ever changing. Focusing right now on what I can do to develop my own “professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in my [their] school” will be a huge step in the right direction (ISTE, 2008).  

            One step I can make before next fall is to develop my Blackboard page and establish unit folders for each of my English classes. I know I want them to use the journaling capability, so I can upload journal topics for the units too. Another service the Blackboard program provides is storage of documents. I can load documents that are used as handouts so students will have access to information if they are absent or lose their copy.

            In addition to utilizing Blackboard, I have enrolled in a class to be held at my district’s Teacher Learning Center on July 19, 2011: Social Networking for the 21^st Century Classroom. At this class, I will be introduced to several strategies on teaching for increased learning using, as well as Edmodo, Schoolology, and other cool new technology tools. I do not know what these programs do, but they are supported by the district information systems so I should have access to them free on my classroom computers.

Another summer plan for improvement is rereading a book I received in a previous workshop: Teaching with the Internet K-12: New Literacies for New Times, Fourth Edition. The book includes lesson planning ideas for language arts, using the internet to increase multicultural understanding, creating a system of equity using the internet, and developing a home page for my classroom. 

            Between these resources and the classes taken through Walden, I will be increasing my professional growth and leadership. These resources will also allow me to develop “a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” (ISTE, 2008). My district encourages staff members to coach others and to present at building inservice trainings. I have also been asked by my department chair to facilitate training in August on research strategies using the internet! I need to focus on learning this material now!

References

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved on April 28, 2010 from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

Leu, D. J., Leu, D. D., Coiro, J. (2004). Teaching with the Internet K-12: New literacies for new times (4^th ed.). Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.