Reflection Post

STEP 1:

As I look back and reflect on the GAME plan I developed and implemented throughout the course, I am pleased with the overall results. I was able to implement one of my plans and that was to incorporate “Edmodo” into my classroom. I spent a great amount of time researching and talking with my colleagues for different ways they utilize this collaborative learning tool within their classrooms. I set one of my classes up on the site and it has been a great experience for them. I have provided collaborative questions in which they must respond to my post, as well as their classmates’ posts. This type of social networking tool has encouraged more of “silent” collaboration. Dr. Cennamo (2009) spoke about using the GAME plan in terms of promoting more self-directed learning (Laureate Education, Inc.). Students began to use Edmodo more for collaboration outside of the classroom. They began asking their own questions to each other and this allowed me to switch into the role of facilitator during the process. It was a unique experience for me and for the students.

Not only did the GAME plan impact student learning, but it impacted my instructional practice. During this process I set goals, monitored my learning, and evaluated my progress, thus I began to take control of my own learning process (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). This was my first experience with using Edmodo. I learned what I could on my own, but I also learned how it would work best with my students. They provided me with daily insight of ways the tool would be effective for them in their learning. Many of my students wanted to be the leaders of discussions and I listened to that. I allowed my students to take more control and responsibility. Many of the students who I thought would never participate began taking ownership of their own posts. In the future, I will continue making sure I allow my students to take the leadership role in the classroom while I fall back as a facilitator to guide their learning.

There was a portion of my GAME plan that fell through and that was the collaborative partnership with colleagues at the other middle school within our district. Unfortunately due to time constraints and the other professional responsibilities we have to manage, I was not able to establish a good partnership with them. This is something I would eventually like to implement and will continue to reach out to the other middle school. I would like to develop my own plan for why I think the partnership would be effective and how we could utilize technology to help us in the process.

Lastly, when looking at the GAME plan, there are several ways I could use the GAME plan with my students. For example, my goal is to continue implementing technology that will help them see the benefits of having a GAME plan. I will be using more of the graphing calculators in class and would like to have the students explore the calculators on their own by creating their own lines and exploring what happens when the slope or y-intercept is changed. They will be able to monitor their own learning throughout as they observe any changes they see. The GAME plan process will help to keep them in check with how much they are progressing in terms of their own self-directed learning. The GAME plan is important because it encourages students to become self-directed lifelong learners with emerging technology. The GAME plan allows students to respond to technological changes that occur throughout their lives, helps to keep their skills up-to-date, and to also better meet their needs now and in the future (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).

STEP 2:

Looking at technology integration, there are several immediate adjustments I will make in my instructional practices. As a result of this course, I learned how to create problem-based learning, online collaboration, and digital storytelling activities. I found these activities to be the most beneficial because I centered the activities on lessons I was implementing in class. As I develop my lessons now, I think about ways to integrate technology while also implementing activities where students can become more self-directed learners.

For future unit plans in my classroom, I will implement at least one activity of each type during all of my units: problem-based learning, online collaboration, and digital storytelling. All of these will also include technology integration. For example, they may have to use the Internet for research or using Edmodo for class discussions with their peers. They may also use programs like iMovie or Windows Movie Maker to create digital stories. I use digital storytelling quite frequently in my class already and will continue to do so. I use Khan Academy at times for demonstration of concepts or will find YouTube video clips that supplement my instruction.


References

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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.