Evaluating Your GAME Plan Progress

Goal: to “engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.”

This was my goal from day one of this Walden course. I am a true believer in the correlation between authentic, meaningful lessons and student growth and engagement. I am very excited about this week’s topic – problem-based learning – because it directly addresses and will help me to meet the goal of my GAME plan. Earlier in the course, I had resolved to search the internet to learn more, interview local politicians, and conduct surveys in order to meet my goal, but this week’s resources, discussion, and application has shown me an exciting new approach. By presenting students with a real-world situation in which they can collaborate to find real-world solutions, they are effectively exploring issues and solving problems – the goal of my GAME plan.

This week’s resources have offered a multitude of activities that will help me to apply 21st century skills to my lesson plans to meet the needs of my students as they pursue real-world issues. Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer (2009) suggest using technology to create presentations, initiating online discussions of the project itself, enhancing the final project by uploading photos and video, and using online resources to track student activity. Dr. Ertmer suggests some additional ways in which to use technology: keeping a problem log, using E-journals, and using organizational tools to keep track of progress (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). All of these suggestions offer exciting new challenges to both me and my students.

There are plenty of things I still need to learn in order to make these grand ideas a reality in my classroom. For example, my biggest concern is time – or lack of it. I need time to play around with these things. Although we hear over and over again that our students are digital natives, and most of them can successfully meander their way around anything techno, I certainly do not want to plan a technologically integrated unit that I have not tried myself.

Currently I do not see the need to adjust my GAME plan. I reiterate my enthusiasm over problem-based learning and how this instructional approach fits my existing goal like a glove. I am excited and anxious to jump into my assignment and watch my students become more autonomous and engaged!

Lori
9th grade English

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). Ertmer, P. (Speaker) Spotlight on technology: problem-based learning, part 1. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Author.