According to the International Society for Technology in Education (“ISTE”), there are five National Educational Technology Standards (“NETS”) for teachers. Each one of these standards can be intertwined with State standards to promote student proficiency not only in grade level content, but in the area of 21st century skills. Each of the NETS directly refers to some form of technology in its definition. For example, Standard 1 promotes teachers sharing their wisdom by way of “virtual environments”; Standard 2 requires that teachers “design and develop digital-age” experiences for their students; Standard 3 asks teachers to consider a “global and digital society” instead of just the classroom environment; Standard 4 encourages teachers to keep in mind “digital citizenship and responsibility” as they implement technology; and Standard 5 promotes continued professional development in the areas of 21st century tools.
With that said, the ISTE insists that we, as educators, not be left behind in this fast-paced, exploratory environment of technical advances. As stated, we must “transition schools from Industrial Age to Digital Age places of learning” (NETS-T, 2008). However, it all seems a bit overwhelming. As I admittedly am a digital immigrant, as opposed to a digital native like my students, I am aghast at the amount of information, skills, and strategies that my profession is expected to learn, practice, master, and teach in the midst of planning curriculum, grading, managing a classroom, having a family, and simply living life. When? How?
Using the GAME plan process can help me master one goal at a time. For example, one goal I have for the upcoming year is to become more proficient at using the SmartBoard. What actions am I taking? I am attending early summer / late summer workshops offered by our district, as well as reviewing premade lessons on the web. I will monitor my progress and evaluate my learning as the academic year unfolds.
Using the GAME plan process can help me tackle one NETS goal at a time. I can SLOWLY make progress.
Likewise, students can also implement the GAME plan process. ISTE provides six NETS for students. Again, each of these standards promotes growth in the area of technology: creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research, problem solving, digital citizenship, and technology operations are all highlighted in these six standards for students.
As students and teachers wade through waist-deep options, instructions, and trials of various software and internet experiences, the GAME plan process can be used. For example, if I were to introduce myself to students at the beginning of the year through the use of Digital Storytelling, being able to create a Digital Story could become a Goal for my students. They could individually decide what Actions they will take to reach this goal – do they want to settle for still pictures, or reach for video? Formative assessment opportunities will help them Monitor their progress. Finally, by encouraging them to Evaluate their gain, students have a concrete way of seeing growth. The GAME Plan process is a motivating factor. The evaluation phase gives them something to look forward to; it’s an opportunity for them to share the growth that they have made.
References:
National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/
2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Lori,
ReplyDeleteLike you I sometimes wonder where we will find all the time to keep up with all the technology. However I have come to realize that learning is a lifelong experience, something I have been trying to instill in my students. So I feel through small but meaningful steps we can continue to learn about technology and develop our abilities to pass on what we learn to our students.
Sometimes we may even let them do the teaching.
Last year I told my students that we were going to learn how to use Powerpoint and I challanged them to practice on their own over Spring break. All I did was show them how to access it on their computers.
Two of my students really got into it, and developed a Powerpoint presentation about Powerpoint, and asked if they could present it to the class. These were 9th graders who really hadn't had much experience with it. Their PPT presentation was really good, and with a little tweaking from me was what we used as a guide to help the class get going with Powerpoint.
So maybe we don't have to learn everything on our own. Maybe we just need to turn our students loose and let them teach us.
John C.
John,
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! I think I'll steal this one.
Thanks,
Lori
Lori,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have set up your ideas for using the GAME plan in your students and for yourself. The plan is such a great tool to help keep you on track with your goal and gives you the opportunity to check your progress and evaluate yourself. It is a tool that would be beneficial to all when planning something out.
Thanks for sharing.
Kate