Final Reflection on the GAME plan

Creating a GAME plan insured that a new technology tool was implemented into my classroom learning environment. The original technology tool I planned on using changed as I hit some snags in the implementation of the tool. As part of the learning of different ways to implement technology, I came across a new blog tool that I wanted to try out with my students. It was easy to implement and use. The blog allowed for individual students to use it throughout the day. The part I liked best was that the students could create their own posts. They were required to respond to mine, but they could also create their own. They were very engaged and eager to use the blog site.

As part of the learning from this course, I am, past, present, and future using new tools in learning. Currently, my students are creating digital stories. It is exciting to see the creativity the students are exhibiting. It has been eye-opening to see students cautious about being creative. When I encourage them to use their creativity, they showcase such beautiful concepts and unique qualities to their work. I will continue to implement technological tools that will embrace and support student creativity leading to greater learning.

Using the GAME plan with students

After reviewing the NETS-S for students and comparing them to NETS-T, there are many overlaps. They both support creativity, using technology to build 21st century skills, and awareness of ethics involved with technology usage. Providing the students with the tools and opportunities to use the NETS-S standards will allow for growth in this area. By using the GAME plan approach, I will give my students new tools and encourage them to use their creativity with the opportunities they have been given. I will provide them with direction to make a goal, have an action plan, monitor their progress, and evaluate. The students have data notebooks, this tool would be a great resource to add to their notebooks to track progress.

Revising the GAME plan

As I mentioned in the last post, my GAME plan took a twist. I began to use kidblog to allow my students to use a new type of blog site that would allow them to not only respond to posts I created, but to create their own posts. The students love sharing their thoughts and ideas as well as creating their own threads. The only downside is that they are not using the blog at home like I would like. Several of my students lack internet connection, but for the others, I think they are just not used to communicating like this. They see homework as paperwork. I would like to build in some type of incentive to help them develop a habit of communicating outside of school.

Evaluating GAME plan progress

My plan has taken a twist! A TIS at another school introduced me to kidblog.org. I love it! None of the students need individual emails, which is always time consuming because I have to create individual email accounts for each student. So what I have done is to create a classroom account at kidblog.org. All of my students have usernames and passwords. The students have all had a chance to respond to their first post, and some students have created their own posts. I also created a Google blogger account for my co-teacher (math & science) and uploaded pictures that I had taken of her class and used Smilebox. She struggles with technology and I am helping her do something new. After I set it up and showed the class, one of the students came back the next day with a picture she had printed off of the post. This blog allows students and parents to respond to what is happening at school. They can use their own email addresses that they created.