GAME Plan Reflection

My game plan has been moving along up until recently when slowed down a little bit due to testing. I have been trying to get collaborate with the computer app's teacher in hopes of using the same programs in both of our classes. We have discussed programs that would be beneficial to the both of us and have talked about putting them into motions very soon. Because of quarterly assessments, I have had to prepare my students, test them, review it with them, and then give them another opportunity to retake the exam. Next week I will be able to get back and try to implement some new strategies for my students. Though I am still collaborating with the computer app's teacher, the application of the software for learning has been temporarily put on hold.
I have learned that anytime you try something new involving the teaching and learning process, that is has many steps and road blocks that are hard to account for. Sometimes things unexpectedly pop up and you have to roll with the punches. The team building with coworkers has been a great experience. Though collaborating with other teachers requires more initial effort and more use of my free time, it has made my job a little easier. My students are able to have faster recall of information and use of technology because they are using it other classes as well. I have underestimated the usefulness of teacher collaboration, but I now see how truly beneficial it is.
I am hoping to get my students in the computer lab in the next couple of weeks. This way they will be able to practice with some of the programs that the computer app's teacher has taught. Working together to sync our curriculum has been somewhat difficult, but once we are on the same page, it will make things easier in the long run. I have already decided that next year I am going to start the year off with collaborating with the other teachers. I think that it will benefit my students so much more and they will have the opportunity to do so right from the gates.

Using the GAME plan process

From the beginning of a new idea in teaching/creating a lesson, it can be a long process. Often times the process is meet with bumps along the road that can slow down your plans in creating a new lesson for your students. As I have been trying to come up with new and exciting ways to have them practice test taking, I have come across many road blocks. Even trying to get computer lab time can be difficult. Then when I can get my classes in, I have tried a couple of new learning methods but have come to find out that even though most of my students are heavily involved in this digital age, they have very little to no background in classroom programs. Most of my students are so unfamiliar with programs like Microsoft 2.0 that I have spent almost as much time trying to teach them as it would have to actually teach the lesson. Since there has been little reinforcement from other teachers, they often forget how to use it as they do not get enough practice with it.
Trying to use the technology my students have grown up with and become so accustomed to has been more of a challenge than I thought it would have been. Knowing that not all of the other teachers use computer technology for their lessons and that the computer app's classes are just starting to teach Microsoft basics, I have been put in a tough position with my classes.
An idea I recently came up with to help my students prepare better for their multiple choice state exams, was to have them use an online programs and create an exam themselves. If Ido this once every unit or every other unit, I can constantly reinforce the new programs so they don forget how to use it. This allows them to have dirrect imput into what they have learned and may help them stay more actively involved. Also, with in that plan lies the possibly of allowing them to chose a partner to create a test that other classmates would have to take on the computer program. This will allow for cross curricular teaching and help get them up to and maintain proficiency level standards outlined in the NETS-S.

Evaluating and Revising my GAME Plan

So far through this whole process I've learned that everytime I think I am making significant progress, another problem seems to pop up. Sometimes it is a minor issue, but other times it seems to make me reevaluate the whole process. A classmate recently introduced me quia.com which allows me to create multiple choice exams. Though I have not had a chance to research it, I am hoping that it can add as a supplement of my other exams and help better prepare my students for their state exams.
Creating a wider range of questions that will help me reproduce similar questions that they will see on their state exams. Being able to do their test online in a computer lab should provide them form the monotony of the pencil and paper test.

Evaluating My Game Plan

As I evaluate my GAME plan I am finding that simply typing out issues that I face help me come to terms with what I am dealing with. I have never been one to write (or type) thoughts. I would always simply just think about what I needed to do in my head, and go forth and do it.
One thing that I have done was talked to the Computer. App's teacher in my school and asked him about their curriculum. We discussed some ideas that could help us both out in the form of coming up with cross curricular ideas. One of which was using and becoming familiar with Microsoft web 2.0 tools. He did in form me that his classes are still going through the basics of the computers, as the 9th graders are a little behind, however, he did assure me that they would be getting into it soon. I reassured him that I will reinforce it through group projects and presentations that will require the usage of their new found knowledge.
I still am faced with the issue of having to give them multiple choice questions. We do not have the computer lab time or the time in the class to give them online multiple choice tests. Even if we did, I do not know of any program that aligns with the state curriculum that has such a program for my subject.
I am not sure how I will address this problem as of yet. It seems so simple, yet I can not come up with a solution that would get my students excited about taking a multiple choice exam that they will inevitably have to take.