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.
30.10.10
20.10.10
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.
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.
13.10.10
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.
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.
9.10.10
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.
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.
29.9.10
Progress in my GAME Plan
I am finding some progress in carrying out my GAME plan. this is largely due to some of my coworkers that I share ideas with. We have worked together as a team to brainstorm ideas and come up wiht common assessments for our students. This assures that all of the students who are enrolled in the same course but have different teachers will go over the same information. This will better prepare them and us as teachers for their state exams. The only modification that I may need is to meet wiht them more often. It is hard though to find more time in our already hectic schedule. I have leaned that through constant communication, our students seem to be on line to be the most prepared that they can be for their upcoming exam.
One obstacle I have hit is finding ways of implementing technology into preparation for the state exams. Because the test in the recent past has always been forced choice assessments (in the form of multiple choice), it has been difficult to find ways to use technology that can prepare them better than actually giving them a paper and pencil multiple choice test. I always like to give them a live example of what type of exam they are going to see. I believe that there is no better way to practice.
However, now with the exams moving towards a combination of forced choice responses and open ended responses (short answers and essay), I can try to implement new ways of teaching the skills. I was contemplating starting a chat thread that my students could all part take in. I could give assignments or extra credit and have them create or add to discussions. One issue that I face is that not everyone has internet access. I have several students who do not have a computer or email address. SO now I am faced with this new issue of how to implement such an activity when not all of my students have an equal opportunity to access the information.
One obstacle I have hit is finding ways of implementing technology into preparation for the state exams. Because the test in the recent past has always been forced choice assessments (in the form of multiple choice), it has been difficult to find ways to use technology that can prepare them better than actually giving them a paper and pencil multiple choice test. I always like to give them a live example of what type of exam they are going to see. I believe that there is no better way to practice.
However, now with the exams moving towards a combination of forced choice responses and open ended responses (short answers and essay), I can try to implement new ways of teaching the skills. I was contemplating starting a chat thread that my students could all part take in. I could give assignments or extra credit and have them create or add to discussions. One issue that I face is that not everyone has internet access. I have several students who do not have a computer or email address. SO now I am faced with this new issue of how to implement such an activity when not all of my students have an equal opportunity to access the information.
25.9.10
Carrying out my GAME plan
In this weeks assignment, we are reviewing a previous lesson plan that we needed to make adaptations to in order to meet all of the needs of our students. The lesson I chose was presentation that I had my 11th grade history classes do. In one of my classes, I had 5 students who were on a 2nd-5th grade reading and comprehension level. Part of the assignment was having them read the material, go to the computer lab and the library and present it in any fashion as with my approval.
One of my major obstacles was the reading for those 5 students. I arranged that the teacher assistant in their study hall set up the kurzweil reader and allow them to set the pace as to how it was read to them. I then followed up with them assuring that they understood what was read to them.
Once they got through the reading material, I allotted them computer lab and library time in order to do any additional research and get their presentations in order. Since these students over time have become visual and auditory learners, I gave them several websites to use including discoverychannel.com. This site had several videos that they used in their presentation and it aligned perfectly with our curriculum.
This lesson was a successful collaborative effort between the teaching assistant in the study hall, the students, the computer ab and library supervisor, and myself.
One of my major obstacles was the reading for those 5 students. I arranged that the teacher assistant in their study hall set up the kurzweil reader and allow them to set the pace as to how it was read to them. I then followed up with them assuring that they understood what was read to them.
Once they got through the reading material, I allotted them computer lab and library time in order to do any additional research and get their presentations in order. Since these students over time have become visual and auditory learners, I gave them several websites to use including discoverychannel.com. This site had several videos that they used in their presentation and it aligned perfectly with our curriculum.
This lesson was a successful collaborative effort between the teaching assistant in the study hall, the students, the computer ab and library supervisor, and myself.
19.9.10
GAME Plan
One of my professional goals has been to learn how to improve on my GAME plan.
As each year goes on, I try to improve on each one of my lessons from the year before. I will take the time to update and modify each one in hopes that it will enhance my students learnign experience. One thing that I have done this year is to model digital-age work and learning. Last year when I tried a new lesson, I did not know the ins and outs of the site that I was using. This made communication between my students and myself very difficult. Though I was able to teach on all the indicators, the lesson itself was very choppy and difficult at times for the students to comprehend. Reflecting back, I should have had a better understanding of the site so that I could navigate through the lesson more smoothly. This year for the lesson, I will review the site and make sure to clean up the loose ends from the old lesson.
Another way I plan on improving my GAME plan is to engage in professional growth and leadership. I will do this through communication with other teachers in the form of professional learning communities and through professional development opportunities. Our school system usually allows us time to partake in professional development opportunities which then in turn we can share with our colleagues. Our school system usually allows us to partake in workshops that will teach us what is new in technology and provide us with ways to integrate it into our lessons.
As each year goes on, I try to improve on each one of my lessons from the year before. I will take the time to update and modify each one in hopes that it will enhance my students learnign experience. One thing that I have done this year is to model digital-age work and learning. Last year when I tried a new lesson, I did not know the ins and outs of the site that I was using. This made communication between my students and myself very difficult. Though I was able to teach on all the indicators, the lesson itself was very choppy and difficult at times for the students to comprehend. Reflecting back, I should have had a better understanding of the site so that I could navigate through the lesson more smoothly. This year for the lesson, I will review the site and make sure to clean up the loose ends from the old lesson.
Another way I plan on improving my GAME plan is to engage in professional growth and leadership. I will do this through communication with other teachers in the form of professional learning communities and through professional development opportunities. Our school system usually allows us time to partake in professional development opportunities which then in turn we can share with our colleagues. Our school system usually allows us to partake in workshops that will teach us what is new in technology and provide us with ways to integrate it into our lessons.
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