Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas: Reflection

Right when I started this course, I realized that format for my GAME plan is very much like the Plan, Do, Study, Act goal-setting activities I conduct with my classroom for our CLS (Classroom Learning Systems) model. I have to admit, I like the GAME plan method better than the Plan, Do, Study, Act method, mainly because of the constant monitoring and re-evaluation process you must go through with with the GAME plan.

As for my persona GAME plan, I have been pleased with my first goal: demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. I promised myself I would participate in at least one blogging discussion each week and have been very successful. Not only have I participated in the class blog each week, I have been blogging on educational sites such as Beth's Thoughts on Technology in the Classroom and Weblogg-ed. As a result, I feel much more comfortable with blogging and how to instruct students how to blog. In addition, our class wiki-project has allowed me to really experiment with what you can do with a wiki. Once again, I feel confident enough to teach my students with wikis next year. This all comes with perfect timing because I just received word that my county has finally approved the use of Web 2.0 applications in the classroom! Next year will be fantastic!

As for my second goal: evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning, blogging on those aforementioned sites have broadened my horizons to new and upcoming technology. After my first evaluation of my progress in this area, I realized I needed to set up an aggregator to keep track of all the new and upcoming technology. The list I have developed through this aggregator will help keep me up to date as my tenure at Walden U. comes to a close.

Once again, knowing how to carry out a GAME plan will be reflecting in my instruction. Right in the beginning of the year, I will start my 5th grade classroom off with a series of goal setting activities with establishing a GAME plan on the forefront. In addition, through creating my unit plan, I now realize how easy it is to integrate social networking and digital storytelling aspects into each lesson. With the approval of Web 2.0 activities for next year in my county, I plan on utilizing these tools to improve my lessons. Needless to say, I have a lot to look forward to next year! Thank you all who have helped me throughout this course!