In reflecting back on the GAME plan strategies and goals
that were set in motion at the beginning of this class, I can honestly say that
I made tremendous gains with one goal and am still lagging with the second.
The first goal that I established was that of allowing my
students to have time and computer access to research topics of their choosing
instead of focusing on the subjects assigned by me. This was based on the International Society
for Technology in Education’s standard 2b (ISTE, 2012). While the students did have two opportunities
to use the computers in this manner, I do not feel that I adequately met my
original goal. One barrier to this was
the extended Spring Break the students had this year. This limited the number of computer lab sessions
in which the students actually had computer access.
The second barrier dealt with timing as well. State-wide testing started last week,
preventing students from any internet use during the testing time-frames. At the same time, most classroom time has
been dedicated to reviewing required content rather than in “free choice”
activities. Consequently, the goals I
established in GAME plan number 1 were partially attained.
The second goal included in my GAME plan was that of
communicating with my students electronically.
This was based on the International Society for Technology in Education’s
goal 4d (ISTE, 2012). This is a goal
with which I have been very successful.
I messaged all of my students through the reading program in which they
were already enrolled. The comments sent
were in reference to their success with the reading program, their reading
levels and amounts of growth, and other statements regarding their progress in
reading. Many of the students responded
back, some more positively than others.
As a part of my second goal, I secured parental permission
for all but two of my students to use the Edmodo (www.edmodo.com) website. The two students who are not enrolled in the
program receive some of the same information shared either paper/pencil or
verbally, but do not get the full experience and benefits as their classmates
who are involved with Edmodo.
The success of this venture has been greater than what I had
anticipated. I have added many items to
the site’s calendar, thus keeping the students (and some of their parents)
informed of upcoming events. I have sent
announcements, directions, and details about a recent field trip and
bread-baking project. This tool has
helped decrease confusion and increase understanding.
In reference to the academic events that are occurring, I
have listed all of the daily history questions for the month on the calendar
already. Students can now choose to work
ahead, or if they have missed school, they can more easily catch up with what
was missed. Parents and students have
been communicating with me about student averages, assignment details, and
checking on behavior. The students will
be using the small group feature of the program in the near future to conduct
research and store notes and materials.
The possibilities for implementation are growing daily.
As a part of preparing my students for their upcoming
statewide assessment, I used this tool to send practice and review sites that
directly correlated with the skills each child missed on their recent review
tests. This allowed me to individualize
the remediation process and for the students to receive content targeted to
their personal needs.
The implementation of this GAME plan goal is one that I will
definitely be continuing for years to come.
While it took a little bit of preparatory work at the beginning of this process
and it uses some extra time to implement the data into the system each night, I
feel that there are going to be great benefits in the long run. I have already experienced increased parental
and student communication, even from the reluctant students who don’t normally
participate in class.
Next year, I will be sharing the information about this
program with parents at the Open House session and get them to grant parental
permission that night so that the students will already be enrolled in the
program prior to the first day of school.
We will then be able to use it
immediately for group projects, assignments, and as a reliable means of
communication between home and school. This
avenue will allow for the use of more social networking projects and will lend
itself to the inclusion of more authentic, problem-based learning opportunities
outside of the time constraints of the classroom.
Overall, my GAME plan was successful!
Reference
ISTE. (2012). NETS for Teachers. Retrieved March 13,
2013, from
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