The two NETS-T indicators I choose to make a GAME plan for are 1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity and 2) Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity GAME plan
Goals:
· Explore more real-world issues and careers involving mathematics.
· Allow students to work independently as well as collaboratively on project-based assignments.
· Encourage student creativity and originality when researching and presenting information.
Actions:
· Use more videos to depict how mathematics is used in real-life situations.
· Use Promethean Planet activities to engage student learning.
· Create and use more relative PowerPoint presentations to engage students in classroom instruction.
· Create more project-based learning assignments for students.
Monitor:
· Observe the level of engagement of students. Are they actively involved in the videos? Do they participate in the activities provided?
· Evaluate the projects. Are students using the technological skills as well as mathematical ability to complete projects? Do the students seem to be more interested using this type of learning?
Evaluate:
· Have other teachers review PowerPoint presentations and activities.
· Have students complete and evaluation of presentations, videos and activities.
Model Digital-Age Work and Learning GAME Plan
Goals:
· Maintain a webpage for students and parents to use throughout their class.
· Communicate with parents and students through technology sources.
Actions:
· Use webpage to communicate important dates and assignments to parents and students.
· Use webpage to post notes, resources, videos and activities for parents and students
· Communicate regularly with parents and students through email.
· Create a blog for students to discuss classroom activities and assignments.
Monitor:
· Monitor the ‘hits’ on website and entries on blog.
· Ask for student feedback on the usability and relevance of the information on the website.
· Ask for parent input regarding website.
Evaluate:
· Have students and parents evaluate the website.
· Continue to maintain and update website on a regular basis.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). 1. Self-Directed Learning with Technology [Motion picture].Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Author.
Posts
Leilani,
ReplyDeleteI like that you are going to use a webpage as a communication tool between yourself and your students and their parents. I also like that not only will you post assignments, important dates, and things of that nature, but you will also have links to other pieces of technology, like videos and activities, for the students. Hopefully, you are able to achieve this goal. I think that it is definitely an attainable one.
Tanika
I find the ideas in your first game plan compelling. I teach mathematics as well and find that making connections to the real world uses of several of the topics to be a real challenge, but important for my students. Unfortunately, at times I am at a loss for a strong connection. Even when I can tell them exactly where the math they are learning is applicable in the real world, my stories do not get the message across. Your idea of finding videos where the math is being implemented in real world situations would be successful in communicating the importance and applicable nature of many of the concepts that students learn. I think I will try to incorporate this idea into my teaching as well.
ReplyDeleteIn reference to your second game plan, this is one area that I feel that I have strived this school year. My county has a website platform for teachers to use for each of their classes to connect with parents and support students through the posting of homework, notes, and announcements. This has been very successful in keeping absent students up to date and providing insight and transparency for parents. In reference to your plan, I think that evaluating the website will be easy. I consistently receive e-mails from parents thanking me for providing information for them and updating them on the workings of the class. Good luck in your ventures with a class website, and keep in mind there are many great resources available to teachers in the form of pre-developed websites ready for use.
I think that modeling appropriate use of technology for our students will really help them improve their use of technology. They use so many forms of technology in their every day lives, but i dont think that they have actually been taught how to use it correctly. Starting a classroom blog and web page to use with your students is a wonderful goal to set. Getting parents involved in the technology communication is also a good way to stay in contact and allow them to see what has been going on in the classroom. I need to set a goal like this for myself. i have a schoolnotes account, but i always forget to update it.
ReplyDeleteErin Beauvais
I like your idea of incorporating math in the real world through a study of careers. Discovery Streaming does have some clips I am planning to use about careers in oceanography and I imagine they would have some on math careers as well. I'm wondering if this could be taken one step further. Could students identify careers they would like to know even more about beyond the video and could you arrange for the students to communicate with real people doing the careers through email? Good luck with your plan!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Doyle
I love your GAME plan and the idea of real world context to math principals. Imagine if every student had a grasp of the logical application of mathematics. I may have had enjoyed math more had I been given the experience you will provide to your students through the GAME plan!
ReplyDeleteI like Carolyn's suggestion to extend the real world connection to math. I want to share with you my recent experience with student participation and creativity last week... it was the last day with my half-year art students so I gave each table a roll of craft paper and instructed each table to create an "exquisite corpse" as a team. Each member had to contribute to a part of the body but that was the only rule so they could draw a robot body, animal's head, etc. The classroom was buzzing with excitement and 100% participation from each student - something I NEVER see with my regular art projects. This is proof that students love the freedom to be creative without teachers telling them what to think and how they should do something. They were invested in showing their creativity off with a broad set of guidelines. This taught me that I need to let my students do the creating and give them room to show their personal expression. With this in mind, I think it might be interesting to see how the level of participation and excitement would increase should you give them the chance to research those real world applications as teams and act out a short video skit or powerpoint demonstrating math concepts they found at work in the real world.
Enjoyed your post!
-Nanci Lee
Leilani,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I like the way you set up your GAME Plan, having different goals, actions, monitoring and evaluating steps for each of your indicators makes your plan more organized, specific and to the point.
Creating a blog for students to discuss classroom activities and assignments is a wonderful idea that will engage students and make them responsible for their learning, and will also support their creativity as we learned last week. Good luck!
Leilani,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the way that you will approach the email communication with parents. I have links to my email on my web-site, but it only allows for parents to contact me. I have no way to initiate communication with them, at least until they contact me. Last year, some of the teachers on a team at my old school went through a laborious process to gather and input email contact information for roughly 180 students/parents. It was great once the work was completed, but... Does your district ask parents to provide email contact or have a more efficient way of handling this?
Doug,
ReplyDeleteI ask parents for email addresses at the beginning of the semester. I also ask which method of communication they prefer, email or telephone. Sometimes calling a parent is inconvenient because of work schedules. Making initial contact with parents through email can be long a tedious but normally can be beneficial.
Leilani