EDUC 6713 Reflection

The blog series for this course had students creating, reflecting, and sharing posts based on a GAME plan created based on the NETS-S standards. I found this series of blog beneficial. Firstly, I was not aware of the standards to a large degree. Having a consistent set of guidelines in preparing a class for using technology in the classroom is a good reminder for teachers. This set of standards is also helpful as a benchmark for teachers in many areas of the world. With these standards, students around the world will receive like standards, which is advantageous as we continue preparing learners in the 21st century. Preparing a GAME plan was a good exercise in using new methods and information on a topic area. This was a hands-on activity that gave me the experience my students would have if they would use the GAME plan in their school work.


Creating a GAME plan was another reminder that as teachers, we need to be reflective practitioners. The GAME plan is a systematic way of going through a thought process of a teaching or learning goal you have set. The monitoring and evaluating were the most helpful in the process. While you monitor and evaluate it forces you to think and reflect on what has happened. It forces you to consider changes, take a different approach, or redefine what you need to know. I can see myself using the GAME plan with my students. The entire process would be part of a self-assessment for any assignment. By going through a GAME plan I would be able to see the depth of the learning that has happened during the course of an assignment. This can also lead to a more authentic learning by students as they monitor and evaluate what they have done.

I am not sure if there are any immediate plans or changes that I will make in my teaching practice regarding the integration of technology. However, this course has reminded me of a few things I must do as a teacher. Firstly, it is imperative to always be reflecting and thinking about learning. Thinking about this is not enough; you must also be prepared to take action and make necessary changes based on monitoring and evaluations you have made about your goals. Secondly, I have realized that I have many good lessons and units that can be altered so that technology can be infused into the learning. To go along with the idea of changing lessons and units rather than starting from scratch, I have learned that you must choose where technology properly fits into a lesson. Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer (2009) wisely state that technology must be used for a purpose, not just for the sake of using technology. If what I do in the classroom does not advance the learning and understanding of my students, I have not done my job.

Technology offers abundant opportunities for students to show their learning. Technology helps students become better 21st century learners. By incorporating technology into my lessons, and having a GAME plan in doing so, offer my students a better chance at success in their learning (and in my teaching).

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.