Course Reflection

I know I am not the only teacher out there who feels overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities that come with this job.  For this reason, when I started reflecting on my areas for improvement and coming up with a GAME plan to address this, I felt that this would just be more work for me.  However, the GAME plan was actually very effective in that it was a great guide in directing me towards my goals.  Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer (2010) state that the GAME plan is a guide for self-directed learning, requiring you to think about and take steps toward your goals.  Once I laid it all out in the format of the GAME plan, my goals did not seem so scary.  It is all about self-monitoring and taking action.
I can see the GAME plan being a great tool to use in the classroom.  First of all, I know my students will relate to the term "game plan" as it is a commonly used term.  This will help it to be easy to remember.  I would probably come up with a graphic organizer showing the acronym GAME and what each letter stands for.  This graphic organizer could be used to monitor progress in the GAME plan.  The questions listed under each section of the plan in Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use would be useful if listed on the graphic organizer to guide students thoughts.
This class has really forced me to look at more ways of integrating my content with core content.  Since I almost feel like I am backwards since I teach a technology class and have to look for core content to integrate in my lessons.  I now have some great ideas about how I can do this.  One thing that I would like to really reconsider is the technology that I choose to use.  I am in a computer lab setting and have been thinking for a couple of years now that I would like to use more than just desktop computers.  I almost feel like I am tied down by the PCs.  I would like to be more open to using iPads and all of the apps that are available instead of just the usual computer applications.  I can see lots of ways to use digital storytelling to integrate into subjects such as ELA and Social Studies.  I also see room for PBL in Math and Science.  One big plus to using iPads instead of desktops is that students are not tied down to one spot and you do not have to worry about uploading anything to edit and create a product.

References

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2010). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.