My Personal Game Plan

        The integration of technology in the classroom seems to be more common than not.  With that being said, as an educator I need to become more familiar with not only using, but understanding how it will benefit my students and me.  The NETS-T “are the standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge educators need to teach, work, and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society.” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008)  After reviewing the website, I have found two topics that I am going to try and focus on as an educator.

2.  Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments:  Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS·S.

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

Goals:  I plan on spending more time linking real world applications to Algebra and Geometry.  I also would like to spend some time designing lessons that include different technology applications that I could use in my classroom.

Action:  I plan on browsing the internet for different videos that I could incorporate into my lessons that have real world applications.  Instead of trying to come up with lessons that include technology all on my own, I plan on searching the internet and asking colleagues and classmates of different projects that they have use in the classroom.

Monitor:  I will have the students reflect on the difference of having clips of videos that relate to the real world during the lessons compared to lessons without the videos.  I will try different projects that I found on the internet and incorporate them as much as I can.  As far as projects that I will receive from others, I will have the students and teachers reflect on them and observe them in action, before incorporating them into my classroom.  For the projects that my students complete, I will have them reflect on them so I know what to change, if anything, for the following classes.

Evaluate and Extend:  I will keep track of the videos that the students enjoyed and use their reflections to determine what to include the following year.  I will also make note of the projects that worked well compared to those that did not along with using the reflections of the students to determine what to change, if anything.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership:  Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources.

a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

Goals:  I plan to participate in the technology PLC and the iPad PLC within my school next year.  I will learn from my colleagues at Walden University of any creative Algebra and Geometry technology lessons.

Action:  I will not only take what I am gaining from the PLC’s, but also share my findings of technology and lessons to my colleagues within my district and Walden University.  I will ask that my colleagues do the same.

Monitor:  I will keep track of the number of times that I use technology in my math classes.  I will also ask the students to reflect of the use of different technologies and projects as we go.  I will see which type of technology the students prefer, and try to challenge them in any way I can to use different pieces of technology that the students may need more practice with.  I will also ask my colleagues to keep me informed of any new or creative applications they may find as we go.

Evaluate and Extend:  I will consistently check with my colleagues and see which technology applications they are using, figure out what is working and what is not.  I will reflect on every application to determine which are beneficial and which are not.  I will ask my colleagues to do the same.

I really look forward to working with my colleagues in my district and here at Walden University to determine what technology applications are beneficial and keep the students engaged in my math lessons.

References

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers

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.