A G.A.M.E. Plan for Better Teaching NETS

Dr. Katherine Cennamo has offered up the idea of a G.A.M.E. plan in order to help teachers better promote self-directed, authentic teaching and learning. To utilize this G.A.M.E. plan to help achieve proficiency in National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)I will focus on NETS standards' 1 and 2: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity (1), and Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments (2). My hope is that by focusing on these two standards (which I find to be weak areas in my instructional repertoire)I can aid students in becoming self-directed learners and combat the ever dreadful student boredom and motivation monster.

G.A.M.E. plan 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Goal:
I want to learn how to effectively teach students how to be innovative thinkers and self-directed learners while using technology.

Action:
Teach students the components of creativity as described by Dr. Cennamo. Students will be taught to identify a goal, think about what they already know, brainstorm ideas, identify alternative options, seek additional perspectives, and engage in the process of reflective judgment.

Monitor:
I will monitor the students progress through observations, behavior problems, and overall grades. If done correctly, students will be more driven to complete their work, which would be easily noted through the observation of time spent in class on assignments and questions asked. Also, when students are showing more on-task behavior, I expect the negative behaviors in the classroom to decrease while seeing student understanding and overall grades rise.

Evaluate:
I will know if I have accomplished my goal if student achievement and understanding increases, and negative behaviors decrease. This would be reflected in the number of missing assignments going down, grades going up, more intelligent conversation and questioning about curriculum standards, and a decrease in the amount of time spent disciplining students.

G.A.M.E. plan 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

Goal:
I want to learn how to effectively build quality curriculum-based authentic learning experiences utilizing technology as a means of instructing.

Action:
Learn how to effectively, and expertly use Windows programs Microsoft Excel, Windows MovieMaker, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Publisher. These programs can extensively be used in student self-directed learning experiences. In addition, I plan to teach effective search methods and tips so students can be effective in internet searches.

Monitor:
After understanding what my students will need to know in order to use the computer applications mentioned above, I will find out what the students already know. I will then use each of the programs until I have gained a level of confidence that would allow me to direct students to use the software as an implement of education, not the focus of education.

Evaluate:
I will know if I have accomplished my goal if when put to use, students are able to proficiently use the software after a brief tutorial. The ability to quickly solve technical problems for students would also be an evaluative tool used.

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.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas. Baltimore: Author.

National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf.