Developing My Personal GAME Plan

According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), there are five indicators that teachers should focus on to enhance instructions which are the following: 1) Facilitate and inspire student’s learning and creativity 2) Design and develop digital –age learning experiences and assessment 3) Model-Digital Age Work and Learning 4) Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility 5) Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.

I feel that I allow students the flexibility of using varied methods of learning styles to demonstrate that they fully understand course content material in my class.  I plan activities where students can use their talent, ability and knowledge as it relates to the curriculum. I want my students to be engaged in the learning process so I am aware of the importance of incorporating activities that will allow them to be creative while still mastering course content.  My lessons include cooperative grouping, inquiry based problem solving lessons, so that students will be motivated as a learner.  Because I teach business education technology courses which are all related to new advances in technology, my students are required to learn how to use new devices and software applications daily.  One of my responsibilities as a technology teacher is to allow students the opportunity to explore a wide range of technology so that they will have the essential skills demanded from the workplace. 

One of the areas that I continue to find a challenge is making sure that I am continue to seek professional development  workshops that will help me improve my technology skills.  Technology is changing so rapidly, so once I learn how to use a new devices or software, something new and more advances is introduce into the society. I am constantly having to stay abreast of these advances as well as teaching new courses in my curriculum. This can becomes overwhelming at times however the positive side of this is that because I am a technology teacher, there will always be something new that I have to learn, so my job will always keep me growing professionally. 

My game plan for improving in the area of engaging in professional growth and leadership is to continue to attend the week session during the summer for business teachers. During this conference, I learn innovative instructional strategies, updated curriculum changes, and explore the latest advances in technology.  This conference is so valuable because I also have the opportunity to collaborate with other educators from my state.  This helps me build a network of relationships with others who are able to share their teaching strategies, challenges, and success stories that they have encountered in the classroom. This year, my plan is to become certified in the Microsoft Teaching Academy, which our state is mandated for all high schools.  I will have to teach the Microsoft modules to my students and at the end of the year, students will take the test to become certified.  This certification will allow students to enter the business industry showing that they have acquired the necessary skills to be successful using MS Office applications.  I will have to attend numerous workshops on this certification so that I will feel comfortable teaching students about completing each module. When students see that I am a lifelong learner this will motivate them to become more active participant in the learning process.  At the beginning of the year, I will share with my colleagues, what I learned in the summer conference about new education trends.  This will also give me the opportunity to collaborate with teachers who would like to integrate technology in their class..

In summary, the ISTE is the guideline that will help drive instruction in my class.  If I use this plan effectively it will help increase student achievement and improve my professionally growth because it will direct the steps that I will take to improve my teaching practices. My job as an educator is to make sure that I am preparing students to be productive citizens who will have the skills and knowledge to compete with students globally.

 

Resources:

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.

http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/classtech.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Enriching Content Area Learning Experiences with Technology, Part 2