Revising My GAME Plan
Filed Under (Uncategorized) by Sarah Stere on 08-12-2009
In setting goals for myself, I have learned new information, gathered resources and have taken proactive steps to integrate technology into my classroom. The first goal I set for myself was to learn more about how to cite resources accurately, both for my benefit as a learner and teacher as well as for the benefit of my students. I have learned about some resources that will allow me to do a more effective job with this, although I have not created many lessons in the past weeks that have required me to cite my sources. The second goal I set for myself was to use social networking and online collaboration. I have already taken a big step towards this goal by taking advantage of an opportunity for my class to participate in our first collaborative project of the year. I still need to find more resources for projects but have found many great opportunities through JenuineTech.com.
I am still working towards both of my original goals as they are part of a continuous process. I will be creating lessons and showing my students how to cite sources throughout the school year. We will also hopefully participate in several more collaborative projects throughout the year. In all reality, all of the
Two particular areas that I would like to set for future goals are to “exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others” and “evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning” (http://www.iste.org). I have been sharing a lot of what I am learning through this program with my ITRT and Kindergarten team specifically. There is talk of our ITRTs losing their positions due to budget constraints for next year. Our school’s ITRT has been an integral part of getting new technology into our building and being a leader and inspiration in getting our staff to integrate technology. I am really concerned about all of the progress she has made coming to a halt without her. I am not nearly as knowledgeable as she is or as comfortable teaching others, but I almost feel that I will need to take a serious step forward if I do not want to see all of her hard work go by the wayside. The second goal is because through this program I have learned so many new great technology tools that I have excitedly implemented with my students. I am concerned that after I am finished with the program, I will not be “in the know” about the latest technology resources and will be less likely to take the risks I have taken with the push of our courses.
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Sarah,
The possibility of losing your ITRT is indeed a disheartening one considering the hard work and knowledge she brings to your school. Unfortunately it seems as if this is happening all over the country for similar reasons. If there is a silver lining, at least you will be able to share what you have learned and can still work to learn all that you can before this cut might happen. I think cases like this underscore the importance of all teachers working to be more technology literate.
I think that it is great that you are trying to be a leader to help your collegues get excited about using technology. I am a bit frustrated with some of my collegues this year. We had the opportunity to get a free program to help our students with reading. However, before we got the program, we had to prove that we were using the technology we currently had. It has been amazing that so many of our teachers haven’t used any of the technological tools at our fingertips. I wish you luck! I am sure you will be a great inspiration.
April,
I agree that budget cuts are impacting technology specialists all over the country. I also agree that there should be an emphasis on getting all teachers technologically literate for situations such as this. However, I feel like I have used a lot of technology and know how to use it more than many of my colleagues, but I still feel unsure about doing it on my own sometimes. She has inspired so many people to use it, but some people only use it with her by their sides. Who will be that person for us without her? I guess we will all have to face reality and take some leaps of faith!
Alecia,
I agree that it is frustrating when people will not even try to use the technology that is available to them. Without proving that we are using it, our administrators are not apt to purchase more so it can sit idly as well. Some teachers who will not try can ruin it for the others who do and that is a shame. Thank you for the vote of confidence…I guess I need to get some confidence in myself!
I toltally understand where you are coming from when you mention budget cuts. We just had a meeting with admin. last week and had to write and sumit which programs and people we could live with and which ones we could live without. I was shocked and saddened that it has to come to this. From conversing with you throughout our educational career here at Walden, I know how valuable your school’s ITRT is to you as you have mentioned this so many times. Maybe there will be a transfer of positions in such a way that these ITRTs will become classroom teachers and still serve as a resource to the faculty and students. I am so sorry that they are considering removing such a valuable person. Yet, to remain positive, you have many ideas that will allow you to continue spreading the word and sharing the value of technology integration. You can take what your ITRT has taught you and what you have learned at Walden to continue making technology integration a part of daily learning during these tough times.