Reflection EDUC-6713I-6

As this course draws to a close, I want to take some time to reflect on the progress I have made over the last eight weeks. When I started this journey, I began with a GAME plan to meet my goals of bettering myself as a teacher through the NETS-T standards. I wanted to increase the use of technology through my assessments as well as promote communication with technology through a parent blog. The GAME plan was successful because it held me accountable for reaching my goals. I first set my goals. Then I outlined my actions to complete my goals. I then monitored myself to make sure my actions were helping me accomplish my goals. And finally I evaluated the entire process to see the benefits of my plan as well as develop the next steps to further my growth (Cennamo, Ross, and Ertmer, 2009).
With the GAME plan process, I discovered new ways of assessing my students through different websites and the Classroom Performance Systems for summative assessments as well as using multiple web 2.0 tools as a way for students to communicate their knowledge to me and their classmates. I also attempted to set up a parent/teacher blog but was unsuccessful because of privacy and protection issues.
Also, through the GAME plan process, I learned about the benefits of having my students use the GAME plan for themselves. I found great success with it because it outlined a systematic approach for reaching my goals. It is something my students can could really benefit from because it teaches them the steps they need to do to complete their goals as well as hold them accountable as they work through the process.
Because of this course, I plan on implementing more problem-based learning activities where my students will learn concepts as they solve a real-world problem. This method is beneficial because my students will use multiple methods to solve the problem and they can choose which method works best for them and their learning needs. This works well the the Universal Design for Learning (Laureate Education Inc, 2009). The unit plan we made will be implemented as my first problem-based learning activity. I plan on using the GAME plan to monitor and evaluate the effects of the unit plan.
This class has introduced me to so many new techniques that I will definitely take with me to the classroom. I can't wait to get in there and try them out.

-Ashley

Resources:
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., and Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-based Approach. (Laureate Education Inc.) Belmont, CA.

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