Throughout the entire process of using the GAME plan, I have seen its many benefits. It not only makes your recognize your goals but it also requires you to set up a strategic plan to reach them. The built in monitoring, reflection/evaluating, and then the revising aspect of the plan holds the "planner" accountable to reach their goals as well as record the actions that got them there.
I think this is a great thing to use with my students. Second graders have a hard time understanding the concepts of goals because they lack the ability to look further into the future. The GAME plan walks them through it step by step.
I recently looked through the NETS-S for students. The teacher goals are very similar in that they push teachers to support the student standards and help them accomplish them. Being that my students are young and just learning how to set goals and strive to reach them, I would probably introduce one standard for them to complete the GAME plan process with. The standard I find most appealing to all of my students is standard 1: Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. Most if not all of my students come to me barely typing their name. By expecting them to integrate technology into how they will demonstrate what they know, I am opening the door for students to learn about multiple tools and use them in their assignments. I would suggest to my students to use the GAME plan for one technology tool at a time. That way, they can master a tool and then evaluate and revise and use the GAME plan again with the next tool of their choice.
For those of you who teach younger grades, any of you have any suggestions on simplifying this process so that my students will better understand how to use the GAME plan method as well as ensuring they accomplish the goals they set out to reach? I am eager to hear from you all.
-Ashley
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I agree with you that this would be a great thing to use with students! It has been very beneficial to me as well, and I can only see benefits as I teach my students to use it as well. I also see how the goals for students are aligned with those for teachers. That is great. As I learn these technology things I am then able to turn them around for my students. I really can see the benefits of this in the long run for my students and I really think they would enjoy making goals for themselves win regard to technology. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of learning about one technology tool at a time. There have been so many technologies with capabilities I never knew about. Take Microsoft Word for example. With this one tool it is possible to make tables, pictures, brochures, etc., not to mention its obvious word processing capabilities. There are so many ways your students could meet their goals while learning more deeply about the possibilities of the technology they are using. I also think this will help with classroom management. Your job will be much easier if you are familiar with the type of technology being used.
Good luck!
Brooke and Kristin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comments. The idea of setting goals in the classroom has been used for a long time--what I like about the GAME plan is the systematic approach it provides.
Being a second grade teacher means my students come to me with little to know technology experience. Setting the goals to master one or two tools at a time will not only expose them to new ways of learning but help me accomplish the UDL principles by the end of the year and allow my students to choose their favorite method for displaying their knowledge for various assignments.
-Ashley
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI came across the same issues of making the NET-S work for my younger students. I came up with the idea of simplifying the standards to make the wording more friendly for my first graders. I also thought about making the GAME plan a small group activity. Goal setting and reaching a goal is something my little ones have had very little exposure to. By making it a group activity it eases them into the GAME plan process.