Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress

So far, I have set Goals (G) and took Action (A), now it is time for the M in the GAME plan which is to Monitor my progress towards achieving my goals (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). I am satisfied with the steps that I have taken towards accomplishing my two goals. I am finding useful information and resources through online searches, from colleagues and in the course materials. I would not say that I have met my goals yet, but I am making progress. I am still working on my action plan since I have not yet finished learning and exploring my topics. At the same time I am continuously monitoring what I am learning. “In reflecting in action, you’ll continually think about and modify your current behavior based on the thought processes that occur simultaneously with the action. This relates to the monitor component of the GAME plan” (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).

Monitoring Goal #1: Learn more about WebQuests and how to create my own that will support my high school math curriculum.

So far I have searched and explored existing WebQuests. I have also looked at suggested links from fellow classmates and read portions of the course text. The table 4.1 on page 56 which describes how to develop a WebQuest was helpful (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). From all of these resources, I have learned about what WebQuests are, how I could use them and I become familiar with typical layouts, designs, and features. I have also learned that most of the existing WebQuests are not what I am looking for so I would definitely need to design and create one of my own.

I have located sites that offer templates to make the creation of a WebQuest easier. I have not yet created one myself (which was part of my action plan) but I plan to try it on one of these websites. I have modified my original action plan slightly. I think that I am going to try to create my first quest using a very simple topic just so that I can go through the steps of the actually creation. My second attempt is when I will really think about the details more in depth. I originally was going to use one of my real units but I think that may be too ambitious. There is a lot of planning for what I am going to include and expect students to do which will take some time. For now, I am going to focus more on learning the WebQuest itself. Once I successfully create one for a dry run then I will concentrate on creating one for my class.

Thirteen ed online had a great site about WebQuests http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/webquests/index.html
I even found a WebQuest about WebQuests http://webquest.sdsu.edu/webquestwebquest-es.html

Monitoring Goal #2: Learn more about digital portfolios (electronic portfolios) and how to use them to assess my high school math students.

I have an idea what digital/electronic portfolios are because of our ePortfolios here at Walden and I would love to set one up for my classes. I took some time to explore the features of our portfolio, how it is laid out and what is included. I also searched online and in the course text for more information. Chapter 1 had some useful information and I looked through the portfolio exercises throughout the book (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009). From this information I got some ideas about what I would like to have students include and I started to think about how much freedom I would give them about choosing work themselves. One of the sites that gave me some useful information is http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech111.shtml.

I searched for sites that host portfolios (not very thoroughly yet) but what I think I decided was that I would have students save their work to a CD or a flash drive instead of online. I was unsure about which ones online could be trusted and it would take more research to find out. If anyone knows of a reliable portfolio site, I would appreciate any suggestions and advice.

References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom use: A standards-based approach (Laureate Education custom edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Carrying Out My GAME Plan: Taking Action

My intended learning strategy would be to search, locate, read and use models (or samples) to acquire as much knowledge as I can through both the internet and colleagues. I also think that I would learn best by trying it out for myself or as the saying goes “just do it” (especially with my first goal).

My goal for my first game plan is to learn more about WebQuests and how to create my own.
Resources I will need to carry out my plan include the following:

1. Reading information that I find through internet searches about what WebQuests are, what they include and how to create them
2. Reading information in our course text and other course resources
3. Samples of existing Webquests that could serve as a model or guide for me
4. Web sites that will allow me to create my own WebQuest
5. Colleagues with experience using them/creating them in order to get a quick tutorial and suggestions from them on what I could do

Additional Information I will need includes the following:

1. HS math unit that I would like to use to make my own
2. Internet links and resources that I will use inside of WebQuest that I create
   

Steps I have been able to take so far include the following:

1. Internet searches about what and how
2. Located sites where I can create one
3. None of my “local” colleagues have used them so hopefully some of my colleagues in class will have some suggestions and advice to offer me
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My goal for my second game plan is to learn more about digital portfolios and how to use them to assess my high school math students.

Resources I will need to carry out my plan include the following:

1. Reading information that I find through internet searches about digital portfolios
2. Colleagues that have used them to give me suggestions
3. Possible web sites that manage digital portfolios
   

Additional Information I will need includes the following:

1. HS math curriculum and standards to make decisions on what I could include in a portfolio
   

Steps I have been able to take so far include the following:
Internet searches

My Personal GAME Plan (App 2 Educ 6713)

I have identified 2 indicators in the National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS-T) on the ISTE website and I have developed a personal GAME plan to strengthen my confidence and proficiency in each of these areas.
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GAME Plan 1:
Using the computer as a tutor: WebQuests

NETS-T #2a: design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

Goal:
Learn more about WebQuests and how to create my own that will support my high math curriculum.

Action:

• Locate existing WebQuests and review them for layout, content, etc.
• Locate resources in books and online for more information about how to design and create a WebQuest of my own, including sites where I could create one.
• Ask a colleague for a lesson on how to create a WebQuest
• Pick a unit and try to create one using the acquired knowledge

Monitor:

• Did I learn how to create a WebQuest?
• Did my attempt at creating one work? Identify any problems or areas for improvement
  

Evaluate and Extend:

• Keep a record of resources and procedures for future reference
• Did I successfully create my own WebQuest that addresses my high school math curriculum and technology standards?
• Have colleagues and a small students sample group test out my quest to evaluate and critique it.
• Identify other units where I could also use a WebQuest
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GAME Plan 2:

Using technology in assessment: Digital Portfolios
NETS-T #2d: provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.

Goal:
Learn more about digital portfolios and how to use them to assess my high school math students.
Action:

• Research online resources for guidelines and suggestions.
• Identify math standards and possible proof of student work to include for each unit.
• Ask colleagues with experience for assistance
• Locate websites that manage digital portfolios

Monitor:

• Did I learn about how to use digital portfolios in my math classes?
• Will this meet the needs of my class in math and technology?

Evaluate and Extend:

• Keep a record of resources and procedures for future reference
• Reflect on what I have learned and pick a class to test it out on for a shortened amount of time.
• Keep notes on what happens and any adjustments. Once it is refined, use it in a semester long class.

If anyone has knowledge or experience in these areas (especially in reference to HS math) I would appreciate any suggestions.

Reflection Educ 6712: Supporting Information Literacy and Online Inquiry in the Classroom

The most striking revelation I had about the teaching of new literacy skills to my students as a result of this course was that I need to consciously embed the teaching of these skills into my lessons and that these skills need to be explicitly taught. The reason this was a revelation for me is that many of these skills I would have never thought of integrating so deliberately into my math courses. I have learned as a result of this course that it doesn’t matter what content area I teach, it is part of my responsibility as a teacher to teach these skills within the context of my math curriculum content.

The knowledge and experience I have gained from this course will influence my teaching practices from here on. I have learned how to help my students not just use the internet but how to use it effectively. By exploring the new definition of literacy, I have learned new ways to model and teach them to my students. While developing any future lesson plans, I will keep in mind the new literacy skills that could be embedded which include: questioning, searching, evaluating, synthesizing, and communicating. The course project to develop an inquiry based unit that integrated content (math), 21st century literacy skills, and technology was a new experience for me. I have never taught a unit using these strategies before and I now plan to develop more in other units of math.

My professional development goal would be to continue to develop my own 21st century skills and literacies so that I can reflect them in my teaching practices and lessons. I want to continue to gradually redesign my classes, lessons and strategies to consciously incorporate the new literacies and technology.