A big goal of mine in my GAME plan is to be able to create technology lessons of my own. I have created a handful of SmartBoard lessons, but they aren't as in depth and creative as i would like them to be. In many cases, i search the Internet, which has wonderful resources for teachers, and I find lessons that have been created and posted by fellow educators. I am able to download these lessons to my SmartBoard library and use them in my classroom.
To begin working on my GAME plan, I sought out the help of technology director at my school. She is very knowledgeable with the SmartBoard and she sat down with me and really went through the ins and outs of using the software. I had been to a day training when I first got the SmartBoard, but didn't nearly learn all that I needed to to truly benefit from the software. In addition to seeking her help, I have also found various resources on line that have helped me. I have found teacher blogs and forums with ideas for SmartBoard lessons. I am writing down and printing the information I have found and compiling everything into a folder.
At this point, I don't feel that I need to modify any specific thing. I am still in the early stages and seeking resources. Once I get deeper into carrying out my GAME plan, I may very well find areas that need to be modified. As of now, the resources that I have chosen have gotten me off to a good start.
So far, I have learned that there are an overwhelming amount of resources out there for me to use. Some days i feel that there just isn't enough time to go through everything that I come across. Then, I get frustrated when I try to narrow it down, but then worry that I'm missing something important that could really benefit me. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to go about managing my time and organizing my GAME plan to truly get the most benefit from the resources I am finding?
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Abby,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are making good progress on your game plan. You are utilizing resources to improve your teaching. You sought assistance from a technology expert. You are locating resources online. You are actually using new skills in the classroom. I do not think you are giving yourself enough credit for what you are accomplishing. As educators, we spend 9-12 hours per day preparing lessons, teaching students, grading student work, going to meetings, professional training, contacting parents, tutoring, etc… As students, we spend 15-20 hours or more per week reading, researching, writing blogs, discussion posts, and completing application assignments. In addition, we have spouses and children who require our love and attention. Upon graduation, we will have more time to plan improved lessons, implement new technologies, and locate useful resources. Until then, just do your best with what you have and do not try to be perfect.
Abby~ It sounds like you have a good grasp on where you are going with your GAME plan. You've taken steps to accomplish your goal but need to set realistic time-frame goals. Just like you, I am eager to accomplish by plan. Taking a step back and trying things in small amounts will most likely benefit you and your students in the long run. As the saying goes, :Rome wasn't built in a day" and changing the way we teach and learn can't be changed quickly either. Maybe your GAME plan will take until the end of the year to accomplish, maybe it will change and take two years. I think we all want our plans to be finished at the end of this course. That's positive thinking on our part, but like Ken said, we spend hours on teaching and learning each week, we need to give it time.
ReplyDeleteHi Abby,
ReplyDeleteWay to use your resources, bringing in the help of the school district technology person was a great start to your game plan. Sounds like you are working real hard to reach your goals and I am sure your students appreciate all your effort. After the classes at Walden are finished this will give you more time to build your own technology lessons. I think using other the smartboard lessons off the internet are perfect at the moment. They are all good lessons, and sometimes we can overwhelm ourselves with to much information. Keep up the good work.
Tammy
I too feel overwhelmed with the transition from learning the technology to teaching with it. Teaching in two buildings, generally two sections of each grade in each building and totaling over 600 students from six grade levels, I easily can find a thousand reasons to put off the integration of technology out of frustration. However, I find that if I try one thing with one class, then spread it to the other sections of that grade, then spread it to the other building I can cause a ripple effect in my teaching. It's a systematic break-out of new concepts.
ReplyDeleteAs for dealing with the incoming information - I use Microsoft OneNote notebooks. It is part of the Office Suite of programs from Office 2007. I have a notebook for technology that includes pages for topics. The program is really easy to paste info and site addresses into. I'm sure there are other useful programs. I am committed to finding technology to help me with organization and teaching.
Thanks for the different tips and advice that everyone offered. I am learning that some things do just take time and it may not always happen quite as quickly as I'd like. It is great having you guys as a resource to help in accomplishing my GAME plan. Thanks!
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