Final Reflection

As I reflect on the past seven weeks, I am greatly amazed at the progess that I have made, the amount of information that I have learned and the value of the GAME plan on my instruction.  Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer (2009) incorporate the GAME plan as part of being a self directed learner.  They define self directed learning as “any increase in knowledge, skill, accomplishment, or personal development that an individual selects and brings about by his or her own efforts using any method in any circumstance at any time” (Cennamo, Ross and Ertmer, 2009, p.2).  At the beginning of this course we were asked to create a GAME plan and to work on our GAME plan throughout the duration of this course.

           

My GAME plan goal was to integrate technology tools that allowed students to demonstrate their creativity and to incorporate various methods of assessments incorporating both content and technology standards.  Throughout the duration of this course, I have learned many new tools and have learned how to think outside of the box in regards to my instruction and the impact that technology has on my instruction.  I must admit that the integration of various forms of technology for student creativity has been a difficult task.  This has been a difficult task primarily due to the availability in which I am able to reserve the computer lab in my school.   Although this is the case, I have multiple ideas that will allow students to utilize their creavitiy with technology.  For example, when it comes to learning about nutrition and balanced diet, I will be taking my students to the lab to create a daily meal plan and then they will work with partners to evaluate their designed meal plans.  This will provide students with the opportunity to think creatively.  Creative thinking is defined as “complex thinking that requires efforts and produces valued outcomes” (p.25). 

 

As I think about the progress that I have made with my GAME plan, I have been able to assess my students in multiple ways.  They include through the use of paper and pencil assessments, total participation strategies and the use of ActiVotes in my classroom.  With this knowledge, I have been able to complete half of my GAME plan to date and I do not feel the need to make any modifications to my GAME plan.  However, I do feel that I need to ensure that my students are getting a fair opportunity to engage in higher level thinking activities and should have fair access to the computer lab to do so.  As a result of my learning, I feel that it is important that students be provided with the opportunity to engage in projects and activities that require them to think at a higher level.  As educators we want students to become self-directed learners.  The use of the GAME plan strategy, supports students in becoming self-directed learners and evaluate their actions(Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a).

 

Through my learning and understanding of the content that I have learned throughout this course, I know that it will have immediate impact on my instruction.  The integration of technology will be highly important in order to continually engage my students.  Furthermore, the use of problem based learning as well as social networking and online collaboration have a high value that will benefit students, especially in regards to the Physical Education curriculum.  We know that there are many benefits to social networking and online collaboration.  However, with respect to Physical Education when students can publish fitness and wellness plans through a blog or wiki and receive feeback from their peers it can greatly impact their learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b).  Furthermore, problem based learning and digital storytelling serve a great role of extending the content and curriculum for students.  It provides them with the opportunity to connect to the content and internalize what they have learned.  Vicki Davis stated “Teachers are not just teachers, they are connectors.  Our job is to connect our students to the content, to the resources and to other classrooms around the world” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b).

 

Inconclusion, I have thoroughly enjoyed this class.  I have learned a great deal of information and it will greatly impact my instruction.  I want to take the time to thank you for challenging all of us to require more of ourselves and of each other with the greatest impact occurring in our classrooms.

 

References

 

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology integration for meaningful classroom

use: A standards-based approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA:

Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). Promoting self-directed learning with

technology. [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore,

MD: Author.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010b). Spotlight on technology: Social

networking and onling collaboration, Part 1 [Webcast]. Integrating technology across the

content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.