Monitoring my GAME Plan Progress

Two areas that I have selected from the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE) National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS_T) to develop a GAME plan to improve my confidence and proficiency in integrating technology into my classroom are:

Standard 2, Indicator A:  Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

Standard 5, Indicator A:  Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008).

The goals that I established to meet these standards were to incorporate one learning activity using digital tools for each grade level during the last quarter of the school year, and to attend a workshop or webinar each quarter to continue to develop my understanding and ability to integrate the use of technology in my classroom. 

I have continued to research, review and practice using music apps for the iPad, but am still looking for a good quality music composition app. I have found some quality apps that will work well with multiple grade levels, helping me to meet my goal of incorporating a digital activity for each grade level.  Finding seminars, workshops or webinars to participate in has not been a problem.  Many organizations are posting their summer sessions, so now it appears to just be a matter of narrowing down the options and making a selection.  I am leaning towards a course in Excel. That is a program that I enjoy using and know some basics, but would like to expand my knowledge and ability to use the program.

In reflecting as to any modifications that need be made to my original plans and goals, I would like to focus my efforts of technology integration with grade levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. The 5^th graders are working on preparing their spring musical during our musical time for the next six weeks, then they head to camp for a week, and upon returning I will only see them for one more week.  This schedule limits my ability to truly integrate a quality technology tool.  The kindergarten classes will also be spending a large majority of their time in music class over the next five weeks preparing songs and poems for their Kindergarten Tea Programs, which they perform for their families during the school day.  I intend to supplement our Tea preparations with an app for the iPad called Letter songs A-Z, projecting the songs on the Promethean Board.  For the remaining grade levels, I have selected the following technology tools for integration: Grade One, activities with the Promethean Board in flipcharts identifying notes that step and skip; Grade Two students will practice naming notes using either BlueNote or Piano apps on the iPad; Grade Three students will create graphic organizers on instrument traits; Grade Four students will compose a four measure song using Musescore in the computer labs.

Although not a new thought to any teacher, quality preparation is very time consuming, and every lesson must be properly prepared to be successful and beneficial to the students, which is what education is all about.  To present these projects well to my students I must be thoroughly prepared and well versed with the digital tools.  I am learning I need more hours in my days!

I attended the Innovate, Create Conference hosted by The Ohio State University yesterday and today.  I was lucky to be on Spring Break so that I could attend the conference this week.  I attended six sessions and came away with some great information.  It was assuring to hear similar thoughts and ideas expressed by many of the presenters that I have encountered in my Walden classes, that is, the need to transform education through the use of technology into active learning scenarios that develop critical thinking and problem solving skills in students.  I came away with some new information and ideas along with a better understanding of some tools, such as digital storytelling. A highlight of the conference was the keynote speaker, Dr. Cable Green of Creative Commons.  After learning about Creative Commons in my last class at Walden, I welcomed the opportunity to further my understanding of OER.

It has been a quality week as I have made progress on my GAME plan. I have selected the digital tools that I will use with grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 over the next eight weeks.  My next step will be to further refine the learning objectives and design the lessons to meet the goals. 

           

References

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/blue-note.music-flash-cards

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/piano

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/to-z-music

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx

musescore.org