As I return to a new school year, I am striving to apply more technology driven lessons than the past. I feel I have acquired more skills and have gained a little more confidence with doing so. It also seems I have become one of the “tech” resources in my building, so I feel I need to somewhat live up to that name.
I would like to strengthen in the area of designing and developing digital-age learning experiences and assessments. When considering my GAME plan, I would like to provide my class with opportunities such as using a classroom blog to communicate thoughts and messages about school topics and/or events. My students are quite young, so parent support would be essential. I would like to post a weekly discussion where students can post thoughts with their families. Essentially, it may be a family assignment rather than student assignment. I will need to monitor the progress of the blog by seeing the responses I get and also the feedback I get from the students in class discussions. I will evaluate my plan by monitoring the outcome of the blog. Are families responding? Is it interactive? Do students enjoy it? I will make adjustments as needed to meet the most success with the blog.
Additionally, I would like to improve in the area of engaging in professional growth and leadership. I usually attend technology related classes offered in my district. With each class I complete, I gain additional resources to use. I think it would be appropriate to model or demonstrate some lessons to colleagues using the knowledge I have acquired. In order to do so, I would need to reach out to my building principal to speak at a staff meeting or simply have time during a grade level meeting. At the end of last year, my principal did ask me to consider sharing technology lessons with the staff. Thus, I began this year with this goal in mind. I suppose I would monitor this plan by listening to the staff in regards to what they most need support in and plan accordingly. I would also ask them which areas they are most interested in learning about. I will evaluate my learning by asking others what they gained from my lessons and demonstrations.
I welcome any feedback and/or advice!
One of the things I enjoy most is sharing my knoowledge of technology with other teachers. I have taught several inservice training sessions as my district implements new resources and technology tools. Another way I have found to work with other teachers is to set informal sessions after school in our computer lab to answer questions and share ideas. My principal was willing to let me use the computer lab and by sending an open invitation to my teachers in my building, I have found this to be a positive experience in strengthening my leadership skills.
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Hi Michelle, I wouldn't mind starting with something informal as you mentioned. I think that would be a nice way to ease into sharing with the whole staff. Thank you for your comment!
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