Monitoring My GAME Plan Progress...

As I monitor my GAME plan progress (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009), let’s first re-visit my goals. Not only do I want to integrate more technology into my assessments, but I also want to utilize blogging with students from other classrooms and other cultures to enable my students to build their global awareness. So, how is my GAME plan moving along?

As far as finding the information and resources I need, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the topic of this week’s instructional focus in our class at Walden University to be assessing content learning. In addition to gaining information about the steps teachers should take in determining effective assessments, I also learned about technologies that can help me collect and analyze data quickly, such as handheld devices and software for graphing (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). Furthermore, I learned about four different types of assessment formats that included forced-option, open-ended, performance-based, and project-based, as well as various ways I can implement technology for each type of assessment (Cennamo et al., 2009). Therefore, I can honestly say that the learning resources presented this week in my current class definitely provided me with some valuable information to use as I move forward with my goal to integrate technology into my assessments.

I currently do not feel the need to modify my action plan; I simply need to make sure that I follow through with it, especially now that my school has let out for the summer and I can gradually work on building technology-enhanced assessments and networking with other teachers with whom I can establish collaborative blogging projects.

I have already been perusing online for websites geared toward teachers that might allow me to browse classroom profiles, such as grade level and subject area, so that I can begin communicating with my fellow teachers in preparing for collaborative blogging projects once the school year starts. What I have learned is that I need to allow myself more time for this than I thought would be necessary. I haven’t exactly found the information I am looking for just yet.

So, to my fellow classmates, I would like to ask for your advice on the following questions:

Have you found any websites that would be helpful for me that are geared toward allowing teachers to network with one another in attempt to build collaborative relationships between their classrooms? If so, could you share those websites with me or offer any advice about how I might narrow down my search? Also, would you suggest establishing just one ongoing blog project throughout the year with the same collaborating classroom, or would you recommend trying to set up a few shorter projects? If I established just one, my students would build deeper academic relationships with their peer bloggers over time, and this would also seem more feasible. However, if I set up a few shorter blogging projects with various classrooms, my students would have more opportunities to build their cultural awareness. What are your thoughts on this? I would appreciate any feedback you could give me. Thanks!

Amanda Bryant
8th grade reading/language arts

References:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009).Technology integration for meaningful classroom use. A standards-based approach. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Program seven. Assessing student learning with technology. Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore: Author