Reflection - Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas

Step 1

As I reflect upon the GAME plan which I have created for myself during this course, I am content with what I have set out to accomplish.  Although my progress has been quite limited due to not being in session, I have been able to take small steps towards fulfilling my GAME plan.
One of the targets of my GAME plan is to develop some learning communities.  Through interaction with colleagues and doing research on my own, I have been able to find some resources whereby I will be able to do so.  Though I still feel unsure about being part of these learning communities, I am glad that I am taking the step to do so and hope that I will see many benefits from them.
As I have walked through the process of setting up and implementing a GAME plan, I have realized the benefits if offers.  Setting goals and developing a plan to meet those goals is a rewarding experience.  I have never been one to set goals or have my students do so.  But I would like this to change.  I believe that the GAME plan structure would be highly beneficial to my students.  I think that I will try to have them use the GAME plan process to set one goal for themselves at the beginning of the year.  As they work and meet that goal, I will have them set another one.  My idea behind this is to always have them working towards something.  I realize some students will take much longer to achieve the goals than others, but the important part is they they learn to walk through that process that the GAME plan teaches.

Step 2

I do not see any immediate changes necessary to my instruction.  However, I have learned some new things in this course that I plan to use in my classroom.  One tool that I have never used extensively in my class is social networking.  I have done bits and pieces here and there, but nothing consistent.  This year I plan to use Edmodo in my Spanish 1 class.  Edmodo is a Facebook type program that allows the teacher and students to communicate.  The cool thing about it is that it is not blocked by my school and only people who I invite can be part of the group.  I plan to have my students use this as a way of communication, turning in homework, and collaborating with peers.  I also hope to get parents to use it as a way of keeping up with what is happening in the class so they can better help their student.

I also plan to use digital storytelling this coming year.  I have done so in the past, but have mainly concentrated on my upper level students.  This course has helped me with ideas of how I can integrate digital storytelling into my lower level courses.    I will also continue using it in my upper level courses.

Problem based learning is another tool that I will implement this coming year.  Again, I have meddled with it in the past, but have never complete a full problem

In conclusion, I have learned many things during this course that will make me more effective in integrating technology into my classroom.  As a result of this course I believe that I will be able to offer my students a better learning environment.