Developing a personal GAME Plan

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             Effective teachers do not only set goals for their students, but they set goals for themselves.  After reviewing the National Education Standards for Teachers, I was able to reflect as a professional and determine what I already do well and what I need to work on.  Two indicators that I would like to work on, as an educator would be: “model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments” and “promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2008).

           

            In order to strengthen my confidence and proficiency in these two areas, I have set goals for myself.  My first goal is to work collaboratively with my students and colleagues in face-to-face and virtual environments.  My second goal is to demonstrate and encourage proper digital etiquette in virtual environments.

            In order to achieve these goals, I have set up a plan for myself.  In order to become fluent in proper digital etiquette, I would like to begin by finding an article or tutorial on the topic.  I feel like I know some etiquette, but I would like to be clear on what is acceptable.  Then, I plan on typing up a cheat sheet for students and colleagues of digital etiquette.  Then, I plan on modeling digital etiquette through e-mail, blogging, our class wiki, and my teaching website.  Then, I would like my students to practice digital etiquette on their blogs and wiki. 

I have also set up a plan for working collaboratively with students and colleagues.  I feel like I can work collaboratively with colleagues in a face-to-face environment, but I want to work on collaborating with colleagues in a virtual environment.  In addition, I want to work collaboratively with students in both a face-to-face and virtual environment.  First, I would like to find a blog or article that describes how colleagues can collaborate online.  Then, I would like to find out more how I can collaborate with my students.  I feel like my students collaborate with each other, but I do not collaborate with them as much.  Then, I also want to ask my Walden colleagues for collaboration suggestions.  I would like to try using Google Docs or a wiki to collaborate with colleagues.  I also would like to try working on a project with my students instead of them just doing a project.

            I will also monitor my progress to make sure that I am on target to achieve my goals.  I will make sure I find at least one resource for each goal.  Then, I will make sure that I try one new way to collaborate with my colleagues and students online.  I will also make sure that I type the digital etiquette cheat sheet by next week and share it with my students.  If needed, I will modify my learning strategy to meet my learning goals (Cennamo, Ross, & Ertmer, 2009).  Throughout this process, I will use a journal as a source of professional reflection.

            In addition, I will evaluate and extend my learning.  I will evaluate if I met my learning goals by reflecting on the process.  If I did not meet my learning goals, I will modify my goals or learning strategies.  I will also reflect upon what I would do differently in the future.  I look forward to this experience and welcome any feedback!

References

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

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