I just read an article on using gaming in the classroom. It discusses strategies for successfully using gaming in the classroom. The article was very interesting so I thought I would share the link.

http://www.siia.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=610&tmpl=component&format=raw&Itemid=59

Monitoring My GAME Plan

This week for our class assignment I am monitoring my GAME plan. I have made some progress, but need to modify my plans. I did email every teacher in my building asking those that use wikis and concept mapping to respond. I have only found one teacher that uses a paper/pencil concept map on a rare occasion. He was not aware they could be done on the computer via www.mywebspiration.com. I have learned our school is not on the forefront of incorporating 21st century technology skills in the classroom.

My plan had included "(1) finding teachers in my building that currently have that confidence/proficiency with teaching students how to use wikis and computer-generated concept maps and enlist their support in mastering the two tools and the instructional techniques and (2) observe those teachers as they use concept mapping and wikis with their students. It appears there are no teachers in my building I can rely upon. Thus I must expand my search to include our middle school and also business teachers at neighboring schools. I will also search the Internet for videos of teachers using wikis and concept maps with their high school students.

I have found very good instructional videos that introduce concept mapping and wikis. It has been quite a while since I used a wiki and a concept map. I think it would be helpful for me to create a classroom wiki and another concept map.

The question I am pondering now is "how do I learn the techniques/teaching methods to teach my students how to use wikis and concept maps?" I have polled my students and they have no clue what wikis and concept maps are. I want to be confident when I teach my students. Right now I am not.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I appreciate your input.

This week I am reflecting upon my GAME plan and determining the resources I will need to carry out my plan. In order to become confident in wikis and concept mapping I will need to locate videos about creating them and find teachers or members of the community who use them. I would prefer to observe a teacher instructing their students on using wikis and concept maps.

I have taken several steps so far to reach my goal. I have asked students if they use wikis and/or concept maps in other classes at my high school. I only had one student reply affirmatively on concept mapping. I was able to locate free concept mapping software. I have spoken with the one teacher that was mentioned as having students create concept maps. This teacher only uses them rarely and was unaware that free software is available for students via www.mywebspiration.com. He was happy to hear about it. I was also able to locate an excellent video that explains the concept mapping in a thorough and easy-to-understand manner. It is available at http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=84247&title=Webspiration_Tutorial. I have viewed the video and will show it to my students when we begin learning how to create concept maps using software. My next step is to email the staff at the high school and see if any other teachers are using concept maps and wikis. Hopefully I will find some that are and are available for me to observe their classes using them.

This week in class we learned about UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and assistive technologies. I see wikis and concept mapping to have a great future in my classroom, allowing me to differentiate instruction, provide organizational tools for my students, and ensure all students are challenged yet not frustrated.

Tutorial Tip

I just read Michelle's comment and like the idea of viewing tutorials on the wikis and concept mapping. Thanks for the great idea! I am a visual learner and being able to use the online tutorial more than once would be good for me. Once I do it I will feel comfortable having my students use the tutorials.

The GAME Plan

This week in the course I am taking (Integrating Technology Across the Content Areas), I read and will reflect here upon the National Education Standards for Teaching as presented by the International Society for Technology in Education. The five standards are: Teachers will (1) Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity, (2) Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, (3) Model Digital-Age Work and Learning, (4) Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility and (5) Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.
http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Final.pdf


In reading the objectives for each standard, I see my deficiencies in all five areas. To me the standards can be viewed as a pyramid. Teachers will begin with Standard 5, providing a strong base to their pyramid by learning about, demonstrating and promoting the use of digital tools and technology. I see myself actively working on this standard via my Master's in Education at Walden University. It is Standards 4 and 5 that I feel most comfortable. With both there is still much room for improvement though.

According to Dr. Peggy Ertmer there are four important variables that influence a teacher's ability to enrich the content area learning experiences of students using technology. Teachers must have the technology skills including understanding how technology enables students to learn content and what technology tools are best for the situation. Teachers must be confident in showing students how to use the tools or have the confidence to have students help each other. Teachers must believe that technology can assist in improving teaching and learning. Finally teachers need a supportive culture via colleagues who will support and take risks with you (Laureate, 2009).

In order to improve my knowledge, confidence and support network, I am developing a GAME plan. With it I will set goals, plan actions to reach my goals, monitor the results of those actions and evaluate my results (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009, pg. 3-5). This plan will help me gain the confidence and proficiency I need in order to move upward on the ladder of success (NETS-T Standards).

I see concept mapping and wikis as two technology tools that can be of great benefit to my students. I lack the confidence and support network to successfully integrate them into my classroom at this time. In my GAME plan, my goals are to become confident and proficient in both concept mapping and wikis. In order to achieve those goals, I will find teachers in my building that currently have that confidence/proficiency and (1) enlist their support in mastering the two tools and (2) observe those teachers as they use concept mapping and wikis with their students. In order to monitor my progress, I will reflect weekly on my progress and evaluate if my actions are netting the results I want. As needed, I will modify my actions until I have reached the point that I not only have mastered creating concept maps and wikis, but I have the confidence and use them with my students.

References:

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

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Integrating technology across the Content areas. Baltimore: Author.