Resources needed to carry out GAME plan
In order to engage
students in exploring real world issues, I would have to simulate many of those
issues and create authentic problems within those simulations. Using digital tools and resources would
assist me to not only simulate but articulate and provide a medium through
which students could attack, explore and solve those simulated “real-world”
issues. I would need to use computer hardware
that would allow students to view videos that would simulate real world
issues. Also, word processing and Spreadsheet
software would also be used as part of classroom instruction. I would use electronic journals to record
students’ progress. This would allow me
to convert raw data into interpretative information for analysis. I would also have to build a collaborative
team with some of my colleagues that would allow us to not only plan together,
but interpret student learning goals and achievements together. That reflective collaboration is going to be
paramount to my assessing student learning and assessing teacher effectiveness.
Providing support is
probably one of the most significant yet sometimes most ignored component of
effective classroom instruction. Providing
collegial support is very important in inspiring a community of reflective
educators. Teachers benefit tremendously
when they work as a team. They are
better able to share ideas as far fetch as they may appear to an
individual. When the administration of a
school supports technology skill development and use, the school on a whole
changes its perspective and attitude toward learning. Lesson plans are an exceptional means of
tracking effective teaching. More
importantly, teacher reflection after a lesson (which should be recorded on
lesson plan) is as important as a beautifully planned lesson. Using a checklist to evaluate and assess the
use of technology can help to reduce wordy clutter and provide data that is
relevant for the expected objectives. Administrative
support would come in the form of physical resources (hardware, software),
staff development opportunities (workshops, conferences and opportunities for
research and development), providing opportunities for collegial support on the
staff (mentors, webinars etc) and community building within the school day
(this can be scheduled into the day’s activities).
What additional
information do you need?
In
order to achieve those goals and acquire those resources, I would need to do
some research into what is needed. Also,
I would have to discuss with relevant members of the school community how we
could develop this GAME plan. Then
finally, I would have to decide exactly what is needed in the checklist if
relevant data is to be collected.
What steps have you been
able to take so far?
I
have met with my HODs to assess the types of support that is needed on a
departmental level. Also, I have
scheduled a staff meeting created specifically to discuss the needs of
departments. We have worked to develop
of culture of collegial support where the curriculum and lesson plan are
prepared horizontally and vertically. I
have reassigned mentor teachers to new and novice teachers on staff in order to
strengthen that collegial support for those in need. Departmental head have also listed some
hardware, once that list is complete, I will forward this to the Board of
Education (our financing body) to acquire some of those pieces of
equipment. By next term, I hope to
conduct one or two staff development workshops that examine the use of
technology in the classroom.
What do you think colleagues? Do you think I need any additional resources? Looking forward to your comments.
Ezra Jonah Greene
