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