There has been a push by administrators recently that teachers include technology as a means of helping students learn content area and practice 21st century skills as designated by ISTE-NETS (ISTE, 2008). This class provided me with the skills of how to incorporate technology into content enriching, motivating and giving meaningful context for learning (Laureate Educational Inc., 2009).
The fast pace at which new technology tools and software are introduced into the workplace demand that students as well as teachers need to be self-directed learner. As a self-directed learner, a deliberate plan to actualize learning with technology has to be made. Using a GAME plan to facilitate this self-directed learning by both teachers and learners ensures that learning goal and action is continually going on, being monitored and evaluated (Cennamo, Ross & Ertmer, 2009). I had an opportunity to use this GAME plan to set goals, take action, monitor and evaluate the process of my learning technology tools that I will use to enrich and engage students in instruction in my classroom. While doing this, I learned the use of Google Docs, Gaggle, and Web Quest among others. I practice using technology as blogs and wikis. Several
I also learned and practiced strategies that can be used to help diverse learner, promote critical and creative thinking as well as provide authentic learning in students. Such strategies include the use of problem based learning, digital storytelling, educative networking, online community, formative and evaluative assessment, and use of rubric. I practiced the use of these strategies in the various assignments that was done in the class.
Reflecting now, I know that the GAME plan will engage me in lifelong learning. I feel more comfortable to incorporate technology in my instructional process. I have already started making lesson plan that incorporates technology in planning, learning, communicating and evaluating student learning. I am going to give my students more autonomy in the learning process so that a positive environment for developing creativity and learning from one another can be created. I am going to take more often the role of a facilitator and guide in the learning process as well as creating multiple learning experiences so that learning can be differentiated to address diverse learners need. I am going to continually design and monitor the effectiveness of the learning process. The data I obtained from this will be used to inform future instruction and modify ongoing instruction.
In conclusion I believe from my experiences in this class that incorporating technology that ties to content learning can be done to engage students in active participation of content learning. I believe that I know have requisite skill to design this lessons that will not only incorporate appropriate technology into instructional process now but also to keep abreast of new technology tools and software through lifelong self-directed learning.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National educational technology standards and performance indicators for students. Retrieved from: http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForStudents/2007Standards/NETS_for_Students_2007.htm
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). “Promoting Self-Directed Learning with Technology”. Baltimore: Author
