Week Four Blog Moving Forward

Looking back on the previous weeks of developing my game plan, I can be honest to say that my ideas of what direction to take was somehow being overshadowed with the work of experts whom presented material based on their own experiences and/or the experiences of other experts’.   With the resources and different avenues in promoting success in my classroom, however, I was able to visualize what direction was perhaps best for me or from my own creative thinking.  The questions of whether my “Game Plan”, actually meets the criteria of promoting success of my learners is a huge concern of mine mainly because I really care about their futures and as an educator my firm belief of “if they fail, I fail” drives me to go above and the norm.   In today’s classrooms as Hibbert, E. N. (1995) states:

Using grades, motivation and artistic achievement instead; however, not only are these criteria extremely subjective and easily manipulated, but they do not ensure that these students would excel in and benefit from academically advanced classes.  That being said, the integration of technology alongside proper assessment such as the usage of e-portfolios and rubrics are needed for 21^st century success.

            One technology component that would be beneficial in my classroom for next year is a focusing each lesson around multimedia projects, with a more in-depth concentration on mobile phones in the classroom.  This weeks resources, Barrett, H. (2011) explains the 6 different function that can be achieved with mobile phones and the process thereof including:

·      Capturing and storing evidence

·      Reflecting

·      Giving and Receiving feedback

·      Planning and Setting Goals

·      Collaborating

·      Presenting to an audience

Each resource promotes learning in the classroom, upgrading from a more traditional setting where the teacher is the primary source of information, into 21^st century concepts allowing more creativity from the student along with accountability of working independently to complete the task at hand.  For math, I have been doing research in finding innovative sites that would assist my learners’ success, while develop a passion for learning.  Websites such as: http://www.m2.com, and http://www.netop.com, has really leveled the playing field for learning in my classroom where the students are engaged in learning.  The features are geared toward the educator, where they has to worry less about whether students are finding distracted websites.  M2 Presswire 2012 states: “With the classroom management software's new Ultimate Web Control, teachers can quickly and efficiently manage web resources in advance of and during class. A website that might be distracting students can be blocked on the fly while teaching, remaining unavailable until the teacher unblocks it.”

With E-portfolios and Rubrics being introduced in to the next phase of my “Game Plan”, the focus is geared toward the learner and their accountability on being able to “reflect and goal setting (Barrett, 2011).”  Cennamo, at. El 2009 states:  “depending on the needs of your students and your school, you may choose to incorporate one or two different types of assessment portfolios or perhaps a hybrid of two including:

1.     Documentation Portfolios, which demonstrates growth by incorporating work samples that shows a range of student proficiency over time.

2.     Showcase Portfolios, which contains samples of exemplary work common for assessing entry into a program, such as Advanced Placement (AP).

For instructional purposes, we will be using the 1^st as a means of reflection on student proficiency through the school year.  This presents the learner with a visual in what they are accomplishing academically, what is needed to maintain success, and if achievement level low; feedback on what is needed to increase success.

            So far, I haven’t had any modifications made to my “Game Plan”, though I have found a list of helpful website to implement my plan using technology as a basis for my learners success.  Most importantly, is the usage of assessments as a contribution to that success.  In the event to increase the level of information or concepts being grasped, a series of Forced-Choice Assessments including multiple choice questions, true or false, fill in the blank will be provided weekly throughout the semester.  As an option for implementing 21^st century thinking into the classrooms, at least twice a month the test will be administered during computer lab.  This assessment is generally “quick to administer and can be readily developed or obtained in these formats, especially for constructs with lower levels of cognitive demands (Cennamo, el at. 2009).”  The only disadvantage of this type of assessment would be developing tests where learners are to demonstrate a certain level of comprehension and understanding through analyzing and evaluating.

Resources

Hibbert, E. N. (1995, Jul 02). Gwinnett voices readers' letters TELL US WHAT YOU THINK budget isn't fun and games. The Atlanta Constitution (Pre-1997 Fulltext).

(2012, Jan 11). M2 Presswire.

Barrett, H. (2011). Using technology to support alternative assessment and electronic portfolios.

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach 2009