For years I have helped students set goals and create plans to meet those goals. Working with colleagues in PLC (professional learning communities) meetings, we also create plans but generally to address areas of weakness in student performance.
When I review the NETS-S, I think using GAME plans with students will be very positive. Students already have aptitude and motivation using technology. They are working from a position of strength, not weakness. Setting goals will help them stay focused on the benefits and importance of using technology. To start the process with my students, I think I will select an area, such as research and information fluency, to work on as a whole class. When we begin a new unit, I will post the standard as part of the essential question. As we develop a rubric, we will include the standard as an area of evaluation. For example, focusing on standard 3c. (Research and Information Fluency, evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks), the students and I will determine action steps needed to meet this goal.
I envision doing this with students in a whole group manner, touching on at least one standard from each of the six main categories (creativity & innovation, communication & collaboration, research & information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving & decision making, digital citizenship, and technology operations & concepts) before the end of the year. In the last couple of months of school, I hope to have students select one goal for themselves and work out a plan of action to meet that goal.
As I go through the GAME plan process, the regular monitoring and blogging with peers keeps me accountable. I think setting up a class blog for student reflection and peer feedback is a strategy I'd like to try. My class has the laptop cart two periods a week. Setting aside fifteen minutes at the beginning of our Wednesday computer block will keep the GAME plan in the forefront. I look forward to implementing this process with students.
http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx
Christina, I like what you said: "They are working from a position of strength, not weakness". I agree that the GAME plan is not a process in which they reflect on things after-the-fact. The GAME strategy allows students to reflect on their work as they are in the middle of doing it, and this type of thinking is powerful, as it allows them to readjust what is not working.
ReplyDeleteChristina,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of integrating these standards into your essential questions. That way it provides you with everyday exposure to that language and reminder that is where you want to focus and it is also nice for the students to also hear the language and begin to understand what sort of activities will help answer that essential questions.
I think that setting goals that are not based on weaknesses is a positive thing too! Students love to know why they are learning things and why it is important and like to see how it relates to their everyday life. So for me that would be giving them a modified version of the standards. This will let them know what they will learn by the end of the unit.
ReplyDeleteChristina,
ReplyDeleteI like how you thought that the blogging keeps you accountable. So many educators talk about making the students accountable. There's accountable talk and questions, but the way you put it puts you in that position. It's good that you think that way and take on that responsibility. I am sure you think nothing of it since it's something that you probably do day in and day out. I just thought it was interesting.
Matt
Hi Christina,
ReplyDeleteI think that your idea for setting goals as a whole group and eventually allowing kids to set their own goals is a great tactic. Including the goals in the rubric is also a nice way to keep the goals fresh in your students minds.
I also really like your idea to use student blogs for your kids to reflect on their progress. Just like our own experiences with blogging, it's a great way to monitor progress and make sure you're students are staying on track.
Great ideas!
Christina-
ReplyDeleteI think including the NETS-S into your essential questions are a great way to identify them with your students. I also love using blogging as a reflection tool for students and an assesment tool for my self. I love using Classchatter.com!