As the world evolves into a technology-based machine, we as educators can agree that incorporating 21^st Century learning in collaboration with creative thinking skills is a blueprint to the success of our students and teachers; focusing not only upon the product of learning, but the thinking process of learning as well. There are four major components that are beneficial to developing a Game Plan for classroom learning including:

·         Goals

·         Actions

·         Monitoring

·         Evaluating

These components assist in determining how we learn (which in the teacher’s case) provides feedback on what was learned best and what is needed for improvement in the future (Laureate Ed, 2010a).  Today’s classroom teacher’s benefit from being prepared in providing technology-based supported learning opportunities for their students (Laureate, 2009).  The benefit of these components is viewed as a crucial part of success in the 21^st Century including audio, visual, and multi-media technologies. 

 

Teaching math to high school students involves a great deal of patience; with the understanding our present-day students all have different learning styles.  One strategy I have had the opportunity to use is a series of “Mind tool” computer applications that enable learners to represent, manipulate, or reflect on what they know, rather than to reproduce what someone else knows (Jonassen, 2006).  Cennamo et al. (2009) states, “By requiring students to think about what they know in different meaningful ways, mind tools engage students in critical thinking about the content they are studying. 

 

Through further examination of the NETS-T, the two standards I am most comfortable with are “Model Digital Age Work and Learning.”, and “Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.”  Preparing students for success in the 21^st Century involves innovative teaching techniques that are beyond traditional ways of teaching.  Incorporating technology based components for students and parents such as Edmodo (www.edmodo.com) for my classroom, where both parents and students can retrieve missed assignments and practice work have shown promise, though we are still faced minor difficulties such as getting our parents involved with their children future success.

 

I am least proficient in Promoting and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility and Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments, so I will be focusing on strengthening my abilities to promote learner success as listed below:

                                                                                                                         

Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

·         Set Goals__ Incorporate Bi-weekly article print-outs promoting integrity when utilizing internet information.  Learners are to comply with the rules through locating their own article from a list of resources provided.

·         Take Action__ Resources are very limited in my classroom, so our primary use of the internet would be through usage of the media center, which will allow information gained through visual experience and personal creativity to create a foundation to build from learning and personal growth.

·         Monitor__ Through a process of e-portfolios on their own “KWHL’s”, though the choice will be chosen through a series votes from the class.  It is the instructor’s responsibility to track learning progress at the end of each week.

·         Evaluate and Extend__ Prior to the end date, students will be granted the ability to discuss information obtained through the internet.

 

 

 

Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experience and Assessments

• Set Goals__  Students will be responsible for keeping a digital spending ledger documenting all spending and currency earned from allowance, jobs, etc.  This is an action that can be downloaded on a phone app., (https://play.google.com/store/apps/).  Students lacking access to a cell phone or computer at home, can keep a log.
• Take Action__ Our schools media center will be used for the duration of this assignment since computers are limited in classrooms.
• Monitor__ Monitoring will consist of uploaded information or ledgers from the student's personal phone to the computer application (smallbusiness.chron.com), than submitting to their personal e-portfolio.
• Evaluate and Extend__ During the duration of this assignment, students are encouraged to discuss and strategize better spending habits.

 

 

 

Resources

 

Cennamo, K., Ross, J., Ertmer, P., (2009). Technology Integration for custom ed.meaningful classroom use: A standard-based approach.  (Laureate Education, Inc.,). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.



 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009a). Enriching content area learning: Theoretical Foundations.