Implementing the GAME Plan

As I read through my colleagues' suggestions concerning my GAME plan, I was quite eager to begin working on this portion of the course because I had some great suggestions.  But then again, life seems to happen.  It has been a few days, but for the most part, I think I am already on my way to achieving my first goal.  I assigned an individual project for my government students based on three criteria: topic has to be related to government or politics; you must use either technology and or physically create something whether it is original art, music, or a literary piece.  I also told my students I would create something as well, which I have worked on for several hours trying to create a movie on Windows Movie Maker using current topics of discussion throughout the year.  It turned out to be seven minutes long, and I still have some polishing and editing to do to complete it.


Goal 1: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity - Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

Teachers: a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
Although I feel that I have already begun my action plan concerning this goal by improving my own creative thinking, but it will be imperative for me to consult with my colleagues within my department about how they implement technology in the classroom.  I know my fellow teachers within the social science department use technology, and I hope to use my collaboration time tomorrow morning asking what sorts of technology or technology based learning they implement in their classroom.  I know our department chair is truly proficient on the website Edmodo.com.  Similar to a blog, you can post documents and/or other links on this similar to a blog.  I know my colleagues have some great project ideas; I just simply need to ask.  We are supposed to reach out this week, then I need your help as well.  What websites or project based learning sites have you been successful implementing in your classroom?  Open to all ideas.


Goal 2: Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments - Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETS•S.


Teachers: d. provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.


This goal is going to be difficult for me to achieve.  I love to have fun in the classroom, and I now realize that among my students, even the ones that are doing poorly in my class, have the potential to produce quality work if giving the right form of assessment.  I will admit that I have used technology based projects in my American Government class more often than in my World History class.  Part of this is because I sometimes have a great idea for an assessment, but I have difficulty aligning these projects with the standards.  I have a little more freedom with my government classes because seniors do not take state exams, but again, I am struggling with connecting the standards to projects.  The resource I need for this goal is simply time.  It is a good thing that I have a week off next week, so I can catch up on grading and focus on surfing the web for project ideas.  Again, If any of you have any specific places for me to look, then please let me know.