Evaluating My GAME Plan Progress

Can you say stressed???? That is the progress I am making. I have given myself 4 canker sores over technology "stuff".

My GAME plan (and personal life) have been on hold for the week...virus on home computer, 21st Century Academy started. I did get a Flip Camera and 6 iTouches for my classroom...so not all bad.

With that said, my post is late since I've had a virus. Sorry!

My new iTouches have made me think even more about the use of VFT in my classroom. I am excited because students will be able to have time to go back and explore at their own pace on the iTouches. This will take place during center time. I have still not found a VFT suitable for first graders on the subject of American symbols. I am very flustered and am thinking about scraping the whole VFT idea all together. I may search for an online video or podcast instead to support my content. These can still be utilized with the iTouches.

As far as my goal in PD, I am pretty sure I had a crash course this week in everything technology for the classroom. Fun stuff but very overwhelming...in a good way. My problem is I want to implement everything, but time is my enemy. Anyone know how to add hours to your day?

Check out my new class website I made in class:

http://staff.findlaycityschools.org/kbalko/Home.html

I would love to hear your thoughts on the ease of navigating and the worth of content. Thanks!

Game Plan Progress

With the help of classmates, I have found other VFTs to utilize in my classroom. I am still searching for a quality VFT that would benefit my first graders. The unit I am looking to find a VFT for would be American Symbols.

My GAME plan for the professional development standard begins next week on Monday. My classes for 21st Century Academy begins along with receiving all my new gadgets. I am excited to get started, yet not willing to give in to the end of summer.

I feel very good about my progress. Thanks to my classmates for sharing tips for VFT.

Carrying Out Your Game Plan

What resources will you need to carry out your plan (video, reading, experts or colleagues, etc)?

• Lap top
• Internet connection
• Reliable web site
• SMARTboard
• Airliner

What additional information do you need?

• A standard for First graders in Ohio that would have a virtual field trip possibility
• Where I can find VFT that are age appropriate

What steps have you been able to take so far?

• I have reviewed my curriculum map as well as State standards to begin looking for a good fit.
• I have searched the web for a few possibilities.
• I have discussed with a co-worker what a VFT is and have asked for their input.

I have looked at several VFT sites only to realize that most of them expect you to read about a picture. To me this is NOT a VFT. A few courses ago, we watched a video about VFT a teacher utilized in her classroom and it was absolutely wonderful (Abraham Lincoln/Ford Theater)...I cannot even locate that particular VFT. I am quickly becoming frustrated.

We do a unit on U.S. symbols and I would love to find one that would work for this. Ohio is quite a trip from D.C. and N.Y. and I thought it would be fun to show them these monuments through a VFT. However, all I can find are ones that have a picture and a lot of words. I can do a google picture search and do this myself. I would not call this a VFT.

Has anyone found a great site for VFT that are really VFT and not just pictures with captions?

GAME Plan

As a teacher we need to constantly be learning ourselves. We need to find ways to make our teaching style better, our environment more creative and our lessons more engaging. With this said, I plan to implement 2 NETS-T (National Technology Standards) into my classroom.

The first would be: Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

My plan would be to introduce virtual field trips to my students. By allowing the children to explore places that are too far away or too expensive to visit, I will still be able to make the students to feel like they have been there in person. I will need to find age appropriate tours and make sure that the sites are not blocked by our server. Once these things are in place students will be able to engage. I would like to work on the whole group and then after watching me navigate the site, I could put the web address on the computers in the computer center for them to continue learning.

My second NETS-T: Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.

I have been accepted as a 21st Century Academy Teacher within my district. This is a year long training that I will be gin by the district in the area of technology. This was a position that had to be applied for with an essay and application. The districts goal is to teach us so that we can teach our peers during in services and within our own buildings. This opportunity does not begin until the end of July. I will be able to implement the tools and techniques I have learned at Walden as well as the Academy into my classroom. By being in the Academy, I will be allotted new technology gadgets for my classroom. This excites me and I look forward to implementing these new techniques.