Carrying out my GAME Plan!

The single biggest part of my GAME plan being a success is speaking and collaborating with other educators.  As stated in my goals, I would like to be a leader in bringing more technology to my school district.  A problem I've had right off the bat was the negative vibes towards the use of technology by some of the more experienced educators.  I have continued to speak with them and also made it possible, by providing material and references, for them to look at using more technology in the classroom.  I have sent them each a website of a Voice Thread I produced for a previous Walden Class as an example of how the new technology may be used!  I do think I am slowly winning them over and hopefully changing their distaste towards technology!

I, like most of the other educators in this class, are trying to incorporate as much technology as possible in the classroom.  Something I am trying to avoid (and after speaking with another educator, the point makes a lot of sense) is just using technology for the sake of using technology.  If the lesson is not better with technology being used, I will not use it.  I have been in contact with the district technology coordinator and my department chair in hopes of  having a smart board installed in my room and to provide, at the very least, a short workshop regarding the use of smart boards!

I am currently in the process of trying to get clearance to attend a day long workshop in Albany, NY regarding the use of technology in the classroom.  The newsletter I received directly coincides with what we are learning in this class: how to bring more technology into today's classroom and enable our students to use and learn the technology.  I am hoping that the district will grant permission to attend so I can add this as a resource to my learning experience regarding the use of technology.   

All in all, my end goal, above all other goals I may have or generate over time, is to ensure the students that I have are given every and all opportunity to successfully learn the material I am teaching; if technology will help in this pursuit, I welcome any and all to add into my educator's tool belt.