GAME Plan Week 3

In dealing with students with special needs, I believe that I will need the assistance of colleagues to help determine what technological tools would be beneficial to students with special needs. I am not familiar with some of the software / programs that were discussed in the resources. I have not utilized, for example, text to speech programs that may be utilized by those students who have difficulty reading. I am interested in these tools. This year, I have a few students who struggle with reading. I have assigned these students to read the Wall Street Journal and summarize a few articles. It seems some of my students are struggling with the daily assignment. I am trying to determine a way to tailor the assignment for these students. I have started discussing my concerns with the intervention specialist, and we are trying to determine a way for the student to complete the assignment. Have many of you come across this in your classes? If so, what suggestions do you have?

Developing My Personal GAME Plan

The two standards that I chose to strengthen my confidence and proficiency in are (1)Model Digital-age Work and Learning and (2) Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership.

My goal is to be more knowledgeable in new technologies and to incorporate those technologies into my lesson plans and to help other teachers incorporate them into their lesson plans. I would like to collaborate with other teachers using these new technologies. I believe that this will benefit me, my colleagues and our students.

To achieve these goals, I need to make a commitment to engage in learning opportunities and projects that will strengthen my technology skills. I do not believe that I am currently at a place where I am comfortable with the new technologies that are out there. I feel that in some cases that maybe my students are more knowledgeable than I am. I need to take more initiative and spend more time exploring these different technologies and determine what may be useful and beneficial to me, my students and my colleagues.

I believe that I can monitor my progress in these standards by how comfortable I become with these new technologies. I believe that by becoming comfortable with these new technologies and exploring them that I will have more confidence teaching these technology tools to my students and my colleagues. Being able to communicate the advantages of utilizing these tools and teaching my students and colleagues about the unlimited technological resources available to them is my goal. However, in order to do so, I know that I need to take a more proactive approach to learning about all of these tools. I will utilize the internet and different learning opportunities that are available through my district and local colleges to further my skills.

I will evaluate my progress by setting short term goals and monitoring my success. For example, one short term goal would be to introduce a tool to a colleague and collaborate on a project utilizing the tool. I believe that by collaborating with a colleague I will be more apt to take the initiative to further my skills in order to help the project succeed.

Any thoughts that you may have please comment. I look forward to hearing from you.