Reflecting on the GAME plan

I would say that my GAME plan was successful overall; though I have not yet received word on the local grant I applied for, I did narrow my focus to a specific project for funding purposes (an Ipod cart) and have a vision in terms of what I would like to accomplish. Furthermore, I have made several good connections that may bring my funding through other ways or expose me to grants I may not have otherwise learned about. I expanded my knowledge of educational publications and have come across several strategies and lesson ideas that I could see myself using in the near future. I have some new programs to play with (Windows Photo Story, for example) and new technologies to learn, and I feel even more confident in my knowledge of technology than I did when I started. These new lesson ideas and programs will work their way into my teaching gradually, and hopefully my goal of earning a grant will be realized in the near future.

My teaching will not significantly change overnight because of this class, but I do feel more aware of resources available to me. Furthermore, I feel that I am more reflective now, and that will certainly aid my instructional practices. I have started taking brief notes in the margins of some of my lesson plans so that I remember small changes I’d like to make next year; adjustments like this are, I think, attributable to what I learned during this course.

On with the GAME Plan

I feel that I made a fair amount of progress last week, though I have not moved forward much since then. My fiance and I moved into our house this weekend, so I did not have much time to develop my GAME plan. However, I did my best to move forward and used the move to my advantage as best I could! A friend of ours used to work for the Apple store, and I asked him if he knew of any grant opportunities or any specific ways that I could make my i pod cart a reality. Ed was not sure off the top of his head, but he said he would contact his old manager and see what information he could get for me. So, even though I haven't made any major leaps since last week, I am using my resources and the time I do have to make progress. I think that that's an important part of this process; even if you can't always spend large chunks of time working on the GAME plan, it is important to look for opportunities whenever and wherever you can!

Amanda

Making Progress with the GAME Plan-AT LAST!

I am happy to report that I am finally making some decisions regarding my GAME Plan, and it feels good to be making some significant progress! I decided that I would like to apply for grants to obtain an iPod cart for my department. The iPod Touch is a device that would allow for internet access, access to a number of programs and educational applications, and they are the perfect vehicle for pod casts. These devices would allow me to implement several new lessons and strategies, are relatively cost effective and user friendly, and they are portable which would allow for sharing with my colleagues. I have located a local grant through my association, and I think I will start by applying there; we'll see where I go from here, but I feel that this is finally a start!

I would also like to say that, despite my dreading these weekly updates, they have been a solid source of self-monitoring; they aid the GAME plan despite my periodic frustrations, and I am realizing that this is simply part of the process.

Have a great week, everyone!
Amanda