Reflections on the Progress of My GAME Plan...

I am taking a moment to reflect on my GAME plan that I created to assist me in my goal of integrating more technology into my teaching and the teaching of my colleagues in my school district. As a reminder, my Goals were: A. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments B. Exhibit leadership by demonstrating a vision of technology infusion, participating in shared decision-making and community building, and developing the leadership and technology skills of others. For my first Goal, I have been looking for virtual field trips that would correlate with the enrichment units that I teach. I did locate one that I really like about Ellis Island that is through Scholastic and that would extend a Unit that we do on studying a country of the students’ ethnic origin. I found it at http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/tour/ and have started to think of how exactly it would work in the unit. I have also been looking at http://www.internet4classrooms.com/vft.htm , a site that links to many other resources for Virtual Field trips. I am interested in the interactive trip into the Amazon Rainforest that is offered through http:// homeworkspot.com . For my second goal, I have started to put together a Powerpoint of some of the sites and resources that I have gained through my graduate classes and peers so that I can present it to my colleagues when we return to school in the fall. At this point, I do not have to modify my GAME plan. Some of the things could not be accomplished until the school year begins, and I have begun to implement the parts of the plan that I am able to do at home for preparation for the upcoming school year. I have learned that there are more virtual field trips and resources out there than I could have imagined. I have not used any previously, and I am glad that this is something that I have added to my teaching repertoire because I really think the students will gain a lot of knowledge from viewing them. As far as the Powerpoint of resources for my colleagues, I am trying to do some of the legwork and figuring out of sites so that I can present that information as well. I know that when I am told of a site, but then I go on and it is overwhelming and difficult to navigate, often I will tell myself that I will figure it out later, but I never do. I am trying to make it so that the resources are quick and easy to understand for my colleagues so that they are more likely to implement them. The part of my plan that I need to work on more is figuring out how I can effectively connect to teachers in other countries and states that would like to participate in a collaborative project. Do any of my Walden colleagues have any good sites or resources to share?