My GAME Plan

I believe in the talent and power that today’s youth hold. I want to help students and educators learn how to harness these talents to not only benefit themselves but also their communities, especially via traditional and new media. That is why I enrolled in Walden University’s, "Integrating Technology in the Classroom" program.  I am interested in eventually pursuing a PhD in Communication, specifically at American University, with a focus in media, technology, and culture.  I would like to research the affect of social media and other new media technologies on youth and their learning experiences. My goal is to eventually use my research to create media literacy programs that will empower youth to shape the media imagery that they so readily absorb. 

I would like to deepen my knowledge of the “Model Digital-Age Work and Learning” NETS standard to gain a better understanding of how to connect my students’ technological skill development with their future career goals and society’s future career needs.  It is no longer enough to educate for education’s sake. We must develop an adaptable future workforce that can compete with their global counterparts.  Because I tutor and therefore do not have extended periods of time with my students, like a traditional teacher, I believe the best way I can strengthen my students’ digital literacy skills is by teaching them the best ways to approach Internet research, so that they are able to acquire resources that can assist them with their school work when they are not in-session with me.

I also recognize the importance of creating a teaching environment that supports more individualized instruction and one that gives students more agency in curriculum development. Encouraging collaboration and two-way instruction is necessary for them to not only build up 21^st Century skills, but also empower them so that they embrace the idea that they have influence in increasing their learning capacity. Another standard I would like to become proficient in is “Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments”. I would like to be able to create more media centric instruction, and become more knowledgeable on how other tutors and tutoring companies are making use of technology. 

I foresee obstacles to the former being students’ access to technology and my limited budget for tools and software. I am an independent consultant and from time to time work with a company. So I do not have access to financial resources to purchase equipment. To overcome this I will research free online tools that are available, meet students in libraries that have free access to computers, and when I do work with a company present them with ideas on how to make their instruction more technology focused so that they invest in the programs that I need. For the latter, I foresee other tutors or companies not wanting to share their best practices, as we are technically competitors.  My solution will be to continue writing and promoting the blog I have created through this course and encouraging educators to share their tips anonymously so that the learning environment is broadened for all to share.

I would like to expand my knowledge of learning, teaching, and leading with technology - the “Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership” standard - by keeping up date with technological innovations through professional development opportunities. Due to my job as a Media Producer, I have access to conferences and training courses offered by Sloan C and NMC whose sole focus is the intersection of education and technology.  To achieve proficiency in this area I will mine both online and printed resources such as Education Week and the Chronicle of Higher Education to keep me connected to with policies that affect technological innovation in education, especially in higher and advanced education. I tend to work with high school students so it will be important for me to keep abreast of changes in the college environment, so that my instruction is adequately preparing them for it.

Overall, I am committed to being less teacher-centered and more learner-centered.  I would like to create a learning environment where my students can articulate their learning goals, so that the foundation is set for two-way knowledge sharing.

Resources:

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). National education standards for teachers (NETS-T). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/PDFs/NETS_for_Teachers_2008_EN.sflb.ashx