Two Fouls but not out yet...

One of the lessons I am learning with this GAME plan is that do not expect everything to go as planned and be open and flexible to adapt your ideas to new paths.  I feel as if I am taking one step forward and two steps back.  For example, I was on my third anchor of finding interactive resources when I was called down to test some kindergarten students.  I quick locked my computer and went down to test 8 students.  Upon my return I noticed my computer was not locked but logged off.  The data guy had come to fix my connection to the color printer.  When he logged me off he did not save my work.  Another lesson learned.  It would have only taken me a few seconds to save the document prior to going to test the students.  So, three hours of work was lost.  The weird part is I usually have an autorecover function, but not this time.  I am still working on collecting these interactive resources for the teachers.  I told some of the teachers about it and they are really excited!  So, this is a goal I am still working toward.  Also, I did get the opportunity to ask my supervisor if I could pilot a problem based learning program in fourth grade for next year.  He said I could, but I did not get the opportunity to talk details with him.  I hope to do that at my meeting with him this Thursday.  If he is still game I will begin to use the current standards to come up with authentic problems.  I still do not know who will be teaching fourth grade next year, so it is hard to determine if they will be game to try something new.  The one teacher I know is staying in fourth grade is willing and ready. We will collaborate often this summer.  I can begin the groundwork planning though.  I know it will be easier with two of us working on it together.


My second NETS-T goal is also still in motion.  I have contacted our district representative for Compass Odyssey to ask him if there is a district step-by-step instructional guide on how to set up students and assignments.  He said there was not but that he would be willing to develop one.  I hope to meet with him to work on this together.  I will discuss this with him on Thursday morning.  I know Compass Odyssey is being used often, but it is not being used to differentiate the way it can.  I will change that with the simple directions and training in the beginning of next year.  Another step I can take toward this direction is to analyze the data for the most recent benchmark test for our third graders.  This will give me specific information, by standard, which I can share with teachers in the beginning of next  year.  I can develop lists of students, per standard, that need additional work on that skill.  This will begin next year with differentiation in mind and will lend itself well to training on Compass Odyssey.


A new learning goal is increasing through my courses at Walden.  I am learning to model digital age work and learning.  I am using digital tools to collaborate and share information with teachers in my school.  I model what I am learning in my courses and train teachers how to use these tools.  I know it will take time for these to be incorporated into their lessons, but I will be persistent.  


The learning approaches I will try next time to improve learning are to set small step goals in order to reach the long-term goals.  I know this is a bad time of the year to try new things and to motivate teachers and/or students to learn new skills, but I have had so many setbacks that it is frustrating.  If I set small goals and continue to keep the big picture in mind I will remain flexible and less frustrated.