The GAME Plan for Integrating WebQuests into the Classroom

The GAME plan is a method for teachers to use when practicing self-directed learning for integrating technology into the classroom (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). Self-directed learners teach themselves to use new technologies that can be transferred into the classroom to help motivate and encourage students. The GAME plan is broken into four main components: goals (what you want to learn), action (what you do to learn), monitor (am I learning what I wanted), and evaluate (did I accomplish my goal) (2009).

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed a set of standards for teachers to observe and practice while integrating technology into the classroom (http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx). My GAME plan is focusing on learning how to implement a WebQuest in a Sophomore English class with the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960). Two major standards that the ISTE (2008) has developed that will be a part of my focus are: “design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity” and “provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching.” Focusing on these two standards will allow me to integrate technology into the classroom and allow variation of assessments for different types of learners within my classroom.

As for implementing my GAME plan, my goal is to become proficient with creating a WebQuest with linked podcasts. I have created class webpages in the past, but I have never created a WebQuest. I feel that integrating the use of a WebQuest into the class will not only engage students but motivate their learning (Cennamo et al., 2009). I also feel that a WebQuest would allow students to work at an advanced or slower pace based on their needs as a learner. A WebQuest is comprised of five basic components, “an introduction, a statement of intended outcomes, steps students should follow, evaluatin criteria, and concluding activities (p. 55).

The actions I have taken so far are to view sample WebQuests on the Internet and gather data and work from my current unit plan to include on my WebQuest webpage. My next steps are to begin investigating various website hosts and how I want to publish my work and if I can connect my WebQuest to my school webpage. I have never created a podcast before, but I think it would be great to have links to the audio tape of the text as well as podcasts of study review tips. I have started to test using Audacity as a way to create podcasts.

So far in monitoring my work, I have not accomplished the main parts of my objective which are to publish information to the web, specifically in the form of a WebQuest. I have also played around with podcasting, but have not created and published a podcast. My next step will be to obtain a web host and publish an initial podcast to that site. Lastly, when it comes to evaluating the work I have started, I have most of the content that I need to create my WebQuest and the information for creating my podcast so I have to increase my confidence and go forth and create a product my students can begin using in the classroom.

I am looking forward to implementing my GAME plan to increase student productivity in my classroom. If anyone has created a WebQuest of Podcast before and has any tools or tips that would help, I would appreciate the advice.

Sources:

Cennamo, K., Ross, J. & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use: A Standards-Based Approach. (Laureate Education, Inc., Custom ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program 1: Promoting self-directed learning with technology [DVD]. In Integrating technology across the content areas. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Lee, Harper. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. New York, NY: Harper Classics.