Planning the Alternative PL
Embedding Gamification into Pre-kindergarten math lessons is a new approach that challenges traditional notions of how young children engage with basic mathematical concepts. Further, Gamification can also be applied to make learning mathematics more fun and contextual; playfulness in gamified activities may increase students' learning of abstract concepts. I will support this by providing an alternative personal innovation plan outline to give an overview and detail the guidelines necessary in coming up with my personal innovation. This plan is informed by basic principles of effective professional development, including extended learning periods, continuous support, active teacher engagement, modeling effective practices, and development of content relevant to preschool. It also engenders consultation among teachers, provides clear roles, and is able to create a timeline of detailed implementation.
Incorporating the 5 Key Principles of Effective Professional
1-Duration
For a full school year, professional learning (PL) sessions will be organized in a monthly two-hour workshop format, with weekly follow-up through one-hour online meetings.
2-Support
Will be provided through a mentoring and coaching system. Mentors, who will be experienced teachers in innovative methodologies, will work alongside less experienced teachers to help them overcome specific obstacles. Additional resources, such as online modules and best practice guides, will be provided, and an online forum for peer collaboration will be created where teachers can share resources, ask questions, and receive answers and feedback.
3-Engagement
Sessions will be dynamic and interactive, using approaches such as game storming, simulation activities, and problem-solving exercises to actively engage teachers from the start. Furthermore, rather than simply receiving information, participants will experience games specifically designed to teach math concepts in pre-kindergarten, allowing them to experience the direct impact of Gamification on learning.
4-Modeling
To demonstrate how to apply gamification techniques in a classroom, we will do live demonstrations of gamified lessons showing how games can be integrated into daily activities. In addition, concrete examples of games and strategies that work in the Pre-kindergarten classroom will be used, modeling everything from lesson planning to delivery and assessment. Teachers will be invited to design, implement, and receive real-time feedback on their gamified approaches.
5. Specific Content
All professional development content will be customized to teach pre-kindergarten math, focusing on games that address key concepts such as number sense, counting and rote counting. Audiovisual resources, interactive tools, and digital games adapted to the cognitive development level of children at this stage will be used.
Foster Collaboration
It will be enabled through the following:
Communities of Practice: Teachers will form groups that shall work collaboratively on a regular basis through the sharing of experiences and ideas, and solving of problems.
Team Projects: Teachers work in designing and implementing gamified lessons, hence welcoming innovative ideas.
Interactive Digital Platform: It shall be ensured through Google Classroom and Google Teams that participants are able to share resources, discuss strategies, and mutually support each other.
Peer feedback sessions: Sessions have to be regularly held where the teachers shall present their progress and give constructive suggestions from colleagues.
Collaborative workshops: Practical sessions shall be held where the teachers shall work in groups to explore and adapt gamification tools, hence infusing adaptability and innovation amongst educators.
Cross-mentoring: Teachers of different levels of experience will be paired, and there should be increased understanding gained that learning and knowledge are shared in all directions, creating community and shared growth for professionals.
Who will lead what components?
Project Coordinator: Responsible for planning and implementing the plan.
Workshop Facilitators: Educators who will lead the professional development sessions.
Mentors: Experienced educators who will provide support and guidance.
Audience and their needs
Audience: Primarily Pre-kindergarten mathematics teachers, but also school administrators and curriculum specialists who are interested in innovative gamification teaching method.
Needs:
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Need for practical and easy to implement strategies.
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Support for integrating technology into the pre-kindergarten classroom.
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Ongoing support during implementation, and collaborative opportunities to share experiences and solve problems.
Instructional Design
The BHAG (Big Audacious Goal) and the 3-Column Table Instructional Design Model will organize professional learning. The BHAG and the 3 Column Table instructional design model offer a structured yet adaptable approach to professional learning.
This combination allows you to set ambitious yet achievable goals (BHAG), while the 3 Column Table serves as a clear guide for organizing content, activities, and assessments. These approaches ensure that objectives are clear, content delivery is coherent, and everything is aligned with learning outcomes, enhancing the initiative's effectiveness.
Types of Resources
To implement gamification-based PL in Pre-kindergarten math instruction, we will need the following resources: Digital platforms such as learning management systems and math-specific apps, tools to create educational games and gamified lessons, hardware such as tablets and interactive whiteboards, Texas Prekindergarten guidelines to integrate gamification and align it with math standards, and professional development resources to train teachers in the effective implementation of gamified strategies such as training resources on gamification principles and best practices and workshops or webinars on implementing gamification in early math education.
References
Gulamhussein, A. (2013). Teaching the Teachers Effective Professional Development in an Era of High Stakes Accountability. Center for Public Education.http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/system/files/2013-176_ProfessionalDevelopment.pdf
Stanford Graduate School of Business. (2013, March 21). Nancy Duarte: How to tell a story [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JrRQ1oQWQk
Stanford Graduate School of Business. (2013, February 19). Nancy Duarte: How to create Better Visual Presentations [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so9EJoQJc-0
TEDxTalks. (2009, September 29). Start with why — how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA
Texas Education Agency. (2022). 2022 Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines. https://tea.texas.gov/academics/early-childhood-education/2022-texas-pkg-comprehensive-guide.pdf