I have demonstrated introductory knowledge and skills in a variety of technological programs. Programs I now have the ability to utilize effectively include, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, imovie, iphoto and GoLive. I also have the ability to do the following technological processes: download images and documents, import and export, create and maintain a website, create an imovie, create a WebQuest and create brochures and flyers.

When entering this technology class in September I had minimal technological skills. I knew the basic functions of my computer such as word processing, navigating the internet, using email and listening to music. This technology class has empowered me to try new things. I consider this a springboard to learning new programs and using other technological tools to enhance my teaching and my students’ learning.

I have taken the initiative to increase my knowledge of technological tools available to educators to enhance their students’ learning in a variety of ways. I have joined ISTE and receive the Learning and Leading With Technology journal. I also attended the OTEN Fall conference. Additionally, I applied for an OTEN Mini Grant, which will allow me to obtain technological resources to incorporate into my classroom.

In this class I designed a geography WebQuest for 3rd grade students. While designing the WebQuest I considered different learning styles, the age of the students, the previous experiences students may have had with technology and the credibility of the information I posted. I wanted students to feel success while completing the WebQuest so I designed it in such a way that students would work in pairs. In my student teaching placement I teach a diverse group of students, so I would try to pair up students such that each pair of students could experience success. I understand that 3rd graders in a Title I school have had a variety of previous experiences with technology, and computers specifically. Because of this I tried to design my WebQuest to be easily accessible to all students while maintaining a challenging task. Students who are new to technology need to first experience success with it so they are more willing to learn and reap the benefits it has to offer.

I also applied for an OTEN Technology grant which would allow me to bring more technology into the classroom to foster higher level thinking and additional experiences with technology.

It is crucial for students to have a variety of experiences with a variety of technological tools. Creating a WebQuest will facilitate one of these experiences for my students. Students will search the provided websites and find the necessary information needed for their type of map. Then students will be encouraged to use higher order thinking in analyzing their type of map by creating a list of strengths and weaknesses. I believe experiences like this will enhance my students’ experience and will gain greater understanding of concepts.

In this technology class I have learned how to create an imovie. For Project-TEAM I was video taped for 40 minutes. From this, I edited the video down to 10 minutes to tell a story of the lesson I had taught, what I learned and a personal reflection about the experience. This was a powerful task for me. I learned not only how to use the tools to create the movie, but also about my strengths as a teacher and areas in which I need improvement. I think experiences such as this, would be beneficial for my students to participate in as well. After all, a person learns more from the process and reflection than the final copy.

Assessment of a person’s use of technology is difficult because all people enter at different levels and learn at different rates. I feel the best way to assess student’s use of technology is based on their growth. There are no limits to the use of technology so it is impossible to measure an end point. I will assess students based on their ability to show growth in their knowledge of technological tools. My WebQuest is an example of how I will assess the use of technology. Students are expected to use the internet links to locate the information about their given type of map. Students who are successful in exploring the web links will show proficiency on the given task. Additionally, I have included in my WebQuest rubric an area for completion and accuracy of research. I plan to use assessment such as the assessment I used in my WebQuest to evaluate the growth the students make with regards to technology.

It is important for teachers to stay abreast with the latest forms of assessment. An effective way to do this is by using internet sources. There is such a wealth of information available and ever changing on the internet. I plan to use these resources (with caution, of course) to continue to learn about new forms of assessment.

It is so much easier to be a productive person while using a computer.Computer users have the luxury to create documents and edit them quickly an infinite number of times. Additionally, other tools such as email and websites have greatly increased communication among colleagues, administration and parents. I plan to integrate each of these resources in my classroom to some degree. I already use a word processor to create documents that can be easily modified and edited for students, parents and colleagues. I also use email frequently to communicate with colleagues and administration and plan to use it in communicating with parents. I have included my contact information on my website so visitors can easily communicate with me.

I also use the internet to seek information on educational issues and topics, such as development of curriculum, ELL learners, assessment and conflict resolution. I am a member of ISTE and receive the Learning and Leading with Technology journal, both of which allow me access to the latest developments and uses of technology in the classroom.

I am aware of the social, ethical, legal and human issues associated with the use of technology in schools. I model ethical and legal practices, such as citing sources and using only images and text that does not have a copy write on my website and other documents. I am aware of human issues associated with technology as well. I am sensitive to those who may not have had experiences with technology in my teaching. I am always willing to guide a student in their learning of a new technological tool such as digital cameras, video recorders and computers. Additionally, I am sensitive to the needs of students who do not have access to technology at home or in their communities. I will never expect all students to use technological tools without the proper scaffolding and/or access to the technological tools. If I expect students to use technological tools, such as word processor, I will always allow class time to use equipment that the school has access to as to not single out students who do not have access. To adhere to this, I designed my WebQuest to be an activity students could do within a day or two in a school computer lab or an activity students could do sporadically throughout a few weeks using the computer in the classroom.