I. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Promoting and supporting student creativity and innovative thinking in virtual environments allows for student independence and excitement in the learning process. Using Blogger, a web based program from Google that allows you to design your own blog, I created a blog, an online innovative reflection tool, that aids in the creative communication of my thoughts and perspective of the world to a secure group of students. Through the process of designing my blog, I learned how to create various page links that included the use of html code to embed artifacts such as a PDF classroom newsletter, a NETS-S standards presentation.and an interactive crossword puzzle through the use of BOX, a secure web sharing device. I learned to post each artifact to my blog page so that I could collaborate with my peers by commenting and engaging in the learning process. In addition, I have multiple posts where I was able to design and reflect on educational journal articles. Creating an innovative classroom blog allowed me to facilitate and inspire my own creativity as well as collaborate and engage with other students through their own ideas, comments, and creativity. The collaborative nature of this blog through its use of page links, embedding educational artifacts and displaying educational opinions will provoke students to self-reflect and independently discover new aspects of education in an online environment.
Using creativity through the learning process can be an essential tool in preparing a classroom and the educational lessons ahead. Using Microsoft Word I created a classroom newsletter that allowed me to inform my students of what is to be expected of my class, as well as what my students can expect from me as a teacher. In an organized structure with the use of creative pictures I made it clear what I plan to do throughout the school year and informed my students on how I plan to incorporate the use of technology in my classroom. I created a custom masthead using the Microsoft Word table design where I inserted Word Art and line art. I utilized multiple columns which allowed me to better organize my information in a more formal way. I then used drop text, incorporated a scanned self-portrait of myself, as well as other graphics that complemented each article to make the newsletter more appealing and exciting for my future students. In my creative use of a basic software tool an important aspect that meets the content standards by showing how it is important to me as a teacher to inspire my students with creativity and involvement in important educational tools, like technology. In addition, I have learned how to start off my class year with a creative and unique newsletter so that I can share my ideas with my students and their parents, as well as allow them to get to know more about me as their teacher as well as I have learned how to use my experiences to advance my students learning.
II. Design and Develop Digital- Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Authenticating the learning experience with the practice of new and contemporary tools maximizes the development of student knowledge and skills. Through Atomic Learning, a web based program that offers effective technology integration and professional development to encourage student achievement, I learned how to create my own personalized and interactive crossword puzzle using Excel, a spreadsheet program from Microsoft. Following the Atomic Learning tutorial, I learned how to enter letters to form words into the Excel workbooks as the basis for my puzzle, customize and stylize the formatting of the puzzle, and input conditional formatting which allows for the interactive process of the solver. I also learned how to input clues to the words which allows one to solve the puzzle in a dynamic way. By simply maneuvering the mouse over the word, the clue automatically pops up. Creating an Excel crossword puzzle empowers me as an educator to use technology effectively and to impact my future student’s achievement goals in an authentic way. In addition, I can customize learning activities that will meet the diverse learning styles and curiosities of my students.
The incorporation of dynamic, authentic and visual tools create a learning environment where students have the ability to develop curiosities that enhance their learning experiences. Through Webspiration, a web based mind mapping program, I created a visual mind map that communicates and links together the NETS-T standards with the various projects I developed throughout the semester. I connected each NETS-T standard with two different examples of assignments completed throughout the semester. I learned how to embed pictures on my mind map that creatively links together the NETS-T standards with my technological based projects which allows for a visual based learning experience. All of the information is connected by a pathway of arrows which links together the NETS-T standards efficiently with visual examples. Creating a visual mind map through Webspiration allowed me to customize and personalize a technology based learning environment that caters to the individual and diverse needs of the student. I also provided the student with a creative way to develop their own learning processes using web based mind mapping tools.
III. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
The transfer of relevant information using new and emerging digital resources is vital in development of the learning process. Through Prezi, a web-based multimedia presentation software, I created a presentation that incorporates the NETS-S standards with a sample lesson plan for sixth to eighth grade students. Following the Prezi tutorial, I learned how to create a template where I could creatively input pictures, embed YouTube videos, and include texts into multiple pathways and layers that communicates the NETS- S standards with my sample lesson plan. I created six different screen shots that included a picture or YouTube video to implement and emulate technology in the classroom. Each screen shot is linked by pathways that moves around and zooms in throughout each point of the presentation which effectively communicates each NETS-S standard with the sample lesson plan. Using Prezi, I was able to create a dynamic and interactive presentation that demonstrates effective and current digital technology to my prospective students. I was able to transfer and connect relevant information to my students so that they can learn to utilize digital- age media in an effective way to facilitate the learning experience.
To communicate pertinent and relateable ideas to students or peers, it is essential to facilitate effective use of modern digital tools and resources. Using iMovie, a video editing software from Apple, I created a Public Service Announcement, also known as PSA, for California State University of San Marcos. To being the editing of my iMovie I was able to drag the provided clips of the college campus up into the editing interface, crop important sections out to be displayed and add two layers of background sound and music. In addition I included a voice-over for narration, facts about the school through titles and incorporated multiple transitions between the selections to provide fluidity in the movie. Following the creation of my PSA, I converted the video into a Quicktime movie, a multimedia software player, and uploaded it to my blog for fellow educators and peers to view. Creating an I-Movie allowed me to present relevant information in a creative way and demonstrate effective usage of digital-age media to prospective students. I was able to analyze and evaluate the usage of this media and portray effective information to facilitate student success in learning.
IV. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
The promotion and education of ethical responsibility in this digital world is essential to establish safety and social awareness in our schools. Using Google Sites, an online website builder, I collaborated with a group of five people and developed a website that discusses the issues of cyberbullying, identity safety, cyberpredators, plagiarism and piracy, inappropriate content and social networks. This collaborative project allowed my peers and I to create and edit our own pages as parts of one main website. I created the section of the website that discussed cyber predators and gave three tips for parents and students, learned how to embed relateable YouTube videos and gave a list of resources regarding the topic for students and parents. In addition, I added a page link to my blog for easy access to such vital information regarding digital safety. This collaborative Internet safety website was a way for me to creatively advocate for the safety of all students in this emerging and progressing digital world. Furthermore, I will be able to share my knowledge of Google Sites with my students who would collaborate with their fellow peers to develop and model their understanding of responsible social interactions, digital safety, and global awareness.
As an educator, it is highly important to address and meet the needs of all diverse students in the classroom. I published a journal entry on my blog site where I researched various Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools and discussed the importance of continually developing and discovering new tools to meet higher needs of students. In my published blog post, I defined hi tech, low tech and no tech AAC tools and gave examples of each. The examples I used to discuss hi tech tools, which is defined as an electronic device that could be activated with a stick or the human eye, were the DynaVox M3 which aids in voice output transmission that can be used to express emotion, initiate conversation and predict word usage. Low tech tools and no tech tools were closer to natural forms of communication such as the use of communication boards where children can point or gesture to their feelings or needs. Throughout my research of AAC tools, I have learned the importance of providing equitable access to education for all children, regardless of their learning needs. By discovering new forms of technology and appropriate digital tools, teaching can be made more accessible for educators and learning can be made easier and more engaging for all children.
V. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
As an educator, it is imperative to continuously participate in the professional community and to promote and reflect on scholarly articles which can aid in the enhancement of the learning experience for children. In response to the educational community, I have published ten reflections in my live blog on various scholarly articles. I joined ISTE, an online non-profit association for educators dedicated to the improvement of learning and teaching. I researched numerous digital copies of scholarly articles, from ISTE’s Learning and Leading with Technology journal (L&L) about the advancement of education and I reflected on these articles in my online, live blog. I published my reflections and posed questions about the effectiveness of the article and ways that educators could utilize the various ideas in their classrooms. Reading and reflecting on the educational journal articles allows me to contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self renewal in my establishment as a professional educator. In addition, I have the ability to give insight to my readers of the current status of the educational world and pose thoughtful questions to render its continued professionalism.
As a prospective educator, it is important to reflect and stay connected to the professional and educational community.I have established a Personal Learning Network, or PLN, which is a collection of individuals with whom I engage online and develop relevant ideas with one another. I joined Twitter, an online social networking site, and have connected with over sixty professional educators by participating in their educational chats such as the #edchat. I have also become member of Diigo, an online social bookmarking site, where I am able to research and bookmark relevant websites, journal articles or educational communities directly online which allows for easy access from any computer. In my online blog, I have published an article in reflection of the growth of my PLN and the ways in which it has aided my discovery of evolving into a professional educator. Through the constant connections with professional educators throughout the world using these online educational communities, I have been able to self-reflect, participate in community building, and expand my knowledge of technology in support of student learning. It is important to stay connected with professional communities to develop one’s own practice in the art of teaching.