NETS-T

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

Classroom Newsletter

Using Microsoft Word, I created a newsletter for my future classroom.  It creatively introduces class expectations and incorporates a section on how I would like to integrate technology into my classroom. Using Word, I used basic tools such as tables and columns to create sections for the newsletter.  The masthead was created using a 3x5 table and incorporated WordArt, graphics, and basic alignment tools to obtain the desired look.  The body of the newsletter was created by dividing it into two columns, and integrating clip art and scanned photos to make it more visually pleasing and interesting.  I also incorporated a dropcap to start the first article and formatted the images so text would neatly wrap around them. Creating this newsletter allowed me to demonstrate an innovative use of Word that I can use as a model for how my students can incorporate technology the curriculum.  Additionally, I promoted conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes through my organizing text, pictures, spacing, and different font sizes together in a cohesive form to produce an informative classroom newsletter.  

Classroom Blog

By using Blogger, Google’s free blogging service, I created a creative classroom blog, a web-based journal that contains comments, reflections, and links to other sites of interest. I used the blog to exhibit my work, post reflections concerning my research, and opened it to review from people who viewed the blog. I wrote a series of reflective journal entries based on articles from the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) publication Learning and Leading with Technology. By using HTML code into my blog, I was able to embed images, documents, and examples of my technology work to support both my research and growth as an educator. I also inserted into the blog a series of links located in tabs at the top of the page and in the right sidebar that connect anyone who views the blog to my work on other websites, tools beneficial to research and education, and to organizations that support the growth of educators. My blog promotes reflection and collaboration by using a tool that models the development of conceptual understanding and communication, which is accomplished through the comment feature of the blog and its posts. By changing the design and layout of the individual posts and the blog to create a more appealing presentation, the blog is a model for how my students will use technology in a creative and innovative manner.

2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

iMovie Public Service Announcement

It is important for educators to incorporate into the curriculum technology that compliments and enhances the learning experience of the students. Using iMovie, Apple’s video editing software, I created a one minute long Public Service Announcement (PSA)  for students interested in enrolling at California State University San Marcos. I then uploaded the video to my blog for viewing by converting the PSA into a QuickTime file. I began by edited together ten film clips, a still-frame for the credits, a voice-over of myself welcoming people to the campus, and music that I made fade out at the end. I then altered the length of each clip and tuned the audio level of the music so the voice-over could be heard. I finished by adding filters and video effects, screen transitions, information pertaining to the University, and scrolling credits to attribute all sources involved in the making of the PSA. Through the editing involved in making the PSA I model relevant learning experiences that incorporates digital tools that promotes learning and creativity of my future students. I can also use iMovie in the classroom to customize learning activities to address my students’ diverse learning styles by allowing them to design their own movies related to the subject being taught in the classroom.

Excel Crossword Puzzle

I used Excel, Microsoft’s spreadsheet application, to create an electronic crossword puzzle activity for a history classroom. The puzzle, which is about United States Presidents, can be completed on a computer or printed out and solved on paper. I visiting Atomic Learning, a website that provides tutorials and activities related to using technology in the classroom, and followed the model provided on how to design the crossword using Excel. I added to the first cell in the word a clue both the vertical and horizontal answers which can be seen by scrolling over it so it can be completed electronically; and on a separate sheet I provided the same clues so it can be printed out. I also added conditional formatting to the cells so that the first letter of the answer will change green if right or red if wrong to help students know if they are correct without needing the answer key. The Excel crossword allows me to design a learning experience that incorporates a digital puzzle that promotes my student’s learning and can be used for any subject in history. The puzzle can also be used to develop a technology-enriched learning environment that enables my students to pursue their individual curiosities by allowing them to create their  own crosswords; and manage their own learning through the research they must do in order to create the questions.

3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning

Prezi

Through the use of Prezi, an online, non-linear presentation tool, I created a web-based presentation that showcased my understanding of the Profiles for Technology Literate students grades 9-12 (From ISTE’s NETS-S) and how I can incorporate them into my lesson plans. Each slide contains one profile and an explanation of a lesson plan that develops and supports the students’ proficiency in technology. The process of making the presentation began by creating frames, placed into each of them a profile and a lesson plan that demonstrates it, and altering the size and location of each content frame. I then embedded into the presentation images and videos as potential examples of what each lesson plan discussed would look like. I finished the presentation by mapping out the route in a way that has it zooming in and out, and spins around as it travels to each new frame to create a more visually appealing presentation.  By using Prezi to create a presentation I show my ability to communicate relevant information and ideas through a online lesson effectively to my students and peers through a digital-age media program. Prezi also allows me to demonstrate a fluency in a technological system by creating a presentation, and the ability to transfer my current knowledge to new a technology since I used my previous knowledge on designing a presentation and applying it to an online program.

Diigo

I created a account with Diigo, an online social bookmarking web-service, to do research on education and ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. I also used it to begin the development of my Personal Learning Network since I could bookmark any website, blog, forum, or other online media that I believed would benefit me. I began my use of Diigo by downloading and installing to my web-browser the Diigo toolbar which gave me access to the program which allowed me to bookmark pages, highlight passages I found important, and leave notes for other Diigo users. When selecting a website to bookmark I am able to include with the link a description of the contents found on it and tags that can be used to quickly find all related sites in my library. I also used Diigo to search through other users libraries to find beneficial sites I personally could not locate such as a time-line on Black Consciousness for my course on the history of South Africa; and other users can view the resources I found allowing for an easy and efficient exchange of research sources. Diigo can be used to model for my students the effective use of current digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate,and use information resources to support their research and learning throughout their education. I can also incorporate Diigo in the classroom as a way to collaborate with  my students, and my peers because it can be used to locate and share information to support my students’ success and innovation.

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

Cyber Safety Collaborative Website

I, along with five of my peers, designed a cyber safety website using Weebly, a free, easy to use, online service that allows the user to create and publish a website. We discussed what would go on each page and we each took it upon ourselves to create a article for the website; and I personally designed the page on piracy and plagiarism. The process began by using the user-friendly tools provided by Weebly to design the layout of the page by incorporating the different types of columns, titles, and text boxes so that I could create a visually appealing presentation of the information concerning piracy and plagiarism. I then inserted into the page images and video for each topic, and links to sources that help educate students, parents and educators concerning the risks of piracy and plagiarism. We finished by critiquing our peers work, publishing the entire website, and embedding a link to the website on our blog. The collaborative website we designed allowed for the advocation, modeling, and teaching of safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology in regards to cyber safety and demonstrated an understanding of the consequences of violating a copyright, the protection of intellectual property, and the appropriate ways to  document sources.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Journal

Educators need to understand the diverse learning-styles of their students and the tools that can benefit them. I  researched different forms of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which are communication methods used to supplement or replace writing or speech for those students with impairments. I wrote a journal article about low-tech and high-tech Adaptive Technology Tools that support students who use AAC methods. I began by doing research on various adaptive tools via the Internet and used Diigo, a social bookmarking service, to bookmark what i found for future reference. I then wrote an article on my blog, which is a web-based journal that contains comments and reflections, with a section describing devices that replace verbal communication and a section on devices that enhance the accessibility to technology for students with impairments. I finished the article by embedding images of the devices that i described for the low and high-tech tools for both communication and accessibility. The journal on Adaptive Technology educated me on the diverse needs that my future students may have and how to I can incorporate the tools I researched into the classroom to promote learner-centered strategies to allow for an equal education for all my students.

5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership

Personal Learning Network

It is crucial for educators to continue to grow in the profession by seeking out new methods and skills provided by the global community. I began to develop a Personal Learning Network (PLN) to be able to communicate with professionals around the world concerning various educational and technological topics to benefit me as a future educator. To help establish and maintain my PLN I used Diigo, Blogger, Twitter, and “The Educator’s PLN” discussion forum to stay connected with my contacts. Using Twitter I followed five professionals in education who were posting information I believed to be beneficial and I took part in a discussion between members of the international education community about what it takes to be an effective administrator for a school. Diigo allowed me to network with five other Diigo users who also had an interest in education and I bookmarked five blogs that related to the teaching or the use of technology in the classroom. Finally, I joined “The Educator’s PLN” digital discussion forum which has a vast amount of videos, blogs, discussions, and articles all related to how to be successful in the profession. By developing my PLN and connecting with professionals worldwide  I have been able to participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative uses of technology to improve my potential in supporting my students’ educations. My PLN also contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession because I am actively seeking out other educators, discussing with them the current practices used,  and promoting the growth of new ideas, methods, and skills for the improvement of the profession.

Learning & Leading with Technology Journals

By subscribing to ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) I was able to access the magazine Learning & Leading with Technology which contains articles about the incorporation of technology into the classroom. I then wrote reflective journals on my blog that express my understanding of the information provided in each reading. I began the reflection process by first reading the articles which had information on Twitter, infographics (visual representations of data that can come in the form of a picture), and the use of technological devices as a tool to improve the overall classroom experience. Each journal includes a summary of the article I read, two questions related to what I believe was important information in the article, and I then answered them in a way that expresses how it will affect me as an educator. I then posted the journals on my blog in order to share the information I had learned with my peers in the profession to promote the integration of technology in the field of education.The journal articles I wrote demonstrate my ability to evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice, and the readings taught me how to effectively use existing and emerging digital tools, such as Twitter, and resources that can support the education I give to my future students. By posting my journal entries on my blog I exhibit leadership in the field by demonstrating my desired vision of infusing technology into my classroom, and I help in the development of leadership and technology skills of other educators because they can view my journals and, like me, reflect on the integration of technology in the profession.