Wednesday, February 1, 2012

EDLD 5398ET - Week 2.6 Reflections for Technology Facilitator Standard IV

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2-6: Reflection on Technology Facilitator Standard IV: Assessment and Evaluation in your Textbook


After reading chapter four (TF/TL) Standard IV; the use of technology to assess student learning is the responsibility of the teacher to know how to use technology to facilitate student learning. Students in a personalize group receive individual feedback from the instructor (Blignaut and Tollip, 2003). According to the Standard IV, teacher should know how to address the various standards, and should be able to demonstrate effective communication in their teaching, and demonstrate the necessary skills and methods of delivering cultural learning that is contour to each student particular need. It is also the responsibility of the principal to know what teachers need in the classroom to facilitate a positive learning environment. Many forms of peer interaction are possible (Merrill & Gilbert, 2008). Moreover, principals are assigned the main responsibility for providing teachers with the necessary tools, off campus workshops, or any other instructional learning aid that is driven to support the teacher advancement in education. Professional development using one-day in-service training is the standard mechanisms by which school districts provide on-going training for their teachers; however several limitations exist (Sprague, et. Al, 2011).

An ETL facilitator can also provide valuable learning resources on campus to help with effective teaching; ensuring that teachers are capable of improving student learning; and school administrators are able to help them do so in order to meet ISTE’s standards as outlined. In remembering what I read in chapter IV, I have looked at materials designed to expand creativity in individuals, and was recently asked by my program chairperson to review the content in my classroom to find a creative way to spruce our numbers in student engagement. This is where I found comfort in reading on page 85 under the subheading “Evaluating Educational Technology”, in effort to redefine the purpose of our current classroom curriculum. Teachers could make their communication regarding larger contexts more effective by inspiring students (van der Zee, 2012). Interesting enough, Standard IV played a huge role in my delivery and response and conceptual knowledge to put together a practical outline of some of the weak points that I found in our learning modules.

References

Blignaut, S., & Trollip, S. (2003, June). Taxonomy for faculty participation in asynchronous online discussions [Electronic version]. Proceedings of the World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2003, (pp. 2043-2050), Honolulu, HI

Merrill, M. David, and Clark G. Gilbert. 2008. “Effective Peer Interaction in a Problem-Centered Instructional Strategy. “Distance Education, 29(2), 199-207.

Sprague, J., Pennefather, J., Marquez, J., Yeaton, P., Marquez, B., & Society for Research on Educational Effectiveness, (.2011). Online Universal Screening and Behavioral Progress Monitoring: Assessing Social Validity, Usability and Internet to Use by K-3 Teachers. Society For Research on Educational Effectiveness,



van der Zee, T. (2012). Inspiration: A Thought-Provoking Concept for RE Teachers. British Journal of Religious Education, 34(1), 21-34.

EDLD 5398ET - Week 2.5 Reflection for Technology Facilitator Standard III

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2.5-6: Reflections on the readings in Chapters Three and Four of your text, ISTE’s Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards, pages 57-99.


TF/TL Standard III assist teachers in the ongoing development of knowledge, skills, and understanding of technology systems that are aligned with district and state technology plans. ISTE’s standards are a warehouse of information in preparing candidates to serve as campus technological facilitators. In completing the ETL program, I will be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to teach technology applications; with a leverage of comfort and the ability to prove my advanced skills to effectively use technology to support student learning; and provide professional development, guidance, and basic technical skills for assisting, other teachers who require support in their efforts to apply technology to support Grades K-12 student learning. Technology is a major component of a constructivist approach and should be integrated throughout the curriculum (McRae, 2001).

Over the years, K-12 education, professional development for teachers in the area of technology integration has focused on the technology itself and the curriculum. The technologies have been added on, rather than integrated into the curriculum (Gosper, McNeil, Phillips, et al. 2010). Authors Duran E, Duran, B, and Worch (2009), indicated that curriculum integration continues to be a powerful strategy to meet this challenge, teachers often find it difficult to bridge the gap between theorical models of integration and classroom implementation. Educators today, need to separate themselves from the past and accept technology as an integral part of the education system of the 21st Century. With multi-media and digital resources igniting our learning community; the design of curriculums and student awareness about the Web 2.0 tools, as teachers we must recognize what we are teaching and deliver practical knowledge content and adopt a new curriculum design for our learners.

References
Duran, E., Ballone Duran, L., &Worch, E.A. (2009). Papier-Mache Animals: An Integrating Theme for Elementary Classrooms. Science Education Review, 8(1), 19-29.

Gosper, M.M., McNeil, M.M., Phillips, R.R., Preston, G.G., Woo, K.K., & Green, D.D. (2010). Web-Based Lecture Technologies and Learning and Teaching: A Study of Change in Four Australian Universities. ALT-J: Research In Learning Technology, 18(3), 251-263.

McRae, P. (2001, January 1). Increasing the Integration of Technology into the Fourth-Grade Curriculum Using Teacher/Media Specialist Collaboration in Planning Student Research Activities.

EDLD 5398ET - Week 2.4 Reflections for EDLD 5364

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2.4: Reflections on Course-Embedded Assignments for EDLD 5364


Education and technology are the two key areas that would go a long way in our schools in preparing students to become ready for vastly changes of society. As teachers, we can use various techniques to promote learning. But, it also depends on the teacher, teaching methods can include intensive individualized instruction, problem-solving assignments, and small group activities. The design principle to understand the general curriculum or to take a test, teachers must ensure that the information communicated to the students are supportive by the material presented. Teachers design and teach appropriate curriculums; assign work geared toward each student’s needs and learning abilities. Most teachers go beyond the normal daily activities of being a teacher, they provide students with career counseling or help them learn life skills, such as speaking appropriately, job interviewing, and career writing.

As schools become more inclusive, teachers and students will increasingly work together in the classroom to gain creative knowledge in technology. As technology continues to become present in the way we do business, educators must adopt a method for curriculum activities and teaching techniques to meet the growing trend of student’s readiness to learn how to use technology before graduation. Blevis, et. Al (2008) wrote, “Creation of an online virtual design studio culture using wiki technology has natural correspondences between the spirit of the wiki and the practices of physical world design culture.”A large part of a teacher’s job in the classroom involves communicating and coordinating with other teachers, principals, parents, and the community. Personal or professional networking is powerful because of its very simplicity and because it delivers (Hay & Henri, 1996).

In watching the video from the Cast UDL lesson builder website; I’ve learned that teacher ‘s as well as special education teachers should design and teach appropriate curriculums geared toward each student's needs and learning abilities. Teachers should also be involved in the student’s behavioral, social, and academic development by helping them to develop emotionally and interact effectively in their environment. Moreover, as schools become more inclusive, special education teachers and general education teachers shall increasingly work together in providing general education in classrooms. Teachers are involved in the design of the curriculum, especially in adapting the curriculum to respond to the special needs of individual learners. Special education teachers help general educators adopt curriculum materials and teaching techniques to meet the needs of students with disabilities.


References

Blevis, E., Lim, Y., Stolterman, E., & Makice, K. (2008). The Interactive Design of a Virtual Design Studio. Techtrends: Linking Research And Practice To Improve Learning, 52(1), 74-83.

Hay, L., & Henri, J. (1996). Sustaining the Vision through Networking…(and a Few Challenges Too!).

Wessel, J.A. (1989). Integrating the Curriculum: Quality and Relevance for Special Needs Children.

EDLD 5398ET - Week 2.3 Reflection for EDLD 5362 Information Systems Management

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2.3: Reflections on Course-Embedded Assignments for EDLD 5362 Information Systems Management as shown in the Internship Handbook, Course-Embedded Assignment document in the Resource section of the course.


Learners of today are becoming technological driven each day. Roles of teachers and learners must change (Texas Education Agency, 2001). Teachers need to understand how to implement this growing trend of collaboration and communication to their students. Technology media outcomes such as Web 2.0 are align with the common applications of blogs, video sharing, podcasting, and social networking which is a more socially connective media source where students can contribute as much as they can consume. Technology can also address the social dimension of learning by supporting not merely cooperation but also collaboration (Bose, 2010).

In this week’s reading, I’ve learned that Web 2.0 has a huge globally impact on people. People are becoming immersive captivated with using the Web to collaborate with their friends and family on a daily basis. Thereby, education institutions have taken advantage of the use of using Web 2.0 technology service to innovate their online classroom, library, and other data sources. One of the biggest growth areas in multimedia sharing are videos, podcasting, and photograph sharing. This development has been made possible through the widespread of digital technology such as hand held cameras, wireless devices such as cell phones that are equipped with video cam, and the Internet for real-time data usage.

Now that the horse and wagon days are long gone, the Internet has become a dominant force in the way world collaborate and communicate. Klamma et. Al (2007) also requires teacher’s interventions in collaborative learning. They further noted that in a Web 2.0 vision, the web is created by those who participate in it. Nonetheless, I think that teaching with Web 2.0 is a far better platform for collaboration in sharing ideas as a way to interact with student – to –student, student –to-teacher, and colleague-to-colleague. The social aspects of the Webs connectedness are becoming increasingly important to the way we communicate and learn.

References

Bose, S. (2010). Learning Collaboratively with Web 2.0 Technologies: Putting into Action Social Constructivism. Online Submission

Klamma, R., Chatti, M.A., Duval, E., Hummel, H., Hvannberg, E.H., Kravcik, M., Law, E., Naeve, A., & Scott, P. (2007). Social Software for Life-long Learning. Educational Technology & Society, 10(3), 72-83.

Texas Education Agency, A.v. (2001). Texas Star Chart: A Tool For Planning and Assessing School Technology and Readiness Aligned With The Texas Long-Range Plan For Technology. Educational Technology Advisor Committee [e-book]. 2001. Available From: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed January 29, 2012

EDLD5398ET: Week 2.2 Addition to Comp Exam - Ed Tech Vision

Week 2 Assignment, Part 2.2: Week Two Addition to Comprehensive Examination

ETL Vision Statement

It is my vision as an educator to help students meet their fullest potential in the areas of technology by providing an environment that is safe, support their learning needs, and invites a sharing of community ideas. The demand for online learning has changed the face of how we learn and communicate. As an online instructor we must be prepared for increased written communication demands that accompany online education. I envision for every student that plan to take an online course will be equipped with technological choices of a laptop, smart-phone, tablets, and iPad, as these devices will support the learner’s use of accessing an online classroom. These are the tools that represent the 21st Century learner’s need. Web 2.0 is the Web’s second generation second generation expanded the way teachers can operate their classroom, given them access to online and the emerging browser based tool, such as blogs and wiki’s, slide shows, videos, and photos, and programs then plan lessons look to curriculum standards deliver content, and monitor student performance (Ellis, 2010).

Colleges and Universities have a well developed technology plan to help educators become equipped with the advanced technology tools to meet the learner needs. The STaR chart prepares teachers at a k-12 grade and college levels. The chart concentrates on the areas of teaching and learning; educator preparation and development, leadership, administration, and instructional support; and infrastructure for technology. America’s students must learn how to learn; learn how to think and have a solid understanding of how technology works and what it can do (W.C., 1997). The chart monitors the decisions on student performance; and standards set at the classroom level that should provide a balance between State level guidance and local decision-making. These attributes alone aren’t enough for teachers to prepare their students succeed in the digital age. Teachers must be comfortable with technology as a tool to engage students and enhance their learning (Fulton, 2000).

Reference

CEO Forum on Education and Technology, W.C. (1997) School Technology and Readiness Report: From Pillars to Progress. The CEO Forum on Education and Technology, year one.

Ellis M. (2010). A Tool for Its Time. T.H.E Journal [Serial Online] August 1, 2010; 37(7): 24-26, Available from: ERIC, Ipswich, MA. Accessed January 28, 2012

Fulton, K., & CEO Forum in Education and Technology, W.C (2000). Teacher Preparation STaR Chart; A Self- Assessment Tool for Colleges of Education. Preparing a New Generation of Teachers.

EDLD 5398ET: Assignment 2.1 Web Conference

Week 2 Assignment, Part 1.1: Web Conferences---Organization and Management of Assignments


This week’s web-conference focused on the content that should be outlined in the Comprehensive Exam. The information communicated during the webinar suggested that we should focus on the material we will be adding to our writing exam. During the first thirty-minutes; I was able to receive a better understanding of the course expectation and requirements of the courses. Dr. Boral’s and instructor Dawn addressed the student’s questions and concerns. This week’s assignment mirrors week 1 assignment in that we again reflect on what we have learned and the previous courses and tied them back to over field experience. In a nutshell, my only concern about my previous courses and action plan that it may seem weak in nature of being an inexperience teacher of my cohort counter-parts. As I effortlessly try to meet the demands of the course and the course requirements; I have to use my talents and experience from what I already know as an educator in business, and as a part-time adjunct instructor at a two year college. I believe that if you can effectively communicate a curriculum the learner will be able to receive the information with a clear guidance and are able to receive personalized feedback are more satisfied and can performed better academically.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

EDLD5398ET(5370) - Week 1 Assignment - Standard II

TF/TL – Standard II

Planning and Designing Learning Environment and Experiences

According to TF/TL – Standard II looks at how teachers use technology to engage students in an effective learning environment by promoting the use of technology such as laptop, digital video cameras, and the use of microphones for creating audio presentations which is the most requested communication equipment for the classrooms. Active engagement is linked to increased motivation to learn, which can translate into a greater likelihood of meeting learning outcomes (Driscoll, 2000). The planning and designing phase content identifies the types of knowledge that are required for expertise, including learning strategies. One of the greatest challenges when introducing a new technology in learning is the cultural belief of learners and teachers. Higher education has unique academic freedom and the critical mass and diversity of skills to develop new ideas, to comment on society and its challenges, and to engage in bold experimentation in sustainable living (Cortese, 2003).

Introduction to Web 2.0 tools was designed to help educators develop proficiency in educational technology by addressing the challenges of preparing students for the demands of our digital age community. The 21st Century learner is likely to prefer working in a group rather than in isolation (Beldarrain, 2006). Since the movement towards Web 2.0 this could also pose challenges that the pedagogical front. In addition, Standard II specifically engage in the cognitive, analytical areas of the need in the planning stages of technology in effort to identify the technology that relates to the developmental skills of students in dealing with personalized learner and teachers ability to effectively relate with the strategies in dealing with the changes in learning the skills needed to properly understand the implementation of new technology in a learning base curriculum. In reading through the expectations set by Standard II, it presumes that all users in a district should understand the social responsibilities as it relates to technology.


Reference

Beldarrain, Y. (2006, August). Distance Education Trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. Distance Education: Aug 2006; 27, 2; Alumni-ProQuest Education Journals pg. 139

Cortese, A. (2003). The Critical Role of Higher Education in Creating a Sustainable Future: Retrieved on January 28, 2012 @ http://www.scup.org/asset/48483/cortese.pdf

Driscoll, M.P. (2000). Psychology of learning for instruction. (2nd ed.), Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon