Goal 9: Technology
- Demonstrates knowledge and skillful use of technology to facilitate learning.
- Demonstrates skillful ability to use technology as a tool to improve learning.
Throughout the course of my career thus far, I have felt fairly comfortable integrating technology into my classroom content. While many school districts offer different types of technology, I have often felt like training on the different types of technology has not always been relevant or “just in time” training. By pursuing my master’s degree I was able to receive “just in time” training on many different types of technology; additionally, I had the support of my professors and peers as I learned about and explored technology. I learned many different ways to integrate technology as a tool to improve learning, some of those ways included: creating a website, learning how to use apps such as QR Codes, creating a unit incorporating technology, and creating my first online module for educators.
During the first summer of my master’s program I took a technology course with Dr. Graham; she used Weebly as a platform to share information for our class. During our class we discussed using Weebly to create a website, so I decided to begin creating my website using Weebly. Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year I designed a classroom website including resources for parents and students. Parents could follow my blog on Weebly, access support for mathematics and explore Alaska’s Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Math. Additionally, parents could contact me via the website or email with questions or concerns. For my students I added external links to a variety of websites for language arts and math. I also created a Symbaloo account with quick links to many different activities. Finally, since many of my colleagues were interested in creating a website similar to mine I took time to work with my second grade team to help them create websites. I shared my mathematics videos for my qualitative research along with basic formatting to help my colleagues.
Over the course of my master’s program I also learned about different Apps that I can use in my classroom. Recently, I learned how useful QR codes can be in the classroom. QR or quick response codes, can allow students with BYOD to scan answers to questions in order to check work. Another example might be using QR Codes for a scavenger hunt. In EDET 635 I participated in a module on different apps and was able to create a QR Code. I am anxious to begin using QR Codes in the classroom.
Another way I work to use technology as a tool to improve learning is to use backwards design to ensure that I incorporate technology effectively. Sometimes I feel as though teachers include technology simply to say they included it, rather than working diligently to ensure that technology is used to effectively enhance instruction. During Educational Technology Leadership, I designed a unit on salmon which effectively incorporated technology. This unit was also designed as a community based unit; salmon play a key role in Alaska’s economy. My students enjoyed learning about the salmon life cycle and why salmon are so important in Alaska.
Finally, during my master’s program I had the opportunity to create my first module online. This was a huge learning process for me as I learned about gamification and created a module for my fellow educators to work through so they could learn how to gamify their classroom. During my module I hosted my first Google Hangout and had the opportunity to work with Michael Matera. I learned how to create badges for my students either online or in Microsoft Word or a similar program. I also provided support and feedback to other educators by using a leader board I created on leaderboarded.com. This was a great way to share progress with my peers.
Overall, pursuing my master’s degree has helped me maintain excellence in technology by providing “just in time” training on many 21st century technology skills. In the future I hope to pursue my technology endorsement.
Artifacts:
Classroom Website
Mrs. Lambries Symbaloo
QR Code and Notes on other Apps
Unit on Salmon Life Cycle
During the first summer of my master’s program I took a technology course with Dr. Graham; she used Weebly as a platform to share information for our class. During our class we discussed using Weebly to create a website, so I decided to begin creating my website using Weebly. Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year I designed a classroom website including resources for parents and students. Parents could follow my blog on Weebly, access support for mathematics and explore Alaska’s Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Math. Additionally, parents could contact me via the website or email with questions or concerns. For my students I added external links to a variety of websites for language arts and math. I also created a Symbaloo account with quick links to many different activities. Finally, since many of my colleagues were interested in creating a website similar to mine I took time to work with my second grade team to help them create websites. I shared my mathematics videos for my qualitative research along with basic formatting to help my colleagues.
Over the course of my master’s program I also learned about different Apps that I can use in my classroom. Recently, I learned how useful QR codes can be in the classroom. QR or quick response codes, can allow students with BYOD to scan answers to questions in order to check work. Another example might be using QR Codes for a scavenger hunt. In EDET 635 I participated in a module on different apps and was able to create a QR Code. I am anxious to begin using QR Codes in the classroom.
Another way I work to use technology as a tool to improve learning is to use backwards design to ensure that I incorporate technology effectively. Sometimes I feel as though teachers include technology simply to say they included it, rather than working diligently to ensure that technology is used to effectively enhance instruction. During Educational Technology Leadership, I designed a unit on salmon which effectively incorporated technology. This unit was also designed as a community based unit; salmon play a key role in Alaska’s economy. My students enjoyed learning about the salmon life cycle and why salmon are so important in Alaska.
Finally, during my master’s program I had the opportunity to create my first module online. This was a huge learning process for me as I learned about gamification and created a module for my fellow educators to work through so they could learn how to gamify their classroom. During my module I hosted my first Google Hangout and had the opportunity to work with Michael Matera. I learned how to create badges for my students either online or in Microsoft Word or a similar program. I also provided support and feedback to other educators by using a leader board I created on leaderboarded.com. This was a great way to share progress with my peers.
Overall, pursuing my master’s degree has helped me maintain excellence in technology by providing “just in time” training on many 21st century technology skills. In the future I hope to pursue my technology endorsement.
Artifacts:
Classroom Website
Mrs. Lambries Symbaloo
QR Code and Notes on other Apps
Unit on Salmon Life Cycle