Technology+Standard+II+Reflection

**ET8021 Cohort 12 ** Technology Facilitator Standard II is Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences. The standard has helped me to plan, design and model effective technology lessons that enhance student learning. I worked to improve interest of fifth grade readers. I designed lessons that made a reading tutoring session so much more relevant and engaging for both teacher and student because technology was integrated. Although it was a daunting task convincing teachers that they could use technology I pressed on. Williamson and Redish (2009) write, “Asking teachers to integrate technology into their instructional designs adds new layers of complexity to the planning process” (p.37). Being able to help teachers design their own technology integrated lessons was empowering for me. I also began to feel more sure of myself after experiencing the impact of technology integrated lessons. Watching my blogs and wikis grow with more projects and seeing my abilities grow has boosted my self worth as an educator.
 * Technology Facilitator Standard II ** **By Raquel Cantu **

As a learner I have grown in a sense that I have been pushed out of my comfort zone. Every time I feel stressed and stretched I find that I can go the extra mile and end up learning a lot in the process. Honestly, when I began the program I was looking for a piece of paper to add to my credentials. I knew I would learn a few tricks but I didn’t expect to learn that my whole teaching career can change from the power of technology in schools. I am passionate about learning all I can to engage the students. I was so intrigued by what my colleagues posted on the discussion board every week. I learned so much from my colleagues hands on experiences. “//Good teachers have always used experience as a valuable instructional tool; that is why we arrange field trips and hands-on projects. It is why an internship or apprenticeship is essential to the completion of most vocations, including teaching”// (Southwest Educational Developmental Laboratory (1999). Each week I would learn a new idea and quickly take it back to my school to see how I could apply it. It was a great feeling learning with other like minded students.

As a lifelong learning, I am learning how to better understand the needs of teachers who feel overwhelmed by technology integration. In any situation hands on experiences work best. I can tell them now from my experiences that technology will make their lives so much easier because of how you can design lessons that reach a diverse group of learners. According to David H. Rose & Anne Meyer (2002) "Because of their inherent flexibility, digital technologies can adjust to learner differences, enabling teachers to (1) differentiate problems a student may have using particular kinds of learning media from more general learning problems and (2) draw upon a student's other strengths and interests that may be blocked by the exclusive use of printed text" (Ch.1). Technology is a way to improve the "one size fits all" method of teaching. Using computers and other devices makes it easier for teachers to differentiate student needs. Printed text should only be just one slice of the pie. Enhanced learning comes when there are many opportunities to process thinking. Students might have a strength that might not ever be tapped into if the only instruction they receive is teacher lecture and printed text. I have learned that change can occur with small effective hand-on steps rather than a rapidly forced conversion. Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards: WhatEvery K-12 Leader Should Know and Be Able To Do//. Eugene, OR: International Societyfor Technology in Education.

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do //. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). //Learning as a personal event: a brief introduction to constructivism.// Retrieved on August 31st, 2011 from [].

Rose, D., & Meyer, A. (2002). //Teaching Every Student in the Digital Age: Universal Design for Learning//. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Available online at the Center for Applied Special Technology web site, Chapter 1. Retrieved on August 31st, 2011, from []