Technology+Standard+III+Reflection

(TF-III.B.1) Use methods and strategies for integrating technology resources that support the needs of diverse learners, including adaptive and assistive technology. (TF-III.C) Apply technology to demonstrate students’ higher-order skills and creativity. (TF-III.C.1) Use methods and strategies for teaching problem-solving skills using technology resources. (TF-III.D) Manage student learning activities in a technology-enhances environment. (TF-III.D.1) Use methods and classroom management strategies for teaching technology concepts and skills in individual, small group, classroom, and/or lab settings. (TF-III.E) Use current research and district/region/state/national content standards to build lessons and units of instruction. (TF-III.E.1) Describe and identify curricular methods and strategies that are aligned with district/region/state/national content and technology standards. (TF-III.E.2) Use major and research findings and trends related to the use of technology in education to support integration throughout the curriculum.
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Indicator //**
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Tasks //**
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Indicator //**
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Tasks //**
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Indicator //**
 * // Technology Facilitation Performance Tasks //**

Self Assessment:

When I started teaching fourteen years ago technology seemed to be it’s own entity. It was something I did separately if I had time. I also didn’t even consider myself responsible for teaching technology. I vividly remember taking my whole class to the computer lab and leaving while our ITS would teach a technology skill to my students. Now using technology is a mandatory way of life for teachers. The shift is one that I find to be quite exciting because it will keep us up to date with our students. Research has proven that technology changes the focus from teacher centered to learner centered. “Teaching models that integrate technologies such as blogs or wikis may afford more learner control, and thus may be more effective at delivering instructional strategies “ (Beldarrian, 2006, p. 142). I have fully embraced blogs and wikis for this very reason.

Learn as a Learner:

In the past learning technology has usually come from need rather than want. However, once I began to experience the benefits of using technology and saw what a great outlet it was for me I began to want to learn all the technology applications I could. When visiting teacher’s classrooms as a instructional coach I would often begin to daydream about how they could integrate technology into all of their lessons and hopefully capture the attention of the students daydreaming like I was! "Nearly half (47 percent) said a major reason for dropping out was that classes were not interesting" ( Gates Foundation, 2006, p.3). I hope to never feel responsible for not learning with my students and making it interesting for them. First, I would spend a good amount of time learning the technology myself. Then I would share it with the teacher so we could explore together. I hope to push teachers to connect more with students and promote higher order thinking in the classroom as well as problem solving skills. I am well aware that I have so much more to learn and that my quest to learn something new will never end.

Life Long Learning Skills:

Technology has arrived and is only going to become more important in the lives of educators. We “must align the curriculum framework and expectations for teaching and learning to the needs and interests of digital-age learners.” (William & Redish, 2009, p. 68). For example, when I tell my children to shut off the TV they do then go to a computer screen. When I tell them to shut the computer down, they turn on their ipod. They shut down the ipod and then power up a DSi. I was pleased when they jumped onto the kindle though because it is a classic case of how technology can be a great tool for learning. They jump from screen to screen at home so it would only make sense that they should be taught in a way that is familiar to them.

Beldarrain, Yoany. (2006). Distance education trends: Integrating new technologies to foster student interaction and collaboration. //Distance Education,// 27.2, pages 139-215.

Gates Foundation. (2006). Why do kids drop out? Retrieved September 10, 2011, from [|www.gatesfoundation.org/nr/downloads/ed/TheSilentEpidemic3-06Final.pdf]

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.