Class Projects

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weakness

My technological strengths involve anything to do with audio/visual equipment, especially for the use of the first teacher standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (2008), “Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments” (p. 1). For example, my first year teaching, we studied Romeo and Juliet and The Odyssey. With my guidance, my students adapted each story into a modernized re-telling script (with modern language and setting). Students were then cast into different roles—acting, music, camera, etc.—and together we filmed the movies. I also used my editing skills to help put the films together, and then students helped choose music to score the films. The end results were nothing Oscar-worthy, but they were definitely special to all the students. Over five years later, I still have students talking about them when I see them around.

My primary weakness would be the fifth teacher standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (2008) which states, “Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources” (p. 2). My school was not particularly updated with technology and using technology for learning and therefore had inadequate professional development on the subject. Because of this, I do not feel that I ever got the proper knowledge and growth on the subject as a teacher that I should have. To overcome these weaknesses, I feel I should do two things: 1) Seek out a school district that understands the importance of technology in a learning environment and knows how to properly utilize it and teach its educators about it, and 2) Seek out my own professional development to bring back ideas and pitch the to the administration about why it is important or necessary to help enhance student achievement.

I would like to learn and gather ideas on how to use a multitude of online websites, such as blogs or other, lesser known forms of communication, to enhance student interest when used as a part of an assignment. Because students love when assignments are out of the norm and/or technologically based, it is most beneficial to all involved when out-of-the-box thinking and creativity is used in building assignments that enhance the learning process. And going from a school teacher to a school librarian, I feel this is even more necessary as a librarian is there to help give teachers ideas and methods on enriching student learning.

References

International Society for Technology in Education. (2008). ISTE Standards Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf