Technology in Education
Summary
Technology in Education is my passion. When I was a kid, I begged my mom and dad for a computer. I was envious of my friends who had the Internet before I did. I wanted to learn everything about this machine that seemingly could do so much. From the beginning, I was intrigued by the power of technology and how it can allow us to do things in a more efficient and effective way. As I progressed through college and into my teaching career, my second passion developed in a big way: teaching students. As I quickly discovered, my two professional passions intertwined and created an environment that allowed me to put my students in a position to have a more effective and efficient learning environment. I found that I can connect with students so much more and help them to realize their potential, which is so unique in each and everyone. As I thought about my future, it was a natural fit to enroll in a Master's program that would allow me to develop my passion for technology and how to best use it for student learning. Because of their great reputation for technology, DSU and their MSET was where I would go. Through this Master's program, I was pushed by the professors to keep student learning as the priority and the technology as a way to reinforce the learning. Too often, the technology itself becomes the focus when teachers and administration get so caught up in the device. Stuffing a classroom full of devices does not automatically make it a better environment. It is all about the learning! The MSET at DSU has galvanized my approach of "What do I want my students to learn/do/develop?" Then, "What or how can technology help us achieve this in a better, more quality way?"
I believe that the effective use of technology in education can create learning experiences for students that would otherwise not be possible. I am passionate and driven to keep finding ways to help students learn through the use of technology.
I believe that the effective use of technology in education can create learning experiences for students that would otherwise not be possible. I am passionate and driven to keep finding ways to help students learn through the use of technology.
LT 731 - Multimedia Production
I enjoyed this class a great deal. Creating and learning new tools is right down my alley. I loved how we were able to use a variety of tools to create and demonstrate our abilities with multimedia. Ever since I started teaching, I have incorprated a lot of multimedia into my classroom. I have a video production "company" (as I call it) called "White Shirt Productions" which I use to make videos about a certain topic or key concept that I want my students to know/learn/remember. "Digital Video: Chinese Warrior" is an example of this below. I can't bring the weapons of the Chinese Warrior to school, but I can definitely video tape demonstrations and bring the experience to my students through video. I feel creating videos gives the students a different way to see things and gives them the opportunity to re-watch them for further understanding. I have also used multimedia through the "flipped" concept by narrating information presentations to give students the opportunity to watch/learn the content outside of class and then practice/use what they learned in the class. Another aspect of multimedia that I use a great deal is audio. I wrote a fantasy novel called "Ancient Quest" in which I included an audio option for students to listen to help them understand the story. This is especially helpful for the struggling reader. Below, you will also see a Google Drive tutorial built with Camtasia, a powerful (but expensive) screen recorder. "Otzi's Death: 4 Theories" is another example of a video as learning/reviewing. In the realm of multimedia, the one thing that this program helped me with the most is my first piece of evidence below: Techno Centered Vs. Learner Centered. It was really good to go through this because the learner needs to be at the center, not the technology. At times, multimedia production can get to be so flashy that the value and effectiveness is tarnished. Moving forward as a teacher and technology leader, I will use what I learned in this course to help and assistant others in keeping the learning at the center and developing effective multimedia. I also feel that these artifacts show my creativity.
Techno Centered Vs. Learner Centered
Google Drive - Camtasia
Digital Video: Chinese Warrior
Otzi's Death: 4 theories
CET 726 - Technology in the Curriculum
I felt confident navigating myself through this course because I have spent a lot of time integrating technollgy into my curriculum. There is a multitude of options out there for technology integration, but one must first decide what the students need to do/learn and then choose a technology tool that will best help that goal. Through web 2.0 tools, my class website, Google Drive, Prezi, etc, I have a strong passion for developing ways to improve my curriculum with technology. My first artifact was included in this section to show my dedication to this program and my profession. It was one of the early assignments of the class. A video "selfie" to introduce ourselves to the class. Being this was an online class, I thought this was a really good way to introduce ourselves and get to know our fellow classmates (something I will no doubt use when I teach online). The day I made my video was the first day of summer break and for me, that means shingling. My plan was to work until late afternoon, come home, and quickly shoot my video selfie. The shingling day turned into a marathon and I did not get home until 10:30 pm. It was super hot that day, the roofs were tough, and I was exhausted but I came home and did my assignment anyway without asking for an extension. I think this is an example of my commitment. I encourage you to take a close look at my "Spider Scribe Mind Map" for all the different ways I discuss on improving classroom instruction with technology. My PSA was a little off the beaten path since Ice Caramel Lattee's have nothing to do with my curriculum, but I had an idea and my professor allowed me to go with it, which I greatly appreciated. I think professors who allow their students to explore an idea, is a valuable thing.
Introduction: Video Selfie
Website of Artifacts
Using Technology to Improve classroom instruction - Mind Map
This is Feudalism
PSA: Iced Caramel Latte
Bonus Item
Techno.ED: Technology in Education
I wanted to include my personal technology in education website I started a few years ago. I think this bonus item is pertinent because it is a website/resource I started without being told. Though, it added another "item" of time to my already "Thanksgiving Day Plate," I thought it would be a way for me to share ideas I have developed or discovered on how to effectively integrate technology into the classroom. I found myself finding all sorts of great ideas and strategies and I felt moved to share them with my colleagues. I have received a lot of positive feedback on the various things I blog about. I try to share a blend of tools and strategies and include an "application for education" for teachers to think about how to apply what I just shared into their own classroom.
I enjoyed this class a great deal. Creating and learning new tools is right down my alley. I loved how we were able to use a variety of tools to create and demonstrate our abilities with multimedia. Ever since I started teaching, I have incorprated a lot of multimedia into my classroom. I have a video production "company" (as I call it) called "White Shirt Productions" which I use to make videos about a certain topic or key concept that I want my students to know/learn/remember. "Digital Video: Chinese Warrior" is an example of this below. I can't bring the weapons of the Chinese Warrior to school, but I can definitely video tape demonstrations and bring the experience to my students through video. I feel creating videos gives the students a different way to see things and gives them the opportunity to re-watch them for further understanding. I have also used multimedia through the "flipped" concept by narrating information presentations to give students the opportunity to watch/learn the content outside of class and then practice/use what they learned in the class. Another aspect of multimedia that I use a great deal is audio. I wrote a fantasy novel called "Ancient Quest" in which I included an audio option for students to listen to help them understand the story. This is especially helpful for the struggling reader. Below, you will also see a Google Drive tutorial built with Camtasia, a powerful (but expensive) screen recorder. "Otzi's Death: 4 Theories" is another example of a video as learning/reviewing. In the realm of multimedia, the one thing that this program helped me with the most is my first piece of evidence below: Techno Centered Vs. Learner Centered. It was really good to go through this because the learner needs to be at the center, not the technology. At times, multimedia production can get to be so flashy that the value and effectiveness is tarnished. Moving forward as a teacher and technology leader, I will use what I learned in this course to help and assistant others in keeping the learning at the center and developing effective multimedia. I also feel that these artifacts show my creativity.
Techno Centered Vs. Learner Centered
Google Drive - Camtasia
Digital Video: Chinese Warrior
Otzi's Death: 4 theories
CET 726 - Technology in the Curriculum
I felt confident navigating myself through this course because I have spent a lot of time integrating technollgy into my curriculum. There is a multitude of options out there for technology integration, but one must first decide what the students need to do/learn and then choose a technology tool that will best help that goal. Through web 2.0 tools, my class website, Google Drive, Prezi, etc, I have a strong passion for developing ways to improve my curriculum with technology. My first artifact was included in this section to show my dedication to this program and my profession. It was one of the early assignments of the class. A video "selfie" to introduce ourselves to the class. Being this was an online class, I thought this was a really good way to introduce ourselves and get to know our fellow classmates (something I will no doubt use when I teach online). The day I made my video was the first day of summer break and for me, that means shingling. My plan was to work until late afternoon, come home, and quickly shoot my video selfie. The shingling day turned into a marathon and I did not get home until 10:30 pm. It was super hot that day, the roofs were tough, and I was exhausted but I came home and did my assignment anyway without asking for an extension. I think this is an example of my commitment. I encourage you to take a close look at my "Spider Scribe Mind Map" for all the different ways I discuss on improving classroom instruction with technology. My PSA was a little off the beaten path since Ice Caramel Lattee's have nothing to do with my curriculum, but I had an idea and my professor allowed me to go with it, which I greatly appreciated. I think professors who allow their students to explore an idea, is a valuable thing.
Introduction: Video Selfie
Website of Artifacts
Using Technology to Improve classroom instruction - Mind Map
This is Feudalism
PSA: Iced Caramel Latte
Bonus Item
Techno.ED: Technology in Education
I wanted to include my personal technology in education website I started a few years ago. I think this bonus item is pertinent because it is a website/resource I started without being told. Though, it added another "item" of time to my already "Thanksgiving Day Plate," I thought it would be a way for me to share ideas I have developed or discovered on how to effectively integrate technology into the classroom. I found myself finding all sorts of great ideas and strategies and I felt moved to share them with my colleagues. I have received a lot of positive feedback on the various things I blog about. I try to share a blend of tools and strategies and include an "application for education" for teachers to think about how to apply what I just shared into their own classroom.
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