Standard V

   Throughout my student teaching experience I incorporated technology whenever possible and utilized it to increase productivity.  I used websites such as Education World and edhelper.com to help develop lessons and materials for the classroom.  I provided my e-mail address to parents in my welcoming letter, and also communicated with my cooperating teacher via e-mail.  Websites such as the National Library of Virtual Manipulatives and BrainPOP.com were implemented within my lessons and lab time, and provided an additional means of communicating scientific and mathematical ideas to my students.  Fortunately our school has a subscription to BrainPOP.com, because I used the mini-movies on this website regularly with the LCD projector in the classroom. 

   While I was extremely confident in my technological abilities before this unit, I continued to grow throughout my student teaching experience.  My cooperating teacher introduced me to multiple web resources that she has used over time, and I learned how to enter grades using GradeQuick.  The Wyandotte school district also uses an online program called Zangle to handle attendance, which I used on a daily basis.  In addition, because I was able to utilize the technology that I learned about in classes more freely, I was able to learn more about each program such as Kidspiration and KidPix.  Finally, I also grew through the professional development training that I had during my student teaching experience.  We even had a presentation from Wayne RESA regarding the Grade Level Content Expectations (GLECs) and utilizing a website called EdGate that is a database of lessons related to the standards and the GLECs.

   I know that I will continue to grow because I truly love technology and want to use it as a resource in the classroom.  I will continue my subscription to EdNet in order to keep up on the latest technology, and work on the skills that I already know so as to master them.  I hope to take more technology classes in the future because I realize what a great asset it is to an elementary teacher and how helpful it is to students.   Additionally, I will continue to learn from the students in my classroom and from my own individual research.

Cassandra Golembiewski
Student Teaching

University of Michigan- Dearborn
Garfield Elementary School
Wyandotte, Michigan
5th Grade Science
Unit Topic: Rocks and Minerals

V. Productivity and Professional Practices.
Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice.

Teachers:

1. Use technology resources to engage in ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.
   
2. Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning.
   
3. Apply technology to increase productivity.
   
4. Use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.