ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS)
and
Performance Indicators for Teachers

I.  Technology Operations and Concepts:  Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts.

    I demonstrated a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts by creating a unit that showed students how to use Kid Pix software.  I began by creating an example, using a pencil, a shape, and a stamp.  I next demonstrated to the students how to use a variety of tools and colors available on the program.  With my guidance, students used the Kid Pix software to create their own Kid Pix pictures.  This standard was also demonstrated when Inspiration software was used to create a generalization of the idea Grandma.  (Lesson 1, Lesson 4)

II.  Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences:  Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology.

     I was able to meet this standard by integrating Language Arts and Social Studies standards into this unit.  I followed the Michigan Standards and Benchmarks, and integrated the use of technology.  For example, we used trade books, primary sources and internet search engines to gain knowledge of the Depression Era; we used internet search engines to research tornadoes, and eventually used word processors to write a research report; and, we used e-mail to communicate with a person who had lived during the Depression Era.  (Lesson 2,  Lesson 3).

III.  Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum.  Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning.

     I was able to meet the diverse needs of the students by using a veriety of media to teach the about the Great Depression.  We used a graphic organizer to identify a typical grandma; we read about the Depression in our text books, in our trade books, and on the internet; and we were able to communicate with people who lived during the 1920's and 1930's via e-mail and in person.  In addition, I was able to meet some of the Language Arts Standards and Benchmarks and the Social Studies Standards and Benchmarks.  (Lesson 1,  Lesson 2).

IV.  Assessment and Evaluation:  Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.

     Students were assessed in a variety of ways.  Things considered include the questions the students prepared to ask our primary sources; oral discussions after each lesson and each chapter in our book; book reviews written by the students; and, interpretations of idioms from our trade books.  (Lesson2, Lesson 5, Lesson 4).

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

     This standard was demonstrated as I learned to use programs that I was not previously familiar with.  During this unit I learned to use Kid Pix and Inspiration, and I found a web site where we were able to read and write book reviews.  These were things I had not done before.  In addition, I have learned to create web pages.  This will help me to better meet the needs of my students and their parents.  They will be able to view my home page that will have a calendar, assignments, and examples and exhibits.  This, along with communication via e-mail, will help both students and parents to have continuous access to the happenings in my classroom.  (Lesson 1, Lesson 4, Lesson 5).

VI.  Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues:  Teachers understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in PK-12 schools and apply those principles in practice. 

     To address the needs of a diverse group of children, various media was used in this unit, including graphic organizers, reading a variety of materials, oral discussions, and hands-on pictures that the students made themselves.  In addition, I had to recognize that all of the students do not have access to a computer outside of their school.  Because some of our students did not have a computer at home, time was always allowed during the school day to work on the lessons that required the use of a computer.